Posted: April 1, 2021 | Categories: Self-Improvement, Time management

A couple days ago I wrote about the importance of starting our day with a “full tank”, and having a clear vision of where we are going.  A short while after writing that, another thought occurred to me:  What about those people I know who find it very difficult to get a vision or sense of direction?  Instead, these folk’s minds get flooded with all their problems, and their thoughts become diffuse and non-productive.  Here’s the good news:  Even if you struggle with developing a vision or exciting sense of direction, you can learn to be good at it.  Here are the steps in the process.

1. Frequency:  There are thoughts that pop into our minds if we let them.  We may picture ourselves as an excellent piano player on stage, or running a marathon.  Whatever the thought is, it came to us for a reason.  Capture it!
2. Feed the thought (Duration):  Our next goal is to let this mini vision play in our minds.  Give it more “screen time”.
3. Put it in vivid color:  Now that we are “playing the movie”, make it colorful and alive so that it is more vivid in our thoughts.
4. Attach emotion:  Now that we have this vivid “movie” playing in our mind, let’s let our emotions kick in so that we soon find our wanting that future state badly. (Watch movie “Pursuit of Happiness”)

All highly successful people do the above.  They carry with them a future state they want to be in, and they do something every day to work towards it.  When you get a vision, seize it, nurture it, and keep “playing the movie”.  You will know where you are going and will be excited about getting there.  To conclude, read this classic poem by Langston Hughes:

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry  up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over–
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load
Or does it explode?

Posted: March 30, 2021 | Categories: Sales, Self-Improvement

Now that we are getting through the Pandemic and have a vaccine, I see a lot of folks ready to come alive and get back in the game. Before we re-engage, I suggest we take a moment to ask ourselves what it is that we are excited about.  When that alarm goes off in the morning, are we eager and excited to hit the pavement running, or would we rather hit the snooze alarm.  As Dr.Hans Seyle said, “A successful life is a series of successful days.”  How do we ensure we will have this ability?  Vision.  We must know exactly what we want and be willing to pay the price for it every day by taking purposeful action.

In 2008, my son graduated from college.  Right after graduating he got into sales.  Some of you may recall the 2008-09 recession.  Most would say it was not a good time to sell, but not Kevin.  He had a powerful vision.  He dreamed of a lifestyle, family, and neighborhood that he wanted very much.  He had such a desire for this future state that he carried this “movie” around in his mind and played it all the time.  This thinking led to bountiful energy that fueled his enthusiasm for every challenging moment and setback.  He would jump up, dig in to each day, and there was nothing that would discourage him or make him lose his stride.  Today, 13 years later, he is living his dream in abundance.  In his office he has a marble plaque that says, “A goal without a plan is only a wish”.  Kevin figured out what every achiever learns:  Know what you want, keep your enthusiasm growing, and don’t let anything or anyone distract you.  An oak tree starts out as an acorn, and if left to grow, becomes a monument.  Let your acorns grow!

Posted: March 12, 2021 | Categories: Management, Self-Improvement, Time management

Last week I was working with a team on time management skills.  We began by looking at a list of common barriers to good time management.  Each participant reviewed the list and chose the barrier that they thought was the biggest threat to using their time productively.  By far the most common barrier was DISTRACTIONS!

According to research from McKinsey, the average employee gets interrupted 50-60 times a day with emails, texts, phone calls, drop in visitors, sports scores, stock market updates, and “click bait” just to name a few.  Expert’s say if we can get focused and stay focused, we can double our productivity (Assuming we are working from written goals)

A couple of years ago, I did an experiment.  I had a large report to put together that included 18 separate assessments.  Just for fun, I worked on one of the assessment without interruption, and measured the time.  I then took this time and multiplied it by 17.  (The number of remaining assessments)  I took that projected time and made it a goal.  I stayed focused, allowed no interruptions, and completed the project in 1/2 day.  Normally it would have taken me a full work day.  By not allowing distractions, I was able to get into the “flow state” and stay there without my thoughts straying.

I often hear people say, “I’m working more now that I was 10 years ago”.  We may be spending more time at work, but are we getting more work done?  If we want to double our productivity by greatly reducing distractions, here is what we can do:

1. Plan you work.
2. Categorize and prioritize your tasks and activities.
3. Work on one thing at a time in order of its importance.  Stay focused.
4. Put an “I” sign on your back indicating you are in focus time.

Achieve more!

Posted: February 26, 2021 | Categories: Self-Improvement

Have you ever be so stressed that you felt like you were putting “10lbs. into 5-lb. bag”?  If so, it may be a good time for you to take a step back and re-examine your priorities.  To help put yourself in the right mindset, here is a piece a good friend shared with me many years ago.  I have referred to it often:

To all the rocks in your life… A philosophy professor stood before his class and had some items in front of him.  When class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks.  They were about 2 inches in diameter.  He then asked the students if the jar was full.  They agreed that it was.  The professor then picked up a box of pebbles, and rolled them into open areas between the rocks.  He then asked the students again if the jar was full.  They said yes.  He then picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar.  Of course the sand filled up everything else.  Now, said the professor, I want you to recognize that this is your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children,  and anything that is so important to you that if it were lost, you would be nearly destroyed.  The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job your house, and your car.  The sand is everything else.  If you put the sand in the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks.  The same goes for your life.  If you spend all your energy and time on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.  Pat attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.   Play with your children.  Take time to get medical checkups.  Take your partner out dancing.  There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party and fix the disposal.  Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter.  Set your priorities.  The rest is just sand.

Next question:  How do we determine our top priorities? (Big rocks)  Look at all the tasks and activities before you and ask these two questions:

1. How much will I benefit if I do this task or activity?
2. How much will I suffer if I don’t?

If the answer is “strong benefit” or “strong suffering”, you are probably looking at an “A” priority.  Put the “big rocks” in first, and the less important will find its way around the rocks.

Posted: February 22, 2021 | Categories: Leadership, Self-Improvement, Team Building

Humility: Having a showing or consciousness of ones defects or shortcomings.– Webster’s New World Dictionary

In his book, “The Ideal Team Player”, Patrick Lencioni talks about the most important quality of the strongest team players:  Humility.

Are you a “just” person? Let me explain what I mean by that. A couple weeks ago I was talking with my youngest son. He is 33 and had been married for 3 years. I had asked David a challenging question, and he did not become defensive. I could tell he had thought carefully about my question, and he did not comment. Later on, David shared this: “When you asked me that question I was so tempted to say, “I just…” I held back and I am glad I did rather than reacting or becoming defensive.  I thought your question was good and I should give it careful consideration. I did so, and it helped me. I also realized the number of times people would say something starting with, “I just…”. Now whenever I am tempted to respond with “I just”, I take a step back and gave myself some time to think.”

David’s comments caused me to reflect on the number of “I just” moments I have had. I don’t use “I just” anymore and I don’t miss it. Not doing so has helped me become a more empathetic and improved listener. Try it! I believe you will find others will be more open to your ideas.