As a long-time executive assistant and project coordinator, I continually search for ways to eek the most out of my time. This is my collection of tips and tools to master your time.
“The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”
― Warren Buffett
Mr. Buffett’s quote resonates with me a couple of ways.
It’s so easy to get caught up in busyness that we lose sight of effectiveness.
Focus is key. Stephen Covey phrased it as “area of influence” vs. “area of concern”. We spread our focus away from the places where we can make an impact, we lose our effectiveness.
A good friend of mine has a phrase “don’t step over dollars to get to nickles”. Keep your eyes on your goals, and let that determine what’s important.
We must spend time reminding ourselves what’s important, on where we are trying to go.
Lastly, life is short. Focus it on what’s important.
I just discovered Bryan Elliot’s YouTube series “Behind the Brand” with this video of Seth Godin. As I greatly admire Seth’s work, I went ahead and watched. I found it well worth my time, and feel it’s well worth yours. Overcome disappointment, and move forward.
Here’s a powerful quote about triumphing over your fears. We often want to curl up and hide from them. However, it’s only by facing them, then taking action, that we truly find victory.
A few months ago I made the decision to live move effectively. I’ve been feeling stuck for some time, with the associated feelings of powerlessness and frustration. I’m not a fan.
I’ve understood for decades the power of the mind. That we can actively, proactively engage our thoughts and change the way we interact with the world. And that doing so is powerful and game-changing.
I was stuck in some old frustrations: regret, guilt, getting overwhelmed with all the potentials. All come from fear. All weren’t rationale. All held me back. And I got sick of it.
I’ve also known that what I feed my mind impacts my energy, my focus and my drive. I’m now shifting what I put into my head. What I watch, listen to.
I’m reading more. Such works as Good To Great, The Power of Habit, The 4 Disciplines of Execution. Every day I want to grow. Every day I want to be better when I go to bed than I was when I woke up.
I’m starting my day with a focus on motivation, on positive energy. This week, I’m opting for motivational videos (the one below is what I watched today). It does feel a bit silly right now, even with all I’ve studied showing the truth to doing this. When I get past the notions of “what others might think”, though, I feel better. The day feels lighter, and have more energy. It’s easier to say “no” to the things that hold me back.
The funniest part in all this: “what other’s might think” has done nothing for me. It adds nothing to my life. And, really, in the end, what have I to loose?
One day at a time. One action at a time. Each moment, each step, each day moves me forward. And that’s where I want to be.
I’m working on filling my mind and soul with positive energy. Here’s a short video to help focus on the right things, those things that enable us to do great things, to push past our perceived limits.
I’m surrounded by dissention, anger and invective. It makes me want to scream.
There are so many critical discussions, history making decisions that we need to make as a society and as a species.
Why do we seek out, aggressively, so many petty things with which to bicker and squabble over? I watch, time and time again, people waste monumental energy over the minor and leave the critical ignored.
Perhaps it’s easier, and less frightening, to engage with the petty than with the important. It’s also useless.
I’ve been asked, many, many times if “x” will present a challenge. And, far too often, the context of that is “kill the project”.And that’s the wrong thinking. EVERY project will have challenges. Internal, external, whether inertia or outright attack, things will rise.
Before running away from challenge, we need to remember value. What are we trying to bring to life with the project? And then dive deeper into the cause of the challenge. Can it be overcome? At what cost? Does this negate the value of the project?
I’ve bought into the notion that “everything in life is easy if you’re aligned with the universe”, and that “challenges are signs of divine disfavor”. Perhaps not quite as dramatic as this, but the point’s still there. Challenges shouldn’t be existential. Anticipate they’ll come and remember your why, and you won’t descend into fear driven chaos.
So, here’s a bit more insight. I’ve known for years the importance of taking care of yourself. What’s called, in Franklin Covey parlanence, Sharpening Your Saw. This analogy states that the lumberjack who never sharpens his saw, doesn’t take care of his tools, slowly loses his effectiveness and, eventually, the tools, the saw in this case, fails.
It’s easy to get caught up in all the busyness of the world, of my modern life. My office is running pretty short-staffed right now. (If you’re interested in working with us, all our open positions have been posted on our Facebook page.) There’s so much to do, it seems indulgent to take some time for one’s self.
Yet, we…well, “I”…need to remember that not taking care of myself means decreasing effectiveness and eventual collapse. I’m not some strange superbeing who is exempt from all the rules that others are bound by.
I spent my morning journaling time considering this. Most of my refresh time has been reflexive. I want to shift to a more deliberate approach. The main reason is to avoid hitting the proverbial wall and THEN trying to figure out how I get more energy. No, I’m going to spend time daily doing things that feed my soul, that rejuvenate me and make me better. Substituting coffee (or worse) only creates a bigger problem down the road.
So, what do you do to recharge your soul? That gives you zip in the morning? I’d love to hear what works for you. I delight in hearing what inspires folks. So, drop me a note below.
