Your best just got better

What's your "what for?"

On a drive from Ojai to Los Angeles this morning, I took the "quiet time" to listen...not to the radio, not to my voicemail, not to a book on CD; instead, I decided to listen to my own mind.

Over the past few months, I've noticed a theme of over-promising (to myself and to others) and then scrambling through late(r) nights, and over weekend days to get those things done. Today, I went through a "thought experiment" I call

...so that...

with several of my projects.

I think of a project, and identify a successful, valuable, end result. Then, I say to myself, "I am going to achieve that outcome so that..." and I fill in the blank.

As soon as I fill in the blank with one so that, I do it again; this time with THAT as the prompt. "I am going to achieve _______________ so that..."

It sure takes a while, but some of the clarity I experience on the other side is well worth the exercise.

What was that...that just happened?

Ok, if you're anything like me, from time to time you lose focus. Yeah, it happpens.

While reading a book, talking on the phone, out for a run, or even at dinner with my wife...my mind way wander.

QUESTION: When it wanders, where does your mind go? For years, I've practiced "living with pen and paper." You see, I can't help my fleeting thoughts from coming in (or going back out!), but I can stop them from coming in again and again...by writing them down!

Give it a try, for the next five days, do these two things:

1) Bring paper and pen with you EVERYWHERE.
2) Write more things down.

Does what you see inspire you?

Surround yourself...

...attention can influence behavior. So, put things around you that are interesting, inspiring and innovative. Change your screen-saver on your computer every 4-5 days...it only takes a moment, and it can be a great way to start your day with energy, excitement and enthusiasm.

I'll admit it, I cried...and it came on suddenly!

So, living in Mexico (twice) and Argentina (once) I have to admit a special affinity toward anything "Latin-American." When Jodi forwarded me this and wrote, "Short 5 min film, very sweet" as the subject line, I figured I'd get to it when I had time.

Director : Alonso Alvarez Barreda
Running Time : 04:50
Year : 2007
Country : Mexico/ U.S.A
Category : Short film

So, I just watched it, and for the first 4.25 minutes, watched from a distance (and semi-distracted) until the end. And then, "WHAM"...my heart took a leap and tears started.

Please, if you wouldn't mind, take 4 minutes and 50 seconds and follow the story of a sign...I think you'll appreciate it.

 

HISTORIA DE UN LETRERO (THE STORY OF A SIGN)

Wow, what a cool note to read tonight!

As some of you know, I spent "one of my careers" as a high school teacher here in Ojai, California. Well, via Facebook, I'm reconnecting with many of the students who once worked with me in good 'ol room A-3 at Nordhoff High School. Here's a note I read this evening...(And, you know who you are, thank you for taking time to share this with me. There are just a few teachers in my own past that I wish I would have reached out to to say "thanks." This kind of a note means a lot...so, thank you!)

Mr. Womack,

Or is it appropriate I can call you Jason now?!? How are you? Things seem to be going well. I just checked your website, very nice.  You were always one of my favorite teachers, not only at Nordhoff but throughout my education. So thank you, your enthusiasm in teaching I thought was incredible.

I just wanted to drop you a note to say hello.  Things are well for me, Iam actually getting married this year.  Seems like yesterday I sat in your classroom. Wow does time fly!!  Anyway, all the best. Hopefully I bump in to you sometime.

Regards,

E.W.

What do you think will always be "right there?"

June...It's already June 13th...I kinda can't believe it. Almost half the year...gone!

The prompt for this post came to my mind at 1:45am (Yes, in the morning.) I woke up with the thought:

Are the little things, really the biggest things?

So, then the thought tracking kept on going, then the light switch, then my journal, then the pen flying across the page for another hour or so...

It's Friday, I wish anyone reading this a great "last-day-of-the-week;" my real hope, however, is that you'll pause for a moment and look around...

If you think something will always be "right there," especially if it's something that has always been right there, or something you've taken for granted...look at it one more time; carefully; completely; fully; intentionally. You just may find something that makes it "bigger."

Where does your time go?

I put together this short presentation as a way to quantify the importance of creating your own "organization habits." I think it's possible for people to gain back 30-45 minutes a day just by implementing an idea or two from this short presentation. Enjoy...

Waiting for friends in New York City

I took this picture on Saturday, after arriving from an all-morning flight (from Zurich) while waiting to meet some friends in the city.

Wow, thank you for the great news!

I'm about to call it a night...it's late here in California, and I've already got a full day planned for tomorrow, starting at 5am! But, I had to share this quick quote.

Oh, right before I do, I'd like to ask you to pause for a moment and think about someone in your life who gets you thinking; someone who pushes you to be your best; someone there for you, when you need someone to be there...

Occasionally, I get the opportunity to meet people and to "stay in touch" over the years. Clients turn in to acquaintances who sometimes turn into friends...here is a note I read in my e-mail inbox this afternoon...

The SUBJECT line was: "I love getting your newsletters!"

...and, here is what he had to say:

Thanks.  I enjoyed the videos also.  I got a promotion late last year.  In part I attribute that to the learning journey you started me on.  Keep up the good work!

USPS Deliver Magazine...do you get it?

Quite a while ago, I subscribed to this magazine and enjoy every issue. There have only been 20 so far! In the next issue, I will have a short "letter to the editor" included in the print version. Here's what I had to say...