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Ever since I started reading this book (by Guy Kawasaki) I've been thinking and planning about the ideas whose time have come.
If you're planning to implement some of your own ideas-and, if I can say out loud, this is THE time to put action toward your ideas-at least read chapters 2, 9, 48, and 91.
Here's a quick note I wrote a while back that was just reinforced this week. I was working with a client who is "out of" as much as she is "in" the office. With the different pieces of electronic gear she has access to, it is important that those are all ready to go!
Photo thanks to: kvanlierop
Have you ever been about to make an important phone call, but can’t because the battery is dead? Here are 4 simple ways to stay in power:
I know for several of you reading this, you probably already do many of these. So, my request: In the comment area below, what's another one of your tips for "being ready?" Thanks, in advance, for anything you can share with this community!
The key is to make this process as simple as possible to instill as a habit. Keep your gear fully charged all of the time, and it will not let you down when you need it most.
What story are you telling yourself?
Photo Credit: http://flickr.com/photos/gonzalo_ar/
Just the other day, I woke up - long before any sunlight to be seen - and opened up one of the journals I keep going. I started with these three letters in the middle of the page: MIT.
To me in my own little world, these three letters stand for:
So, what is the story you're telling yourself about your own MITs?
This is an important question and one that can help you frame the structure to your day and facilitate the goal-setting process. I can think of a few reasons to answer and re-answer this question for yourself:
1) The essence of what you’re asking is: "Why am I here?" Long-time consultants and mentors in your work and life will probably share with you just how critical it is to answer this question from time to time. Knowing why you are here, at least this week/month/quarter, gives you at least some direction in tracking down your MITs.
2) Listening to yourself talk to yourself gives you some great information. "What is the story you're telling yourself about your own MITs?" The reason I like writing so much, and the reason I journal at least once a day, is that it gives me an opportunity to "hear" what I say to myself. Chances are, if you could actually see and hear some of the things you're saying, you would probably change them to be more proactive, more positive, and a bit more gentle!
3) Stopping to ask - and then answer - your own questions is really a gift. It is purely a way to keep a record of a moment...What's going on "right now..."
Need a small dose of inspiration? Grab a pen, a piece of paper and go write. Ask yourself about YOUR own MITs and see what shows up there on that note pad!
In fact, those people we spend the most time with contribute to our mental outlooks. Therefore, it’s important to engage with the kind of people you want to influence you on both practical and subtle levels.
Surround yourself with other people who inspire you, design new realities, and seem to do the impossible. They may be entrepreneurs, educators, or artists – people inside or outside your profession. You may have someone in mind already, someone who inspires “awe” each time they respond to the simple question, “What’s new with you?”
ACTIVITY:
Get out a sheet of paper and write the first names that come to mind:
· List of 10 people you look up to and admire.
· List of 10 people you would like to spend an extra hour with sometime in this month.
· List (gasp) 10 people you would like to spend less time with.
You don’t HAVE to do anything about these 30 people, but at least you’ve started to objectify who is already on your team (and who, potentially, might need to be “cut” from the team!).
A constant theme to our workshops and executive coaching Programs, I
am seeing more and more people turning toward the collaborative
natures of workplace performance and personal productivity.
For a few minutes, consider who you might align with as you make more
of this year than ever before.
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