Jason Womack

Do you "Mind the Gap?"

It isn't so much about the "distance" between the train and the platform...

...as it is between knowing about something, and then doing something about that knowing. This is sometimes referred to as the "knowing-doing gap."

Just a couple of reasons I have for carefully watching how much I think I should do, and how much I actually DO of that...

1) There is too much I already have to do. Here, the emphasis on "have" to as in the infinite opportunities, NOT on have "to" as in the overwhelm of the undone.

2) I need to consciously experiment with something for 1-2 weeks, consistently, so I can study it personally. A new performance measure, a new productivity tip, a new presentation tool or technique...if I hear about it, I tend to get it and practice.

I don't want to lose valuable time and energy "wondering" if I should do something...that is "life in the gap."

As soon as you finish reading this, ask yourself, "What could I do next?"

I just saw the book a mentor of mine published...

Many congratulations to Martha Ringer. When we met (wow!) 12 years ago, she was one of the people who saw more in me than I saw. And now, her book is out!

What (if anything) are you doing to enhance your "game?"

I saw this at the airport bookstore this morning.

I'm not exactly sure what to think...yet. I'm sure there are all kinds of "plusses and minuses" to this. What do you say?

Make a list of the reasons you deserve to succeed

Do you deserve it? (Here I am achieving a first - First place in a running race! Through miles 1-3 I could see and hear a couple of guys around me, then at mile four I made a decision. I told myself I was going to win this thing!)


Really? Massive success - whatever that means to you - needs a place to call home. If you're going to:

• Make more money
• Have more time off
• Get a promotion
• Close a deal
• Make a huge life change
• Experience ANYthing differently than you're currently experiencing!

...you're going to have to have space for it to exist. Sure it's easy to find examples of achieving personal "bests" in sports. And, for celebrities we see it all the time. But, what about in the everyday-ness of life? How do we go about getting ready, working toward, and experiencing success?Here are just a few things to consider:

• Start by identifying a "there" where you are going. Then...
• Begin by taking one small action each day for 5 days.
• Plan for the second week of pursuit to have one MAJOR, massive action take place.
• Share your plan with one person who is an undeniable supporter and raving fan.
• Keep some kind of journal, and write in it EVERY night, filling in a page using this prompt:

In what ways did I achieve toward my goal today?

More than an affirmation, more than wishful thinking...When you put your thoughts on paper, and reflect on your wins no matter how big or small, you engage all your senses of learning, experience and self-leadership. Go for it...Go out there, and make things possible!

Two very different things you do at work

In our seminars, we discuss the different “kinds” of work you do day-to-day.

Think

Do

Of course, if you have ever written down the work you have, you might have told yourself that that is your to-do list. It will be worth it to look at it again...

Thinking about work is different than working on that thinking. Find practical AND tactical ways to separate the THINKING you do about your work from the actual time and focus you put on DOING something about that work.

The People of Successful Habits

Arnold Palmer threw the ceremonial “first pitch” on September 8^th (at PNC Park, where the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs will play a game of baseball). In anticipation of, and preparation for, this event – a throw just over 60 feet from the pitcher’s mound to home plate – Arnold had “been playing catch for weeks in preparation for one throw.”

 

Just last week, I was reading the USA Today newspaper and glanced at the sports section. Now, I gotta be honest, that’s not a section I often review. Typically, I start with the Money/business section, then I go up the Life section, and finally the “front” page section.

(It was the picture of the dog that got me!) I read every word of this article all about Arnold Palmer. This guy is unbelievable!

I’m not a typical “guy” when it comes to American sports. I don’t follow a football (American football that is) team, I no longer know baseball players names or stats (thought I used to as a kid in Oakland, CA) and I don’t know if I’ve watched an entire game/event on TV this decade.

BUT, reading about Arnold Palmer has me thinking. The seminars I present, and coaching sessions I facilitate, are all about Mastering Workplace Performance. Now that I know more about Arnold, I’m adding him to my “list” of people I learn successful habits from.

Here’s the quote of the article: “You never give up on trying to be better, regardless of your age.”

I submit for YOUR consideration: What are YOU trying to be better at?