TIME - Such a powerful little word...

Time…such a powerful word.  It seems as though we never have enough of it.  In some cases we want to shave a hundredth of a second off a particular event, only to wish that we could add hours to another.

In his book, First Thing Every Morning, Lewis Timberlake gives us his observations on the subject for our consideration – my thoughts are highlighted in parentheses:

First: Nobody can manage time. But you can manage those things that take up your time.  (It’s OK to tell a staff member that you’re in the middle of something – to come back later – like AFTER school or during their lunch. You’ll be surprised how much faster that meeting goes)

Second: Time is expensive. As a matter of fact, 80 percent of our day is spent on those things or those people that only bring us two percent of our results. (Not sure what research supports this, but the point IS well taken. Take an honest look of how much “bang for the buck” you’re getting with a project or relationship and make a conscious decision to proceed or simply “cut bait.”)

Third: Time is perishable. It cannot be saved for later use. (As my dad would say, “There’s no time like the present.”)

Fourth: Time is measurable. Everybody has the same amount of time…pauper or king. (It is not how much time you have; it is how you use it.)

Fifth: Time is irreplaceable. We never make back time once it is gone. (True, but hopefully with each passing day we LEARN from time spent on how to be better in the future.)

Sixth: Time is a priority. You have enough time for anything in the world, so long as it ranks high enough among your priorities. (Revisit your goals, professional as well as personal, prioritize…some things ARE more important than others…your actions ARE stronger than your words…)

So my friends…how will YOU use the 86,400 seconds you have tomorrow?  Each second is a precious commodity to be used wisely.

Be good to yourself…

Water Anyone?

Have you ever asked for a glass of water only to have someone try to fill the glass with a fire hose?  I think of this analogy on occasion as I sit in various meetings with assorted audiences and presenters. Their faces tell the story as the audience is being drowned with way too much information while the presenter seems intent on providing more and more in the hope that thirst’s will be quenched.

As leaders, it’s sometimes difficult to grasp the idea that, at times, less IS more…

Be good to yourself…

In The Dark?

Have you ever been in a completely dark room? I mean completely dark…void of any light…What emotions did you encounter? What went through your imagination? What’s your natural instinct to make your situation a bit more tolerable?

I find it curious, that as leaders, we sometimes place those we lead completely in the dark, void of any light, void of any vision, filled with confusion, fear, and hopelessness.

As leaders, we must continue to be that beacon of light to cut through the darkness. Our vision must be clear and communicated regularly. It is our passion and modeling that are the sparks that generate others to shine and bring the dark room into the light.  

I have found that people in the dark look for a light…any light…make sure the light they find is the light you want them to follow…

Be good to yourself…

Over/Under

Consider these two phrases….

Over Promise – Under Deliver

Under Promise – Over Deliver

If I were to ask people in your building which of the two of these represented you the best, where do you think the consensus would lie? Although most, if not all of us want to be considered “good to their word” circumstances that are out of our control sometimes dictate otherwise.

If you had to CHOOSE one over the other, which would it be? Why? Just askin, as your integrity depends on it…

Be good to yourself…