Adding Value and Time

What does it take to add value to a person or situation?  What can you do to offer a better quality product than your competitor?  Can you somehow make it more convenient for the consumer to do business with you?  Are you selling to the masses or have you identified a specific niche?

"To add value to others, one must first value others."
-John Maxwell-

Chaos and Time

Unpredicatable, Disorganized, Random, Commotion, Upheaval, Turmoil,Disorder, Disarray,Confusion, Mayhem, Bedlam, Pandemonium, Havoc, Tumult, Disruption, Uproar

What does chaos cost you in terms of productivity?  How long does it take you to get focused again after an interruption?  Does your brain thrive in chaos or long for calm, organized predictable order?Could the chaos around you be holding you back from achieving your greatness? Recognizing your potential? 

"Chaos is inherent in all compounded things.  Strive on with diligence."
-Buddha- 

Distractions and Time

What price do you pay for allowing yourself to be distracted?  Are you ever really able to return the focus to what you were working on? Does one distraction turn into a string of distractions and you are never really able to accomplish what you set out to do?  Could this really be a $588 billion problem facing our nation?  Can you develop the discipline to see the job through this time? No one or thing gets my attention until this job is done?  

"Multi-tasking arises out of distraction itself."

-Marilyn vos Savant-

Fire and Time

Have you been exposed to greatness today?  When you think of greatness, who comes to mind?  Who has the "fire in the belly" for a similar project as the one you are involved with? Who is that trail blazing, fast talking, no excuses mentor you could align with? Someone that will hold your feet to the fire but will also help you through it?  Is there someone that you can help to refuel their fire? Is it time to re-stoke the fire?

"The most powerful weapon on earth is the human soul on fire."
-Ferdinand Foch-

Space, Creativity and Time

Do you wish that you had more creative ideas?  What does your personal space at home and at work look and feel like?  Could you use a dejunk?  How would an organized space improve the creative juices? What about your time? Are you constantly on the go with no time carved out to replenish your personal resources?  How could setting an appointment with yourself to reflect and plan improve the creative flow?  Are you willing to discipline yourself and make it happen?

"You need to create space for your creative process to thrive rather than expect it to operate in the cracks of your frenetic schedule."
-Todd Henry-

Doing and Time

Does it cost time to put off doing something?  Or, do you gain time when you save it for later?  What is the mental and emotional benefit of looking that "ugly frog" in the eye and taking that first bite/step?  What if you tell yourself....I'm a doer..not a procrastinator?  What is your next action step?  Do it!

"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."
-Walt Disney-

Fear and Time

What would you do if you weren't afraid?  Do you recognize that you are limiting yourself by focusing on the "what ifs"?  What purpose does fear serve?  Is the thing you fear really something you need to protect yourself from? What if that feeling you are interpreting as fear is actually excitement?  Is it time to switch off the fear and go for it?  Can you feel the fear/excitement and do it anyway?  

"I've learned that fear limits you and your vision.  It serves as blinders to what may be just a few steps down the road for you. The journey is valuable, but believing in your talents, your abilities, and your self worth can empower you to walk down an even brighter path.  Transforming fear into freedom-how great is that?
-Soledad O'Brien-

Pressure and Time

Who has time for all this?  So many deadlines? Is your head about to explode?  Where does pressure come from?  Does it serve you?  Are you trying to pound a bowling pin through the wall or a nail?  How do your efforts compare to this analogy?  What can you do to focus your efforts?  Will a better result be achieved because of this focused pressure?  

Pressure can feel overwhelming.  It can make us crack....but it also turns coal into diamonds.  Change your perspective today and use pressure to your advantage.  

-Daily Prime-

Running on Empty and Time

How does that list look today?  Have you had a chance to get things done amidst all the interruptions?  Did you identify what was the most important thing to accomplish before the day began?  What were those top three critical items to get done so that you would be moving forward? Would you say that you emptied yourself of your best work today?  Is it time to make the priority list for tomorrow?


"Emptying yourself of your best work isn't about checking off tasks on your to-do list; it's about making steady, critical progress each day on the projects that matter, in all areas of life."
-Todd Henry-

Thoughts and Time

Do you monitor your thoughts?  What is that voice in your head telling you?  Are you speaking to it and telling it what to do or is it constantly talking creating fears and worries?  Is this thought helping or harming me?  Is this thought moving me towards or away from what I am trying to accomplish?  How are all these thoughts connected?  Is it time for a new filter to clean those negative thoughts out?  

"No thought stands still."
-Andy Shaw-

Delegation and Time

What is your criteria for who you will delegate to?  Do you have any expectations or just hand it off to a warm body?  How could delegating make you vulnerable? Why are trust, competency and integrity important in the equation?  Can you insure success my investing time in setting clear expectations, training, communication and follow through? What will you delegate today?

"The art of delegation is one of the key skills any entrepreneur must master."

-Richard Branson-

Noticing and Time

What have you noticed today?  Are you a people watcher?  Do you get so wrapped up in your own world that you haven't really "seen" the people or abundance around you?  Can you detect that there is something amiss?  What is that sweet smell?  Does it take more time to be a Noticer?  What value could it bring to your relationships if you noticed more? Would giving thanks for those little things bring more goodness to your life?

"One must always be aware, to notice even though the cost of noticing is to become responsible."
-Thylias Moss-

Value and Time

What is value?  What influence does value have on your attitudes and behavior?  Does your organization have strongly held beliefs that influence the day to day operations?  How do your customers perceive the value you provide them? What can you do to bring value to the situation? How much time does it take to add value?

"You are responsible for .....creating value that didn't exist before you arrived on the scene."
-Todd Henry-

Trust and Time

How is trust developed?  Why is trust essential in progressing forward in business?  Is there a situation where you would trust a complete stranger? Do you do and say the things you actually believe?  Can you look around and identify individuals that you would likely trust?  Do you have a common set of values or beliefs?  What do trust, generosity and fulfillment have in common?  Are you willing to spend your time in helping someone with out the expectation of receiving something in return? 

"If people like you, they'll listen to you, but if they trust you, they'll do business with you."
-Zig Ziglar-

Daily Priming and Time

Do you take the time to prime your brain everyday?  How could developing a daily ritual of clarity of purpose make life easier each day? What deliberate action can you take to use your brain better? 
Meditation?  Review goals?  Visualize yourself in that new situation?  Will you commit to two minutes per day to mentally rehearse where you want to go?  

"Good thinkers always prime the pump of ideas.  They always look for things to get the thinking process started, because what you put in always impacts what comes out."
-John Maxwell-

Mom & Pop and Time

Are you one of 28 million small business owners in the America?Maybe you are one of 56 million employees working to delight the customers of small business owners?  What is your business strategy?  Can you identify the things that have kept you in business all these years?  Does your approach to customer service stand above the rest?  Do your employees and customers know you have their best interests at heart? What is your best marketing method? Do they love you so much they are constantly spreading the good word? 

"If you work just for money, you'll never make it, but if you love what you're doing and you always put the customer first, success will be yours."
-Ray Kroc-

Rogophobia and Time

Do you suffer from Rogophobia?  Have you ever been told you ask too many questions?  How would it impact your business if you could put this problem aside? Would you be better able to lead your company effectively if you weren't afraid you would phrase the next important question wrong?  Could you be a better salesperson by learning to ask great questions?  Is it time to practice asking better questions?

"Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers."

-Tony Robbins-

Reasonable Risk and Time

Are you heading off in uncharted territory?  Leaving the certain and predictable behind? Do you have this vision...and it takes your commitment to move from where you are to where you want to be? Can you be willing to feel the fear and do it anyway? What will the costs be for success?  Are you ready to feel in charge, powerful and take massive action?  Is it time to weigh out the cost of staying where you are versus the cost of where you want to be? 

"In some ways, risk-taking is the ultimate act of self-indulgence, an obscene insult to the preciousness of life.  And yet, how can one dismiss something that persists despite every reasonable theory that it shouldn't?
-Sebastian Junger-

Leaders and Time

Are you treating your employees like family?  Would they be happy to fight right along side with you?  Are your people starving for acceptance and appreciation?  Do you have the character qualities of a leader?  Humble?  Servant?  Passionate?  Could leading more than 8 people be difficult?  Why is 5 the ideal ratio?  Are you a great leader?  If not, it's time to change!!

"Leaders are not born...it's a choice.  Change...you get to decide."
-Dave Ramsey-

Why and Time

Why do you get up in the morning? What inspires you to do what you do?  Why is it important that you take action?  What lights your fire?  Why are you excited to read that book? What's your purpose? Do others know the causes you are most passionate about?  Why does your organization exist?  Do you communicate from the inside out? 

"People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it."
-Simon Sinek-

Postive Constructive Daydreaming and Time

Have you ever caught yourself daydreaming?  Did you chastise yourself for not staying focused on the task at hand?  Could taking a break to daydream actually help you accomplish more?  How would wishful, playful imagination rejuvenate you?  Would this be a good way to spend 15 minutes of your time?  What if you combined that positive constructive daydreaming with a low key activity such as knitting or riding your bike? Can you feel an increase in energy just thinking about it?  

"Daydreaming allows you to play out scenarios where you miraculously save the day.  You play out scenarios in your head that are kind of crazy, and then you personally, heroically resolve them."
-Mark Waters-

Self Talk and Time

Who's in your corner?  What is that voice inside saying?  Is it encouraging?  Helping you achieve more than you think is possible?  Are you the talker or the listener?  Could improved self talk help?  How would you fill in these blanks?  I used to believe _______________ but now I am becoming_______________.  Would it take any extra time to take charge of that voice inside and teach it to speak properly?  Will improved self talk improve your behavior?

"Be very careful what you say to yourself because someone very important is listening.....YOU!"
-John Assaraf-

Associates and Time

Is it true that you really are the sum of your five closest associates? Have you chosen well?  Are you running with thoroughbreds or donkeys? Do they inspire you?  Challenge you to become a better person? Make you think?  Help you improve a skill set? Is it time to reevaluate who you are spending your time with?  Could it be time for an upgrade? Ready to hang with the thoroughbreds?

"Pick your pack-who you spend time with is who you become.  Finding a positive peer group of people who challenge you and who are smarter than you will help you become a real life superhero."
-Jim Kwik-

Memory and Time

Did you walk downstairs and wonder what it was you were supposed to get? Are you able to remember all those names and faces you were just introduced to? Is it possible that you have a good memory but it hasn't been trained to hold on to the information coming in?  What's your motivation?  Why do you want to remember that name or fact?  Instead of thinking about what you want to say next, can you just listen, be totally present to what is being said?  What strategies could you learn to help you remember?  Could an make a big improvement in a short amount of time?

"There's no such thing as a good or bad memory-only trained and untrained "
-Jim Kwik-

Stories and Time

What is your story?  Does your business have a story? What are the highlights? Can you tell your story on the elevator?  In three sentences or less? What's your contribution to the world?  Where's the heart of what you do?  Who's the hero?  Do you have a villain you need to keep out?  Will your three lines leave your elevator buddies asking for more details?  Is it time to identify your story?

"I like stories that leave you wanting more, leave you wondering, but don't tell everything."
-Viggo Mortensen-

SWOT and Time

Have you taken the time to do a SWOT analysis on your business lately? Strengths? Weaknesses? Opportunities? Threats?  How do you stand?  How do your competitors stand?  What value do you offer the customer?  Where does the competition edge you out? Are your potential customers ready for a shift that you can capitalize on? What could go wrong that you haven't anticipated?  Is it time for a SWOT analysis so you will be ready for the next market shift?  
"Opportunities are like sunrises.  If you wait too long, you miss them."
-William Arthur Ward-

Tracking and Time

What is something you'd like to track?  Walk the dog daily?  Play outside with the kids?  Write a note to someone you care about daily?  Getting 8 hours of sleep?  Is there benefit to tracking those things you want to improve?  Will repetition make that behavior ingrained? Something you do on autopilot?  What is a minor lifestyle change that you know would bring benefits quickly? Are you ready to experiment and see how tracking makes a difference?  

"Excellence is an art won by training and habituation.  We do not act rightly because we have virtue or excellence, but we rather have those because we have acted rightly.  We are what we repeatedly do.  Excellence, then, is not a act but a habit."
-Aristotle-

Expectations and Time

What are your expectations for the day?  For the meeting you are about to attend?  For that date tomorrow night?  For what friends and family will do?  For that customer that just chose another company over yours? Could you ask some questions to help you through?  Am I committed to the relationship? How could this opportunity serve as a learning experience for me?  How can I "take the high road" and continue to serve?  Maybe it's a opportunity for them to recognize your value?  Maybe it's time to let it roll off your back and stay the course of excellence?

"Life....it tends to respond to our outlook, to shape itself to meet our expectations."  
-Richard M. DeVos-

Last and Time

Have you ever been last?  Was there some emotional angst involved? How could being last actually be a position of power? Has everyone  already weighed in on the situation and now you have the final word? Could this be your time to tip the scales?  

"We need you.  The best version of you.  You're here for a reason, and we can't wait to see what that is.  Stay in your lane.  Run that race."
-Grace Gealey-

Contribution and Time

Contribution-the act of giving something or something given.  Is your contribution..... Time? Money? Talent?  Generous soul? Volunteering? Planting a tree?  Random act of kindness?  Did you know that contribution is a fundamental human need?  How can you have it all and still not be fulfilled?  Could volunteering at your local school fill that need for contribution?  Maybe your contribution is to be an adviser to a struggling business?  How and what can you contribute to make your life more meaningful?

"Only those who have learned the power of sincere and selfless contribution experience life's deepest joy:true fulfillment."
-Tony Robbins-

Routine and Time

Do you have a morning routine?  What benefits do you receive from spending this time?  Would you be better able to "Seize the Day" if you implemented a routine? What elements would be included in this "Hour of Power"? Exercise? Journaling? Reading? Gratitude? Meditation? Fueling the machine? Is it worth your time?

"The secret of your future is hidden in your daily routine."
-Mike Murdock-

Variety and Time

Are you feeling proficient in your responsibilities? Maybe a little bored? Have you been longing for a burst of spontaneity? How can you mix it up? Change the routine? Depart from the norm? Create a little chaos? What is your method of adding variety to your life-work?

"Sameness is the mother of disgust, variety the cure."

-Petrarch-

Push, Pull and Time

What are you excited about today?  Are you willing to stay up late to make it happen?  What about an early start to get a jump on the day?  Does it feel like you are really pushing to make it happen or is it pulling you?  Are you having to run double time to keep up with all the ideas and creativity flowing? 

"Pull the string, and it will follow wherever you wish.  Push it, and it will go nowhere at all."
-Dwight D. Eisenhower-

Action and Time

Are you willing to follow those little nudges that come along?  Or do you dismiss and second guess those impressions?  Are there signs you haven't noticed? How about listening for messages, watching for an opportunity to present itself?  What can you do to take massive action to make this opportunity a reality?  Is it time to face your fear and take some action? 

"There are risks and costs to action.  But they are far less than the long range risks of comfortable inaction."

-John F. Kennedy-

Movement and Time

Are you feeling like things are going well?  We have a rhythm? We are on track? Then....KABOOM!  The cheese has been moved? How will you adapt to this change? Is this a blessing or a curse? What mindset will be required to successfully navigate this transition?  Will new skills be required?  Is this an opportunity to move in a different direction? 

The trouble with the fast lane is that all the movement is horizontal. And I like to go vertical sometimes.  
-Tom Robbins-

Hustle and Time

Has anyone ever told you "you are a hustler?"  Are you ready to get at it?  Do you move and act energetically?  Are you using language that makes you move forward? Why would you want to be a hustler?  Does it take time to become a hustler?  Can you learn it? Are you born with it? Is it about time to get your hustle on?  

"Good things happen to those who hustle."

-Chuck Noll

One at a Time

Have you heard of or seen the 5 acre field of daffodils planted by one woman, one bulb at a time?  How could you change the world if you started one bulb, one habit, one letter, one smile, one phone call at a time? Can you really make a difference in this spare 3 minutes that you have right now? What will you do with your small increments of time?  What do you want to start today?

"You can't live for a moment that may not happen.  You need to live in the moment."

-Jake Roberts-

Contribution and Time

Do you take time regularly to contribute to your favorite charity, church group or school?  How does that make you feel?  Do you feel like you are growing or dying on the vine?  Can you get off this plateau? Who are you at the core of your being?  How do you recognize and honor that daily?  Will contribution give your life meaning?

"The secret to living is giving."
-Tony Robbins- 

Legacy and Time

What will be your contribution to the world?  Have you taken time to contemplate that?  Is it true that no one is a nobody?  Do we all bring light or darkness wherever we go?  What can you do intentionally today to bring light to your corner?  When you are gone, what would you like others to say about you?  What can you do today to make that so?  

"Live so that when your children think of fairness, caring and integrity, they think of you."  
-H. Jackson Brown Jr.-

Millionaire Mindset and Time

Do you have a millionaire mindset?  How do you develop one?  Do you understand that what you have for a product or service is just an exchange for paper or currency?  How can you  develop an exchange with people that want your product?  If you were able to figure out this exchange, would you know how to manage all that money?  Are you a wise steward of what you currently have and preparing to become a wise steward of even more? Have you checked your inner beliefs?  Do you value yourself? Are you self sabotaging?  Ready to take the time  to upgrade your beliefs?

"If you don't value yourself, the subconscious will almost always win by sabotage."  
-Anonymous- 

Authenticity and Time

Do you worry that your "real" self is not good enough?  Do you have a situation coming up that you feel inadequate about? Is the fear of rejection a concern?  What if you embraced your imperfection? Could you ask thoughtful questions and listen intently to make a connection?  Are you fully present? Attentive? Listening?  When you let the genuine you shine through are you enough? What investment in time would it take to become a master of presence?  

"Presence is more than just being there."
-Malcom Forbes-

"I had no idea that being your authentic self could make me as rich as I've become.  If I had, I'd have done it a lot earlier. "
-Oprah Winfrey-

Educating and Time

What do you see as most valuable in your business?  Marketing? Educating?  Could one of your most successful forms of marketing be to educate your potential and existing clients?  Why would that be? Will they likely feel more at ease if they understand more about the product or process? Can you use education as a way to build trust?  Let them know they are in good hands?  That you understand your product and their needs?  Are you willing to spend the time to find ways that would be low risk and high value in educating your clients? 

"Amateurs get frustrated with clients.  Professionals educate them."
-Lauren Hooker-

Surprise, Delight and Time

How long has it been since you were filled with surprise and delight?  Have you filled someone else with surprise and delight recently?  What does it take to make this happen?  How can I serve you today?  Is there anything I can help you with today?  What if you put a pack of M&M's in that shipment you are sending out today?  Could you have that report done an hour earlier than expected?  Who can I surprise and delight before the day is done?

"God created me to delight people."
-Anonymous-

Behaviors and Time

What behaviors drive the success of your organization?  Do you have any role in this as an employee?  Can you lead well where you are?  Are you making sure you are doing your best in your area of responsibility?  Are these behaviors present in your organization? Customer focus?  Accountability? Positive energy? Team work? Positive work environment?  Recognition? What behavior could you do better at that would positively affect your work environment?

"Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels or believes."
-Emily Dickinson-

Laughter and Time

Is it possible that laughter can help you heal?  Help you become more focused?  Help you reset? How can laughter help you live a happier life?  Can you be happier in 5 minutes?  Do you know how to laugh for no reason at all?  Will you need to fake it til you make it?  Have time for some laughter yoga?  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HJG63EXCmw

"It's within your power to make your life a joyful one, you decide." 

-Ida Abdalkhani-

Crashing and Time

Are you always on?  All the time?  Do you feel like you are running in place?  Do you feel compelled to answer very question the moment it comes in?  Are you so tied to the business, your phone, your inbox that you have little time to rejuvenate and notice what is around you? How would it feel to answer the FAQ of what do you do? with.... nothing!  Would it be liberating? Scary? Depressing? What are you doing with the rest of your life?  Is it time to start the rest of your life now?  Can you find balance?  

"I have a theory that burnout is about resentment.  And you beat it by knowing what it is you're giving up that makes you resentful." 
-Marissa Mayer-

Shiny Eyes and Time

How many "shiny" eyes are around you?  What do those "shiny eyes" indicate?  What part do you play in helping others have "shiny eyes"?  Who are you being that your team members eyes are not "shiny"?  Would following the golden rule contribute to "shiny" eyes?  Is investing in your family members, team members and friends having "shiny" eyes a profitable use of your time?  

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless."
-Mother Teresa-

SME and Time

Do you feel like you are a Subject Matter Expert? If not, what would you need to do to become one?  Would there be value in doing so?  Is specialized knowledge more valuable than opinion? If you knew how, what, where and who, would that give you an advantage?  Can you identify an area that is a natural for you to become a SME? Will being a SME put you on a fast track?  Will you be able to save yourself and others time by becoming a SME?

Entrepreneurs must be practical experts.  They needn't set out to be subject matter experts in what they do; they must set out to solve a problem or pursue some cause or purpose greater than themselves.  
-Simon Sinek-

Choice and Time

Have you made any difficult choices today?  Was one of them to invest time in that hour of power to upgrade your life? Was another choice to choose a cheerful attitude even though you could have been miffed?  Will you make that choice today to do the most important item on your list?  That thing that will help you transition from the kindergarten level to the pro level?  Is it really all up to you and the choices you make?  

Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice.  
-Wayne Dyer-

Gratitude and Time

What are you grateful for today?  Have you expressed that gratitude in prayer? in a note? out loud-face to face?  Are you grateful for any of these things? Hot, running water at the twist of a handle? Bright light to chase away the darkness? Sewer pipes? Space heaters? Fans? Engines of all sorts? Freedom? Abundance?  How can you give thanks every time, all the time?

I don't have to chase extraordinary moments to find happiness-it's right in front of me if I'm paying attention and practicing gratitude. 
-Brene Brown-

Calendaring and Time

What items do you schedule on your calendar?  Only the ones you think are important?  Only meetings?  Only appointments that you can't miss?  Do you have large chunks of time that are unscheduled? What if you scheduled time to learn?  Do you need time to plan?  Time with your kids?  Is it important to schedule time to rest and rejuvenate? How can you use your calendar to have more quality in your time? 

"Balancing family and work is a top priority for me, and I treat it as such.  Meaning, I actually put specific family time and events in my calendar so that precious time is dedicated and properly blocked off from any work that may try to sneak its way into my schedule."
-Biz Stone-

Language and Time

Are you fluent in speaking the language of your coworkers, customers or spouse?  Do they prefer a slow, detailed conversation and plenty of time to process the information?  Or do they prefer a few bullet points on what needs to happen?  Could learning to present information in a way that your listener prefers make a difference in how the project roles? What will be the outcome if you communicate in your style?  Is there more than one way?  Will it grant you more time along the way if you learn their language?

"The art of communication is the language of leadership."
-John Humes-

Priorities and Time

Have you identified what is the most important thing to get done today?  Is it possible that 8 p.m. will arrive and your day will have been spent on random things keeping you very busy?  But, did you accomplish what was most important? What is your priority today? How will you ensure that it does get accomplished? Have you set yourself up to succeed? What's your plan?

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."
-Stephen Covey-

Isolation, Friends and Time

Are you part of the growing epidemic of individuals who are experiencing social isolation?   Would you rather spend your time at home or out with friends? Is your health suffering because of lack of connection with others? How about your sleep?  Do you feel like all those social media friends are truly friends?  Would you take the time to have them to your home for a BBQ?  How can you decrease the level of isolation and increase your connection with the 10 most important people in your life?  Phone call?  Email? Walk with them? Spend time with them? Can you do something today to share the love?  

I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy.  Let's face it, friends make life a lot more fun.  
-Charles R. Swindoll-

Together and Time

Can two accomplish more than one?  What is the potential for success if you partner up?  Are you able to withstand the inevitable stresses of working with another to achieve the greater whole?  Is together really better?  Can you generate time by being/working together?

Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.  
-Henry Ford-

Being Grounded and Time

Do you know what keeps you grounded?  Home? Family? Exercise? Faith? Connections with friends? When you are grounded are you more productive with your time?  What can you do right now to feel more grounded? 

"When I go home, it's an easy way to be grounded.  You learn to realize what truly matters."  
-Tony Stewart-

Fight Throughs and Time

What is the benefit of winning a "fight thru"?  Why should you just take the time now?  Does it give you a boost mentally to face it and go for it? What will the consequence be if you lose a "fight thru"? Negative self talk?  Demotivation?  How can you be a winner in this moment?

"Greatness comes from fear.  Fear can either shut us down and we go home, or we fight through it."
-Lionel Richie-

Rookies and Time

Have you been a rookie lately?  How does being given an assignment and having little clue how to accomplish it make you feel?  Who can you look to that will provide guidance and inspiration? What needs to be done to move one step forward?  Could it be that you are the most efficient with your time and the most productive when you are a rookie?  What are you willing to take on to put yourself in the powerful rookie zone?

"I did some good things as a rookie."
-Earl Campbell-

Comfort Zone and Time

What is your comfort zone? Why would we stay in it?  Why would we be bold enough to step outside of it?  What could we accomplish if we stepped up and broke out of the comfort?  Does one need to strive for that state of anxiety that being out of the comfort zone creates?  What part does it play in personal and professional growth? If we are in a state of anxiety from being out of our comfort zone, will it eat up our time?  Is there a way to become comfortable with being uncomfortable?

"If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness."  
-Les Brown-

Stacking the Deck and Time

Could stacking the deck have a positive connotation rather than negative?  Can you arrange people, places and activities in your experience to provide positive experiences for and with you?  Is creating a constant upward spiral possible while still remaining ethical and true to yourself and your values?  Do you get more time when you stack people, places and activities in your favor?

"If you have the opportunity to do amazing things in your life, I strongly encourage you to invite someone to join you."
-Simon Sinek-

Could this infographic help you stay on track with how your time is used?

Yes! Yes! Yes! and Time

Are you ready to try an experiment?  Check in with your emotions. How are you feeling about things at the moment?  Could you use a boost?  Say out loud...Yes! Yes! Yes!  Again...Yes! Yes! Yes! One more time...Yes! Yes! Yes!  Now check in, are you feeling.... Uplifted? Happier? Confident? Let's getter done?  Isn't it amazing what a simple reset can do?  Can saying yes give you more time?  

"To my young friends out there: Life can be great, but not when you can't see it.  So, open your eyes to life: to see it in the vivid colors that God gave us as a precious gift to His children, to enjoy life to the fullest, and to make it count.  Say yes to your life."

-Nancy Reagan-

Procrastination and Time

Is it hard for you to stop what you are distracted with and get down to work?  Are you constantly beating yourself up because once again you got sucked in to who's doing what on Facebook?  Are you afflicted with "monkey mind"?  How much better would you feel about yourself if you fight through that distraction and stick to that task? Will you actually accomplish more in less time? Indeed! Ready to be a gritty construction worker? 

"No one ‘builds a house'. They lay one brick again and again and the end result is a house. Procrastinators are great visionaries — they love to fantasize about the beautiful mansion they will one day have built — but what they need to be are gritty construction workers, who methodically lay one brick after the other, day after day, without giving up, until a house is built.”
-Tim Urban-

Growth and Time

What will it cost in time in order to grow your company?  Are you willing to make the investment in yourself as the leader to allow this growth?  Can a business grow without the leader growing along with it?  Is that nagging voice in your head telling you "you aren't smart enough"?  Or maybe "you can't possibly spread yourself around to all the spaces that would need attention"?  Are you ready to silence that nagger and push for growth personally and in your business?

Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.  
-Napoleon Hill-

Mediocrity and Time

Do you consider yourself of moderate ability or value? Your average Joe? Are you willing to settle for any outcome? Save a little time here and there by cutting corners?  Or are you willing to commit to excellence?  Is your work completed ahead of time? Do you use the resources around you to leverage success for all involved? Is a 59% completion rate success or failure?  Where's your A game today?  Did you bring it?  

There is a real magic in enthusiasm.  It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment.
-Norman Vincent Peale-

Multitasking and Time

Are you able to perform more than one task successfully over a short period of time?  Have you always thought that this was a valuable skill?  One you were proud of?  In reality, could it be costing you time?  Narrowing your personal productivity bandwidth? How could you benefit from keeping focused on just one thing and seeing it through until it's finished? Will you end up accomplishing much more than you previously did?

Your conscious brain cannot multitask.  If I'm speaking to you and checking my iPhone at the same time, I'm doing neither.  This is why our society is frazzled; this misconception that we can consciously do more than one thing at a time effectively.
-Deepak Chopra- 

Clutter and Time

Could you use a bigger office?  What would it take to make that happen?  Is it possible that your office is really the perfect size but all that clutter stacked around has taken up too much room?  Would clearing clutter free you mentally and give you more time?  Would you have more time to focus on what is important?  

In the scope of a happy life, a messy desk or an overstuffed coat closet is a trivial thing, yet I find - and I hear from other people that they agree - that getting rid of clutter gives a disproportionate boost to happiness.
  
-Gretchen Rubin-

Collaboration and Time

What is collaboration?  How could working with other individuals add value to your bottom line and give you more time to spend on the things that are your greatest gift? Could you create something higher, faster, stronger? Could talking with your colleagues spark insights you hadn't yet considered? Is it a good idea to collaborate on every issue? When would collaboration have a negative impact on your focus thus impacting your time? To work together or not, is that the question?

As you navigate through the rest of your life, be open to collaboration.  Other people and other people's ideas are often better than your own.  Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.  -Amy Poehler-

Processes and Time

How long has it been since you analyzed and refreshed your processes? How could having written documents about processes for your business give you more time?  Would it help identify repetitive time consuming errors? What would a simplified process outline look like for one part of your company? If you put this one process in place, what could be the benefit in time and money? 

"The system is that there is no system. That doesn't mean we don't have process. Apple is a very disciplined company, and we have great processes. But that's not what it's about. Process makes you more efficient. "
-Steve Jobs-

Details and Time

Is it just too time consuming to write out all those details?  Do those details help to bring it from a high level view to a view that is up close and personal?  How does the 80/20 perspective fit this? Can someone else be focusing on the 80% and you focus on the most important 20%?  What is the most valuable use of your time? The 80 or the 20?

"It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen."                    

-John Wooden- 

Showing Up and Time

Have you got your sparkle on today?  Are you afraid to let your light shine at work?  Are you able to share those great ideas you have? Are you mentally, emotionally as well as physically showing up at work?  Is your body present but that's all? Does it take too much time to Show Up!in all areas?  What can you do to SHOW UP! today?

 "The number one way to rapidly grow your profits is to show up!"

-Tammy Cannon-

Breathing Breaks and Time

Could taking five for a breathing break help you maintain your focus? Could it help you relax? Will it end up costing you more than the allotted five minutes? When would you potentially work it into your day to reap the greatest reward? 

"If you can't find 5 to 10 minutes a day to stop, reset and get still, then you should rethink how you spend your time."
-Dr. Mark Hyman-

Autopilot and Time

Are you part of the population of individuals that spend 80% of their life on autopilot?  Do you automatically check your social media or email before you role out of bed?  Do you remember driving to work this morning?  Could paying attention to the things around us put more quality in our time? Would that be time well spent?  Want to get off the train and become more conscious? 

"You can't really be a creative leader unless you are a conscious leader."  

-Chris Barez-Brown -  
thegreatwakeup.com

Internet and Time

What if today there was no internet?  No email? No social media? What would you do with that time typically spent on these activities?  Write a thank you note to someone that helped you? Send condolences to a friend who's mother recently passed from this life?  Help many shovel and unbury from the recent snows? Could it be that this has been the most meaningful day in a while? Time well spent?  

Old friends pass away, new friends appear.  It is just like the days. an old day passes, a new day arrives.  The important thing is to make it meaningful; a meaningful friend - or a meaningful day.  

-Dalai Lama-

Core Values and Time

What matters most to you?  Does your behavior reflect those priorities? Is there something you need to stop doing in order to bring your behavior in alignment with what you say matters most? Do you schedule those most important people and things in your calendar first and then work the rest of life around it?  Would you have a better work/life/family balance if you did?

"Stand for something meaningful and the rest will fall into place."

- JD Gershbein-

Allowing Incompetence and Time

What happens when you allow one team member to under perform consistently? How does that affect the other team members?  Could it be costing your whole organization valuable time by not addressing this difficult conversation? Is it a leader failure?  Lack of direction? Clear expectations? Are the tools available to facilitate success?  Is there a personal issue at the root of the problem? 

"Do what's right, the right way at the right time."
-Arnold H. Glasow-

Shared Purpose and Time

What's your dream for your business or personally?  Do you have a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal)? How do you share that dream or cast that vision for those around you? Do you talk about it often? Are the veteran members of your team able to recite your message by heart because they have heard it so often?  Could you get there in less time if everyone shared the same dream or vision? 

"When you're surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible." 
-Howard Schultz-

Unresolved Disagreements and Time

Are unresolved disagreements between coworkers, supervisors or family members weighing on your business? Would taking the time to understand the other point of view allow you to have more mental time because you are no longer preoccupied with this disagreement?  

At one time or another, we have all faced the temptation to disconnect by giving someone the silent treatment.    ............I have learned that is not the best way to handle a disagreement.  
-Victoria Osteen-

Gossip and Time

Does gossip cost your company valuable time?  How do you measure the impact of negatives passed around your work space?Are you, the leader, guilty of participating in this?  Is it sanctioned because you do it?  Are you ready to take a look in the mirror and take control of this unseen cost to your business?  

It is so destructive and it is so socially accepted that most places are full of it.  -Dave Ramsey-

Communication and Time

How does good or bad communication effect your time and the time of your team?  Does your team know why you are in business? Have you shared where you came from? How you got here? Where you are going?  Share your story and your team will be more committed to help you get where you want to be.  

Trust is the glue of life.  It's the most essential ingredient in effective communication.  It's the foundational principle that holds all relationships.  -Stephen Covey-