by Angela Ware
In our classes, we ask our participant to engage in a process called the “Mind Sweep”. This activity allows everyone to clear their mind of all of the stuff floating about in their subconscious in an effort to gain greater focus.
In as much as I teach this process on a weekly basis, I am always thankful of the reminder of its benefits in my professional and personal life.
With an abundance of the technical gadgets clipped to my belt, in my purse, backpack and on my desk top, all capable of holding my ideas and To Do’s, I occasionally succumb to the impulse to use my head as a note-taking and reminder device. Why!? All of that “stuff” just sits-in-wait in my subconscious for the right wrong moment to rush to my conscious mind.
And when is that? Two minutes after I lay my head on the pillow. Sleep interrupted!
Here’s my play by play… Just as I get comfortable and begin to relax, my eyes pop wide open and my To Do list and don’t forget items all begin to fight for position as active thoughts. Now, the old me would fight the thoughts until sleep won out, after about 30 minutes to an hour or two or three. Not anymore!
When I fail to Mind Sweep during a busy day, I make it a point to grab my note taking device and clear my mind before heading off to sleep. The benefit of my routine is “sleep filled nights.”
Friday, June 26, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Work/Life Balance
by Kim Brewster
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” This ancient village proverb is as relevant now as it was then. Jack had no work/life balance.
To some, work/life balance is a phrase completely devoid of meaning or attainment. To others, it is a delicate balancing act where some days work consumes more of our time yet life is able to assert its rights mightily on other days, so the scale once again becomes level.
If you have taken our Getting the EDGE course, you may remember the section on the Weekly Recharge. This is a set time per week (because you set a task reminder) to capture the prior week’s events, successes, sales, everything from your calendar. The recharge includes completion of outstanding emails, voice mails, and items without categories. It’s your creative place, if you will, of your outlook on life (not necessarily the Microsoft program). Who knows, a review of the items on your someday/maybe list may have borne fruit.
A cursory read of the above paragraph may lead you to believe that all those items are work related only. However, you know you have just one life, so why would it be separate from work? If you are using your Outlook tools to the fullest, your hair appointments, workout times, shopping, cultural events, et al, will be there. Moreover, the things you long to do, like take a fabulous trip, remodel your house or setting aside time to read a book, will be there in your someday/maybe.
By assembling the information from the weekly recharge into a weekly update email that is shared with my colleagues, I have a snapshot of my life at work and life not at work. I can see where imbalances may be occurring.
Intuitively we know when we need to take a break. This is where PTO or vacation time comes in handy. Just like having a savings account, having a PTO account ensures a bank of time for me to use as I wish, even if only half a day. As my own PTO banker, I am in charge of making sure I have extra time stored for an emergency, but it is also my responsibility to take time for myself. I don’t want to end up like Jack.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” This ancient village proverb is as relevant now as it was then. Jack had no work/life balance.
To some, work/life balance is a phrase completely devoid of meaning or attainment. To others, it is a delicate balancing act where some days work consumes more of our time yet life is able to assert its rights mightily on other days, so the scale once again becomes level.
If you have taken our Getting the EDGE course, you may remember the section on the Weekly Recharge. This is a set time per week (because you set a task reminder) to capture the prior week’s events, successes, sales, everything from your calendar. The recharge includes completion of outstanding emails, voice mails, and items without categories. It’s your creative place, if you will, of your outlook on life (not necessarily the Microsoft program). Who knows, a review of the items on your someday/maybe list may have borne fruit.
A cursory read of the above paragraph may lead you to believe that all those items are work related only. However, you know you have just one life, so why would it be separate from work? If you are using your Outlook tools to the fullest, your hair appointments, workout times, shopping, cultural events, et al, will be there. Moreover, the things you long to do, like take a fabulous trip, remodel your house or setting aside time to read a book, will be there in your someday/maybe.
By assembling the information from the weekly recharge into a weekly update email that is shared with my colleagues, I have a snapshot of my life at work and life not at work. I can see where imbalances may be occurring.
Intuitively we know when we need to take a break. This is where PTO or vacation time comes in handy. Just like having a savings account, having a PTO account ensures a bank of time for me to use as I wish, even if only half a day. As my own PTO banker, I am in charge of making sure I have extra time stored for an emergency, but it is also my responsibility to take time for myself. I don’t want to end up like Jack.
Friday, June 19, 2009
A Good Night’s Rest
by Laura Finney
I remember hearing a quote that said, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” The reference was from a billionaire, who worked countless hours to achieve that wealthy status. The successful billionaire was known to sleep 4 hours per night. Many successful people have followed this very same way of living.
Many average everyday employees sleep only 4 to 5 hours per day, and not because they are working on a career or financial goals. This particular group of people is not getting good night’s sleep because their minds are not at rest, which means their bodies are not at rest. They are not resting because of the mind clutter that is being stored in the conscious and unconscious parts of their minds. This group has not learned the value of Emptying Your Collection Points.
Remember the commercial about a specific nighttime cough medicine that will help you get a good night’s rest? The commercial used two people to give a visual example of someone who had taken the medicine and of someone who had not. The person that had taken the cough medicine is shown sleeping peacefully while the other person, who had not taken the medicine, was coughing, tossing and turning the entire night.
Would it not be wonderful to sleep peacefully and not worry about what you may have “forgotten” to do? You can rest assured by consistently emptying your collection points and putting those thoughts into a single seamless system. Then you will be free of worry and wondering if you have forgotten to remember something. You will no longer have to worry or wonder if you emailed everyone that is supposed to be on the conference call in the morning. Or, trying to remember to remind yourself, everyday, to schedule the doctor’s appointment. Or, if you packed everything you need for your trip.
Always remember to empty your collection points into your single seamless system. Then you will be able to go and enjoy a good night’s rest.
I remember hearing a quote that said, “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.” The reference was from a billionaire, who worked countless hours to achieve that wealthy status. The successful billionaire was known to sleep 4 hours per night. Many successful people have followed this very same way of living.
Many average everyday employees sleep only 4 to 5 hours per day, and not because they are working on a career or financial goals. This particular group of people is not getting good night’s sleep because their minds are not at rest, which means their bodies are not at rest. They are not resting because of the mind clutter that is being stored in the conscious and unconscious parts of their minds. This group has not learned the value of Emptying Your Collection Points.
Remember the commercial about a specific nighttime cough medicine that will help you get a good night’s rest? The commercial used two people to give a visual example of someone who had taken the medicine and of someone who had not. The person that had taken the cough medicine is shown sleeping peacefully while the other person, who had not taken the medicine, was coughing, tossing and turning the entire night.
Would it not be wonderful to sleep peacefully and not worry about what you may have “forgotten” to do? You can rest assured by consistently emptying your collection points and putting those thoughts into a single seamless system. Then you will be free of worry and wondering if you have forgotten to remember something. You will no longer have to worry or wonder if you emailed everyone that is supposed to be on the conference call in the morning. Or, trying to remember to remind yourself, everyday, to schedule the doctor’s appointment. Or, if you packed everything you need for your trip.
Always remember to empty your collection points into your single seamless system. Then you will be able to go and enjoy a good night’s rest.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Look for the Signs
by Angela Ware
I recently experience a situation that I had only heard about and had often laughed about. After attending a concert a group of friends and I decided to go to a local restaurant downtown for breakfast before heading home. The parking lot in front of the restaurant was full but we were able to find parking in the lot across the street. Great location!
After an hour or so we left the restaurant to find that all of our cars were gone; and not just the cars of our group, but a number of others as well. A crowd of about a dozen irate people had formed in the parking lot. After about two minutes of people asking each other “did you see anything?” a gentleman comes over and points out a small sign on a Pay Box at the north east corner of the lot. Mind you most cars enter in from the south west corner, because all of the streets in the area are one-way driving. Meaning we would have seen the Pay Box on our way out, not on our way in.
As I walk toward the Pay Box I notice a sign about two feet off of the ground that reads “All cars must pay, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week”, then I see a sign that reads “All violators will be towed at the owner’s expense.” This is no longer a great location!
As I am calling the tow service to get information about our cars and the process for getting them back, I hear one of my friends say, “I knew it was too good to be true, free parking downtown on a Saturday night”. I thought about his comment for a moment and decided he was right! Free parking on a Saturday night? We should have looked for a sign.
Because we were so eager to find a parking spot we forgot to consider our surroundings. Downtown on a Saturday night in a dining and entertainment district, we should have looked for a sign. Because we didn’t, we learned a $195 lesson.
My take away from this experience… when you are in a hurry, pause and look for signs that you are making the best decision. Acting fast may get you the first seat at the table but it may also cost you more than the price of the meal when you leave.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Unexpected Help
by Russell Tibbits
It’s triathlon season again and I just started training for my second of the season. While the first race was the shortest triathlon I’ve completed, the next one, in July, is the longest, so I’ve ramped up my training. My last workout was a few days ago, Sunday and I typically don’t remember workouts, but this one stands out. My goal was to complete a long, intense swim workout followed immediately by a standard run to downtown and back. Sunday proved difficult however, because the temperature in the late afternoon hovered around 95 degrees. As I finished the swim, I felt better than anticipated. And with my running background, this run should be no problem. I started my jaunt through the neighborhood to the main road that leads to downtown. Upon hitting the main road, I began to pick up speed. I felt really good; my legs still had power. Tired but managing, I approached the halfway point, when I suddenly I realized why my legs and my lungs still had more to give. I had been running slightly downhill the entire time. The final half was all uphill.
I looped around and began my ascent to the top of the hill. As I eyed the top far in the distance, the lactic acid started to creep into my legs and lungs, and I began to notice how hot it was. I would run for a few minutes, but seemed to be no closer to my destination. Toward the top of the hill, about a half mile from my car, I was gassed. I thought to myself, there’s no shame in walking and jogging back after this run. As I was about to give up, I passed a homeless man, weathered by the blistering sun, sitting on the curb. He looked up at me from underneath his dingy white hat and all he said was, “You can do it.” I don’t know if he was trying to be funny or actually motivate me, but I easily made it back to my car, feeling like I could run another loop.
Here is someone that probably aches constantly, can’t find a place to escape the heat of the bright sun, thirsts for a cool drink all hours of the day and he’s helping me. It was such a humbling experience. How often do I complain about the little things in life? How frequently do I miss out on chances to support or inspire someone? If I can accomplish something I didn’t think was possible from a single line of encouragement, what could he accomplish with my support?
It’s triathlon season again and I just started training for my second of the season. While the first race was the shortest triathlon I’ve completed, the next one, in July, is the longest, so I’ve ramped up my training. My last workout was a few days ago, Sunday and I typically don’t remember workouts, but this one stands out. My goal was to complete a long, intense swim workout followed immediately by a standard run to downtown and back. Sunday proved difficult however, because the temperature in the late afternoon hovered around 95 degrees. As I finished the swim, I felt better than anticipated. And with my running background, this run should be no problem. I started my jaunt through the neighborhood to the main road that leads to downtown. Upon hitting the main road, I began to pick up speed. I felt really good; my legs still had power. Tired but managing, I approached the halfway point, when I suddenly I realized why my legs and my lungs still had more to give. I had been running slightly downhill the entire time. The final half was all uphill.
I looped around and began my ascent to the top of the hill. As I eyed the top far in the distance, the lactic acid started to creep into my legs and lungs, and I began to notice how hot it was. I would run for a few minutes, but seemed to be no closer to my destination. Toward the top of the hill, about a half mile from my car, I was gassed. I thought to myself, there’s no shame in walking and jogging back after this run. As I was about to give up, I passed a homeless man, weathered by the blistering sun, sitting on the curb. He looked up at me from underneath his dingy white hat and all he said was, “You can do it.” I don’t know if he was trying to be funny or actually motivate me, but I easily made it back to my car, feeling like I could run another loop.
Here is someone that probably aches constantly, can’t find a place to escape the heat of the bright sun, thirsts for a cool drink all hours of the day and he’s helping me. It was such a humbling experience. How often do I complain about the little things in life? How frequently do I miss out on chances to support or inspire someone? If I can accomplish something I didn’t think was possible from a single line of encouragement, what could he accomplish with my support?
Monday, June 8, 2009
Am I the Hamster Running on the Wheel?
by Zahra Petri
I was watching TV recently and although I DVR everything to skip the commercials, I kept noticing this one interesting commercial. It begins with dozens of hamsters each running on a wheel on roads, highways, intersections…etc. Then a zippy little red car pulls up next to the hamster wheels at a red light and there are 4 hamsters inside smiling with sunglasses on giving the thumbs up. The light turns green and they zip off leaving all the hamsters stuck on their wheels running in place.
Now even though this is clearly a car commercial, it always catches my attention because I sometimes feel like that hamster on the wheel, stuck in the middle of the road, getting nowhere. When this happens, I used to stress and feel my anxiety level immediately rise. However, I now have a series of trouble shooting processes to turn to. Instead of panicking, I look at my task list to see what I need to accomplish next. I first see which items have due dates to determine which task takes priority. I also check my calendar to see if I have any upcoming appointments that I need to prepare for. This is all part of my system, my Getting the EDGE system.
If I ensure that I am using my system appropriately, inputting new tasks as they appear, marking my calendar correctly, emptying my inbox and managing my project flow, then I know that I can trust my system to guide me and push me forward when I feel stuck. The most important question I ask myself when I am in that place is: what is it I want to accomplish, what is my end goal? The answers to these questions are in my Desired Outcome statement, which is a statement I’ve created for each project I am working on and can easily refer to for a motivational reboot. This combined with my GTE system gets me motivated and energized so that I can speed off past the other hamster wheels in the zippy red car!
I was watching TV recently and although I DVR everything to skip the commercials, I kept noticing this one interesting commercial. It begins with dozens of hamsters each running on a wheel on roads, highways, intersections…etc. Then a zippy little red car pulls up next to the hamster wheels at a red light and there are 4 hamsters inside smiling with sunglasses on giving the thumbs up. The light turns green and they zip off leaving all the hamsters stuck on their wheels running in place.
Now even though this is clearly a car commercial, it always catches my attention because I sometimes feel like that hamster on the wheel, stuck in the middle of the road, getting nowhere. When this happens, I used to stress and feel my anxiety level immediately rise. However, I now have a series of trouble shooting processes to turn to. Instead of panicking, I look at my task list to see what I need to accomplish next. I first see which items have due dates to determine which task takes priority. I also check my calendar to see if I have any upcoming appointments that I need to prepare for. This is all part of my system, my Getting the EDGE system.
If I ensure that I am using my system appropriately, inputting new tasks as they appear, marking my calendar correctly, emptying my inbox and managing my project flow, then I know that I can trust my system to guide me and push me forward when I feel stuck. The most important question I ask myself when I am in that place is: what is it I want to accomplish, what is my end goal? The answers to these questions are in my Desired Outcome statement, which is a statement I’ve created for each project I am working on and can easily refer to for a motivational reboot. This combined with my GTE system gets me motivated and energized so that I can speed off past the other hamster wheels in the zippy red car!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Protect Your Private Time
by Alison Chapman
You would probably think twice before skipping out on work, a business call or a doctor's appointment. Your private time deserves that same respect. You need to ensure you take time for yourself and your personal relationships. You should guard this personal time and do not let work or other distractions intrude on it. During this time, do not check your email, make any business phone calls, or even think about work. There are not many people or things that are so important they cannot wait until you finish.
If work constantly interferes with your personal time, you need to make the necessary adjustments. If you are working long hours, you need to reevaluate your work schedule. More hours does not necessarily mean more work or better work. Protecting your private time often leads to more satisfaction in both work life and personal life.
You have to create boundaries for yourself. For example, I am completing my Master in Business Administration and working part-time. I have minimal personal time so when I have it I value it. I schedule in a portion of it every week or on the weekends. I will usually turn my phone off on Friday night and I will not turn it back on until Sunday evening or Monday morning. If someone really needs to get a hold of me, they know how to do it.
I think that this down time is important to refresh your mind, body and spirit. I also believe that if you truly honor the different aspects of your life, such as work, play, and family, you will be more successful and fulfilled in each area. If I neglect my personal relationships or 'me' time, I would not consider myself successful. I think it is important to maintain a balance between each part of my life. I am much happier and more self full-filled.
You would probably think twice before skipping out on work, a business call or a doctor's appointment. Your private time deserves that same respect. You need to ensure you take time for yourself and your personal relationships. You should guard this personal time and do not let work or other distractions intrude on it. During this time, do not check your email, make any business phone calls, or even think about work. There are not many people or things that are so important they cannot wait until you finish.
If work constantly interferes with your personal time, you need to make the necessary adjustments. If you are working long hours, you need to reevaluate your work schedule. More hours does not necessarily mean more work or better work. Protecting your private time often leads to more satisfaction in both work life and personal life.
You have to create boundaries for yourself. For example, I am completing my Master in Business Administration and working part-time. I have minimal personal time so when I have it I value it. I schedule in a portion of it every week or on the weekends. I will usually turn my phone off on Friday night and I will not turn it back on until Sunday evening or Monday morning. If someone really needs to get a hold of me, they know how to do it.
I think that this down time is important to refresh your mind, body and spirit. I also believe that if you truly honor the different aspects of your life, such as work, play, and family, you will be more successful and fulfilled in each area. If I neglect my personal relationships or 'me' time, I would not consider myself successful. I think it is important to maintain a balance between each part of my life. I am much happier and more self full-filled.
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