Many of us find ourselves caught in the whirlwind of daily tasks, reacting to circumstances rather than intentionally steering our own course. Why is this the case? Why do so many people struggle to be deliberate in their work and life?
Being Who We Are
How Senior Leaders are Setting Up Managers for Failure
Your Planner
In an interview with Ed Mylet, he talked about the importance of planning and specifically blocking out time (scheduling appointments) for the most important things. And then he said something very profound, “Show me your planner and I will show you what your priorities are.” Think about that for a moment. Are you planning for the most important things in your life?
Maybe you don’t even have a planner or your planner is blank. Do you just hope that your most important things will just happen? Do you schedule time to exercise? Do you schedule time for your significant other? Do you schedule time to work on your goals? What about your dreams?
Turn your planner (whether paper or electronic) into more than just a date book. Take 15 minutes every day and formally plan your day. After looking at the appointments on you calendar, ask yourself the question, “What of importance do I want to work on or accomplish today.” Then block time out on your calendar to get it done.
That is the first step. The second step is more difficult. The second step is to do it! You have to push yourself. You must have the character to execute on your plan rather than lay down on the couch and binge watch Netflix. Successful people create a plan around their goals and what they want to achieve and then execute on that plan.
Most of us wouldn’t commit to someone that you would do something and then not do it. We have integrity. Why then, do we commit to ourselves that we are going to do something and then don’t? Shouldn’t we have personal integrity with ourselves? Stop lying to yourself. Make a plan and then stick to it.
If you were to show me your planner would I know what your priorities are? Better yet, if I were to watch you for a day, would I see you working on what is most important to you? Actions speak so much louder than words. Get to it.
A Shift of Perspective
What if we had special glasses that could look past what people are saying or how they are behaving and see what is going on inside? Why are they acting that way? Why did they say what they said? Is it because they have not had a meal for a long time? Are they ill? Has there been a tragedy in their life? Are they just having a bad day? If we knew the why behind the what, would our response and attitude change?
Well, unfortunately we don’t have special glasses like that. But, we can consider a shift in perspective and giving people the benefit of the doubt. Rather than saying, “He was wrong and mean and I’ll put him in his place.” Try, “I wonder what is going on in his life? Why is he acting out? I’ll show him some kindness, compassion and patience instead.” Rather than show the person how wrong they are, smile and give a hug. Hold your breath and even more important, your tongue. Better to show empathy than have regret for putting someone in their place. Even if your kindness isn’t reciprocated, you will feel good about it. Respond with kindness.