BEING BUSY vs BEING PRODUCTIVE

There’s a giant difference between being busy and being productive. Many people are busy being busy. Many people have ‘overscheduled’ schedules. Many have a ton of ‘To Dos.’ Few amongst us, however, are genuinely productive. Few of us stay masterfully focused around the “vital few” - those pursuits that yield outstanding results and move you towards world-class.

“Focus” is one of my favorite words. The best of the best are wildly focused around their highest leverage activities. To them, being busy isn’t the name of the game - getting good stuff done is. They’ve made the leap from being busy to creating results. They focus on the worthy. They stay stuck on the things that truly count.

Make the time to think about which things, that when you do them, give you a wonderful return on investment. Which things actually move you closer to both your organizational and personal goals? Which things are the best - and wisest - uses of your time? And then have the courage to say no to the rest. Stay productive. Let the competition be busy.

Jim

LEADERSHIP PRESENCE

Presence is acute awareness - it’s what allows human beings to survive. With presence you encounter someone else, they know you and you know them - and somehow you are both changed.

Presence explains many successes on the conference speaking platform or in more informal and casual settings.

The Presence Highway Code

Stop: slow down, don’t rush to start speaking. The pause gives precious moments to “arrive” both mentally and emotionally.

Breathe: gently take a few breaths, without heaving your chest or raising your shoulders. Hold and count to 5 - this will slow the heartrate - reducing the discharge of adrenalin that causes the feeling of anxiety and excitement.
Look: in a small group briefly make eye contact with each person. The effect of silence and demanding visual connection can be amazing and convey unmistakeable presence. In a large group look for a friendly face. Continue making contact with a few chosen individuals across the entire audience.
Listen: for sounds that convey something useful about the people you are about to communicate with. Are they restless or is there a stillness suggesting they are ready for you to begin.
Feel: use all your sense, including your natural intuition, to detect what is happening around you. Give sense full reign to uncover subtle signs that can suggest how to best communicate at this moment.

Being truly present emotionally should help you convey what should be conveyed.

Jim 

SMALL ACTIONS SPARK BIG CHANGE

5 One minute productivity techniques based on the Japanese principle of Kaizen:

1. Have the courage to get great at saying “No Thanks” to any activities that don’t advance your priorities.

2. Take 60 seconds every morning to do a written game plan for a productive day. “The things that get scheduled are the things that get done.”

3. Take a few seconds each day to turn off all your technology and work deeply on a key project with zero distraction.

4. Take 60 seconds to breathe deeply and focus on your progress. This will re-energise and refuel you.

5. Take 60 seconds to un-clutter your work area so you create space for your creativity to flow.

Today take the first noble step in continuous improvement.

Jim

 ”THE PRESENT”

The past is a place of reference not a place of residency.

Historic events do not determine our future but we need to recognise the impact people made to enable us to enjoy the freedom we have today.

The poem below is not only for all the people that lost their lives but for everyone who is fighting their cause:

I read of a man who stood to speak At the funeral of a friend.
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning..to the end.
He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the following date with tears, 1964-2011
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth..
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.
For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars..the house..the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard.
Are there things you”d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.
If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we”ve never loved before.
If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile..
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’’s actions to rehash..
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Please make sure that the gap between the dates are filled with joy, happiness and living the life you deserve.

The tragedy would be to say “if only”……. when you when you are the director of your own show.
Jim

SUCCESS

Guts. Boldness. Bravery. Perseverance. Big, beautiful words.

That any great person+leader+entrepreneur needs to tattoo onto their brain cells.
Success is much more about staying true to your vision in the face of challenges/obstructions than being gifted or expressing some kind of Genius.
I’d rather have average talent with a fierce heart that inspires me to be unstoppable versus being brilliant – but frightened to do anything with it.

Here’s a challenging quote:

“Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; there is nothing more common in the world than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.”

Calvin Coolidge

Be resilient, STEP UP to greatness.

Jim

1. Do important work.

2. Lift people up.

3. Use the words of leadership.

4. Don’t worry about getting the credit for getting things done.

5. Become part of the solution.

6. Take your health to a level called superfit.

7. Commit to mastery of your craft instead of accepting mediocrity in your work.

8. Associate with people whose lives you want to be living.

9. Study for an hour a day. Double your learning and you’ll triple your success.

10. Run your own race “No one can possibly achieve real and lasting success by being a conformist,” wrote billionaire J. Paul Getty

11. Do something small yet scary every single day.

12. Smile more.

Add your own to this list - many others have found that once the ‘flywheel’ is in motion it is great fun experimenting.

Jim

HAPPINESS

We all an innate ability for happiness - we just need to find the key for it to blossom.

This is one such video - please click here

I challenge you to leave it without smiling….

Warm hugs,

Jim

VISIONING 

Hi,

I was reminded of a saying recently - “Action without Vision is a nightmare and Vision without ACTION  is a Daydream.”

Please do not think I want to be a dream stealer but being committed and having passion and attitude is not enough. I wish it was.

The only way to get things moving is to take action, some massive and other times by taking baby steps.

What are you willing to sacrifice to get your dreams met? What mind shift needs to take place?

Who are the people who support you?

Who are the energy vampires getting in the way?

Jim

 ’BE YOUR VERY BEST‘

Here are some ideas to be your very best:

1. Do your best work by challenging the way you did things yesterday.

2. Do your best work by allowing your passion to see the light of day.

3. Do your best work by becoming part of the solution versus growing the problem.

 4. Do your best work by expecting nothing less than you playing at world-class.

5. Do your best work by giving away the credit (especially when you crave it)

6. Do your best work by practicing your skills so you become a virtuoso.

. Do your best work by releasing excuses and doing important things.

8. Do your best work by getting up when you’ve been knocked down.

9. Do your best work by keeping your promises; to others and to yourself.

10. Do your best work by showing integrity.

11. Do your best work by delivering more value than anyone could ever expect from you.

12. Do your best work by making time to refill your well.

13. Do your best work by having a strong foundation at home.

14. Do your best work by becoming as fit as a pro athlete.

15. Do your best work by doing work that makes a difference and inspires others to do the same.

Jim

 RESILIENCE

One of the cornerstones of Leadership is resilience.  Every single elite performer who has ever graced the planet before you has faced trials.  Nobody gets through life without facing hurdles, obstacles and even tragedies. 

The question is not what happens to you but how you respond to what happens to you in life.  You can choose to give up when you face adversity and play a small life.  And if you do, you will be playing the victim.  Or, you can reach deep into your heart and use the apparently negative event to fuel even greater success. 

 You can use the adversity as a platform for growth and a chance to let more of who you truly are shine and see the light of day.  In doing so, you will be aligning yourself with the fundamental laws of nature and showing true leadership not only of your career but of your life. 

“I believe we all have more potential inside of us than we have any knowledge of. And when a crisis happens, you can find out what you’re made of.”  Christopher Reeve