Tag: work

Cleaning Up Your Messes & Incompletes: Part 2

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For those who are thinking about projects and are leaving them cluttered within your mind, I’m introducing to you today THE 4 Ds OF COMPLETION.

Do it, Delegate it, Delay it, or Dump It.

I had a couple of projects mid-last year that I was thinking about doing, but due to a very lackadaisical partner, I dumped it.  I was going to create an express healthy meal business whereas I would deliver healthy meals onsite, but with one of my partners already in debt and not taking the project seriously, I dumped it.

It’s kind of like this, when you pick up a piece of paper, decide then and there whether you’ll ever do anything with it.  If not, dump it.  If you can take care of it within 10 minutes, do it immediately.  If you still want to take care of it yourself, but you know it will take longer, delay it by putting it into a “delayed” folder or “things to-do” later.  If you can’t do it yourself or don’t want to take the time, delegate it to someone else to finish it.  Be sure to have the person report back when he or she finishes though.

This is very easy for work.  I used to work front-office at a dental faculty practice back in Las Vegas.  My first job was always making phone calls, so I made sure I hurried up to do them.  However, if back-office needed help with a patient, I would delegate the task to another front office worker.  after that, I would need to check insurances and pull files for the next day.  The faster I did them, the more time I had to relax.  Do everything you can within a small amount of time, delegate it by giving it to someone else, or just completely dump it to someone else who then has 100% responsibility.

Making Space For Something New

I’m not talking about making space in your closet for a significant other, either. I’m talking about everything you see once you walk into your house.  If your place is full of a lot of papers, unnecessary boxes, broken toys, unneeded items, etc…it’s time to get rid of the ‘visual’ clutter.

One of the best ways to free up those attention units is to free you living room and work environments from the mental burden of all the clutter, right?  When you clear out the old, it makes room for something new.

Look at your closet.  How many tags are still on the clothes that you purchased within the last year? Do you have problems looking and searching through piles of hung clothes you don’t wear anymore?  If you haven’t won something in 6 months and it’s not a seasonal or a special-occasion item such as an evening gown or tuxedo, get rid of it.

If there’s anything new that you want in you life, you’ve got to make room for it.  I mean that psychologically and physically as well.

It’s kind of like the women who want a new man in their life, you’ve got to let go of the last one you stopped dating 5 years ago.  Because if you don’t, when a new man meets you, the unspoken message he picks up is, “This woman’s attached to somebody else.”

All those memories…kiss them and dish them.  Anything you’re holding onto from the past life that’s clogging your future, dump it.  You’ll be much better off.

Clean Up Your Messes & Incompletes

Clean Up Your Messes & Incompletes

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If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk? – Laurence J. Peter

I really like to say this about a lot of people.  If you walk into a friends home and it’s an absolute mess, what do you think is happening within the mind?  People who can’t properly care for themselves ranging from a simple morning routine involving a shower, to the severely obese beings who continue to saturate themselves with the worst-processed-foods-imaginable.

You ask yourself, “why?”

I personally can’t think if my condo is a mess.  Every morning after meditation, I take a pre-workout before working out, and while it’s kicking it, I literally clean my condo within 2 minutes so when I come back, my clothes are laid out and ready to go for work.

This doesn’t just revolve around the physical world, but also the psychological world.

Look at it this way by bullet points.

  • Decide
  • Plan
  • Start
  • Continue
  • Finish
  • Complete

This is called the Cycle of Completion.  This is a great diagram Jack Canfield has in his book.

Are there areas in your life where you’ve left uncompleted projects or failed to get closure with people?  When you don’t complete the past, you can’t be free to fully embrace anything that’s happening in the present and it surely blocks anything from coming in, too.

When you start anything in life, make an agreement or identify a change you need to make, it goes into your present memory bank and takes up what Jack calls an “attention unit.”  We can only pay attention to so many things at one time, and each promise, agreement, or item on your to-do list leaves fewer attention units to dedication to completing other things.

Another Example of this is Tim Ferris.  He goes to bed on a clean conscious every night by rambling on paper everything that’s on his mind.  It could be that advertiser who pissed him off, the person who didn’t give the correct change back…ANYTHING.  Why? These events that take place during the day rob us of attention units.

A lot of us take on requests, projects, tasks and other things; however, we really want to say no, but we’re afraid of being perceived as the “bad one.” So what happens if you put off responding in order to avoid saying no.

Meanwhile the sticky notes and stacks of paper pile up and distract you.  There may be times whereas you have to make some uncomfortable decisions….but it’s better struggling with discomfort then cleaning up those incomplete.

Some incompletions come from simply not having adequate systems.  Other incompletions pile up due to bad working habits.  Be firm, assertive, and just say no.

 

Ask! Ask! Ask!

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Why are people so afraid to ask for help. Well, maybe looking foolish, needy, or lack of better term – dumb.  Listen, we’re just all afraid of experiencing rejection.

Herbert True, a special from Notre Dame found that…

  • 44% of all salespeople quit trying to sell to a prospect after the first call.
  • 24% quit after the second call.
  • 14% quit after the third call.
  • 12% quit trying to sell their prospect after the fourth call.

This means 94% of all salespeople quit by the fourth call.  However, 60% of sales are made after the fourth call.

You have basically nothing to lose and everything too gain. Whatever situation you go into you’re going into it without “it,” right? So, if you leave without “it,” have you actually lost anything? On the other hand, if you leave with something, you gained.  So, why do we continue to better ourselves thinking we’re an absolutely failure when it comes to rejection.  Being rejected, in all cases, is part of life.  It most of the time separates the winners from the quitters because the quitters will just say, “this doesn’t work!”

How to ask for what you want

  1. Act as if you expect to get it.  That positive expectation.
  2. Assume you can.  Don’t start with the assumption that you’re not good enough, beautiful enough, or handsome enough to get the promotion.  If you’re going to assume anything, assume you can get an upgrade, a promotion, etc.
  3. Ask someone who can give it to you.  Qualify the person.   You wouldn’t ask an NFL player for basketball type skills, right? Ask the people who have already done it.
  4. Be clear and specific.  Don’t just say, “I want a lot of money” because no one knows what a lot means? A lot could mean 20$ to more than 50% of the world because most people live on 2.50$ a day.  See? Be specific!
  5. Ask repeatedly. How? Different day, when someone is in a better mood, when you have new data to present, after you’ve proven your commitment. We never gave up asking mommy for the pack of skittles to that bicycle, right? We would ultimately get it.  Practice perseverance!

 

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/8913062

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lisa Nichols – Leave The Legacy

Lisa Nichols – Leave The Legacy

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“How will you live every day, and how will you impact people for the better—improving the world for others who’ll (hopefully) take up your work when you are compelled to pass the torch?” – Lisa Nichols

If you look at some of the most iconic figures in the 20th century in America, to the late 20th century in South Africa.  Those who made an unbelievable sacrifice to better the lives for the next generations to come.

 

On the other hand, our individual accolades is all we can control.  First, we have to be the difference we want to see in the world.  It’s kind of like the colleague that complains endlessly about everything but doesn’t provide any solutions.  The “circle of influence” is all we can control.  If we start taking those micro win steps that ultimately lead to small goals, which then leads to the macro win goals….it will give us long-term momentum to the point we want to achieve goals ALL THE TIME because of the feeling.

I love using the reference about the two school students at an International School who provided a small village in Cambodia clean water, food, and a school to learn English. These two unique individuals have made a loud entrance to creating a legacy, and they will continue supporting and improving the lives of others who seemingly can’t create anything given their situations.

“What does it mean to live your legacy? It requires amassing financial wealth, of course. But it also suggests that you should fill your life with a passionate career, rewarding experiences, nurturing relationships, supportive friendships, a beautiful home where you and family can renew and restore, hobbies and shared opportunities that bring you together with evolved and aware people, philanthropies and charities that you establish or support, traditions that you start—the sum total of a rich and rewarding lifestyle that you enjoy and that provides countless opportunities to bring others along with you.

When you complete this life, how will people view the mission, the activities, and the connections that you pursued? How will those you’ve carried along with you use these assets after you are gone to further your work and adopt your dreams as their own?

Have you ever thought about it?

What, if anything, is holding you back from doing so?” – Lisa Nichols

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/11373698

 

Lisa Nichols – The Process of Asking Giving & Receiving

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Step 1: Asking

I’ve talked in the past about your life purpose statement, visualization, meditation, making affirmations among so many other things so you can figure out what exactly you want.  Be very clear about what you want.

When you do your affirmations, add color, sound, emotions, and other sensory impressions to the pictures you see in your mind. What would you be seeing, hearing, doing, and feeling as you are living your desired outcome?

For instance, I saw in Jack Canfield’s ‘Success Principles’ book about visualizing doing a tedx.  If you follow some of the guided meditations as I’ve recommended in my past blogs, they (Glen Harold in particular) has downloadable podcasts for meditation which could help you relieve the fear of public speaking, to even visualizing being at an even.t

“If your dream is to inspire millions via mass media, for example, see yourself walking onstage amid the bright lights of the studio. Hear your audience welcoming you. Visualize yourself wearing the latest fashions, interviewing intriguing guests, then working with your production team afterward, preparing for the next show. Focus frequently on these images throughout the day so you repeatedly transmit your desires to the Universe.
But don’t focus on how your goal will show up. Let the Universe do the heavy lifting and align the necessary people, resources, and circumstances for you. Remember I said in Chapter 1 to have 100% intention, but 0% concern about the mechanism? That rule allows The Law of Attraction to do its work. Also remember that as the how shows up, you then must get in action.”

Excerpt From: Lisa Nichols & Janet Switzer. “Abundance Now.”

Step 2: Believe

This is where the non-believers get stuck almost all the time.  People expect things to show up instantly, but that’s not how it works.  If you keep putting the emotional feelings out there that you have it, and visualizing every night before you go to bed and when you wake up, it will eventually show up.  It has for me.

I’m visualizing a lot of things or I have been for that matter.  Walking on the beach in Bali (achieved), going to Hawaii (achieved twice), Japan (achieved), Mongolia, snowfields in Hokkaido, Fiji + Samoa (what I’m visualizing now).  You have to mimic exactly how you would feel when you’re there.

Step 3: Receive

Lisa Nichols – “Of course, the quickest and most effective way to receive what you want is to maintain a state of gratitude for what you have already received. When you are grateful—and actively transmit that gratitude to Source Energy—it recognizes that you’ll be grateful for the next gift, and the next. But more important, it keeps you focused on the gratitude you will be feeling when your stated desire enters your life—which is just one more way of attracting it in the first place.”

And last, but not least, how to activate future abundance now.  Those micro winds and macro winds I’ve talked about in the past? Let’s go over them and see how we can be grateful today.

Self

If you’re focused on your health and fitness these days, why not set the intention to create micro wins in that area? For instance, could you do 30 minutes of stretching, breathing, or Pilates? Similarly, if your goal is to upgrade your physical environment, could you clear out the clutter in your closet and organize your shoes? If your macro win is to lead a jet-setter lifestyle, could you plan an amazing, breathtaking trip a year from now, then deposit your first $100 in a new savings account for that goal. Could you work on your vision board one hour a day until complete—including creating focused boards for specific categories such as your career or business, your love life, or your lifestyle? Could you nourish yourself through a really great book on spirituality or leadership? Could you take 30 minutes for a “spa moment” such as a facial mask, manicure, or sitting with your feet in your foot massager? How could you honor, celebrate, and love yourself?

Relationships

With the time that you have, why not make a list of five people who you haven’t reached out to for a while—then text random love notes to them or make random phone calls to catch up? Could you write love notes (I write these to my mom)? Could you spend 30 minutes finding like-minded groups to join in order to expand your social circle? Could you write a love letter filled with just love and gratitude to your children, partner, sibling, or parent?

Work

What micro wins could you create in your career or your business? One I recommend is creating a work environment that inspires you, so why not spend an hour each day creating organization, putting systems in place, or framing and hanging photos of you in successful situations? If you’re a business owner, you could take time to invest in relationships with your team. Or you could set goals that drive you—even if no one else will ever know about them (they’re your goals, after all!).”

Money

Why not write a budget, organize your bills, file your documents, or take an hour to identify additional revenue streams? An hour spent three days a week creating a bigger income for yourself would go a long way toward the macro win of an upgraded lifestyle, if that is your goal.

Excerpt From: Lisa Nichols & Janet Switzer. “Abundance Now.

Here is how to get started today.  I talk about this a lot in the Tim Ferris blog + podcast so be sure to stay tuned for that and if you want to listen to my podcast on this particular blog, the link is directly below this!

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/11007704

Stephen Covey – At The Center: Who Are You?

Stephen Covey – At The Center: Who Are You?

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In order to write a personal mission statement, we have to begin at the Circle of Influence, that center that’s compiled of our most basic paradigms.

Whatever is at the centre of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.

Remember, security represents our self worth, self-esteem, and our basic personal strength or lack of it.

Guidance represents the source of direction and decision-making in our lives.

Wisdom is our perspective on life and sense of balance.

Last but not least, power is the faculty or capacity to act.

When these four factors are present together, they create a noble personality, a balanced character, and a beautifully integrated individual.

You’re probably asking yourself, “where do I stand?” Well, that’s what this next chart will indicate for you to find out your influence.  You can trace it back to the centre, the genesis and figure out if it’s actually holding you back.

For example, if you’re friend centered, you are highly dependent on the opinions of others.   You’re also easily embarrassed by other people and you see the world through a social lens.

The best way I can describe Thai society is definitely self-centred.  Everything revolves around, “if it feels good, what I want, what I need, what’s in it for me.”  The view of 80% of the lives of people living within these borders revolves around how decisions, events and circumstances affect you.

Most foreigners who visit Thailand is pleasure centered.  You feel secure only when you’re on a pleasure “high.”  You make decisions based on what will give you the most pleasure.  You only see the world for what’s in it for you.  Security is also short lived.

If you want to know about every category, tune into my podcast down below.

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/10321998

 

Jack Canfield – Tell The Truth Faster

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“When in doubt, tell the truth.” – Mark Twain

Aren’t we afraid of the consequences of making others feel uncomfortable or unworthy?

I use to work in Australia at a dental office where an assistant would complain all-day, turn customers away, have rude antics throughout the office, and was too stubborn to learn some of the most basic principles and procedures – yet they still kept her on staff.  Why?  They were afraid of firing her because they didn’t want to make her feel bad.

Telling the truth sooner is one of the most important success habits in the best world that you will ever develop.  In fact, as soon as you start asking yourself that question, “when would be the best time to tell the truth,” that’s actually the best time to do so.

Will it be uncomfortable? Probably.  Will it create lots of negative reactions from other peers and colleagues? Absolutely, but it’s the right thing to do.  Get into the habit of telling the truth faster, especially if you’re a boss because if you don’t, having employees in your business who are considered “cancer” will end up dissecting everything about your business.

I’ve seen it happen at a number a businesses across dozens of countries and it all came because a particular person was “scared” to fire someone.

Formula For Crucial Conversations – Jack Canfield

  1. To begin, determine you motivation for having the conversation, whether it’s merely to express yourself and get something off your chest – or to eventually solve a problem.
  2. Make sure to schedule enough time to have the conversation.
  3. Plan your conversation in advance by crafting a clear message that keeps you on track.  Start with the facts of what actually happened or is happening versus the story you may have made up in your HEADDD!!! How will you report the facts of the situation? Be sure to separate the actual facts from the feeling you’ve attached to the situation or the event.
  4. After reporting the facts, ask the other person, “How do you see this?” What do they think the impact is? Oftentimes we presuppose or imagine some horrible reaction or consequence without knowing what the other person’s actually experience of the situation is.
  5. Ask the other party what they would like to do to resolve the matter – if in fact you are looking for resolution.  Sometimes simply expressing yourself might be your goal.
  6. If you decide to resolve the issue, agree on and document what actions you will both take, by when you will take them, and how you will follow up with each other.

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/9341945

Jack Canfield – Redefine Time

Jack Canfield – Redefine Time

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redefine-time

The world is entering a new time zone, and one of the most difficult adjustments people must make is in their fundamental concepts and beliefs about the management of time. – Dan Sullivan

I love this picture in Jack Canfield’s book because this just about paints the picture of what happened to me last year.  After  making a podcast, I was pulled aside for saying things that “probably” provoked other people and some people weren’t happy.  I was told to stop doing the podcast and I retorted, “absolutely not.  If so, I want everyone to stop having a life.”

See what I did there?

I’m a teacher and an occasional entrepreneur (soon to be full-time this year), so time for me amongst work, meeting friends, and recreation could be very thin at times. I talked about this on my last blog in terms of coming up with a unique planning system that structures our time and drop the “new years resolution” parody. So, lets talk about how to structure.

Focus Day

A Focus Day, in Jack Canfield’s book, is a day in which you spend at least 80% of your time operating in your core genius, or primary area of expertise – that goes with interacting with people or processes that give you the highest payoffs for the time you invest.

Example, my focus day would be creating podcasts, editing my blog, focus on my website, creating templates for my website, or coaching someone to achieve a greater level of success.

Buffer Day 

A Buffer Day is a day when you prepare and plan for a Focus or Free Day – either by learning a new skill, locating a new resource, training a support team, delegating tasks and projects to others, or traveling to a work site.  Buffer Days ensures that Focus Days are productive as possible, as Jack Canfield puts it.

Free Days

  • No work-related activity of any kind
  • Free of business meetings, emails, conferences, documents
  • Not available to your staff, clients, students
  • Emergencies ONLY!!

Also, use your vacation time! The Travel Industry Association of america says the average vacation time taken in 2012 was 4.3 days.  What’s even more alarming is that most Americans didn’t even USE their vacation time. Why are the afraid? In the past, my employer even told me if I took a vacation, my job might not be available when I get back. 

OUCH!

Time To Start Scheduling

  1. List three best Focus Days you have ever had.  Write down any common elements. This will give you valuable clues as to how to create more perfect Focus Days. Plan for them.
  2. Meet with your boss, staff, and coworkers on how to create more Focus Days.
  3. Meet with your friends and family to discuss how to create more true Free Days in your life.

HOP TO IT!!

Podcast – https://www.spreaker.com/episode/9200506