Thursday, March 31, 2011
Daily Post
It's a great day! Take a deep breath, feel the life in your body and rejoice for the life that you are living.
Daily Post
When you give the very best within yourself, from your heart and soul, something very profound happens. Your life, and the lives of others are enriched in a meaningful way. Hope, beauty, caring, kindness, compassion, love, joy and happiness are born into reality. You, others and life itself are changed for the better. Give your very best, always.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Article: How Do You Communicate?
In my previous column, I uncovered the ways in which we sabotage our listening, and I explained how to become an effective listener, as well as the benefits of doing so. If you have taken on the task of developing and improving your listening skills, you are probably amazed at how often you find yourself not truly listening. I was! And, you may even be pleasantly surprised by the fact that as you listen more intently, those you are speaking with are returning the favor.
Now, let’s consider the other vital aspect of communication: your actual use of words. Often times, we limit the communication process by getting caught up in the differing personalities between ourselves and others. This is not necessary or effective. Rather than letting your personality and that of the other person get in the way, see the best in those you are communicating with. Look past the illusion of their personality, and yours as well. Speak to the best in them, from the best in you. Underneath every personality is a person just like you, who is doing their best on this journey of life. Be open to those you are speaking with.
Next, create a safe environment for the communication to take place. This is created in you first. Choose to be safe within yourself so that no matter what the other person says, you will not be hurt by it. After all, it is merely their perspective and not necessarily true. Know who you are and do your best to not take things personally. Then, contribute to a safe environment for the other person by creating a situation where there are no assumptions, judgments, or criticisms; where there is no price to pay for being who they are. A safe environment for communication is not what most of us are accustomed to. It is, however, what we want and it leads to far more pleasant and successful communications.
Choose to stay present in the moment, using effective listening to truly hear another’s perspective. When you are truly listening, not only will you hear the words being spoken, you will also be able to watch their body language for signs of how they feel and what they think. We are all masters of reading body language, as we have been unconsciously developing this skill since we were infants; we needed to know what was going on with others, even before we could understand words. When you are absolutely present in your listening, you will gather valuable information that will help you use your words much more effectively.
Most people are in the habit of telling, rather than asking questions. Typically, people are not as fond of being told as they are of being understood, and that requires questions. Asking open-ended questions draws out another’s perspective even more, thereby creating greater clarity for everyone. Avoid giving advice or telling others what they should do or who they should be. Instead, recognize their unique genius and honor that by exploring options with them through questions that guide them toward personal clarity and truth. By doing so, they will discover their own answers, with your help. Come to understand the person you are speaking with and you will be in a much better position to work with them for a solution.
When you come to the point in a conversation where you have the opportunity to share your perspective, it is very important for you to be impeccable with your words. Avoid gossip. Say only what you mean, and mean what you say. Use your words with the intention of having a positive impact in the other person’s reality. Share your truth in such a way that others come to understand you and draw closer to you in communication and relationship. Always maintain a positive perspective towards those you are speaking with and the situation you are both communicating about. Going negative will never work to anyone’s advantage.
Ineffective communication is at the heart of every negative relationship in your life and business. In order to change this, a different approach is necessary. In every situation where I have trained individuals or teams to be more effective in their communications, the obstacles that they were repeatedly encountering quickly began to vanish and completely faded away with the implementation of this new approach. By speaking to others as you would want them to speak to you, and by adhering to the very powerful intention of creating solutions through your communication, your reality will change for the better, forever.
Now, let’s consider the other vital aspect of communication: your actual use of words. Often times, we limit the communication process by getting caught up in the differing personalities between ourselves and others. This is not necessary or effective. Rather than letting your personality and that of the other person get in the way, see the best in those you are communicating with. Look past the illusion of their personality, and yours as well. Speak to the best in them, from the best in you. Underneath every personality is a person just like you, who is doing their best on this journey of life. Be open to those you are speaking with.
Next, create a safe environment for the communication to take place. This is created in you first. Choose to be safe within yourself so that no matter what the other person says, you will not be hurt by it. After all, it is merely their perspective and not necessarily true. Know who you are and do your best to not take things personally. Then, contribute to a safe environment for the other person by creating a situation where there are no assumptions, judgments, or criticisms; where there is no price to pay for being who they are. A safe environment for communication is not what most of us are accustomed to. It is, however, what we want and it leads to far more pleasant and successful communications.
Choose to stay present in the moment, using effective listening to truly hear another’s perspective. When you are truly listening, not only will you hear the words being spoken, you will also be able to watch their body language for signs of how they feel and what they think. We are all masters of reading body language, as we have been unconsciously developing this skill since we were infants; we needed to know what was going on with others, even before we could understand words. When you are absolutely present in your listening, you will gather valuable information that will help you use your words much more effectively.
Most people are in the habit of telling, rather than asking questions. Typically, people are not as fond of being told as they are of being understood, and that requires questions. Asking open-ended questions draws out another’s perspective even more, thereby creating greater clarity for everyone. Avoid giving advice or telling others what they should do or who they should be. Instead, recognize their unique genius and honor that by exploring options with them through questions that guide them toward personal clarity and truth. By doing so, they will discover their own answers, with your help. Come to understand the person you are speaking with and you will be in a much better position to work with them for a solution.
When you come to the point in a conversation where you have the opportunity to share your perspective, it is very important for you to be impeccable with your words. Avoid gossip. Say only what you mean, and mean what you say. Use your words with the intention of having a positive impact in the other person’s reality. Share your truth in such a way that others come to understand you and draw closer to you in communication and relationship. Always maintain a positive perspective towards those you are speaking with and the situation you are both communicating about. Going negative will never work to anyone’s advantage.
Ineffective communication is at the heart of every negative relationship in your life and business. In order to change this, a different approach is necessary. In every situation where I have trained individuals or teams to be more effective in their communications, the obstacles that they were repeatedly encountering quickly began to vanish and completely faded away with the implementation of this new approach. By speaking to others as you would want them to speak to you, and by adhering to the very powerful intention of creating solutions through your communication, your reality will change for the better, forever.
Daily Post
With gratitude as your constant companion life takes on a whole new look, and feel. Your life comes to be filled with awe, love, laughter, compassion, patience, generosity, acceptance and a great joy for life. Choose to be grateful for even the littlest of things, so that you may set your heart and mind free to enjoy.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Coaching Tip
There is some idea, some activity, some career or thing in life that you are excited about. Something that fills you with energy, hope and optimism at the mere thought of it. This is called passion. Embrace your passion(s), banish any limiting thoughts that stand in your way, sidestep doubt and negative opinions coming from others, be true to yourself, and take at least one step a day toward your passion. This is your life. Live it fully.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Coaching Tip
Either your beliefs about yourself and your abilities are limited or you are empowered in the face of your particular circumstances. Choose the later. The beliefs that you have about yourself on a consistent basis will absolutely determine the outcomes you produce, and therefore, the quality of your life experience. Believe in you, abolish self-doubt and live your greatest life.
Daily Post
If there are situations or projects in your life that you are avoiding, it is possible that you are doing so because of a fear on your part. Typically, this fear has to do with a lack of self-confidence. If this is the case, believe in you! Take on that situation or project, do your best and as you move forward, realize that you can do it, so that you will believe in yourself a little more.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Coaching Tip
There are days when your energy just is not as high as it is on other days. This can be due to your eating habits, sleep patterns and work-life balance among other things. On days when your energy is low, the best course of action often lies in accepting this truth about yourself, eating well, and getting some rest and creating balance to refresh and invigorate yourself.
Daily Post
Kindness, caring, sharing, compassion and love are such wonderful things, especially when given freely; for the sheer joy of giving. Everyone benefits when we open our hearts and minds, and allow the very best in us to flow into the world.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Daily Post
Take heart, and become your greatest self so that you may bloom, thereby, releasing the seeds of your wisdom to the winds of life, that they may find their way to the fertile minds of mankind and take root there.
Article: Are You Positioning Your Company For Success?
In order for a company to grow and generate greater success for all involved, its people must also grow and develop their potential. All businesses are comprised of people and therefore, as the team goes, so does the company.
Consider any sports team. Those that achieve the greatest levels of happiness and success are comprised of individuals who are consistently coached to their greatest potential. The coaching they receive is of high quality, the team members are committed to learning and becoming more, and together, higher levels of achievement are reached repeatedly.
When personal growth and development is lacking, human beings become bogged down by old ways of thinking and behaving. This limits our ability to effectively handle reality, now and in the future. Greater happiness and success is not achieved because we continue to operate as we always have, even in the face of changing circumstances.
Companies that are committed to continual learning provide their team members with new ways of thinking and behaving. This positions the company to effectively handle their current reality and to be proactive in the face of ever-changing business environments. The companies that thrive over long periods of time are the ones committed to reinventing and changing themselves through continual learning and the application of new knowledge.
An example of this truth lies in the economic changes that have recently rippled through our economy. Companies that were already engaged in the continual upgrade of their operations - through the ongoing development of their team members with effective coaching and training - were better positioned to weather the challenging economic changes. Through it all, they have survived and even prospered.
Businesses that saw the wisdom in beginning the process of ongoing coaching and training during these changes have typically lessened their decline and are recovering sooner. The businesses in these first two examples are also very well positioned to make the most of the inevitable turn around and renewed growth of our economy.
Conversely, organizations that have not chosen to implement a coaching and training program to further grow and develop their teams have struggled greatly, and even gone out of business. They have lacked the guidance, direction and teamwork necessary to weather the economic decline and thrive on the other side.
Which one of these atmospheres best describes your business?
What choice have you made in the growth and development of your team and your company?
Could the mindset and abilities of your team be enhanced?
Is your business as successful as you would like it to be?
If you find yourself behind the curve in the growth and development of your team, and therefore your business, you would be well-served to consider the many benefits of team development through comprehensive coaching and training. This course of action can significantly impact the happiness and success of your entire organization in very positive ways. The results of your operations will not improve unless you consistently give the individuals that run your business new and powerful tools.
Often times it is most appropriate for coaching and training to start with the owners and managers of the business. As their abilities grow, they are in a stronger position to lead by example, and to assist other team members in absorbing and utilizing the powerful new information and perspectives offered by an effective coach.
In choosing someone to coach and/or train in your business, it is wise to bring in a professional who is both personable and powerful. The greatest results will come with someone your team can relate to, who brings positive, invigorating energy and passion, and who is willing to tailor their services specifically to your company’s needs.
It is not enough to simply bring in new systems or to streamline operations. After all, people implement and run the systems that help companies operate effectively. In order to meet the current and future demands of your business - to be able to grow and develop your business for greater happiness and success - you need to find powerful ways to assist your team members in becoming their greatest selves.
Being your best feels great! In order to have this positive experience you must continue to grow and develop. The incorporation of effective, ongoing coaching and training for you and your team will deliver to you valuable new information and perspectives; with this you will have the opportunity to rise to new heights, in life and in business.
Consider any sports team. Those that achieve the greatest levels of happiness and success are comprised of individuals who are consistently coached to their greatest potential. The coaching they receive is of high quality, the team members are committed to learning and becoming more, and together, higher levels of achievement are reached repeatedly.
When personal growth and development is lacking, human beings become bogged down by old ways of thinking and behaving. This limits our ability to effectively handle reality, now and in the future. Greater happiness and success is not achieved because we continue to operate as we always have, even in the face of changing circumstances.
Companies that are committed to continual learning provide their team members with new ways of thinking and behaving. This positions the company to effectively handle their current reality and to be proactive in the face of ever-changing business environments. The companies that thrive over long periods of time are the ones committed to reinventing and changing themselves through continual learning and the application of new knowledge.
An example of this truth lies in the economic changes that have recently rippled through our economy. Companies that were already engaged in the continual upgrade of their operations - through the ongoing development of their team members with effective coaching and training - were better positioned to weather the challenging economic changes. Through it all, they have survived and even prospered.
Businesses that saw the wisdom in beginning the process of ongoing coaching and training during these changes have typically lessened their decline and are recovering sooner. The businesses in these first two examples are also very well positioned to make the most of the inevitable turn around and renewed growth of our economy.
Conversely, organizations that have not chosen to implement a coaching and training program to further grow and develop their teams have struggled greatly, and even gone out of business. They have lacked the guidance, direction and teamwork necessary to weather the economic decline and thrive on the other side.
Which one of these atmospheres best describes your business?
What choice have you made in the growth and development of your team and your company?
Could the mindset and abilities of your team be enhanced?
Is your business as successful as you would like it to be?
If you find yourself behind the curve in the growth and development of your team, and therefore your business, you would be well-served to consider the many benefits of team development through comprehensive coaching and training. This course of action can significantly impact the happiness and success of your entire organization in very positive ways. The results of your operations will not improve unless you consistently give the individuals that run your business new and powerful tools.
Often times it is most appropriate for coaching and training to start with the owners and managers of the business. As their abilities grow, they are in a stronger position to lead by example, and to assist other team members in absorbing and utilizing the powerful new information and perspectives offered by an effective coach.
In choosing someone to coach and/or train in your business, it is wise to bring in a professional who is both personable and powerful. The greatest results will come with someone your team can relate to, who brings positive, invigorating energy and passion, and who is willing to tailor their services specifically to your company’s needs.
It is not enough to simply bring in new systems or to streamline operations. After all, people implement and run the systems that help companies operate effectively. In order to meet the current and future demands of your business - to be able to grow and develop your business for greater happiness and success - you need to find powerful ways to assist your team members in becoming their greatest selves.
Being your best feels great! In order to have this positive experience you must continue to grow and develop. The incorporation of effective, ongoing coaching and training for you and your team will deliver to you valuable new information and perspectives; with this you will have the opportunity to rise to new heights, in life and in business.
Daily Post
Greater happiness and success awaits YOU. Believe in your ability to experience these, believe that you deserve happiness and success, believe that you have what it takes, because it is true, and take the actions to place yourself in this reality.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Coaching Tip
Catch every bit of self-doubt that enters your mind, and quickly turn that message to yourself around to a statement of belief in you. Over time, you will come to believe in your ability to effectively deal with any and all situations in your life. Believing in you is a prerequisite for living your greatest life.
Daily Post
The quality of your day is equal to the quality of your thoughts. As you choose to maintain a grateful, positive, solution based and happy perspective day in and day out, you will experience lasting happiness.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Coaching Tip
Becoming self-aware, using this awareness to ask yourself powerful questions, owning the truth of your reality with your answers, and taking actions to create positive change in the outcomes you are producing in your life are profound choices that will lead you to new heights. Don't fear change, embrace your greatest life!
Daily Post
Let nothing and no one stand in your way of living a joyous life. Soak up this day with all your senses, breathe in life, be and give your very best.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Daily Post
When you become what you think others want you to be, you lose yourself. Be who you are so that your magnificence as a human being will shine.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Daily Post
The miracle of life is happening in each and every moment. Be grateful and aware, so that you don't miss it.
Daily Post
At one end of the spectrum of our perception is the taking of all things in life for granted, and at the other end is where we are grateful for all things in life. As you move more towards a fully grateful perspective, the miracle of life and all that it contains becomes more apparent, and life grows sweeter.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Daily Post
When you live a life that you truly respect you look upon yourself in a more positive light, and your self-worth grows. With greater self-worth you think, act, speak and feel differently, and your greatest life is born.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Article: Are You Truly Listening?
The success of any relationship, whether in life or business, rests firmly on the ability of those involved to effectively communicate. The reality is that most of us are not taught how to communicate with the intention of building relationships and creating solutions. If you are not truly listening, then you cannot possibly communicate effectively.
Simply look at your own life and the relationships you share with others to understand the impact and importance of your communication process. It is clear to see that, in those relationships you find most rewarding and fulfilling, communication is more effective than not. Conversely, when you consider your relationships that are the most unsettling, that cause the most pain and suffering, you will see that communication is either not present at all, or is so limited in its effectiveness, that the relationship suffers as a result. The lack of effective communication often leads to broken businesses, disgruntled team members, unsatisfied clients, “failed” marriages, disassociation with loved ones, frustration and anger to name a few.
Here are some important questions for you to consider: Do you like it when others truly listen to you? Do you feel respected, acknowledged and valued when others really listen to what you are saying? Are you more open and honest with people who truly listen to you? In other words, do you like it when others care enough to be absolutely present with you in their listening? We all want to be heard, which begs the question: If you want others to truly listen to you, then why would you ever consciously choose to not truly listen to them?
There are several sabotaging behaviors, or blockers, that limit our listening abilities. These include:
Sparring - You are actually looking for things to disagree with.
Derailing - You derail the train of conversation, with sudden changes to the topic or make jokes, as you become bored or uncomfortable.
Rehearsing - Your attention is focused on preparing what you will say next.
Advising - You believe you have the answer to the other person’s situation, and you go into the mode of giving advice rather than truly listening.
Judging - You are prejudging the person you are communicating with, and using negative labels to do so.
Placating - You agree with everything the other person says in an effort to get along, to be liked or because you aren’t truly listening.
Being Right - Your mind is focused on arranging the information, saying things and/or acting in ways so as to not be wrong.
Day Dreaming - Your attention is on anything other than the conversation, like a vacation you want to take, things you need to get done or an unresolved issue in your life.
Identifying - You use the stories of others as a reference point to tell your own, at the expense of theirs.
Now that you are conscious of these sabotaging behaviors, you can monitor your listening habits and work to change them so that you can become an effective listener. This is accomplished by first catching yourself not truly listening, then stopping yourself and redirecting your attention back to the person speaking. Do this repeatedly over time, until the negative habit is broken. The ill effects of your ineffective listening are eliminated, and interactions become more successful and pleasant as you stop talking or thinking and begin truly listening to others.
Effective listening is simple: Listen to others as you want to be listened to. It’s about caring enough to really listen, and stopping your mental chatter so that you can absorb what another is sharing with you. By taking this approach, you will find that others will listen to you more and mutual respect will grow. Ultimately, you will become more open with each other and the valuable pieces of information that are necessary to healthier relationships, and more successful businesses, will be heard.
There is a solution to every situation you will ever face, as long as you are willing to work for one through communication that has the intention of creating a solution. Building the powerful habit of truly listening is the first step in becoming an effective communicator. In my next column, I will explore the other critical component of effective communication, the actual communication itself, so that you may come to see the tremendous benefits of communicating on a conscious level.
Simply look at your own life and the relationships you share with others to understand the impact and importance of your communication process. It is clear to see that, in those relationships you find most rewarding and fulfilling, communication is more effective than not. Conversely, when you consider your relationships that are the most unsettling, that cause the most pain and suffering, you will see that communication is either not present at all, or is so limited in its effectiveness, that the relationship suffers as a result. The lack of effective communication often leads to broken businesses, disgruntled team members, unsatisfied clients, “failed” marriages, disassociation with loved ones, frustration and anger to name a few.
Here are some important questions for you to consider: Do you like it when others truly listen to you? Do you feel respected, acknowledged and valued when others really listen to what you are saying? Are you more open and honest with people who truly listen to you? In other words, do you like it when others care enough to be absolutely present with you in their listening? We all want to be heard, which begs the question: If you want others to truly listen to you, then why would you ever consciously choose to not truly listen to them?
There are several sabotaging behaviors, or blockers, that limit our listening abilities. These include:
Sparring - You are actually looking for things to disagree with.
Derailing - You derail the train of conversation, with sudden changes to the topic or make jokes, as you become bored or uncomfortable.
Rehearsing - Your attention is focused on preparing what you will say next.
Advising - You believe you have the answer to the other person’s situation, and you go into the mode of giving advice rather than truly listening.
Judging - You are prejudging the person you are communicating with, and using negative labels to do so.
Placating - You agree with everything the other person says in an effort to get along, to be liked or because you aren’t truly listening.
Being Right - Your mind is focused on arranging the information, saying things and/or acting in ways so as to not be wrong.
Day Dreaming - Your attention is on anything other than the conversation, like a vacation you want to take, things you need to get done or an unresolved issue in your life.
Identifying - You use the stories of others as a reference point to tell your own, at the expense of theirs.
Now that you are conscious of these sabotaging behaviors, you can monitor your listening habits and work to change them so that you can become an effective listener. This is accomplished by first catching yourself not truly listening, then stopping yourself and redirecting your attention back to the person speaking. Do this repeatedly over time, until the negative habit is broken. The ill effects of your ineffective listening are eliminated, and interactions become more successful and pleasant as you stop talking or thinking and begin truly listening to others.
Effective listening is simple: Listen to others as you want to be listened to. It’s about caring enough to really listen, and stopping your mental chatter so that you can absorb what another is sharing with you. By taking this approach, you will find that others will listen to you more and mutual respect will grow. Ultimately, you will become more open with each other and the valuable pieces of information that are necessary to healthier relationships, and more successful businesses, will be heard.
There is a solution to every situation you will ever face, as long as you are willing to work for one through communication that has the intention of creating a solution. Building the powerful habit of truly listening is the first step in becoming an effective communicator. In my next column, I will explore the other critical component of effective communication, the actual communication itself, so that you may come to see the tremendous benefits of communicating on a conscious level.
Daily Post
The fullness of life is primarily derived from enjoying the simple moments, because they are so common. The larger moments in life are far less frequent. As you become absolutely grateful for the ordinary moments in life, as well as, the extraordinary ones, your heart and mind experience the grandeur of life.
Daily Post
Be grateful for the coming of the sun, and for your eyes that see it. Embrace this day with all that you are so that you may live today fully.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Coaching Tip
If there are things in your life that you fear doing, but doing them would empower you, choose to move through your fear by doing them. This will move you forward in your life, you will feel great and your life will improve.
Daily Post
When you are truly happy to be alive, there is inner peace. As long as there is peace in you, all situations in life are welcomed and manageable, which returns to you, even more happiness. Celebrate life always!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Daily Post
Heaven is an experience where we are free of fear, anger, envy, sorrow,
regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. Let go of these, to experience bliss in your life.
regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. Let go of these, to experience bliss in your life.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Daily Post
Life is an ever moving experience; it is constantly changing. Embrace this wonderful truth, and open yourself to what can be.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Coaching Tip
Happiness is. It's already here in our hearts and minds. Allow happiness to flourish, by moving away from thoughts, actions and words that eliminate or reduce happiness.
Article: Are You Taking A Break From Business To Refresh?
On your way to reaching new heights in life and business, it’s imperative to take time to truly enjoy your life and the fruits of your labor.
Without breaks to the routine flow of life and work, we tend to become burned out, overwhelmed and fatigued, to name a few problems. This reduces the quality of all that we do on a daily basis. One of the keys to being happy and successful is to keep yourself refreshed and at your best.
Many business owners and their team members never stop working. While they might give the appearance of not working when outside of business operations, they think incessantly about their responsibilities; new opportunities; and worries about the future, the past, competition, the economy and so on. They never truly give themselves a rest.
These thoughts often interrupt sleep and eating patterns, exercise routines, personal and professional relationships, hobbies, further learning and growth, and in general, limit happiness and success. Little by little, these seemingly minor disruptions will destroy you and the quality of your life. When all you do is work, many wonderful and necessary things in life go by the wayside.
I recently returned from a vacation in Maui, during which I consciously stepped away from my coaching and consulting business. I only responded to a few urgent calls from clients, and I also stopped my social networking.
In other words, I took a break from my business life and fully engaged my private life.
This was not always my choice in the past. During the first couple years of in business, I took little time away.
I was so focused on meeting the needs of my clients and the growing demand for my services, I often forgot about myself.
I began to feel tired and recognized I had to work even harder to keep up my best effort. I was “running out of steam,” so to speak. While my passion for my work as a coach and consultant didn’t fade, I found myself losing my life to some degree. That’s not why I became a business owner.
Consciousness of your particular situation is your best friend here. Take a few moments to ask yourself these important questions:
Are you a workaholic?
Do you often allow thoughts of business to occupy your mind as a loved one is talking with you?
Do you frequently wake up with thoughts of work?
Do you tell yourself and others you can’t step away from your business?
Do you feel exhausted?
Are you happy?
In truth, there are times in the course of running a business when extra time is needed to effectively deal with situations. If this is the norm rather than the exception, however, I encourage you to take an honest look at your situation and make necessary adjustments that will allow you to experience a fuller and more meaningful life.
The benefits are many when you choose to live your life outside of business. And you don’t even need to go on a vacation to do this! By bringing structure and focus to the time you spend in your business or career, you actually free yourself to fully engage both your personal and professional lives.
Simply make a commitment to yourself, and perhaps to those closest to you, that you will begin and end your business day by a certain time each day, say 9 a.m. and
5 p.m. By doing so, you’re also committing to not work between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. each day. With this little bit of structure in place, and your commitment to it, you’ll bring greater focus to your business, the quality of the work you do will increase, and you will accomplish more as you become a better manager of your work time.
You’ll also spend more quality time with family and friends. Your relationships will improve, and so will your life. You’ll have time to engage in exercise, hobbies and the things you most enjoy. Your mind and body will relax to a greater degree as you break from business. You’ll sleep better, your energy will grow and you’ll be happier and more successful as you bring balance and refreshment to both your personal and professional lives.
Without breaks to the routine flow of life and work, we tend to become burned out, overwhelmed and fatigued, to name a few problems. This reduces the quality of all that we do on a daily basis. One of the keys to being happy and successful is to keep yourself refreshed and at your best.
Many business owners and their team members never stop working. While they might give the appearance of not working when outside of business operations, they think incessantly about their responsibilities; new opportunities; and worries about the future, the past, competition, the economy and so on. They never truly give themselves a rest.
These thoughts often interrupt sleep and eating patterns, exercise routines, personal and professional relationships, hobbies, further learning and growth, and in general, limit happiness and success. Little by little, these seemingly minor disruptions will destroy you and the quality of your life. When all you do is work, many wonderful and necessary things in life go by the wayside.
I recently returned from a vacation in Maui, during which I consciously stepped away from my coaching and consulting business. I only responded to a few urgent calls from clients, and I also stopped my social networking.
In other words, I took a break from my business life and fully engaged my private life.
This was not always my choice in the past. During the first couple years of in business, I took little time away.
I was so focused on meeting the needs of my clients and the growing demand for my services, I often forgot about myself.
I began to feel tired and recognized I had to work even harder to keep up my best effort. I was “running out of steam,” so to speak. While my passion for my work as a coach and consultant didn’t fade, I found myself losing my life to some degree. That’s not why I became a business owner.
Consciousness of your particular situation is your best friend here. Take a few moments to ask yourself these important questions:
Are you a workaholic?
Do you often allow thoughts of business to occupy your mind as a loved one is talking with you?
Do you frequently wake up with thoughts of work?
Do you tell yourself and others you can’t step away from your business?
Do you feel exhausted?
Are you happy?
In truth, there are times in the course of running a business when extra time is needed to effectively deal with situations. If this is the norm rather than the exception, however, I encourage you to take an honest look at your situation and make necessary adjustments that will allow you to experience a fuller and more meaningful life.
The benefits are many when you choose to live your life outside of business. And you don’t even need to go on a vacation to do this! By bringing structure and focus to the time you spend in your business or career, you actually free yourself to fully engage both your personal and professional lives.
Simply make a commitment to yourself, and perhaps to those closest to you, that you will begin and end your business day by a certain time each day, say 9 a.m. and
5 p.m. By doing so, you’re also committing to not work between 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. each day. With this little bit of structure in place, and your commitment to it, you’ll bring greater focus to your business, the quality of the work you do will increase, and you will accomplish more as you become a better manager of your work time.
You’ll also spend more quality time with family and friends. Your relationships will improve, and so will your life. You’ll have time to engage in exercise, hobbies and the things you most enjoy. Your mind and body will relax to a greater degree as you break from business. You’ll sleep better, your energy will grow and you’ll be happier and more successful as you bring balance and refreshment to both your personal and professional lives.
Daily Post
When you live a life that you respect, your self-worth grows. As self-worth grows, you come to appreciate yourself more. With greater appreciation of yourself comes inner contentment, which no one can take away. Build yourself and your life from within.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Daily Post
Each day brings the opportunity for things in our lives to go smoothly or not. By keeping your mind solidly focused on the upside of any situation that may arise, you will be even more grateful, and solutions to challenges will be more readily available to you.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Daily Post
Make this a wonderful and pleasant day in your life. Let nothing bother you. Let no person get under your skin. Let no "problem" stand in your way. Be grateful for each breath you take, for the opportunities you have, for the health and freedom that is yours.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Daily Post
Let yourself dream. Turn those dreams into goals. Make your goals a reality. Create the life you really want to live.
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