Timing is Everything

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“Timing is everything. It is as important to know when as to know how.”

—Arnold Glasow, 20th Century American Humor Writer

Image from Unsplash by Andrik Langfield Petrides

Many people, including myself, are information junkies. We have varying levels of addiction to resources such as “How To” books, YouTube videos, TED Talks, and other forms of media, which build on our mountains of knowledge.

Recently, Daniel Pink published his newest book, titled WHEN – The Scientific Secrets of Perfect Timing. This book sheds light on the importance of knowing when to:

  • Schedule your most important work
  • Incorporate breaks and even naps in your day
  • Change jobs
  • Get married
  • Start or end a project
  • Do analytic versus creative tasks

EXERCISE:

Consider picking up a copy of WHEN right now, to discover some of your own secrets of your own perfect timing.

True Wisdom Lies in Gathering the Precious Things

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“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.”

—E.S. Bouton

Image of woman lounging on a beach chair

Image from Unsplash by RawPixel

My wife Wendy’s “happy place” is the beach. She loves nothing more, except family and friends, than her time on a sandy ocean beach, looking for interesting and beautiful shells. Among her favorites are brightly colored or interestingly shaped mollusk shells, particularly if they are shaped like a heart or infinity symbol.

When she is not at the beach, she sets a wonderful example for me, my children, and others, by squeezing the most out of each precious day. It is not uncommon for her to alter the hours she sleeps, simply because she doesn’t want to miss any of the joy and sweetness life has to offer.

EXERCISE:

How and in what ways can you seek, discover, and savor more of the precious things around you to make more of each and every day?

Friday Review: Reflection

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FRIDAY REVIEW: REFLECTION

How often do you step outside your routine just to reflect on your life? Here are a few reflection-related posts you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.

 

“It’s on the strength of observation and reflection that one finds a way.”

 

 

 

 

“My sun sets to rise again.”

 

 

 

 

“Respect yourself enough to walk away from anything that no longer serves you, grows you, or makes you happy.”

 

 

 

Happiness is When What you Think

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“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

—Mahatma Gandhi, 20th Century Indian Activist

Throughout my professional life, I have learned from personal growth and development thought leaders that, “Thoughts Become Things.”

As Wayne Dyer conveyed in his book Manifest Your Destiny, we all have the ability to influence and create our world through our thoughts, words, and actions.

EXERCISE:

Where and how can and will you harmonize your thoughts, words, and actions to manifest greater happiness in your world?

Another one of my favorite Wayne Dyer books on this subject is The Power of Intention.

 

Regret for Time Wasted

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“Regret for time wasted can become a power for good in the time that remains.”

—Arthur Brisbane, 20th Century American Newspaper Editor

Image from Unsplash by Matthew Henry

How many more years do you expect to live, given your current health status and general life expectancy statistics?

How delighted, satisfied, disappointed or regretful are you regarding your current levels of professional and personal accomplishments?

I’ve found that virtually everyone I coach has a heightened sense of urgency, wanting to squeeze even more out of the time they have remaining.

For whatever the reason, they often seek out the support of a coaching relationship to achieve more, at a faster rate, than they have experienced up to the current moment.

EXERCISE:

The time we all have on this earth is limited. How will you maximize the use of what remains in order to achieve the success and significance you desire?

Keep a green tree in your heart and a singing bird may come

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“Keep a green tree in you heart and a singing bird may come.”

—Chinese Proverb

Image of a singing bird on a green tree

Image from Unsplash by Ray Hennessy

If you were a bird, what would cause you to visit a particular tree? Perhaps it was a good place to find food, protection from predators, or maybe a mate and a place to nest.

Your own song would be an announcement of sorts, letting the world know that you are here, looking to attract that special someone or something.

EXERCISE:

What are your heart-centered qualities that represent the growth and aliveness of a green tree?

What do you have to offer the world? Which of these qualities are most worth singing about?

We would rather have one man or woman working with us than three merely working for us

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“We would rather have one man or woman working with us than three merely working for us.”

—J. Danby Day, per Forbes Magazine

Image of cast of "Who's the Boss?"

Image from Zimbio

When it comes to the subjects of leadership and management, one of my biggest pet peeves is the word “Boss.”

I find myself squirming, often downright repulsed by the idea of one person managing an individual or team through the “top-down / command-and-control” manner conveyed by this word.

My 35+ years of experience working for public and private companies have shown me that people are far more fulfilled, empowered, satisfied and successful when they work with one another rather than for others.

Because of the feeling of contributing to a community, people experience a heightened sense of impact and purpose, knowing they are truly valued.

EXERCISE:

How can you become a more masterful leader, manager, and coach in your professional and personal communities so people gravitate and look forward to working with you?

Friday Review: Asking Questions

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FRIDAY REVIEW: QUESTIONS

How often do you question the things you hear or read? Here are a few posts about questions you may have missed. Click the links to read the full message.

 

“There is more than one right answer.”

 

 

 

 

“When I look back in five years, which of these options will make the best story?”

 

 

 

“A wise man’s questions contain half the answer.”

 

 

 

 

I leave my troubles in my clothes

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“When I go to bed, I leave my trouble in my clothes.”

—Dutch Proverb

Image of a pile of clothes on a chair

Image from Unsplash by Renata Fraga

Have you ever experienced insomnia?

How often do you literally carry your burdens and troubles to bed, through incessant thinking and rumination about an issue?

Besides being physically tired and mentally fatigued to begin with, you can’t really accomplish anything by letting issues churn in your head through the night. You only add to the stress by loss of the restful sleep you require to take on tomorrow with a full tank and a positive attitude.

EXERCISE:

What bedtime behaviors and rituals could you consider to “leave your troubles in your clothes”?

Consider asking friends and colleagues what works for them, or try searching “sleep strategies” on the web. You’ll be amazed by the volume of content, and the magnitude and impact of this common issue.

No One Agrees With Others Opinions

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“No one agrees with other people’s opinion. They merely agree with their own opinions expressed by somebody else.”

—Sydney Tremayne, Canadian Stock Investment Strategist

Image of man holding placard saying "Ask the right questions"

Image from FlightJobs

How would you like to be a more masterful leader and have far greater influence in your professional and personal relationships?

For this to occur, it requires less of you and more from others.

Have you noticed that virtually everyone is far more interested in what they are thinking than in what you may be saying? Being interested rather than interesting can be just the strategy to discover their opinions and leanings on any topic. Their perspective and beliefs can point you to the areas where they can be more easily led and influenced.

EXERCISE:

Where and with whom can you tap into the opinions and beliefs held by others, to significantly increase your current levels of leadership and influence?