If you need some space, find it.
Slow down and take a breath.
Take some time.
Take as long as you need.
Centre yourself and go again.
Look after you first.
Then you can look after others.
There will be moments when you think you couldn’t possibly stop or pause.
That’s the moment you should.
Take a moment.
“The best way to take care of the future is to take care of the present moment.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
There are items that have a clear expiry date.
The food products in your fridge and pantry.
A gift card (either given or received).
The warranty on your … [insert recent purchase here].
That demo software on your computer.
Leases and licences.
Passports and permits.
There are other items that have no set expiry date, but perhaps should.
A failing business model.
Out-dated training.
Working for a terrible boss.
An unhelpful attitude.
Superseded knowledge.
Blaming and criticising.
Negative friendships.
A way of thinking.
What might you be doing that has reached its expiry date?
“There is an expiry date on blaming your parents for steering you in the wrong direction; the moment you are old enough to take the wheel, responsibility lies with you.” – J.K. Rowling
Once you commit, there are no more choices.
No more indecision or uncertainty.
Wavering back and forth dissipates.
Commitment leads to focus and action.
It leads to progress.
When you are committed, you are fully invested.
You are resolved to make things happen.
So, to the dilemma.
You cannot commit to everything.
You have to decide.
Until there are no more choices.
“The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment.” – Tony Robbins
“Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes, but no plans.” – Peter F. Drucker
Peter F. Drucker is revered as the father of modern management and author of 39 books. Here are just a few of them …
The Daily Drucker: 366 Days of Insight And Motivation For Getting The Right Things (2004)
The Effective Executive (1966)
The Practice of Management (1954)
You set a goal … and missed it.
You can beat yourself up.
Feel you messed up.
Be frustrated and disappointed.
Which is all okay.
It means you aren’t satisfied yet.
Which will fuel the setting of the next goal.
Review what happened.
Take the learnings.
Come up with some new strategies.
Be kind to yourself.
And go again.
“Aim for the moon. If you miss, you may hit a star.” – W. Clement Stone
“Try. Fail. Try. Miss. Try. Fall. Try. Get rejected. Try. Succeed. Repeat.” – Mel Robbins, author of “The Five Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage”
You have been given an opportunity to stretch yourself.
To rise to a challenge.
To really make a difference.
You could choose to worry about what might go wrong.
How it could all be too much.
To make a false step.
Or you could choose to focus on what will go right.
How you can raise the bar.
To step up.
You get to choose your next step.
“Many a false step was made by standing still.” – Chinese proverb
“When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.” – Paulo Coelho, author of the “The Alchemist”
Make sure you know the rules of the game before you start playing.
You will not be able to change the rules if things don’t go your way.
Or you can start a new game.
A variation of the original, or something completely different.
A game where you get to make the rules.
“Life is a game, and it’s much more fun if you play it as your own game, so stay light and loose and relaxed.” – Bill Murray
“Treat your life like a game.” – Ray Dalio, billionaire hedge fund manager, philanthropist and author of “Principles: Life & Work”
Potential opportunities have come and gone.
There have been failed attempts and false starts.
Possibilities have faltered and disappeared.
Nothing seems to be turning into anything of substance.
When the next opportunity presents itself, what are you going to do?
The next opportunity doesn’t know about the misses that came before it.
So you have a choice on how to show up.
A choice that will have an impact on the outcome.
You can show up already defeated.
Nothing has worked yet, so there is no point trying.
And it will show.
Or you can lean in with renewed enthusiasm.
Tackling this opportunity with the same eagerness as the first.
And it will show.
So it’s not a choice really.
“Enthusiasm, if fueled by inspiration and perseverance, travels with passion and its destination is excellence.” – Napoleon Hill
“Don’t worry about failure. Worry about the chances you miss when you don’t even try.” – Jack Canfield
“Think and Grow Rich”, by Napoleon Hill
“Success Through A Positive Mental Attitude”, by Napoleon Hill
“Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be”, by Jack Canfield
“Chicken Soup for the Soul, by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
You need to be at your best.
Especially now.
What enables you to be at your best?
Having a challenge.
Delivering on a deadline.
Being creative.
Having a routine.
Getting a good night’s sleep
Engaging with others.
Presenting to others.
Exercising.
A quiet space.
Some white noise.
Building your expertise.
Sharing your expertise.
Waking at a certain hour.
Doing “deep work”.
Understanding the best part of the day for doing “deep work”.
Being yourself.
When are you at your best?
Find a way to do more of that.
“The real reward for doing your best work is not the money you make but the leader you become.” – Robin Sharma
“Doing your best is more important than being the best.” – Zig Ziglar
There is something satisfying about decluttering.
It can be therapeutic to clear the decks.
“Stuff” seems to build up … everywhere.
Both physical and digital clutter.
So, where to start?
Physical.
The sock drawer.
The wardrobe.
The fridge (yes, those condiments are out of date).
The third drawer in the kitchen.
The spare room.
The office desk.
The garage.
The back shed.
Digital.
Emails.
Email accounts.
Email subscriptions.
Phone Storage.
Folders and files.
The old laptop.
USB flash drives.
Photos.
Decluttering even declutters our thinking and emotions.
Bringing a sense of clarity and confidence.
It may even spark joy (for the Marie Kondo enthusiasts).
Clearing the clutter enables you to focus on what matters most.
“Sometimes the biggest gain in productive energy will come from cleaning the cobwebs, dealing with old business, and clearing the desks — cutting loose debris that’s impeding forward motion.” – David Allen (For the GTDers.)
“It’s a very strange phenomenon, but when we reduce what we own and essentially ‘detox’ our house, it has a detox effect on our bodies as well.” – Marie Kondo
“Clutter isn’t just the stuff in your closet. Its anything that gets between you and the life that you want to be living.” – Peter Walsh
Your mind is accumulating what you put into it.
So, here is a quick mind self-assessment?
What were the last three books you read?
(Separate into fiction and nonfiction if you like.)
Last three podcasts listened to?
Last three documentaries watched?
Last three television shows viewed (binged)?
Last three articles read?
Last three blog posts?
(This one included.)
Last three stage performances?
Last three movies viewed?
The last three songs listened to?
(Not sure we do albums anymore.)
Last three minutes on each social media platform?
The last three conversations?
There really is no right or wrong.
The answers might affect your next three though.
“Your mind will give back to you exactly what you put into it.” – James Joyce
“You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” – Zig Ziglar