September 30, 2013 Focus Point

September 30, 2013
Focus Point

Is Your Mind Wandering?

It happens to all of us: You are working away at a project and the next thing you know, your mind is somewhere else. I recently read an article by Dan Goleman where he discussed the fact that our minds wander on average 50% of the time. Harvard Researchers found that often times when we are doing something, we are actually thinking of something else. This is called the Thinking-Doing Gap. The biggest gap and disconnect unfortunately is at work. The following are ideas to help sharpen our focus and increase productivity.

First, start with your digital communication such as any social media site or other websites that are not pertaining to your work. Anything that is not vital to your work and production, close it down. Also ask yourself: How can I more effectively manage time in my e-mail and inbox?

Secondly, invest 5 minutes in the morning to prioritize your tasks of the day. Practice the discipline to start with the most important item, resisting the urge to jump from task to task, but rather complete the first before moving to the second and so on. If you only accomplish two of ten tasks IF they are the most important, you are operating at 80% efficiency.

Third, invest 5 minutes at the end of the work day to review your work and make note of adjustments for the next day. Focus is a great word, don't you think? I believe that focus will clear your mind and give you more energy.

For more great ideas read: Focus, The Hidden Driver of Excellence by Dan Goleman

September 23, 2013 Focus Point

September 23, 2013
Focus Point

Head, Heart, Hands.

To get the most out of life, help someone else. Like the saying goes: "You have never really lived until you have done something for someone else who can never repay you."

People are insecure so give them confidence. They like to feel special so sincerely compliment them. They want a better tomorrow so show them hope. They lack direction so help them navigate. They are sometimes selfish so fill their needs first. They get low emotionally so encourage them. They want success so help them out. What people say, what people do, and what they say they do, are all entirely different things.

You help people with your Head by something that you know, in terms of your knowledge and understanding. If you do not understand people, you cannot help them. You help people with your Heart, by the way you feel towards them. If you do not love people,  you will not help them. And with your Hands you carry out the action of helping them.

Albert Einstein said it this way: "Strange as our situation here upon earth, each of us comes for a short visit not knowing why, yet sometimes seeming to define a purpose. From the standpoint of daily life however, there is one thing that we do know, that man is here for the sake of other men."

Have the best week of your life by helping someone else!

September 16, 2013 Focus Point

September 16, 2013
Focus Point

John Wooden's Strategy To Find Happiness.

This is Excellent, Excellent, Excellent!!

As part of my own leadership and speaker training, I have been able to learn about the life of one of the great men who has lived on this earth. As the top division one basketball coach for UCLA, he not only coached his players on the court but also in life. Following are 9 promises that he worked everyday to live by. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I have.

Promise Yourself To:

1. Talk of health, happiness, and prosperity as often as possible.

2. Show all of your friends that there is something special in them that you value.
3. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best from yourself and others.
4. Be just as enthusiastic about other people's success as you are about your own.
5. Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
6. Forget the mistakes of the past and press on to greater achievements in the future.
7. Wear a cheerful appearance at all times and give every person that you meet a smile.
8. Give so much time improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
9. Be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit trouble to press on you.

At age 92, John Wooden was still working on improving his life and his character. He was a guy who led himself before trying to lead someone else. He passed away at age 99 in 2010, but his values, teachings, and influence live on.

September 9, 2013 Focus Point

September 9, 2013
Focus Point

Enhance Your Greatest Asset, YOU

I recently saw a large motivational picture on the wall encouraging people to take the time to sharpen their saw. Imagine a man working at cutting a large tree with only slow progress and a second man who takes the time to properly sharpen his saw and from such, has more success.

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People Stephen Covey teaches that there are four areas of renewal in our life.

1. Physical Dimension which includes: Exercise, proper nutrition, and stress management.

2. Spiritual Dimension which includes: Value clarification and commitment, study and meditation.

3. Mental Dimension: Reading, visualizing, planning, writing, etc.

4. Social and Emotional Dimension: Service, empathy, synergy, intrinsic security.

The process of self-renewal to the person who does not understand its value can appear to take away from activities that would move him or her forward more rapidly. But experience shows that it will actually help you and I to work more successfully and refreshed with a renewed determination and vision. When we take time for ourselves in each of the four areas we become more balanced and effective in prioritizing. It helps us to become more self aware and grow into and upward spiral of growth and change. As we learn, do, and commit within this pattern we form good habits. It truly is amazing what the small and simple things will do for us. Bruce Barton said it well: "Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things."

To consider: What can I do today and this week to renew myself?

September 2, 2013 Focus Point

September 2, 2013
Focus Point

Pearls Have Value

Pearls are formed when a grain of sand gets inside the shell of an oyster and becomes an irritation. In its effort to ease the irritation, the oyster begins to secrete a liquid that coats the grain of sand and over a period of time this process eventually leads to the creation of a pearl, something of substantial value.

Trees can actually grow a stronger root system in windy areas, of course if the wind is too powerful the tree can be uprooted. What great truths we can learn from nature. Opposition, challenge and irritation is what actually makes you and I stronger. Peter Marshall observed: "When we long for a life without difficulties, we must be reminded that, oaks grow strong in contrary winds." Therefore the opposition in life is connected directly to our growth, but if we create additional problems or opposition for ourselves it can be damaging just like a wind much stronger than what the tree can handle is uprooted.  

Robert Rohm teaches about opposition: "If the things that irritate you today are the same things that irritated you five or ten years ago, then it is evident that there has been no growth in that area of your life. And, it is a fact that if you try to avoid them, you will not have the stamina and ability to conquer other mountains you will face in your life. When you face an irritating person or situation in your life, tell yourself: This is a test. This irritation was sent my way to help me grow to be a better person. Avoidance will only stunt your own growth."

To consider this week: What obstacles are in front of me, and how can I use them not as stumbling blocks, but as stepping stones?