Archives for November 2011

That’s a Little Better…

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One of my favorite books is The Slight Edge by Jeff Olsen. It is a fabulous book about how small actions taken consistently over time lead to big results. I’ve seen the results in my own life of how true this is! And I recently came up with a simple way to add consistent improvement, as well as consistent action, to each day.

I was about to head out to the store, and thought, “I’ll take my vitamins later.” Which really means, “I won’t take my vitamins today.”

Then the gentle thought popped into my head, “Can I do this a little better?” The answer, of course, was simple: take the vitamins now.

Revolutionary, right? Well, no, maybe not. But it hit me that this is a great phrase to help keep me on the path of continuous improvement, without getting overwhelmed by it all. If it’s that simple, why don’t we do this more?

Well, in the moment, “a little better” seems insignificant. What is walking an extra 5 minutes going to do? What is adding vegetables going to get me? How is calling one more client going to change my income? Why should I be kind to the grocery clerk?

We want instant gratification, but that’s not what this is about. The results of continuous improvement come over time. Walking a little more allows you move more freely, and keep up with grandkids. Eating veggies can keep you healthier later in life. Calling your clients can build a support team of raving fans who make your business operate like a well-oiled machine because they consistently refer to you. Being kind lifts up everyone around you.

When you look to do just a little better in every situation, your actions are not dramatic, but in the end, the results ARE revolutionary.

So keep the phrase in mind – “Can I do this a little better?” Walk for 5 more minutes. Eat extra veggies. Call one more client. Offer a kind word when none is required.

Can you see how this could be revolutionary in your life?

New Year’s Resolution

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I’m reading a book I recommend highly, The Power of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz. This book poses the idea that you must manage your energy – not time – in four key areas (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual). Less than 50 pages in, I read a story that made me stop short.

The story described a man, William, who was at his peak mental energy in the mornings. To take advantage of this high-performance time of the day, he would work with high intensity non-stop until midday. He estimated he got 70% of his work done before his midday break. But by early afternoon, his energy was spent and he had little ability to focus. By the end of the day, he dragged home and had no energy for his family in the evenings. His fatigue was so pronounced that he went to see a doctor to see if there was a medical issue, but all tests came back negative.

I read that example and identified – big time! And that draggy feeling in the afternoon? It’s a self- perpetuating cycle. My peak time is in the morning, so I cram everything in, which leaves me depleted for the afternoon, which tells me I better cram everything into the morning… and on the cycle goes.

The authors reflected that William was experiencing the most common performance barrier they encounter in their consulting business. Here was their solution:

“In the aftermath of his work with us, William made one relatively simple change in the way he worked. He began taking a break every 90 to 120 minutes, during which he ate something, drank some water and took at least a brief walk. Based on this change alone, within two weeks William estimated a 30 percent increase in his energy in the afternoons.*”

I love simple solutions, and this one was perfect for me. And because I’m shifting gears in my business so dramatically next year, I realized that I absolutely must master this new rhythm ASAP. In 2012, there are going to be so many unknowns, that all I could think is that I had better get a jump start on this resolution thing while I have the time to really incorporate it into my life.

Not to be an overachiever or anything, but I’m starting this New Year’s resolution now. As a matter of fact, I started last week and am already feeling better about my work rhythms and focus.

The moral of the story? Don’t put off until the New Year what can benefit you today! (and get a copy of The Power of Full Engagement!)

* Excerpt taken from ThePower of Full Engagement by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz, copyright 2003.

Guest Blog: Are You Ever Stressed?

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Thank you to Cindy Caldwell who contributed today’s excellent blog!

Did you think “Duh!” when reading the title of this article?

Of course, we all encounter stress. And in the business world, for many it has become more pronounced than ever before. Today I want to provide you with an alternative and a new perspective.

A young lady confidently walked around the room while leading and explaining stress management to an audience. With a raised glass of water, everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question, ‘half empty or half full?’ She fooled them all.

“How heavy is this glass of water?” she inquired with a smile.

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, that’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my right arm. If I hold it for a day, you’ll have to call an ambulance. In each case it’s the same weight, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”*

Most of us know that holding onto stress isn’t good. Being sure to get a good night’s rest is very helpful to managing it. Yet in the fast paced world of business, even after a good night’s sleep, often the stressful moments can get the best of us.

Go here to read another approach to managing stress moment by moment – when the boss drops a bomb on you – or any time the moment changes from normal to stressed.

Have comments? Go to the Elegant Inner Guidance Facebook Fan Page and share your comments and insight.

*Excerpt from an email shared by my friend Jean M.

Cindy Caldwell is  an Authentic Happiness Coach/Consultant helping the heart-centered business woman who loves her job but not the corporate world to create a career that resonates with her soul.

Get a FREE 15 min. consulting session at www.ElegantInnerGuidance.com.

But What About the Sand?

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I’ve been a bit tense lately. Four events in two weeks, and working on a training program to launch speed networking nationally at the beginning of next year. A lot of what I’m working on amounts to invention – brand new stuff that I have no experience with.

I said to my husband Adam, “I feel like I’m about to jump off a cliff”.

To which he responded, “Throw down some sand.”

Thrown by the seeming non-sequitur, I articulately replied, “Huh?”

“Like in Indiana Jones,” he said. “When he sees that great gaping chasm and then steps off to find it was an optical illusion, and a path was there all along. Throw down some sand and you’ll see it’s not a cliff at all.”

As you can imagine, that stopped me in my tracks.

I love this mental picture, but am struggling a bit to complete it.

If the chasm is my fear of the unknown, and the path that is the optical illusion represents the unseen solutions that are available to me, but what about the sand? What does the sand represent?

I’d love to hear your ideas!