Friday; November 17

Over the last couple of weeks I have taken on a few extra projects. One thing I found out was that I wasn’t doing a very good job (and I was getting increasingly cranky). It wasn’t that the tasks were too tough, I was just trying to do too many things all at one. I don’t believe it is possible to multi-task; so we must be able to prioritize and categorize. We need to be able to decide what needs to be done first, then we need to set things up in a way in which we have time to do all that should be done. We have to be able to carve out time for our commitments. I realize that life doesn’t always run on our schedule, but by setting aside time for each project – and working on that project during that time – we will be able to accomplish more (and with a better attitude). What do you need to get accomplished? Here are a few suggestions for success:

1. Identify and prioritize tasks. We need to make sure the important things are included – but don’t forget to add in some fun stuff as well.

2. Set aside time to get things done. Some people may need a rigid schedule while others of us just need to focus on the task at hand until it is accomplished. List-making (and crossing things off of our list) can help us do what needs to be done and allow us to feel a sense of accomplishment rather than feeling overwhelmed.

3. Get the physical and emotional rest we need. Whether it is a five minute break in the midst of a vital task or a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of our lives, we all need to regroup and recharge. We aren’t machines – we need to constantly maintain our physical, emotional and mental health!

Good luck on what you have to do. You can do it – even if you have to take small bites to get it done.

Think About It!

Popular posts from this blog

Tuesday; November 29

The biblical story of the Good Samaritan has changed our world. Notice I didn’t say that it had change religion or even Christianity, it has influenced the world. There are very few people who don’t know the moral of Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. In fact, the phrase has become a common description of everyday people doing good to their neighbors. While Jesus’ parable from Luke 10 shares several spiritual lessons, one of the most practical is that good can be done by anyone. You don’t have to be a church official to do good, it is not only possible for each one of us to help, it is required of all of us. If a Samaritan can be good, so can we! After presenting the parable, Jesus asked the man who had originally asked the question about being a good neighbor which character in the story was a good neighbor, “… he said, ‘The one who showed mercy toward him.’” at which point, the discussion from theoretical to personal, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do the same.’” (Luke
Read more

Thursday; January 12

The other day I was watching a television show that used a rather common term applied to overcoming challenges. When organizations experience unexpected setbacks – especially when they lose key people – they rely upon the concept of “Next Man Up”. In essence, when our starters (or stars) go down, effective organizations rely upon their next levels to step into the vacancy. While this is an effective response, have we given much thought as to how we prepare to be the “next people up”? First, we must know our job. Even when we aren’t the primary players, we need to be preparing ourselves to be ready when we get the opportunity to shine. Second, we must do our best when we get the chance. Knowledge is important but what turns potential into talent is effort. Yet, maybe the most underappreciated aspect of this concept is a willingness avoid excuse-making and whining about the unfairness of our situation. When we complain about the circumstances that caused the need for replacements
Read more

Monday; September 25

When I was a youngster, I remember hearing about this thing called the Generation Gap. I was a little bit too young to be active in the social movements of the 1960s, but I do remember listening to the challenges the generations were experiencing way back then. Interestingly, now that I have been on both sides of the aging process, I have to admit that the Gap of the 1960s was nothing new. With the development of each generation comes conflict. The young people don’t feel like the older people understand them and the older folks tend to believe their input is being underappreciated. Too often trust is the casualty when two generations collide. The sad thing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. When we can capture the innovation and energy of the younger folks and harness the wisdom of those who have been around for a while we can develop a winning combination. No, we won’t always see things eye-to-eye nor will we necessarily speak the same emotional language, but when we app
Read more