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A Lesson in Time Management

What is the best use of your time?

When I ask most people this question I typically get a blank stare.  Or, at best, they will rattle off a list of a dozen different items.

The problem with that answer is that if you have a bunch of items on your list, you aren’t really certain what is the best use of your time, and as a result you probably aren’t spending your time on those things that are best suited for your skill sets.  In other words, you are doing a bunch of crap that isn’t helping to grow your business.

I am typically very good at using my time effectively.  However, I feel compelled to write about this topic today because of what happened in my business yesterday afternoon.

I got back into my office yesterday at approximately 2 pm.  I didn’t have any more appointments scheduled for the day, but had a long list of important (but not urgent) items that needed to be completed.  As I opened the door to my office, I noticed that my new laptop had just arrived.

A little voice inside my head said (OK actually screamed) “Don’t open the pretty little box – it will gobble up your afternoon”.  Unfortunately, a less intelligent yet much more persuasive voice said “Just turn it on and plug it in – what can that hurt?”

Three hours later, I had finally gotten the laptop to recognize my office network.  But, this was after a polite woman from Dell tech support had convinced me to take the computer apart to check the WLAN card, and reload the operating system.  If you want a funny mental image, picture a 6’ 5 man with giant hands trying to unscrew teeny tiny little screws under the direction of a woman on a mobile speaker phone 4,000 miles away.  It was mildly frustrating to say the least.

The point (yes there is a point) is that this was an awful use of my time.  I should have followed my gut instinct and let a professional handle this so that I could spend time on activities that grow my business – leading my staff and servicing my clients.

This week I challenge you at the end of every day to ask yourself the following question – “If I could go back and re-do today, how would I use my time differently?”

Stay focused on those tasks that are MOST important to growing your business.  Have a great week!

CJ McClanahan, cjm@goreachmore.com

Are You Ready for a Great 2008?

It’s December 18^th – less than 14 more days until the end of the year for those of you who are mathematically challenged.

As this year winds down, I am certain of 2 things….

1. We all have a ton of personal and professional activities that we need to accomplish during this 2 week period.
2. You will find it difficult to carve out time to complete any task that doesn’t generate revenue, address a customer issue or involve the purchasing of a Christmas gift!

Having agreed that we are all in the same boat, I am here to add one more thing to your “to-do” list – plan for 2008.

If you choose to ignore this advice, let me tell you what will happen next year: 

1. The year will run you.  You will work tons of hours and probably achieve little more than you did in 2007.
2. You will get sidetracked on a bunch of projects/opportunities that will divert your focus and hurt your productivity.
3. You won’t have any fun.

If you listen to this advice, then 2008 will be your best year ever! 

The brain has the ability to accomplish anything as long as it stays focused and remains inspired by an exciting goal.

So, here’s a simple strategy to get you going….

1. Set aside 3 hours of uninterrupted time some place comfortable.
2. Identify the top 3 professional and personal accomplishments you would like to achieve next year.
3. Add 1 stretch goal in each category.
4. Write these goals down and hang them some place where you will review them everyday!

You will achieve everything you choose to achieve this year!  Take charge!

CJ McClanahan, ReachMore Strategies

cjm@goreachmore.com

Principles

“As to methods, there may be a million and then some, but principles are few.  The man who grasps principles can successfully select his own methods.  The man who tries methods, ignoring principles is sure to have troubles.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

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In the quote above you can insert a ton of different words or phrases for “methods”.  Here are just a few – books, blogs, websites, pod casts, speakers, trends, etc.  This list is huge.

You know that during the next year you will be bombarded with different ideas, opportunities and challenges.  You will also be tempted to try everything, thinking that “this might just be the perfect idea” to double my business.

It won’t.

The key to everlasting and positive change is (and has always been) disciplining yourself to adhere to tested principles that always deliver predictable results.  Whether its “live above the line” or “live in the moment” – we know the type of behavior that leads to success.

So, what principle should you be working on this week?

CJ McClanahan, cjm@goreachmore.com

Count Your Blessings

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."

Melody Beattie

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As Thanksgiving approaches, I searched for a good thought relating to being thankful for all that we have been given.  I decided on one that many of you have seen before because it is perfect.

The truth is that each of you reading this (and the guy sending it) is blessed beyond belief. From a wealth perspective we are in the top 1-2% in the world.  We have more than we need, and lack for virtually nothing.

However, we sometimes (OK, more than sometimes) forget all that we have been given and instead focus on what we lack.

Today’s message is designed to encourage you to count your blessings every single day.  In fact, I recommend that you do it multiple times each day.

Studies clearly demonstrate that individuals who are grateful and make it a practice to focus on the abundance in their lives are more productive, successful and content.

Trust me – it works.

So, this week I challenge you to make gratitude a habit.  You’ll be amazed with the results!