It's Tuesday at 2:00pm! (PST Time: I live and work from Southern California)
Greetings to you!
Each week I send out a short leadership blog that's called "Tuesday at 2:00pm". The purpose of this is simply to provide a brief thought on leadership that you can read and think about in just a few minutes. I send it out every week at 2:00pm (PST) and encourage you to make an appointment with yourself to pause and think about the thing I'm writing about.
Russ...
LEADERSHIP QUOTE:
"Nobody is too busy, it's just a matter of priorities." Unknown
What does this stir up? Either write me HERE or comment at the end of the blog post HERE.
A LITTLE BIT DEEPER:
This quote might hit a little close to home, but there's some hard truth in this.
We've gotten used to simply saying that we're busy, and we believe that. We run from one thing to another, and we blame work, relationships, our family or any other number of things. We actually blame others for the fact that we're busy.
However, it's not a matter of being busy. It's a matter of priorities. We make choices everyday based on our priorities.
This might include the people we want to spend time with, the events we choose to participate In and many other obligations.
Yes, sometimes things are pressed on us, but I would argue that the number of things that we are "forced to do" doesn't compare with the freedom we have over our lives and our schedule.
We're in the Christmas Season, and we're already grumbling about our schedules and the chaos of the season.
STOP.
Take a deep breath and make some decisions based on what's important to you, now because of everyone else's expectations.
Now, before you cancel on that Christmas Party you really don't want to go to, realize that we do have obligations and there are things that we "need to do", but don't let those dominate your life and your schedule.
Find balance.
As you look at the next 2 weeks, what's ONE THING that is a priority to you that you really want to incorporate into your life and schedule?
DEEPER STILL:
Here are some simple ways to help your priorities to make it onto your schedule:
#1) LOOK FORWARD & PLAN
I do this each week, but it can be done monthly or quarterly as well. Just make a list of your priorities and get them on your calendar before things fill up. When I'm working on an important project, I actually make an appointment with myself and put it on my schedule as a time block. Example... this current week, I have 2 blocks on my schedule: one is a 3-hour block to do some planning for 2025, with a breakdown of tasks to accomplish within that time frame. Another block I have is a 3-hour block where I'm going to go hang-out with my grandson. Perrin made my schedule this week as a priority. I moved some things around to make that work, but it's on my schedule and nothing can interrupt these 2 priorities.
#2) BE FLEXIBLE
Sometimes things do change, and instead of just dumping the priority, figure out how to make it work. Example... last week I was working on a project and something came up that I needed to give my attention to with Gina and some friends. I gladly changed my schedule and postponed the project, but then I put the project back into my schedule, committing to work late one night to get it done. Things don't always work the way you want them to, but you have to FIGHT for your priorities, and being flexible will help you do that.
#3) EVALUATE
Sometimes we don't see it in ourselves, but do a periodic check to see if you're out of control. Others around you will be able to tell you honestly, but sometimes we're so far from where we really want to be that we can't even recognize it. Ask those close to you how you're doing or if they see anything in your life & schedule that you should address. Sometimes these conversations are difficult, but they can be really good as well.
#4) RELAX
It's easy to get uptight about all of this. Yes, you have to work hard and fight for those things that matter the most, but don't allow yourself to live with the anxiety and pressure of getting it all right. You won't. You will continue to make bad decisions from time to time and that's just the way life is. Get over it and move on.
It's time that you take control over your schedule by letting your priorities guide you!
Things I'm Reading, Listening To and Watching This Week:
I'm reading this book by Megan Fate Marshman over the Christmas Season: RELAXED. Looking forward to digging into these words.
One of my favorite books over the past few years and one that addresses this issue of priorities: Atomic Habits by James Clear. Read it, Listen to it, Apply it.
I'm listening to The Classic Christmas Album from Johnny Cash this morning... it is "classic" Christmas!
I use Evernote for a number of project lists, worksheets and for managing projects. I'm taking a class this month to learn how to use these tools more effectively!
We hosted a Christmas Dinner for The Barnabas Board with Chez Andrea. We had an incredible evening of food around the table here in Orange County, California. You can follow her Instagram. We're fans!