Weekender May 5, 2001
Volume 3, Issue 18
Life
Prosperity is not without many fears and distastes;
and adversity is not without comforts and hopes.
Frances Bacon
Bartlett's Familiar Quotations
UK
Challenges
We must make the best of those ills which cannot be avoided.
Alexander Hamilton
The Book of Positive Quotations
UK
compiled by John Cook
Priorities
Rather than focusing on things and time, focus on preserving and enhancing relationships and on accomplishing results.
Stephen Covey
Daily Reflections for Highly Effective People: Living the Seven Habits
UK
compiled by Stephen R. Covey
Stress
Much of the stress that people feel doesn't come from having too much to do. It comes from not finishing what they started.
David Allen
"You can do anything -- not everything,"
by Keith H. Hammonds
Fast Company, May 2000
Leadership
Reflection doesn't take anything away from decisiveness, from being a person of action. In
fact, it generates the inner toughness that you need to be an effective person of action -- to
be a leader. Think of leadership as the sum of two vectors: competence (your specialty, your skills,
your know-howl) and authenticity (your identity, your character, your attitude).
Peter Koestenbaum
"Do you have the will to lead?"
by Polly LaBarre
Fast Company, March 2000
Bonus Reading on Life
by Philip E. Humbert
Of all the Attraction Principles, the most popular class I teach is "Simplify Your Life - Yes, You CAN!" Based on class attendance, articles in the press, and requests from clients, it's clear there is tremendous desire to live more simply, be more productive, and have greater peace of mind. While the details are different for each of us, the central theme is: "I want less stress, more time and more integrity, and I haven't been able to get it!" The core of this article is that in the next 5 days you can dramatically simplify your life without avoiding your responsibilities or reducing your output. In fact, as you simplify, your life will improve and you'll contribute more, not less, to your work and loved ones. In 5 days, I predict you can reduce your sense of "hassle" by at least 50 items, and add one new practice that will solidify your gains forever! Monday: Clutter. This Monday, take 10 minutes and clear out 10 items that bug you. That junk mail on your desk? In the wastebasket. Those old magazines on the coffee table? Trash 'em! The plant that's almost dead in your office? Water it or trash it. Don't worry about it, don't debate, just deal with these things! In a quick 10 minutes, sweep through your home or office and clean out, throw out, put away or fix 10 small annoyances and make your environment a cleaner, healthier place. You deserve the best. Don't put up with clutter! Tuesday: Tolerations. Tolerations are slightly different than clutter, although they over-lap. Tolerations are things like putting up with a dirty carpet, a car that needs repairs, or a favorite shirt you can't wear because it's missing a button. Choose 10 items, list them, and make commitments to get them fixed or replaced. You may not resolve them on Tuesday, but in 10 minutes take steps so you never have to tolerate these 10 items again. Clutter and Tolerations undermine our enthusiasm, waste our time, they create doubt and they discourage us. Get rid of 'em! Wednesday: Tasks and Errands. If your life is stressed and hectic, my bet is that you're running errands and doing things you don't need to do. Take 10 minutes and choose 10 tasks you will stop doing! Combine errands, or delegate them to someone else. Simplify your wardrobe, take a bag-lunch and avoid the rush to the cafeteria. Renting a video requires TWO TRIPS! Read a book or play with the kids instead. Hire a housekeeper. Most of these things are not "rocket science," they are simple things we ignore because they are so small. But they catch up with us and destroy the quality of our lives. In 10 minutes, commit to eliminating 10 time wasters! Thursday: Update Your Rolodex! All of us have relationships and "friendships" that no longer serve us. And, on the other hand, if you don't have a great doctor, a mechanic you trust, an insurance agent and other experts you can call when you need them, you are not prepared for the inevitable surprises of life. Take 10 minutes to run through your address book and remove obsolete or unneeded entries. Clean 'em out! Then, get the phone book and jot down the names and phone numbers of 10 experts for your "support staff." If appropriate, schedule a meeting to get acquainted. Simplify your life - have your team in place before you need them!. Friday: Saying, "NO!" Most of the items this week are about getting rid of the self-talk that we "should keep that", or "I should run that errand." Most of the complications in life come from thinking we "should" do things that make no sense! If you don't want to, or it seems stressful or unnecessary, Just Say NO! Before you can say "YES!" to your own life, you have to say "NO!" to other people's ideas of how your "should" live. If you want to say "YES!" to art, music, love, laughter, and joy, you must first say "NO!" to a thousand things someone, somewhere thinks you "should" do. Make sure you say "NO!" at least 10 times today! It could change your life! And A BONUS: Say YES! to peace and quiet. Whether you prefer to call it mediation, prayer, quiet time, or whatever, the principle is to nurture and renew yourself with 10 minutes of peace and quiet every day. Get up a few minutes early and walk slowly around the block. Read for 10 minutes after the kids are in bed. Write in a journal or sip a cup of tea. If you are serious about simplifying your life, slow down and be quiet for 10 minutes at least once a day. You deserve it! Have a wonder-FILLED week! Slow down, watch a sunrise, do something nice for yourself and for someone else. Above all, be true to yourself! Copyright 1999 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. |