Your best just got better

What are you waiting for?

2008-08-08T09:33:37-07:00

Sitting here, observing the morning routines of those around me, I'm picking up on some of the subtleties of our common - human - experience. And, each time I do make a little time to slow down and just "be," I find something else I want to do, someone else to meet, somewhere else to visit.

Many people wait until the time is right before they start something new. What if, I ask, we started on something when we had the original idea?

"Jason Womack, that's a good idea, but..." I hear this sentence often. And, my own thought [not what I say, it's what I think] is that if they have a "but" now, they'll probably always have a bigger one later!

Now, it's not that "butting" is bad, or negative, or something to avoid...but, I do believe it warrants an experimental period. I mean, think about it, if you're going to do something (go somewhere, meet someone, learn something, be a certain way, etc) at SOME point, what are you waiting for?

You may not have "time, energy, focus, or the systems and tools" to get from point A to point Z this month, but what if you made it through steps one through three? (!) [By the way, this is exactly what we discuss in our seminars...]

So, let yourself write down one of your own Big Ideas, and see what happens if you consider small, consistent action and attention. Stop waiting, start seeing it in motion!

Goal setting - begin with an end in mind, or...

2008-08-08T05:47:00-07:00

...begin at the beginning?

Good news...it's not an "either-or" proposition! Start where you are. More than likely you're tracking your way toward many, many outcomes right now. Both personally and professionally, you have a lot of things you'd like to "have finished."

Start at the beginning...outcome managment is an important skill to practice, refine and enhance.

The ability to put "pen to paper" can radically improve the quality of your projects as well as decrease not only the stress or overwhelm the project may cause, but the time it takes to complete it as well.

For just a week, write more things down and see what happens to and about your projects.

An economic recovery plan...by using the BIG questions (thanks Lawrence Summers)

2008-08-07T09:12:27-07:00

If you have an extra 10 minutes today, it is worth it to read this article by Lawrence Summers (Harvard professor/MD at D.E.Shaw and Co).

The part that stands out to me is his explanation of 4 cycles that we're facing economically:

1) Falling asset prices 2) Losses at financial institutions 3) Reducing growth 4) Falling output

As an educator in the fields of productivity and performance, I'm attracted to solutions-based thinking, and the questions Mr. Summers raises definitely lead to some options.

What have you celebrated lately?

2008-08-07T04:36:00-07:00

Choose in...

...because focus is fleeting. So, identify and grab hold of a reference point or some trigger to get "back" when you fall "out."

When (not if!) you find yourself distracted, bored or overwhelmed, picture or feel something that is the opposite. Practice for a week or two at a time with the same thing (a mental picture of a dream vacation, for example, or the feeling of a recent accomplishment).

Celebrating completion is a great way to realize how much you do, and gain energy and motivation to take on something new.

Special Birthday Shout Out to a fellow entrepreneur and triathlete: Peter Shankman

2008-08-06T04:39:00-07:00

I got to meet Peter in NY a few weeks ago at the NYC Triathlon registration. I’ve been fan and following his thrice daily email for months now. Talk about daily commitment!

He’s got an amazing story. He started in March this year and has built his mailing list to over 20,000 emails that he sends media pitches to 3 times a day, Monday-Friday. He’s consolidating media pitches from journalists on all topics and sending them out to his flock, free.

Everyone wins! I’ve really taken advantage of this service and sent responses to more reporters that are looking for someone like me for their story. No more cold mass press releases. I’ve been quoted in USA Today, the LA Times (and interviewed for the Wall Street Journal...someday/maybe!), and some great productivity & triathlon blogs because of HARO.

I’m very inspired by integrity he fosters in creating and protecting his list and HIGHLY recommend you check out www.HARO.com (which stands for Help A Reporter Out) if you want to be sourced in major national magazines, newspapers and web articles. So I thought for his birthday gift I would share this amazing resource with all of you. Hope you enjoy.

So Happy Birthday, my friend. Enjoy the chocolate cake & kudos!

A way to start the day...with a journey in mind!

2008-08-05T08:58:11-07:00

Saw this mug "on sale" at a coffee shop this morning and thought..."Yes, that's what I'd like today to be!"

No wonder I have a tough time prioritizing...I have too much to do!

2008-08-05T05:41:00-07:00

Have you ever felt pulled in one too many directions?

I have...

...regularly!

In the past 3 weeks, I've had a lot going on (and, so have you by the way!). Here's the short list:

Seminars in New Jersey, New York, Washington DC, London, San Diego and Long Beach, CA.
Triathlon in New York City
Life...
Training...
Writing and content development...
...and all the other stuff of just staying engaged and involved.

So, I thought I'd share just a few of the ways I keep on going. They are: Start where I am; See what could be; Affirm the thoughts I want to have.

1) Start where I am:
I realized years ago, I could win more in my life when I was honest about my skill-set, my needs for growth, and my ability to ask for help. Acknowledging there is too much to do is one of my ways out of stress. So, if you want to jump ahead, take a step back and for 10-20 minutes, just get stuff "out of your head." Write it down, or use Jott to create your inventory of "current reality."

2) See what could be:
Being busy is a way of life...for a lot of people I know. They stay engaged, involved, inspired, moving, and...well...busy. At the present moment, while we're IN the busy-ness of life, we need to slow down and clarify what's most important. I highly recommend you pause a few times per day and imagine - yes, that's right...image in - what the end of the day could look like with "all systems go." It might require a bit of change (see this article from Training Magazine), but it's going to be worth it.

3) Affirm the thoughts I want to have:
I believe (and live) that holding a positive focus is different than having positive thoughts. Holding a positive focus to me means that I'm aware of what's going on around me, while simultaneously moving forward and toward how I intend them to be. Practice this, too. During the day, let the thoughts you have include statements such as:

- This is easy. I am good at this. I can do this.

Continue to ground your positive experiences with action. Look around and see what's going on, and observe how you engage. Try any one (or all three!) of these ideas, and as always, please let us know how it goes!

Building on your committment

2008-08-04T04:37:00-07:00

"shhhhhhhh"

What happens...when things go quiet?

Do you generate more ideas? Or do you quickly move on to something to fill the "void?"

Daily meditation offers a wonderful way to start each day. But, let's be real...most of you reading this are already too busy to build in meditation to your day. Think about it, have you ever felt you were "behind" even before you'd had breakfast?

Instead of thinking you have to do this "all-or-nothing," consider experimenting with a process you can imagine....yes, on that you can image-in.

Instead of thinking meditation is something "they" do, consider it something you're already doing. Call it thought, consideration, deliberation, contemplation, or reflection. Then, find a way to begin winning - starting right now.

Here is an idea:

On top of a blank piece of paper, write the words: Recent Accomplishments and Completions.

Look at your clock (watch) and for 120 seconds write as fast as you can. Create an inventory of your recent accomplishments, personal and professional. Capture anything you consider to be "done."

If you do this, really, you will experience what it's like to "be in the moment." If you want to build on your commitments, doing more and feeling great about that, consider these 2 other 2-minutes "meditations."

Title one piece of paper: "People and things I'm grateful for"
Just like before, let your pens fly across the page as you write as fast as possible for 120 full seconds.

Title another piece of paper: "Things I'd like to accomplish in my own lifetime."

This kind of reflection AND capturing activity can act as a re-centering process. Stressed? Write some things down. Bored? Pull out a pen and piece of paper. Running behind on a project? Try it out, and see if it might work for you!

Running in London on Saturday, 2 August 2008

2008-08-01T01:52:00-07:00

Well, as long as the weather cooperates, I'm going to get out and do a "run of the parks" this Saturday. I'm here in London through the weekend, and would love to get any recommendations for a running route from someone "local." Please leave a comment below, or contact me directly.

Here's a map of my last "London Parks Run."

Who do you know who works in jobs that support students of all ages?

2008-07-31T04:21:00-07:00

I am very excited to be one of several presenters at the Student Support Summer Leadership Institute. The week-long institute includes presentations by: Cathy Bray, Emily Desmond, Dr. Ken Gray, Dr. Esther Hugo, Dr. Carolyn Stone and Marie Tyra.

Here is a link to see the overview...

Download San Diego Student Summer Leadership Institute information

The presentation takes place on August 5th and is titled:

Improving Your Workplace Performance And Time Management Skills

I felt honored to get the invitation to present during this week; it brings back a lot of the memories I have of working as a master teacher, sports coach, and "resource-guy" for 7th-12th grade students throughout the 1990âs.

To register, or simply to find out more about the institute, please click here.