<![CDATA[ThinkTQ.com - Daily Lessons In Intentional Excellence]]> Sun, 22 Nov 200900:00:00 MST CFMX en-us Copyright 2009, , All Rights Reserved. <![CDATA[Are You Trying To Concoct Chronological Alchemy?]]> Many have looked, but no one has ever found more than 24 hours in a day. You can, however, manage the way in which you spend your time and resolve not to waste even a moment as a result of poor "time choices."

Grab the rudder now! Consciously choose your day's course on the river of time.

Today's TQ Challenge: Put a Value on Time Invested.

  1. Choose to be VIGILANT! What choices did you make today that significantly affected your time?

  2. Choose to be ACCOUNTABLE! How many wasteful actions did your inattention to time create this week?

  3. Choose to be WATCHFUL! Does tomorrow's schedule illuminate your priorities and respect your deadlines?

Time is the most precious gift of all. Ask anyone facing a serious accident or illness, or an important deadline. Ask any parent watching their little girl all grown up and graduating from high school. You must learn how to become accountable for every minute in your day, because each day spent, is a day gone forever. Concentrate your time on only those things that produce the greatest reward and satisfaction to you.

"Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Read Today's TQ, and find out how to improve this aspect of your Optimize Color.

]]> Sun, 22 Nov 200900:00:00 MST <![CDATA[Who's On Your Guest List?]]> When planning a meeting, invite only those who can make a valuable contribution. Include those who possess the authority to make critical decisions, have access to critical resources or possess expertise in relevant areas.

Don't waste time by including participants the meeting doesn't need.

Today's TQ Challenge: Get Fully Engaged Quickly -- Or Get Out Gracefully.

  1. Choose to be PREPARED! Why did you include each of the people you invited to your last meeting?

  2. Choose to be RESPONSIBLE! Of those who attended your last meeting, how many really needed to be there?

  3. Choose to be INVOLVED! Does your next meeting consist of focused people who have the resources to accomplish the purpose of the meeting?

A meeting can either be valuable and highly productive or a complete waste of time. It all depends on the attitude and the preparation of everyone in the meeting. The key to a successful meeting is a highly focused agenda, advanced preparation, a skilled moderator and follow up on items requested and promises made.

"Neither can the wave that has passed by be recalled, nor the hour which has passed return again." ~ Ovid

Read Today's TQ, and find out how to improve this aspect of your Synergize Color.

]]> Sat, 21 Nov 200900:00:00 MST <![CDATA[What's Your Favorite Part?]]> Unfortunately, life doesn't revolve entirely around your favorite role. Review your existing appointments and obligations, and then choose both the most important and the most appropriate role for you to focus on next.

You cannot always be in your favorite role; however, you can always plan your schedule in advance to dedicate more time to it.

Today's TQ Challenge: Focus on just ONE Role at a Time.

  1. Choose to be APPROPRIATE! What additional roles have you promised you would participate in today?

  2. Choose to be EFFECTIVE! Were you focused on the most important role for the time and place you were in earlier today?

  3. Choose to be ATTENTIVE! Given all your roles, which one should be getting your attention right now?

Roles are the parts you play in the different areas of your life. A role includes a specific identity, unique responsibilities and a defined relationship with others. How you act, and what you do, are always dependent on which role you're in at the time. The key is to know which role you are playing -- and to confirm that it's the right one -- at that moment.

"It's how we spend our time here and now, that really matters. If you are fed up with the way you have come to interact with time, change it." ~ Wieder Marcia

Read Today's TQ, and find out how to improve this aspect of your Prioritize Color.

]]> Fri, 20 Nov 200900:00:00 MST <![CDATA[How Do You Expect To Hit What You Can'T See?]]> Whenever you state exactly what you want, you're more than halfway to getting it. Write your goals with precision and clarity.

The more specific you can describe your target, the easier it is to focus on the bull's-eye.

Today's TQ Challenge: Pick up Pen -- Write Out Details.

  1. Choose to be EXPLICIT! You have to know what you want before you can begin to get it. What do you want?

  2. Choose to be FOCUSED! Is your target for today clear and focused or dim and fuzzy?

  3. Choose to be DETAILED! Which of your goals needs more definition?

Writing down exactly what you want, and by when, is the first step to success. If you won't commit to writing them down, you'll never do what it takes to reach your goals. Writing your goals in exquisite detail helps define them in your mind -- and provides the exact specifications for what you want to accomplish. The more desirable qualities you add to the goal, the greater will be your satisfaction when you attain it. Be sure to write SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Tangible -- and don't forget a target date. (Because the difference between a dream and a goal is a date!)

"Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend." ~ Laertius Diogenes

Read Today's TQ, and find out how to improve this aspect of your Set Goals Color.

]]> Thu, 19 Nov 200900:00:00 MST <![CDATA[Don't Know Where To Begin?]]> If you're hung up contemplating which values mean the most to you, go with your first response. Write it down. You can always review and revise your list later.

Write down at least one of your deepest values before the end of this day.

Today's TQ Challenge: Check Mission Compass -- Align Today's Direction With Core Values.

  1. Choose to be PURPOSEFUL! You have to start somewhere...what is the first thing you will write down?

  2. Choose to be PASSIONATE! Don't worry whether it's completely accurate or not. Just start making your list.

  3. Choose to be COMMITTED! Can you name just one thing that has great personal meaning for you?

A short list of values is all you need to design a well-lived life. Your values are those ideals such as freedom, beauty, honor, love, wisdom, family or adventure that are more important to you than anything else. A condensed list of values gives clarity to your life and establishes your ideal standards. This list is your best guide to personal and professional satisfaction. Put your list of personal values in writing -- commit it to memory -- and live each word -- each and every day.

"It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are." ~ Roy Disney

Read Today's TQ, and find out how to improve this aspect of your Mission Color.

]]> Wed, 18 Nov 200900:00:00 MST <![CDATA[Have You Pampered Yourself Lately?]]> Take time for yourself. Set aside an hour each day that's just yours. Nothing rejuvenates like guilt-free indulgence.

When you're not good to yourself, everyone loses.

Today's TQ Challenge: Schedule Time Off for R & R.

  1. Choose to be RELAXED! Did you make time for R & R today?

  2. Choose to be RECHARGED! What one thing would make your entire day?

  3. Choose to be REJUVENATED! What would you love to do this week? Schedule it!

Everyone has a point of diminishing return. You can't give 100% all of the time. An important component of being energetic is learning how to prioritize some time to let go, relax and get recharged. Manage stress and boost your energy level by taking some valuable time off. The more you play while away from work, the better you perform when you return.

"It's how you deal with failure that determines how you achieve success." ~ David Feherty

Read Today's TQ, and find out how to improve this aspect of your Energy Color.

]]> Tue, 17 Nov 200900:00:00 MST <![CDATA[Do you have the WILL to succeed?]]> Color Commentary goals. No question, Will Power beats Can't Power everytime!

Read this article at ThinkTQ.com.

]]> Mon, 16 Nov 200900:00:00 MST D2516E780AF01B4EEC8D0FD2B02479CC <![CDATA[A brief history of your future.]]> Color Commentary last week we focused on the Power of Positive Expectations. If you remember only one thing, remember this: Goals don't achieve themselves.

To achieve your greatest aspirations, you must draw on that inner-reserve of power that comes from nurturing a positive self-image and can-do attitude—and dead-stop all that negative chatter that is going on between you and your future.

Read this article at ThinkTQ.com.

]]> Mon, 09 Nov 200900:00:00 MST DDEB3EDEBA0D3FC61110BFFB29FCF620 <![CDATA[Have you set artificial limits for yourself?]]> Color Commentary GOALS without limits. The question is, are you setting WOW goals and truly expecting to achieve them? Or, have you set artificial limits for yourself?

This week, we will expand on the theme, and tackle the "without limits" aspect of this discussion. Sometimes all you need is a change in perspective from what is, and is not possible, to get you moving in the direction of your dreams!

Read this article at ThinkTQ.com.

]]> Mon, 02 Nov 200900:00:00 MST B9F33B270589F47FEAE56EB3843EF6A5 <![CDATA[Hate... Hate... Hate...]]> Stories Read this article at ThinkTQ.com.

]]> Fri, 30 Oct 200900:00:00 MST A60E9849B34164B34E139A5228E7C339 <![CDATA[From Cashier to V. P. Operations...]]> Stories Read this article at ThinkTQ.com.

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