Where's The Passion?

Do you ever feel like you wake up, do some stuff and then go to bed? When was the last time you really felt passionate about what you were doing in the day? Consider some of the reasons why you may not be feeling energized about your daily schedule:

• Sometimes the juggling elephants routine (trying to do too much) can take the excitement out of what ou are accomplishing because you are so overwhelmed


• It may be that you haven't stepped back in a while and reminded yourself about the importance of what you are doing. Ask yourself the question, "Why am I doing what I am doing?"


• Are you focusing on the right stuff? Are you leaving out the activities that excite you because you are so caught up in the "thick of thin things?"

Consider the quote by Henri-Frederic Amiel: Without passion man is a mere latent force and possibility, like the flint which awaits the shock of the iron before it can give forth its spark. You are the latent force and there is great promise just waiting for you to light the fire. Add passion in your daily activities and get cooking!

Distracted Conversation

I saw a cartoon by Piero Tonin that to me was too real to life for me to laugh. The cartoon shows a boss with a phone in his hand talking to his employee. The boss is saying, "Would you mind if I made a few calls while I carefully listen to your ideas?"

This is more reality than it is a joke. I see this message delivered non-verbally, multiple times each day. It isn't always as blatant as the cartoon (although at least the boss is asking permission) but distracted conversations are a common occurrence

For example, I was recently meeting with an executive and reviewing a detailed and complex proposal. As we were visiting, his smart phone continually beeped as he would receive an incoming text message or email. EVERY TIME that the phone beeped, he would immediately turn on his phone and read the message - sometimes even while he was attempting to share his thoughts at the same time. A few times he even had to ask me to repeat my last comment because he had missed what I was saying as he read his message. Soon, I pushed back my chair and completely disengaged from the meeting. If our time together isn't important enough to shut off the phone, turn off email and/or focus, then why should I waste my breath and best thinking? He is free to waste his time since it is on his dime. I get paid the same either way.

I see this happening at the dinner table (not just with teenagers), in restaurants, in meetings, on conference calls, in social settings, during training events, while driving, etc. People think that they can mentally do two things at once or carry on two conversations at once. But the reality is they are distracted, not completely processing ideas and wasting the other person's time - not to mention that it is extremely rude and offensive.

If you are consistently carrying on distracted conversations, you should consider what type of message you are sending. You should also realize that trying to do two things at once means that you are actually not doing either thing well at all.

Not More Than 15 Minutes

A survey by software company Harmon.ie found that 45% of workers say they can't go more than 15 minutes, on average, without an interruption. Amazing! While 15 minutes is a significant amount of time, it doesn't allow for alot of high mental focus. About the time you have reached the point where you are experiencing a breakthrough in thought-WHAM-you get interrupted.

If you are someone who experiences frequent interruptions and need more than 15 minutes without them, try some of these simple tips:

• Turn off technology around you-including e mail notification, phones and any computer alerts
• Move to an area where you aren't as visually distracted by things around you
• Go to a place where you coworkers can not as readily find you
• Start some instrumental music on your mp3 player (words tend to be distracting) and use your ear buds to tune out the noise around you
• Before you start to work on something that requires focus, ask yourself-what are the most likely things to distract me in the next hour? Once you have an answer, work on managing those things first.

Who knows what amazing idea was going to show up at the 16th minute?

Counting Down The Time Left In The Lineup

Using a count down timer to help you manage your time is not a new idea. BUT in a program last week I was amazed at how many people saw real value in the idea. Like many time management strategies, we forget them over time, or don't have need of them as much in different seasons of our work or life.

The value of the timer can not be overstated. It forces you to give a focused amount of time to a project or idea and reach some level of completion before the time runs out. The real strength is that the decreasing time acts as a constant course correction, challenging you to re prioritize often during the time period. And it serves as a frequent reminder of how precious time goes by so quickly.

Need to buy one but don't want to spend your time looking for one? Here are some options:
Amazon
Free Online Version
Webstaurant Store

We wouldn't want you to complain that you "don't have time" to improve your circus.

An Inspiring View

We recently had the great opportunity to have dinner with one of the most successful business book authors of all time. The restaurant was located on a beach in Southern California. After dinner we were walking along the shoreline and he pointed out that one of his first offices was located just down the street, on a point overlooking the ocean. I semi-jokingly made the comment that if I had an office like that, I wouldn't be able to get anything done because I would be too busy enjoying the beauty of the view. He then shared a very interesting thought with us.

He said that when he works in an environment that has good views and that is inspiring to him that he actually thinks bigger, is less constrained and is more productive. He went on to explain that to him, his physical surroundings made a big difference to the quality and substance of what he accomplished.

Where do you do your best work? We might not have a view of the ocean from your desk. Some of us might be staring at cubicle walls most of the day. But consider the notion that wherever you choose to do what you do can influence you. Do what you can to create an environment that is condusive and inspiring. You might start with hanging some pictures or quotes that have meaning to you. Maybe a fresh coat of paint will make a difference. At the very least remove clutter from your desk and surroundings that can distract and even overwhelm you. Choose to be inspired and motivated to do your very best work by creating the proper environment.