Being the Ringmaster of Your Wallet

In these tough economic times, several people I know have been adding a 4th ring to their circus-a financial ring. If you think your finances don't affect your performance in your other rings, consider these scenarios:

• Most financial counselors advise families to have 6 months of savings available in case there is a job loss or catastrophe. Having very little to "fall back on" can affect your job performance because you are motivated primarily by fear of losing your job instead of doing the best job possible. You also limit your ability to take a better job, start your own business or work on a higher degree, especially if it involves a temporary reduction in income.
• A lack of savings can affect your relationship ring. When a spouse or child talks about something involving money, your ability to listen clearly is sometimes limited. Again, it's the fear factor.
• Not having a healthy cash flow is definitely detrimental to your "self ring." Due to increased stress levels, people often eat less healthy, exercise less and limit medical attention to emergencies only. Talk about the wrong things to do!

If your financial ring is lacking quality acts, remember-you're the Ringmaster. Even if the lineup has had many bad acts, you can change at least some of them immediately. The audience might not be cheering wildly, but at least they won't be booing you again. Other acts may require a major overhaul, and taking small steps today will make the difference in the future.

Many poor financial decisions are based on impulse purchases. If that's the case for you, remember the line from Juggling Elephants-The ringmaster always reviews the next act before bringing it into the ring. Ask yourself if the intended purchase makes sense in your lineup-will it help you accomplish your purpose for that ring? Working on this ring may help you get more standing ovations in the other rings of your life as well.

Managing My Circus With A Quad Pen

One tip that I have found to be simple but helpful in managing my 3 ring circus is to use a quad-pen on a master calendar. A quad pen has 3 colors of ink (usually black, blue and red) and a pencil all built into the same writing device. I write all of the activities going on in my life on one calendar but I use the colors from the quad pen to differentiate the three rings of my life. I use black for my work appointments, blue for my "self" activities and red for the activities that relate to my relationships. I use the pencil for appointments that are tentative and have not yet confirmed.

This method keeps my calendar organized but also gives me a great visual way of seeing what is going on and where my rings are having conflicts. A real danger is having multiple calendars that are not in sync (like a work calendar, a pocket calendar and a family calendar). One organized calendar will reduce the stress of wondering what ring I should be in and when. If you use an electronic device or PC for your calendar, the same concept works using color labels.

The Value of Performing Your Act Well

Fast Company Magazine is a fantastic monthly publication that highlights today's hot business trends and looks at what might be on the horizon tomorrow. Robert Safian is the editor and his letter from the editor this month had a powerful thought. He is speaking about the success of Mike Rowe and his cable show, Dirty Jobs:

But Rowe's story also allows us to examine an underappreciated aspect of economic success: the genius of expertly executed craftmanship. It is the glue that cements ideas, on one end, and hard work, on the other, to fuel productivity. Either type of asset is squandered if inappropriately deployed. Execution is the great differentiator in our global economic competition.

What a great equation! Ideas + Great Execution + Hard Work = Productivity.

Reviewing the equation each day may help determine which one is lacking in my performance and what changes I need to make to get the standing ovations I want from others or myself.

A Great Quote About Focus

For those of you struggling with focus today, here's a quote to get back on track with your lineup:

Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.

-Teddy Roosevelt

A Pause In The Performance

While listening to the news on TV this morning, a Public Service Announcement caught my attention. The narrator said:

When you take a moment to think, you give yourself the chance to make a better decision.

That is so true! As we say in Juggling Elephants, "The Ringmaster always reviews the next act before bringing it into the ring." Too often we make our task lists and then move quickly through them, rarely pausing to see if a better order or choice of acts might be needed.

Today, try something different. Before you start the next item on your list, ask yourself:
-Is this the most important task for me to undertake at this moment?
-Would a better act be in order?

That momentary pause might be the difference between getting a standing ovation today and just having another busy day.