Wrap Up Your Day

How do you finish your day at work? If you are like most, you realize that it is time to leave, so you clear off your desk, log off your computer and head out the door. When it is time to go to bed, how do you wrap things up at the end of the day? Maybe something similar to leaving work? Clear off the bed, read a little and then off to sleep?

Consider taking the last 15 minutes of your workday andbefore you go to bed to take inventory of what you accomplished and plan forthose things that you need to do tomorrow. Even go so far as blocking out the time on your calendar and setting a "reminder" to stop, review and plan.

The benefits of taking the time will surprise you. You will find that you are able to more readily "leave things at work" because you have a plan for how youwill tackle your tasks tomorrow. You may also find that you will sleep better because you have "dotted the 'I’s' and crossed the 'T's'" of what needs to get done tomorrow in your relationship and personal "rings." Closing out the day atwork and home allows you to clear your head and get the much needed "intermission" that we all need.

Skeptical But Now A Believer

We are always appreciative when someone reviews our book and posts their comments. Dan in Focus has an interesting and thorough review of Juggling Elephants. You can read it at http://bit.ly/wOYlR5.

Thanks Dan!

Your Performers Need To See Your Pimples

Okay, cheesy title, but it's true. A study at the University of Massachusetts revealed that individuals are 5 times more likely to lie in email communication versus a face to face conversation. As you can expect, the less physiological or emotional connection one had to the person to whom they were communicating, the more likely they were to lie.

We are huge proponents of building trust with anyone in your life of whom you have expectations. One cornerstone of building that trust is being honest. As the study, shows, that can best be accomplished by talking with someone in real time, in front of them. They may be suspicious of your typed words, but they will have a hard time dispelling the sincerity in your voice and non-verbal language. You will also have the same chance to evaluate their level of honesty.

Even if you can't always have tough discussions face to face, try to choose the next best option. If you were thinking about emailing, call them instead. If a call was your plan and you will be able to see them face to face soon, save it for the real time meeting. Any steps you take to increase the trust people have for you will lead your circus to a better performance.

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!

Absence of the Ringmaster Makes The Heart...

There was an interesting study done by Timothy Golden of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. In a study of over 11,000 employees, he and his team found that employees are less satisfied if their boss is a "teleworker" instead of someone more frequently physically present with them. More specifically, the research showed that employees:

• Get less feedback
• Feel less empowered
• Are less satisifed with their jobs

Even if you are a manager that is onsite with your people most of the time, it is vital to remember that they need your feedback, need to know they are trusted to make decisions and that what they do is important. You may even want to make time in your lineup on a daily or weekly basis to reflect on how you are doing on meeting the needs of those who depend on you. Be specific to each employee (or even family member) and add tasks in your lineup as needed to address any deficiencies.

After all, the last thing you want is to step into the ring and find that all your performers have left!