Thinking Out Loud

Okay, I'm still working my way through the No BS Guide to Time Management and loving it. When Dan Kennedy said that those who are habitually late lack integrity, I initially felt it was a bit harsh. But now that I think about it, I hate when people make me wait. I am a busy person and it disrespects my time to be kept waiting. I have been late to many things before, but I am always on time for important meetings. That just goes to show that we show up for the things we value so if someone is habitually late when working with you, they don't value you nor themselves. If they valued you, they'd respect your time and if they valued themselves, they wouldn't make a commitment they couldn't keep. They'd exercise integrity and show up on time or not accept the appointment in the first place. My current boss is punctual. I value that. I respond in kind. One of my friends is habitually late. I notice I respond in kind. I don't bother showing up on time as I kno...

I just started Dan Kennedy's No BS Guide to Time Management   and it's a fun read. I'm actually going to make this post short so I can dive back in. Basically, what is your time worth? It is your most valuable, non-renewable, asset. Do you hold it sacred? Are you adequately protecting it? I don't want to become militant about my time, but I do want to be straightforward with those who waste it. I am going to not feel bad hanging a sign on my office that says "Do Not Disturb," or "Send me an e-mail please." That way I can avoid unnecessary interruptions. I love the idea of limiting personal access to once daily or once per week. If you tell people that they can have 15 minutes at the end of your day to discuss their itemized list or that you will go over all their questions in a 20-minute call at the end of the week, those people will be more thoughtful in crafting their emails, texts, calls, etc. And if they know they can't disturb you all...

I'm reading a really good book right now called Tools of Titans  by Tim Ferriss. I don't recall the individual who said it, but I've decided to adopt the Hell Yeah! principle. The  Hell Yeah!  principle means I say "no" to everything that I don't feel like saying "Hell Yeah!" to. I've spent my entire life doing things I don't really want to do simply because someone asked me to do it. I've allowed guilt, and a desire to please, or at least not to hurt someone else's feelings, rule my actions. This behavior has allowed everyone else's agenda to become my agenda. The past few months, heck ever since "losing my religion," I've decided that this type of behavior is not something I want to continue. Instead of acting out of obligation, obedience, or duty, I've decided to only respond to those calls that excite my being.  If the invitation, request, activity, belief, or idea, does not enthuse me, I don't do ...