Many people like to be do-it-yourselfers. Power to you all I admire people who can fix things, and build things, and make all the arrangements for things all by themself. These are talents.
Here is how I see it, though. Your time, every minute of it, is an investment. If you feel that doing work by yourself around your home is the best investment of your time, then that is great. If you feel that you need to take control of situations and see them through to finish and that works for you, then fine.
Just keep in mind, that every moment you spend trying to maximize your savings by doing it yourself, you are not doing something else that just could be a better investment of your time. When you look at the big picture, always consider what the return on investment of your time will be. Your time is actually more valuable than your monetary wealth. Spend it wisely.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
A great investment ...
One of the best investments that you make in life is being nice to other people. I know this is true, not necessarily from my own behavior, but certainly from my observation of others.
If your standard operating procedure is to be nice to everyone on every possible occasion, you are the winner and your investment will pay great dividends. Being nice is not always the default behavior for people, myself included, but when we make the effort it 1) feels good, 2) usually impresses others, and 3) usually comes back to you.
If you know people who are generally nice and kind to others, try to be like them. Find out what it takes to be that way because when you make the investment of time and effort to be nice and kind to others, your investment will grow over time.
I don't need to define what being nice and kind to others means. You already know that.
If your standard operating procedure is to be nice to everyone on every possible occasion, you are the winner and your investment will pay great dividends. Being nice is not always the default behavior for people, myself included, but when we make the effort it 1) feels good, 2) usually impresses others, and 3) usually comes back to you.
If you know people who are generally nice and kind to others, try to be like them. Find out what it takes to be that way because when you make the investment of time and effort to be nice and kind to others, your investment will grow over time.
I don't need to define what being nice and kind to others means. You already know that.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
When is too busy ... really enough?
As I work with a variety of clients and co-workers, the repeated theme that I am hearing is how busy everyone is. I get it. I am too.
This is where balance is important. We can work wire-to-wire while at work, after all, isn't that what we signed up for and isn't that what our employers expect? Yes.
However, we need to deal with that busy work life with a balanced life. We need to set aside our cares and worries of the work day at the end of each work day. We need to spend a great quality of time at work versus great quantities of time at work. Our days must be balanced with work and personal life.
This is not easy because employers demand a lot from workers today. Don't overdo it!
This is where balance is important. We can work wire-to-wire while at work, after all, isn't that what we signed up for and isn't that what our employers expect? Yes.
However, we need to deal with that busy work life with a balanced life. We need to set aside our cares and worries of the work day at the end of each work day. We need to spend a great quality of time at work versus great quantities of time at work. Our days must be balanced with work and personal life.
This is not easy because employers demand a lot from workers today. Don't overdo it!
Monday, July 18, 2011
Staying Focused
I believe that it is important for everyone to stay focused on what is important. Staying focused among other things means staying focused on being your best self and working on your career.
I am amazed by the amount of controversy that is generated by certain recent news stories that have no bearing whatever on the majority of people. Yet, the news services decide what you should think about.
Rather, you decide what you want to think about. If we put as much effort into our careers as we did on certain news stories, that would be great and we would all benefit from it.
Even political stories basically waste our precious time and attention. We have no affect on most political decisions, so, why do we spend so much time thinking about and arguing about politics. I have not been exempt from that either.
Think about the things that make you your best self and work on those things with passion. That advice goes out to me too.
I am amazed by the amount of controversy that is generated by certain recent news stories that have no bearing whatever on the majority of people. Yet, the news services decide what you should think about.
Rather, you decide what you want to think about. If we put as much effort into our careers as we did on certain news stories, that would be great and we would all benefit from it.
Even political stories basically waste our precious time and attention. We have no affect on most political decisions, so, why do we spend so much time thinking about and arguing about politics. I have not been exempt from that either.
Think about the things that make you your best self and work on those things with passion. That advice goes out to me too.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Customer Service
No matter what line of work you are in, you have customers. Even if you don't deal directly with paying customers, your manager, co-workers, and direct reports are in some way your customers.
I am recommending Knock Your Socks Off Service for everyone because it offers great advice in dealing with people in general. Many experts will tell you that you need to know what you want and know how to get it. This book/CD goes beyond that advice.
Even if you really don't have customers, learning some tips on how to deal with everyone makes sense. This is what I got from Knock Your Socks Off. We all need help in working with others, especially customers, and facilitating relationships for optimum outcomes. Give it a try.
I am recommending Knock Your Socks Off Service for everyone because it offers great advice in dealing with people in general. Many experts will tell you that you need to know what you want and know how to get it. This book/CD goes beyond that advice.
Even if you really don't have customers, learning some tips on how to deal with everyone makes sense. This is what I got from Knock Your Socks Off. We all need help in working with others, especially customers, and facilitating relationships for optimum outcomes. Give it a try.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Know that you have strengths
Everyone is gifted at something and everyone has strengths. Do not allow others to always remind you of their strengths as if they are your weaknesses. They are not, you just happen to have different strengths.
On the other hand, don't flaunt your strengths as if they are the weaknesses of others because they have their strengths also, they just happen to be different strengths.
The important thing is that YOU are good at something, YOU are strong at something. Because everyone is gifted at something, you just need to remember what your strengths are and use them accordingly. In fact, you should share your strengths.
On the other hand, don't flaunt your strengths as if they are the weaknesses of others because they have their strengths also, they just happen to be different strengths.
The important thing is that YOU are good at something, YOU are strong at something. Because everyone is gifted at something, you just need to remember what your strengths are and use them accordingly. In fact, you should share your strengths.
Monday, July 11, 2011
TGIF
I have come to believe that I hear all to often that people are glad that it is Friday. Now, I love my weekends too but if you find yourself saying "boy am I glad that it is Friday," you should seriously consider a career change.
If your job is that unpleasant that you are really only living for the weekend, that is sad. Everyone should pursue a job or career that they enjoy doing.
I love the story of people who say that they have never really worked a day in their life because they enjoy what they do so much that the pay is secondary. They are getting paid to do what they love. What a lofty goal.
If your job is that unpleasant that you are really only living for the weekend, that is sad. Everyone should pursue a job or career that they enjoy doing.
I love the story of people who say that they have never really worked a day in their life because they enjoy what they do so much that the pay is secondary. They are getting paid to do what they love. What a lofty goal.
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