Pick Your Battle

You are rushed and have no extra time. You are wondering whether to even scan this newsletter past this line. The answer is in your answers to these questions:

1. Are your people showing up for work or are they working to the best of their ability?
2. Are your people consistently creating positive memories for clients or are they memorable in other ways?
3. Is there meaning in your work or are you working to find meaning in what you do?

If you do not like any of your answers to these questions, then why not schedule 30-60 minutes to:

1. Get out of the office and consider what needs to happen in 2011 for you to answer these questions differently.
2. Schedule a free conversation with me to discuss the battles you want to win in 2011 and beyond. 
3. Do the first two items above, and then develop a plan with your people, me, one of our coaches, mentors you trust and/or your spouse (if applicable) to confirm what you are going to do differently this year.

Tomorrow a tsunami may roll in, an earthquake may hit, a nuclear reactor may blow, a drunk may kill someone you love or another unforeseen tragedy change your life. In 2011 you will invest over 2,000 hours on the job. Doesn't it make sense to invest at least one of those hours to confirm you are fighting the battles that are truly most important to you?

Yesterday was the Ides of March 2011. In 44 A.D. Julius Caesar was assassinated on the Ides of March at the pinnacle of his career. You can choose the battles to fight, or the battle of busyness will kill your productivity for the remainder of the year. It's your choice.

PICK YOUR BATTLE is a reminder that it is easy to be busy, but great leaders are clearly focused on why they are working and what they are trying to achieve. Here are some ideas to how you might clarify your purpose and allocation of your time for the remainder of this year:

Ask yourself and possibly your team to questions from above:

• Are your people showing up for work or are they working to the best of their ability?
• Are your people consistently creating positive memories for clients or are they memorable in other ways?
• Is there meaning in your work or are you working to find meaning in what you do?

Consider the fact that you only have so much time available to you. List your top priorities based on the time you are investing at work and any other priorities which actually should be receiving your time. Estimate the financial or other type of impact of each priority. List them in order of importance based on their impact. Discuss which priorities need to stay on the list and how you will build accountability into your week so that you and others are focused on these key priorities rather than other distractions.

Start scheduling Triple Play time weekly where you:

• Tech Out: Turnoff all technology so you are not interrupted as you work.
• Schedule Out: Schedule the time (30-120 minutes in blocks) on your calendar so it happens.
• Shut Out: Close your office door and put a sign on it that no one is to disturb you.