Habits for Successful People

It is Monday….following a wet and dreary weekend as we brace for the impending hurricane.  Did you get everything done you wanted to do this weekend?  How many things did you scratch off your to do list?

Whether you have your own business, work a JOB or a mom managing a household – we all want to be successful.  Our definition of success may be different but that is our goal.  Did you know that  successful people are successful because they have taken little things and built them into habits?

Here are some things that successful people do:

First, they plan.  I don’t mean an endless to-do list because let’s be honest, that really isn’t a plan.  Before falling into bed or sometimes as soon as they wake up – before the craziness of the day takes over – they determine THREE things they want to get done.  They are the things that they will set out to accomplish no matter what.  What would your 3 things be?

 

Next, they focus.  I know we have all be under the misconception that multi-tasking is good. Guess what?  That is far from true.  If you want to be successful especially in completing your 3 priorities each day, you have to focus.  I always used to say “I am great at multitasking” but when I look back, things always got half done.  It would have been so much easier if I just focused on one thing at a time.  Be in the moment instead of figuring out what else needs to be done or planning out the next thing to cross off the to do list.

Successful people read.  I can hear the groans around the world at this one.  Who has time to read, right?  I am guilty of saying it so I totally get it.  Let’s start with finding just 15 minutes in our day and add reading to our habits.  Why is this so important?  It forces you to focus – stepping away from what you are doing.  How many times when you read do you get new ideas and I don’t mean adding to the to do list.  Now that books are on audio, you can listen to a book while driving.  This is great for those “mom-taxis” who spend countless hours shuttling kids. Or maybe it is a long commute to work.

Successful people unplug.  They spend time with family and friends doing fun things, in other words leisure activities.  When was the last time that you “unplugged”?  Maybe it was gathering friends together for some coffee (or wine or lunch).  Maybe it was just playing with the kids.  Maybe it was turning off your electronics for a few hours.  Yes, I did go there!  When work is demanding, “unplugging” for successful people is there even if  only in small bites.

Take a minute and think of TWO people that you know well and consider to be successful.  What do you see them do all of the time?  They don’t have to be big things, but they need to consistently do them.  Make a list of those things and see if any of those things will work for you.  Don’t discount them BEFORE you even try them.  Give them an honest try FIRST.  Remember that it takes 21 days to make a habit!

Wishing a successful and ThirtyOne-derful week!

“Giving myself away so others smile”

 

Lying to Yourself

I can’t believe that we are half way through the month of December.  Is it just me or once Thanksgiving passes does it seem like time flies to the New Year? I have been working on getting organized with the help of  “Your Organized Guide“.  I get an email every day with tips on how to get organized.  Okay, so some of them I have read and filed thinking – I will get to that one later.  Or better yet, I don’t need to work on that – it doesn’t apply to me.

BAM!  Then I get one called “the lies we tell ourselves”.  I never really thought about it but here is some of the lies, see which ones you tell:

1. I’ll remember (the appointment, time, address, verbal commitment)
2. Someone will see how good I am and will choose me
3. I don’t know how (this is the one where I often get stuck)
4. I’ll get back to that later
5. I don’t have time
6. They won’t notice if I don’t… (fulfill my promise, arrive on time, etc.)
7. I’ll catch up later
8. I can’t unplug – I’ll miss out on something (the next thing, etc.)
9. I could never do that
10. It’s easier to do it myself
11. I can have it all, know it all, keep it all, eat it all, do it all

Well, I can admit (or am willing to admit) to #1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 8, 8, 10 and maybe even #11.  WOW!  It was a reality check for me.  I never thought that these lies have roots in fear and lack of, grasping and struggle or just letting ourselves off the hook (you know the Victim thing).  How about you?  Did you find at least one on that list that is you?

Does this really have something to do with being organized, focused, and successful? Believe it or not, it does.

As we gather up our power (personal power, will power, Big Powerful Vision for our businesses and lives), we can get shit done. Seriously.

Until then, we’re passive instead of active. Timid instead of bold. Afraid instead of powerful.

So, for the next few days, I am going to see if I can catch myself in a lie to myself.  Then I am going to PAUSE, hit the RESET button and shine some truth instead.  My goal is to be more focused, grounded and organized.

Who is ready to join me?

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

#gettingorganized, #focused, #successful