Do You Do as You Say?
Yesterday I spoke about deep relationships and deep conversations, as the second step in a three-part series on making the most of our time. The three steps include first enjoying what you do, second identifying what drains you, and third replacing it with what you enjoy doing. We can choose how we use the time we have available.
What is next? It is all about planning ahead!
Planning ahead means you set aside time for the important things and cut out what’s unnecessary. This allows you to focus on what’s really needed and get and get things done more effectively. With a plan, you can balance things impacting and controlling your life.
How good are any of us at anticipating the future and identifying the steps we need to take to obtain our goals and objectives. Life throws us many curves and challenges we cannot anticipate.? We think we have it all figured out and …BAMB, change happens. Is this a reason not to plan? Should we sit back and just let things happen and being in a reacting mood?
Again, the simple answer is, of course, no! We do have choices, but our choices are limited by just reacting to what happens to us. We may not have all the answers for any given circumstances, but we can start to sketch out some of the most probable based upon our own experiences and the experiences of others.
The first step is anticipation. In any given circumstance, what are our options. Often, they begin with the old “fight or flight” reaction. We are hit by something and immediately react without much thought. We don’t take the time to stop and think because we don’t believe that we have the time, or enough information, to do so. We can never think of everything, but we can consider a few “what if” questions.
A second step is to remain flexible. Being quick to react often means limiting our options and making decisions based on limited facts. Start by asking as many strategic questions as possible. Beyond” what if” to why and how, and where. If you go in this direction, what might your options be as opposed to another direction?
It might seem obvious but third, have you established goals, objectives, or even a purpose? They do not have to be long term. It might be just next week or month. Even if you can just define some things you want to achieve might be enough. Are there areas in which you would like to be more productive? Sometimes a little planning can go along way! If you prepare for the challenges ahead then you won’t feel like you’re running around to catch up or fix something!
Finally, act! Sometimes any action or movement is all you may need to get you out of a rut, forcing you to change or move. If you know yourself and what you enjoy the most you will tend to move toward those things. The objective is, after all, to replace what drains you and takes away enjoyment with things that you do enjoy.
We are all in a race of life. As we get older, we realize that we have less and less time to accomplish the things we want to do.? We can be proud of what we have accomplished but this does not mean we are finished. This is why time, and making the most of it, is so important to me! I do not know how much time I have remaining. I don’t want to say, upon my death, that I did not give it my all.
This is what motivates me, drives my desire to help others, and motivates me to pursue TRUTH. I look back now at many ideas, projects, and opportunities I did not accomplish with some level of regret. I write about TRUTH, improving lives, efficiency, and self- improvement but must confess that I have not always been able to “do as I say” or follow through on my ideas. This too motivates me. How can I help you accomplish all you want to do in life?