Pinch of Thought - A Time to Pause, a Time To Shine

I think 2018 will prove to be a pivotal year. Digital everything is here and here to stay - deeply and irreversibly embedded. That’s both good and bad. The technology now available to all of us through a few clicks is astounding. We can do business with a global economy wirelessly over a latte (double-shot, extra hot!). Access to data and social networks amplifies our productivity and ability to get-shit-done. 

This is very cool.

And yet

Only problem is the Mark 1. Human (AKA you and I) is struggling. Moore’s law doesn’t apply. Keeping all of the plates spinning gets harder each year. It’s a 365/24/7 world of always on, open-all hours and constant connection. Building a career, earning a living, growing a family, giving back and still leaving a little time to nurture our own souls ……. well it’s tough. Something has to give. 

Sadly it’s too often our family, our giving-back and our own self-care. An increasing number of the leaders and entrepreneurs I work with are struggling. In their attempt to balance the books they are often sacrificing balance in relationships and their physical and mental wellbeing.

Build foundations for a better 2019

I want everyone who reads this to SHINE. To stand out. To be successful. To know HAPPINESS. Heck, I wrote a book dedicated to helping people to do just that. 

It starts with acknowledging that the world has changed - a lot! If we accept that is true, we then need to think about how we need to change in response.

Changes to ponder

For me, the keys to sustainable high-performance in ALL aspects of our lives are to:

Build Perspective 

Understand what’s really going on

Be Honest 

Where am I at? What needs to change?

Fully Commit

Decide to do something about it (hope is not a strategy!)

Obsess on Discipline 

Do the work (no hacks or silver bullets). THE most important element

Get Ruthless around time 

Guard your time and spend it where it counts - on productive work, family, community, you

Make balance a non-negotiable

Programme time to work on you! Wellness, friends, fitness, service

Doing this creates a rock-solid foundation for doing life well. This, in turn, supports us to perform consistently well, whilst also building the resilience we need to deal with the increased demands and sudden shifts of this digital wonderland.

Stopping is the best way to Start

As we end the year, most of us will take some time off. Take that time to pause and to re-charge. Doing nothing can be mighty powerful. 

But also take the time to REFLECT. What do you need to change so that 2019 is more successful in all aspects - financial, family, fitness and ‘faith’? 

Have a great break

This is the last Pinch of Thought for 2018. It’s been a great year. I have been fortunate to work closely as a mentor with 35 leaders and entrepreneurs and with thousands of others through corporate programmes and keynote speaking. 

Family life is going well and I am very proud (and grateful) to have celebrated 24 years married to Nicki. We particularly enjoyed a brilliant family holiday back in our beloved Hungary over the Australian winter. 

My surfboat crew won a Silver medal at NSW State and just missed out at the Nationals in Perth. Coming fourth by inches in a four boat final hurts! Redemption came our way in November, when we won a Bronze medal at the WORLD Championships in Adelaide. Yes, I am third best in the world at something (medal already in the pool room!) 

On the rugby field, the mighty Newport Nasties over 35s had a fine season, travelling around Sydney and to Bathurst and Canberra. The season highlight was when we teamed up with the VIC Masters Fijian team in Melbourne. Magic. 

Finally I continue to take a keen interest in youth and male mental health, especially in regard to suicide prevention. There is so much to do in this space.

That’s my version of balance. I am 53, enjoying what I do, making a good living and feeling vibrant and healthy. It’s not all roses and unicorns of course, but it’s more than good. 

I wish you and your family a fantastic Christmas and New Year. Thanks for your support and encouragement. Please take the time to do nothing!

My office will re-open on 7 Jan. We have BIG PLANS for 2019, but more on that later. For now it’s time to rest, celebrate and connect. 

All the very best,

Mark

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