Afraid of Success and What is Next?

Afraid of Success and what is next?

     Often times we work very hard to produce a desired result and achieve greatness. We plan, organize, act and then look at our progress to make sure we are still aimed at our goal; only to pull up short of the finish line. Are we afraid of what will happen after we hit our goals? Are we able to continue progressing if we do not have a direction or course to take in our lives?

     I’m reminded of the story about the Apollo space shuttle and the mission to reach the Moon. The entire country was wrapped around the possibility of touching the Moon’s surface and returning a man back to Earth. This was on the mind of the country and NASA got to work. Everyone at NASA talked about what was happening and everyone worked harder so the mission would be a victory.

     The janitor mopped harder because he was doing it to help the scientists and engineers do their job. The Engineers tirelessly worked to insure the safety of the astronauts who would share the glory. Everyone from top to bottom stepped up their game and put in more effort. We reached the Moon, and after everyone celebrated they wondered, what next? They had done something spectacular and did not have further direction for the future.

     Sometimes businesses set their goals too low. They plateau and stop growing because they don’t know what to do next. If you find yourself in this rut without direction, do some daydreaming. Brainstorm what it would be like if… what you would do if you had… how you would act if you could only do… And then start to plan, organize and act towards achieving your new accomplishment. Set the bar high and you may just surprise yourself. With this, always continue to take your business Up 1 Level.

Time Blocking

     Why should I time block if I only have this little bit of work to finish and then I'm done with what I have... what's that over there?
     It is very common to be distracted during the course of your day. You get up, go to work and while your morning is commencing you have your plan about what will happen that day. Then you get to the office and your fate has already been decided by a coworker, a client or there is a problem with your car, babysitter, or school. Sometimes it is all of the above happening the same day.
     Once you are ready to work (if there is such a thing) you sit down and start what you planned. Then more distractions happen like the phone ringing, email alerts and someone asking what is for lunch. If you time block your day, you know exactly what is ahead of you and if you are distracted you know where you left off.
     Most clients do not want to be called early in the day so I make most of my calls after 10:30am. By then, my email is clear, my lists of things to do is made and I've had three cups of coffee. I time block 10:30-11:15 to call people back and set future appointments. For the next twenty minutes I assist and check with my staff about whatever needs they may have. Then lunch for two hours and then to the golf range for a bucket of balls before going home.
     If it were that simple, everyone would be doing it. Here is your homework: get out a calender having days broken down by 15 minute intervals. Decide when you feel the most comfortable to do each item and assign it an amount of time during the day. When your day is full you can start and when you do a new item, do it to the best of your ability. If you finish early, plan on when you will do it again the next day or week. Don't be afraid if you didn't have success with something in the morning to move it to the afternoon. Make adjustments to make each item count.
     It's your day and you only get an undetermined amount of them so make it count.  What will you do with your next 15 minutes?