I find that many problems cascade from failing to ask the right questions
in the first place—tough questions such as: What’s life all about
for you? Who are you? Who do others say you are? What would you do differently
if you only had one year to live?
I invite you to ask four questions:
- Am I inspired by my work? You need meaning in your life. Yet, most mission
statements have little or no motivational impact—nothing that gets you up
in the morning. I encourage you to create enlivening stories and myths that communicate
your mission, vision, direction, values and goals. Know your ultimate goal or
mission, play well your part, and contribute far beyond your compensation. Select
times in your life when you felt successful and satisfied. Describe these experiences.
Write a personal mission statement that expresses your passion and connects what
you do to making the world a better place.
- Am I focused on what is most important? If you try to accomplish too much,
you may lose focus on the key aspects of your life or business. You don’t
need to saddle yourself with exhausting action lists; confuse working long, hard
hours with achieving results; or neglect a sensible work-life balance. Don’t
get bogged down in minutiae. Concentrate on actions that leverage and satisfy
you. Focus your attention, time and energy on the key things that will move you
forward. Formulate an inspiring vision, an excellent strategy, and an execution
plan. Identify the few areas for which you are responsible, and cut items from
your to-do list that fall outside those categories.
- Do I feel on top of things or am I drowning? Is your agenda doable? Have you
filled your agenda with too many meetings and items that could and should be delegated
to other people? Start tracking where your time goes. Be aware of what you need
to perform your best. Where is your time leaking away? Get clear on three things
you can do that will contribute the most—and do them. Otherwise, your time,
energy, and resources will be diluted.
- How much quality time do I spend with my loved ones? Many people believe that
if they work longer, they’ll be more successful. Once they get addicted
to operating in this fashion, vital parts of their lives atrophy from neglect—family
life, friendships, spirituality, recreation, and their bodies. Are you operating
under this delusion? Do you tell yourself, “When I finish this project,
then I’ll spend more time with my family?”
Those nearest and dearest to you know that’s a myth, irrespective
of the promises you make and the goals you set. Ironically, the higher your position,
the more your work-life balance is out of whack. You tend to resign from your
other roles in life. When you run into difficulties at home, you just want to
bury yourself at the office.
You don’t intend to leave a string of broken promises behind
you. However, you may sit in the middle of a maelstrom where dozens of additional
to-do items come your way daily.
I encourage you to create personal ground rules. Once you state your
priorities, identify the disconnects. For example, if spending more time with
your children rates high on your priority list, make daily decisions that show
that you are living your priorities. PE
