The Real Secret to Getting Enough Done

Do You Know Your Powerful Natural Pace?

Instead of not having enough time to get everything done, let's look at how you can get enough done and feel genuinely satisfied with your results. The secret is embedded in your energy!

For years, I have helped clients leverage their leadership with a core and fail-safe strategy - manage your energy, not time. Recently, I listened to Kristin Howe talk about this inside-out approach in the context of 3 energy types. Knowing your primary type and staying in sync with it frees you to manage your energy so you get enough done and experience genuine satisfaction.

3 Energy Types...Which One Are You?

Which type best describes the way your energy runs at work, home or play? To pinpoint your primary energy type, picture how the dog associated with each type behaves.

1. Long Distance Runner | Siberian Husky (sled dog)
   • Endurance is your strength.
   • You have strong steady energy.
   • You need less time to warm up and less time to recover because you do not have a lot of energy bursts.
   • Consistent schedules work better for you.
   • Your peak performance depends on you pacing yourself with consistent scheduling that enables you to get enough done.
2. Sprinter | Greyhound
   • Your energy comes in high bursts.
   • In short periods of time you are extremely productive.
   • You do not need much warm up time and are a quick starter.
   • Exhausted when done, you need serious recovery time.
   • Your peak performance depends on you taking huge breaks (doing something that does not require much of your energy) between your high energy activities so you get enough done.
3. Cross-Trainer | Border Collie
   • Your energy flows in action bursts with mini-recoveries in between bursts.
   • Throughout the day you are consistently in motion.
   • You flow through warm up several times before initial action bursts.
   • You fully recover only when you are completely 'down and out'.
   • Your peak performance depends on you taking lots of mini-breaks in a broad (so you don't get bored) flexible schedule that allows you to get enough done.

Getting in sync with the natural flow of your energy frees you to experience work and life at a pace that is most productive for you. So let go of the 24/7 expectation of yourself. No one can run their highest energy level 100% of the time.

You can perform at peak levels consistently, however, if you manage your energy. That is the real secret to getting enough done and feeling completely satisfied with the results.

Shift into the natural flow of your primary energy type. I can't wait to hear your comments on your type and how managing your energy - not time! - works for you.

Leaders: Dare to Ask for Help

Who Supports Your Success?

In this guest blog Kristi Royse, CEO of KLR Consulting, graciously shares her straightforward leadership advice. Listening to it and then taking inspired action could make a significant difference in the impact of your leadership and your life.  

Do you need better results for 2010? Then ask for help. You know you need it. So go ahead and ask for it.

Ouch, did I just say “ask for help?” I know you probably hate that advice. But here it is again: Get Help! Do it now!

If you are contemplating making resolutions this year, then simply humble yourself and ask for help in getting those resolutions done. And don’t be afraid to ask someone for what you may need. There is rarely ever a mistake in reaching out to others to make your new year a better one. You don’t need to do everything alone; even if you think you can. You may think you have all the tools and great ideas at your disposal; but you still need others to help you.

Success does not depend upon the brilliance of your plan but upon the consistency of your actions.

Step five of six in my personal strategic planning workshop is engage and deputize all involved. There is no shame in reaching out. You are asking for a hand up not a handout. Think about it and ask yourself: who could help you jump start your business and accomplish your goals in 2010?

Ask For Help

Build motivators into your everyday life. One of the best methods is to ask someone to support you. I know of a real estate salesperson who promised to take his family camping every time he made a sale. His children became enthusiastic supporters of his success at work.

• Employer
• Employees
• Coaches
• Clients
• Family & Friends
• Movers & Shakers

The best way you can predict your future is to create it. ~ Stephen Covey

Can’t think of anything to ask for help with? I have some ideas:

• Ask your current clients for referrals
• Ask your family to celebrate your success with you
• Ask someone you admire to mentor you for six months; it may turn into a year
• Ask someone to help you see different realities and fuel your imagination
• Ask someone in the job you aspire to for their support and perspective
• Ask someone doing your job at larger scope or maturity, or in a different industry…

Tell them how much you respect and admire them and you would like to learn from them. Then do the things they tell you to do and report back. They will feel empowered that you are empowering them. We all love to help others. Always thank them. Give value to them so they are glad they gave of their time and knowledge to you.

You should have a goal of adding at least one real mentor to your life every year, and learning things from one really smart person once a month.

Encourage getting outside the comfort zone; jump start your year. Ask for help, share yourself and be committed to the process. Being steadfast in your intentions can reap great results.

“Behold the turtle. He only makes progress when he sticks his neck out.” ~James Bryant Conant

So what are those favors on which you’ve been waiting to cash-in? Who has been on your “chicken list” that you have wanted to connect with but have not had the courage to pick up the phone? How might you summons that courage to ask for help? How can you jump start your year with a little help from someone near, or far? I would love to hear about all it! I look forward to sharing the best practices when people ask me for help!!

Lack is Perception

Abundance is the Truth

There are places in the natural world that overflow with abundance. Indigenous people consider them sacred - giving them special names like "The Smoke That Thunders" for Victoria Falls. These natural wonders remind us that there is enough. When in the presence of this natural power, we let go of worries, concerns, old hurts and regrets. We feel - physically and spiritually - the flow of abundance.

A Precious Personal Ritual

You can experience the rejuvenating effects of these natural wonders in your life everyday. Stop spending what is probably your only real alone time - your morning shower - planning and plotting your day. Instead, envision yourself standing under a magnificent waterfall. Imagine that waterfall cascading down the outside and inside of your body - clearing away any doubts, worries or concerns you have. No need to think about what is being washed away. Just let yourself feel the waterfall clearing and cleansing you from head to toe, as your troubles wash effortlessly down the drain.

Clients tell me that this simple yet precious personal ritual brings them back into balance. It eases them into the busyness of their day with more clarity and better focus. I'd love to hear how this works for you.