Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Daily LEADERSHIP Tip / Start Early

Day 21
Today's accountability is simple:

1.  Review your 3 Strands for this week to make certain you are on track to achieving them.  Yes, it is only Tuesday, but I will finish one of my two 3 Strands today.  You may be in a similar situation where this is possible.

2.  Update your W.I.N. from yesterday and define it for today.  This is not a carry forward to-do list!

3.  Get up 30-60 minutes earlier for one week.  Pilot this new lifestyle for one week because you are struggling to find time to work on your most important objectives.  Do NOT get caught in email...  Use this time to work only on your 3 Strands or W.I.N.

Let me know if you need help.

Be a Systematic Leader - because inconsistency hurts

Thank you.

Monday, May 20, 2013

Daily LEADERSHIP Tip / Get Closer

Day 20
Welcome to a new week!

Have you had your Sanctuary time to confirm your key achievements last week?

  • 3 Strands and 
  • Your W.I.N.'s from last Friday?

Are you set for this week?  It is time to "sharpen your ax."  There is a lot of tree cutting to do.  :)

As you look at your calendar for this week, I suggest you do one thing very intentionally:  Consider the people on your team, primarily your direct reports but maybe others.

Is there someone who could use your attention this week?

  • A review together of their 3 Strands or W.I.N. because they are not fully leveraging this focus exercise for their success.
  • A cup of coffee, meal, or other time 1:1 to confirm they are fully engaged.
  • A project meeting to make certain all the details are being covered.
  • A creative meeting to explore new ideas.
  • Encouragement

The bottom line when you meet with this person:  What does she or he need?  

The meeting is not about you.

Let me know if you need help.

Be a Systematic Leader - because inconsistency hurts

Thank you.


Friday, May 17, 2013

Daily LEADERSHIP Tip / Past Halfway

Day 19
We are now past halfway through calendar Q2.  That is about 38% of our 2013 plan.

How are you doing?

Are you shocked that almost 40% of another year is gone?  I am.  Of course, we adopted a sibling group of four young kids last year so my life is a blur...  :)

During your Sanctuary time later today, over the weekend or early Monday morning, I encourage you to consider whether you are developing the habits...  actually let's say the disciplines to truly be all that you are designed to be.

These disciplines do not have to be complicated.  As you move beyond the basics of a 3 Strands, daily W.I.N., and Sanctuary breaks for refreshment and refocusing, the specifics of how you focus may be quite different than someone else's.

This is because the specifics of your disciplines should align with your natural strengths.

Accountability:  It is the end of the week.  This is your time for personal accountability.

1.  3 Strands:  How are you doing with your 3 Strands this week?  Did you review them daily or at least every other day?  Will you complete them all?  (Maybe you only set one, which qualifies as "all.")

2.  W.I.N.:  If you are defining a daily W.I.N. (What's Important Now), how did you do?

Remember:  Your 3 Strands and daily W.I.N.s are not to-do lists that live on forever.  They are "magnifying glasses" to focus your full power on completing your most critical objectives on a timely basis.

3.  Sanctuary:  There are two parts to Sanctuary:  (1) Daily breaks from your desk to stretch, exercise, get a healthy snack, and clear your mind;  and (2) your weekly self-accountability to confirm you are completing your most important work and defining your critical objectives for the upcoming week - professional and personal.

Let me know if you need help.

Be a Systematic Leader - because inconsistency hurts

Thank you.