The upside of putting everything in one place is that I don’t have to remember all the little things I have to do. Since everything I need to do is in the system instead of in my head, it frees my mind to focus on getting those things done instead of having to remember them. The downside is that I tend to schedule more than I can realistically do in a given period of time. The result is that I eventually end up with a fairly long list of “current items” that I need to sort through and prioritize to make sure I’m doing the most important things when I need to do them.

How many tasks are on my list? As of this writing, I have 400 active tasks. Some of those are longer term, and some of them are as simple as articles or reports I plan to read (eventually). Most of them, though, are things I need to do in order to implement plans for my business, things I need to do around the house, people I need to follow up with, etc.

So how do I effectively handle that many tasks? Once a week I go through the full list and decide what the most important tasks are for that week and assign them a day. That gives me an initial pile of tasks that I’d like to get done during the week. At this point, the list is usually still too long. The next thing I do is simplify.

When I simplify, I look at everything on the list and ask “what doesn’t need to be done this week?” Now, looking for things to put off until later might initially seem like a procrastination approach. But when you’re looking at an immense number of tasks, I can assure you that it’s far too easy to take on too much. Then you can get bogged down, demoralized, and actually reduce your productivity as a result. And, if you do happen to get to the end of your list in a day, there’s always a ready supply of more tasks to fill in any open time.

This applies to more than just tasks. It can apply to activities, email, TV shows, books, etc. If you have “too many” of something, it may be time to look at what you can get rid of or put off. It may be time to simplify.

How about you? What aspects of your life are too cluttered or too busy? Where in your life can you simplify?

I’ll share the story behind the transformation in a future message. It’s all part of the evolution of the company as we grow and expand to help more entrepreneurs and small business owners get organized, get focused, and lead to make their dreams happen.

We have some amazing new resources that we’ll be rolling out, and will also be showcasing our signature training and support systems specially designed to help you make things happen in your business.

So, stay tuned and spread the word!

I spent the first part of this week in a lot of pain. It was all voluntary, self-inflicted, and a direct result of one of my goals for the year.

This year I set ten major goals. One of those goals is to score 200 on the Army Physical Fitness Test. As part of that goal, I wanted to establish a baseline to see where I am now before I start working to achieve my objective. Now, I could have taken it easy and set a low baseline. Not me, though! No, I decided I wanted to see what I could really do after so many years of not taking my physical fitness very seriously.

So I pushed myself to my limits. I cranked out as many push-ups as I could do in two minutes (my muscles gave out before the timer did), then as many sit-ups as I could do in two minutes (I was still going when the timer stopped, but had slowed down significantly). I then set out on a 2.5 mile walk, followed by a little bit of driving to find something I could use as a pull-up bar.

By the time it was all done, I had my baseline scores. I also had the aftermath to deal with. I knew I was going to be sore, but I didn’t realize exactly how sore (“very” doesn’t begin to come close), or how far-reaching it would be (not quite everywhere, but close enough). And it happened faster than I recall ever experiencing before.

I spent the second half of the day moving gingerly, if at all. The next day was no better. Neither was the one after that. The workout routine I had planned to start on Monday got pushed back a week to give my body more time to recover. I was forced to face the reality that my body doesn’t bounce back as quickly as it used to. Now, almost a week later, the last of the pain is gone. But something has remained… Victory.

I did it. I knew it was going to be a lot of effort, but I did it anyway. I knew it was going to hurt, but I did it anyway. I knew it was going to be the start of a long-term commitment, but I did it anyway. I set a goal, I committed to it, and I followed through. It’s only the first step on a much longer journey, but starting is often the hardest part.

There is a timeless saying in sports: “Pain is temporary. Pride is forever.”

It’s timeless because it’s true.

How about you? What uncomfortable project are you taking on this year that will cause some temporary pain so you can relish the joy of accomplishment… and taste the lasting thrill of Victory?

• Do you have a firm list of goals for the year?
• Are your goals physically written down where you will see them daily?
• Have you made progress on one or more goals already?

If you answered “yes” to all three questions, congratulations! You are off to a strong start in accomplishing what you set out to do this year.

If you answered “no” to any of the questions, you’re probably not fully prepared to tackle 2013 the way you would like. Never fear, though! You can still make a concerted effort and start the year off strong by doing these four things:

1. Determine 3-5 things that would really make this year a success for you. This could be in any area of your life. They can be big or small things, but they should be significant to you.
2. Write them down. Seriously, if you don’t write down your goals, they don’t count. I’ll explain why in another post, but for now trust me. Write them down and put them where you will see them every day.
3. Determine what the next step is for each goal. Achieving a big goal is really just the result of a bunch of little steps along the way. Figure out what the next step is for each goal… and Do It!
4. Repeat Step 3 until the goal is achieved.

As I mentioned a month ago, while “years” are an artificial creation, they are useful for keeping things organized and for marking progress in our lives. Take advantage of a clean slate and a fresh start. Every year is a gift. Make the most of it!

As a special 2012 treat, I’d like to share my new favorite holiday song with you… Enjoy!

That question grabbed me by the ears, stared into my eyes, and wouldn’t let go until it had bored deep into my soul. When was the last time I had done something for the first time? I couldn’t remember. Suddenly my thoughts shifted from what the “something” might have been to what it all meant.

Had I stopped “living”?

That, really, was the question. The question wasn’t asking about the past. It was asking about me… here, now, today. Was I still swimming in the incredible experience that is life, exploring its breadth and depth with wondrous amazement? Or had I transitioned to simply sitting on the shore, occasionally tossing a rock into the water just to watch the ripples fade?

What would qualify as “first time” worthy?

I caught myself in that question about as soon as I asked it. “Well… maybe it’s not as bad as it seems.” I was trying to justify it. Explain it. No, the truth was that nothing came immediately to mind. I… couldn’t… remember. And that meant it had been too long.

So… now what?

Like all powerful questions, they lead you to a decision that stands on the edge of action. You have a choice. Do you ignore the question and walk away? Or do you embrace it, and use it to impel you to be greater?

Hug it. Hard.

It was my turn. So, I grabbed the question and held on tight. I decided to live life with intention and purpose again. While I have already been doing that with my family and my business, it has been to the exclusion of new experiences. And I didn’t even realize it.

I’m jumping back in the water. I am going to experience the wonder and LIVE again! As I prepare myself for 2013, I have added something new to my plans. Every year I will do something that I have never done before. Something I’ve always wanted to do but have just never done for whatever reason. Those “reasons” no longer matter.

How about you?
When was the last time you did something for the first time?

By the way, I highly recommend the book that posed the question. Still looking for the perfect gift? Learn more about it here… 5: Where will you be five years from today?

Can you feel it? The end of another year is approaching. Though the passage from one year into another is an artificial construct, it does help keep things organized, sequenced, and cataloged. Other tools we use serve a similar purpose. Our calendars, task lists, and goal sheets all serve our needs and help us achieve our objectives. At least… they’re supposed to. As you reflect on the past year, consider the following…

Goals:

1.  Did you write your 2012 goals down? If so, where are they? If not, why not?
2.  How would you rate your progress on those goals?
3.  What were the top 3 contributors to your success (or your lack thereof)?
4.  What 3 things will you do to perform even better next year?

Structures:

1.  What tracking systems and productivity tools did you use this year?
2.  How well did they serve you?
3.  What system or tool would help you be more effective?

Achievements:

1.  What are your top 3 achievements for the year?
2.  What are your top 3 “I wish I had done that”s for the year?
3.  What are your top 3 “I’m going to do this” for next year?

I have found that the most powerful giving takes place when it is personal. Giving of your resources is a great benefit to others, and allows you to help others over great distances. But giving of yourself… that is an entirely different class of giving. The connection is stronger, the joy is deeper, and something moves within you. You become… more. You feel a bit like a hero… and you are.

I want to share a powerful video with you. Watch the video first, then we’ll talk about it a little bit.

If your reaction to this story of Narayanan Krishnan was anything like mine, it included equal parts wonder, inspiration, and admiration.

Narayanan Krishnan is an amazing example. But why is he amazing? What is it about him and his story that leaves us feeling just a little inadequate, and at the same time yearning to be so much more? What is that stirring we feel inside of us, calling to us to rise up and do the same great things?

I believe that, while Mr. Krishnan’s actions may be extraordinary, his desire to perform those actions is not. That stirring you felt as you watched him serve his fellow man? That was your ember of desire being fanned with fresh air. You have within you the same longing to serve others. It may have been buried beneath a mountain of immediate demands and pressing concerns, but it has not died.

Of course, your situation may not allow you to drop what you’re doing and devote every minute of every day to serving your fellow man. That’s okay. Mr. Krishnan now runs the Akshaya Trust, a charitable trust that is dedicated to continuing his mission to help the destitute in Madurai, India. You may have a different calling where your assistance to others comes in other ways. Just as we each have different gifts, we also have different ways that we can serve.

What I most want to share with you, though, is this thought from Mr. Krishnan:
“What is the ultimate purpose of life? It’s to give. Start giving. See the joy of giving.”

Your may not be called to give like Mr. Krishnan, but you can still give in a personal and meaningful way. Look for opportunities to do so. They are all around you. They could be your friends, your family, your coworkers, your customers.

Serve… Give… and share in the Joy.

When the Continental Congress of the United States formally adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the colonies had already been at war with Great Britain for over a year. The Declaration was a formal statement that outlined, in some of the most sublime language ever penned, their reasons for declaring their independence from Great Britain. Indeed, the majority of the document lists the Colonies’ major grievances against King George. These offences had been borne for some time, and the leaders of the various colonies decided that the only way to remedy these ills was to cast off the old regime and forge their own future.

It was an incredible risk. The odds were overwhelmingly against them. Yet they went forward with faith that united, and “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence,” they would prevail. They knew that a better life was available to them, and they dared greatly to turn that vision into reality.

It is important to note that this decision was not made lightly or in haste. The Declaration was adopted months after the idea was first proposed by John Adams. Though the initial draft was crafted by Thomas Jefferson over two and a half weeks in June, It was refined with input from several great minds until the final version was adopted by Congress.

These brave (some would say foolhardy) men were also aware that they did not stand alone in this endeavor. If they had tried, they certainly would have fallen, one by one. As Benjamin Franklin is quoted as saying at the signing of the Declaration: “We must, indeed, all hang together, or assuredly we shall all hang separately.” The final words of the Declaration state: “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” They were united in their intent and their objective, and knew that they must rely on each other to make it through successfully.

In the end, of course, they succeeded. Against all odds, they achieved their objective of independence for themselves, their colonies, and the United States of America. Their courage, their vision, and their commitment to see it through to the end created a momentous change that has impacted virtually all mankind to some degree.

How about you?
Have you declared your Independence? What thoughts, habits, or circumstances are you allowing to oppress you or keep you thinking small? What do you need to stand up to and say “No More!”? What changes do you need to make to live your Life, exercise your Liberty, and pursue your Happiness? Who will stand with you as you declare your Independence and set out to create a New World for yourself and your posterity?

Chart your course, then make it happen!

“CEOs are hired for their intellect and business expertise – and fired for a lack of emotional intelligence.”

How do you judge “smarts”? We usually think of a person’s intelligence in terms of their “intelligence quotient,” or IQ. This measurement typically considers things like how good a person is at math, language, or complex problems. For quite some time, IQ was seen as the prime determining factor for success… but was it really?

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman burst onto the scene almost exactly 16 years ago. Since then, it has spawned dozens of studies, programs and other works. In this book, Mr. Goleman explores and builds upon the work of two psychologists who posed the possibility that there is more to what makes a person successful than simply their IQ. They proposed a new aspect that they termed emotional intelligence.

So, what is emotional intelligence (EI, sometimes also called EQ), how is it measured, and can it be improved? The two psychologists mentioned previously (Peter Salovey & John Mayer) outlined five main aspects of EI:

1. Knowing one’s emotions. Essentially being self-aware of your own emotional state.
2. Managing emotions. The ability to steer your emotions, and choose one over another.
3. Motivating oneself. Emotional self-control to delay gratification and be more productive.
4. Recognizing emotions in others. The fundamental “people skill” called empathy.
5. Handling relationships. Managing emotions in others through interaction.

As we know, IQ has different facets such as math and language, and a person can be strong in one area and not as strong in another. Emotional intelligence operates much the same way: a person can be skilled in one area, yet less skilled in another.

How does this apply to you and your business? Well, as expressed in the quote at the top of this post, it doesn’t matter how smart you are if you act dumb! Plus, it’s okay if you’re not a genius in math or language. There is a whole other realm of skills out there that have as much, if not more, impact on your success, and the success of your business. The best news? Emotional intelligence can be learned and improved!

It is still important to develop technical expertise in your field. That is how you build credibility. Added to your professional skill, though, is your effectiveness in managing your own emotions and impulses, and leading others as they manage theirs. Spend some time building your awareness of your own emotions and how you manage them. Then take a look at how well you recognize and manage emotions in others.

Like anything worthwhile, it may take some practice to improve your EI skills, but rest assured that you can do it… and the payoff is definitely worth it!

[Would you like to learn more about emotional intelligence, how it works, and how to improve your own? Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman is available through this link at Amazon.com.]