"Busy" Doesn't Always Cut It

Don't mistake activity with achievement. ~ John Wooden ~

Treading water is certainly a form of swimming but it'll never win you a gold medal in a relay race.  You work hard.  It's true.  But just because you are busy at work, it doesn't mean you are accomplishing anything.  First, are you working on the things that matter?  Second, are you easily distracted when working on important tasks? Finally, is it more important to check off a to-do list or more important to have solved an critical problem? 

Ask yourself at the end of each day.  "What have I accomplished?"  Don't think in terms of tasks completed but rather what propelled you forward in the achievement of goals.  As a leader, never get fooled by your "busy" workers.  Ask them the same question.  "What did you accomplish today?"  Then: "How did that help us move toward our desired results?"

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

"I'm busy on the tasks that will help me succeed."

Use Play-Time as a Reward

“You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.” ~ Henry Ford ~

Some days it's just hard to get going.  During the lazy days of summer you just want to be outside relaxing by a pool, lake or ocean.  Stop day dreaming!  Taking time for yourself is important so make sure you do it -  just don't overindulge!  Find a good rhythm for work and play.  Use play as your reward for getting things done that will build your dreams.  Lower your stress by just getting to it.  Great leaders will use play to balance out work but never in place of work.  Think about how great you will feel and how much more relaxed you will be if you just get a few things done before you spend time with family or friends. 

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will use play as a reward for smart work.

Leaders Don't Procrastinate

If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.  ~ Olin Miller

Don’t you find it hard, some days, to just get motivated?  The more you think about what you need to do, the more mountainous it seems?  It is easy to put off those things that you don't feel like doing - however, they will start to fester and grow teeth.  Next thing you know, they're biting you in the rear!  You put it off thinking it will be easy and then every time you think about it...you groan.   Suddenly, your energy is drained.  You may think you are prioritizing but guess what?  You are not.  Prioritizing is putting important things first, procrastinating is putting off important things.  Leaders don't procrastinate. They get the important things done before they become problems.

1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:

I will get important things done first.

Urgent Is Not Always Important

What may be done at any time will be done at no time.  ~Scottish Proverb

Do you find yourself distracted easily?  Do shiny new objects pull you away from once exciting projects that have now become a little dull with time?  How often do you say yes to someone or something new when you haven't finished what you are currently doing?  You have good intentions as your move about the day but then other things and people will make demands of you.  As a leader you must be able to decipher between urgent and important.  Many things are important but not urgent.  Some people will approach you with seemingly urgent that is not necessarily important.  Learn to say, "no, thank you" or "wait...please."  Influencers will try to sway you.  Listen to their subtle or not so subtle methods of persuasion.  A mindful leader will be astute and focused - staying on course for the important.


1. Close your eyes
2. Breathe
3. Empty your mind
4. As thoughts come in, acknowledge and whisk them away
5. Focus on your breathing
6. Think about the affirmation:


I will devote the majority of my attention to the important.