I’m sure you’re facing a long to-do list right now, and this week there are probably many things to be done in your life and the life of your organization. But today, I’m recommending something a bit different – do nothing. That’s right. No work, no action, no check offs. Well, in a way at least. By doing “nothing” here’s what I mean:
Reflect.
Before you launch out with your noble intentions, stop for a few minutes and consider where you’ve been and where you’re going. Think about your resources, your qualifications, your strengths and weaknesses. Most of all, think about your passions. As you do, here’s a few questions from my book “Jolt!”to reflect on:
1. Am I closer to my goals right now than I was a year ago? Did I get off track, or distracted? How do I fix that? Far too many people fail not because they aren’t qualified or talented, but simply because they got distracted.
2. What’s my greatest passion? What do I think about the most? What do I love doing, or what comes easy for me? What am I doing right now to pursue that passion?
3. Do I need to change perspective? For instance, if after two years I’m still out of work, perhaps I need to get out of that rut by getting trained for another job.
4. What are my priorities? I’ve discovered that no matter how difficult the circumstances, the people who understand their priorities are the ones who stay on course the best.
Reflect for a day before you rush into the week. You’ll find the rest of the week will be far more fruitful.
Find more advice from Phil Cooke in Are You A Victim Of Today’s Culture Of Haste?
For more than 30 years, Phil Cooke has helped nonprofits find their purpose and is now applying this experience to individuals: “During a long career in the media business I’ve talked to hundreds of writers, producers, directors, designers, executives, and other professionals and discovered that in most cases, one thing is all it takes to launch a project or dream.”
Learn more about the writer Phil Cooke
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