A few weeks ago I started using my Super Seven plan.
It’s simple. In a small notebook, on the right hand page, I write down 7 things to do each day . By the end of the day I tick off those I have done and forward the ones that were not possible( for all sorts of reasons). I don’t get hung up about not completing the 7 though - that would be counterproductive. I reschedule or delete as appropriate. It’s a loose structure not a straitjacket!
On the left hand page I note down the achievements of the day.
Over the period of a year I will have at least 365 achievements!
Go on - recognise your achievements and give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve it!
I have just taken delivery of new curtains. My husband and I ordered them at John Lewis on Sunday. The lovely lady there talked us through the options. She asked us whether we wanted express service. We asked how much more that would cost and she said that there was no extra charge. The curtains would be with me today - Friday - 4 days later.
And indeed they are. Nicely boxed, folded so that they don’t need ironed and with clear instructions for hanging them.
And - and this is why I am so chuffed - with 2 packs of hooks to hang them.
Now I know that those hooks don’t cost much to buy - and cost even less for JL to supply - but what a great touch! The curtains I am taking down already have hooks but they did not take that for granted.
Isn’t it nice when you get something more than you thought you were getting.
Applies in the workplace just as much as it does to customer service.
How about delivering more than you promised today!
One of the favourite New Year resolutions is to lose weight.
It made me smile when I read results of some research that NY resolutions rarely work. A tiny proportion of people succeed in keeping to them as far as the end of January. What a suprise.
Personally I think resolutions have more chance of succeeding if you know why you want to make that change and that you have framed it in positive terms - rather than doing it because you think you should (or even worse - someone else does).
So when I also read that when men decide to lose weight it is for practical purposes - to make clothes fit, be less breathless etc - and - when woman decide it is embedded in all sorts of emotional stuff - often linked to “when I lose a stone ( or some other arbitrary amount) I will do something else that somehow seems impossible.
The papers have been full of “anti-dieting” articles this weekend and here’s a summary.
- Dieting does not work - eating less and taking more exercise does.
- Your body has been capable of “detoxing” since you were born - so you don’t need to pay out for help now.
- A regular walk can have the same impact as a gym membership - in fact even more because, as well as paying the membership you have to actually go!
This time last year I decided that I would start eating only when I was hungry, eating what I wanted, enjoy my food and stop when I was full. It was incredibly liberating. I dropped a bit of weight and felt fine.
More of the same in 2008.
It’s easy really. Be positive….or change from negative thoughts and behaviour .
It works. Trust me.
In my old age I have a default setting of “positive”. It has not always been that way and there are of course times when negativity is perfectly acceptable and - dare I say - healthy.
But …I was having a day where I was going round in circles. I love the work I am doing at Forthview School and I was frustrated that there were barriers in systems and information channels which were stopping me from doing my job.
So I moaned - and complained ( whined) to people who could sort it for me - then I moaned some more - then I shared how frustrated I was…I bet if you are still with me you are reaching for the mouse right now. Stay with me though - it gets better, I promise.
During that same day I had the opportunity to speak with a couple of people who have significant health challenges right now. Did they moan? Were they negative? …I think you know the answer.
Added to that I am surrounded by little people for whom learning is both exciting and stimulating - which is down to the wonderful staff in the school.
Humbled by that I “took a shake to myself” as they say here in Scotland and realise just how draining that being negative had been for me - and almost certainly for those kind people around me who did not tell me to take a hike til I was in a better mood.
Do yourself a favour - if you are feeling low in energy check your negativity rating. Then turn a frown to a smile and I defy you not to feel better - the energy gauge will rise.
I met up with my friend Louise Scott last night. We got to talking about a mutual friend who - when he wants to achieve something - starts talking about it as if it is already happening. It seems to work for him. I know a couple of other people like that. They work out a route to something and they don’t see barriers - they just work on solutions.
I have to say that Louise is no slouch in this area herself having completed two expeditions in Greenland. (Check out her website for more on what she has done www.osuch.com ) One minute she and I are talking about it in general terms - the next she is planning her kit and then she is packed up and going.
Maybe we should try thinking of life as a series of expeditions and think about
- What you want to do?
- Where would you go to do it?
- What kit would you need?
- Who could help you put it together?
- What expertise - your own and others’ can you draw on?
- What preparation/training do you need?
- How much time can you commit to this and how will that influence the achievement date?
- How will you measure your success?
- How will you record the experience - for yourself and to share with other people?
- How will you use what you learned in future?
And by following the example of the guy I mentioned at the start - begin by talking about it as if it is happening already!
