Where did the time go? Do you know how sometimes you can be busy every minute and yet, looking back at the end of the day, you feel that you didn’t accomplish anything? Well, the good news is there is a simple process that can help you avoid that and make every day a great day!
Andrew Carnegie, considered by many to be America’s first billionaire, said: “By far, the skill that I have found to be most rare in people is the ability to set priorities.” Setting good priorities will be your first step for making the best use of your time each day. Keeping your priorities in harmony with your values will give you even more marvelous results.
The easiest way to do that is to pause and make sure you have absolute clarity about what is really important to you. We suggest you review your values and priorities from time to time because things can and do change. Sometimes changes happen within your job, career or source of income. Other times it can be a change in family, relationships or health. Some people review yearly, others monthly, the frequency is flexible depending upon your circumstances.
Here are a few quick questions designed to get you thinking and help you gain clarity about what matters most in your life. Often the right questions can be more important than the answers. However, if you want to make every day a great day, we suggest that you ask yourself these questions AND write down the answers!
1. What did you do yesterday that was you at your best?
2. If you had a ”theme” for this year, what would it be?
3. Can you identify three “energy drains” in your life? (People, places, situations, things, etc.) What is one thing can you do to improve or eliminate them?
4. What is your purpose in life? Why are you here?
5. If you decided to “moonlight” what field, job, or activity would be most interesting? Why?
6. What are your best qualities? Which three people would be good to ask? Write down their names. (Go ahead and ask them before 24 hours passes)
7. Health. How is yours? Could it be important to make any changes? If so, what will you do today to improve yours?
8. Of the three areas that are most important in your life, ask yourself : “If there were something I could do to make one area much better what would it be?” Now, quiet your mind and listen to your thoughts, you may be surprised at what you already know. Next, take action, NOW, on your new awareness!
9. What are your three most significant relationships? How are they doing? What is one small thing you can do to make them better?
10. If you were to write your own obituary or epitaph, what would it say?
11. When are you the most fun to be around?
12. What aspects of character will you always have no matter what your age?
13. Who are you spiritually?
It’s one thing to roll these questions around in your mind. It’s quite another to sit quietly and WRITE down your answers. The simple act of writing things down has a lot of power – some experts say 5 times, some say 50 times and some even say 1000 times more power than thought alone!
Do you want more power? Increased satisfaction? Greater effectiveness? More joy in your life and world? If you don’t, stop reading and go on to the next thing in your day today. If you do want to enjoy a happier, healthier and more productive life and you didn’t write down your answers, we suggest you go back to the top of the list, take out a pen and get started now!
Here’s an additional resource for you. One of the world’s simplest and best time management systems is called the “Big 6” system. This simple concept has proven to be one of the best ideas on the subject of time management that I have ever seen. And it’s a great tool to use along with the questions above.
“Big 6” action steps: First, keeping your priorities and values in mind, make a list, before the start of each day, of the things that need to be accomplished. Next, identify six of the most important items (these are your “Big 6”) and put a star (*) by them. Now, commit to accomplishing the top six that are CURRENTLY most important to your goals. Finally, begin work on the one that is most important. Continue working until that task is completed (or something else becomes more important). For more information on this process, go to: http://www.dr-mastermind.com/bigsix.php.
In summary, taking action on priorities which are in alignment with your values will give you a huge advantage. The good news is that none of the questions or ideas above are difficult. Your priorities are a matter of DECISION! They can be customized to your life! Keeping them in alignment with your values will give you even more spectacular results. Choosing your priorities is free, keeping them in alignment with your values is easy. You can begin putting them to work for you today. And by using this simple process, you will be able to say “Yes, every day is a great day!”
About the Author:
Dr. John (“Dealey”) Carpenter Dealey is an International MasterMind expert, business mentor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, author, speaker and self-made millionaire. He is dedicated to helping people solve problems, reach goals and soar to new heights of success using the marvelous powers of mastermind and laughter. To learn how mastermind can help you create a life you love, go to: http://mastermindsoaring.com/ or: http://www.dr-mastermind.com/
