Many people start many projects and then complete some while leaving many incomplete. Some use the strategy of shooting in the dark with the hope that some arrows will reach the target. While this strategy may work if you have much energy to spare, a more focused, precise and accurate approach will be bull’s eye through time.
It is fine to stop doing something we don’t believe will work. However, if left unfinished, there is nothing we can look back to evaluate to improve. But what if this pattern happens over and over again? For example, let’s say you start a project. Midway, you realize it’s not what you expected and you stop it altogether. You start a second project and leave it hanging and then a third, fourth and fifth. Why is this technique inefficient and leading nowhere?
While working with clients and patients, I look into potential patterns that could be negatively impacting their success. This negative pattern prevents success by not allowing you to learn and improve after failed experiences.
When we are able to complete a task we are training ourselves - that is our minds, our efforts, our successes - to fully understand the process from the beginning to the end. In addition, we are also able to then judge the quality of the end product, whether we want to further pursue the whole project or whether the project will need a lot of work prior to going onto its next phase.
These are some helpful tips to help you complete your projects:
1.Design the project in your mind before getting started. This may include creating an outline of the project from the beginning to the end, mind mapping it in one sheet or summarizing it even before getting started.
2.So, you are the creative type and create as you go? While some artists will take this approach, many others hear the music before writing it, see their pictures before drawing them on canvas, create story before writing it, or construct monumental buildings in their minds before laying any brick on the ground.
3.Once you have a clear idea in mind, look at the pros and cons of your project, anticipating opportunities or challenges again, before you get started.
4.Break down the project in its entirety into different chapters, scenes, stories or whatever units are necessary. This will further give you a better idea of everything you need.
5.Now you are ready to start, follow through and complete your project. If you anticipated both challenges and opportunities well, you will hopefully succeed juggling unexpected difficulties as you go.
6.Avoid shifting gears mid project and try to stick to your original plan unless some unexpected factors play into the successful completion of your project.
7.Evaluate each project and list your lessons learned from each experience. This is the best way to build on experience and be ready for the next challenge.
A couple of weeks ago, a woman approached me and said: “I love your work, I’d like to invite you to lunch and pick your brain. You know so much about this and that…” I let her go on with her list but, had she read my body language, she would have realized I was not amused. I have been in this situation many times.
Do you use this line with colleagues or even strangers?
How does this feel to you when others say this to you?
It is obviously flattering to some whereas others may feel like the cannibals are out to get them.
An entrepreneur started a new venture and was concerned when things didn’t go as well as he expected. Although he had a great idea, he didn’t build the foundation to support the project, almost giving up before he had really started.
Do you work through strengths or through weaknesses?
Years ago I was chatting with a more senior executive in Corporate America. I mentioned my love of medicine and its integration with business and my dislike of the more tedious financial reports. She immediately said I should focus on developing skills in the accounting and financial aspects of my work, leaving aside my forte as I shouldn’t focus on my strengths but on my weaknesses, she said.
Most of us are. While many of us are still in recession-mode, many of us also want to move on and make the best of 2010!
Many may have made a resolution to start fresh and join the local gym, others may still have it on their calendar without any set up date.
Many may have gone through downsizing, mergers or bankruptcies and, in the end, we all strive to make this year the healthiest and wealthiest ever.
What are the most 7 common challenges most people face to maximize their health and wealth?
1. “I want to be healthy but it’s hard to start and maintain my plan, I’m too busy:”
Indeed, most people start with high expectations (i.e.: lose five pounds in one week, run on the treadmill for one hour, start meditating half an hour every week or cut work hours)
to then realize their targets are way too high. What happens next? Many people give up altogether.
2. “I have tons of work and I’m the only person who can do this:”
While we perceive a powerful position as being indispensable, this is one of the most common reasons for feeling overwhelmed with an amazing amount of work to do.
3. “I need to make $1,000.000 over the next three months to meet my target by the end of the year:”
It’s excellent to be guided by a specific, targeted goal and yet, if you have not made $500,000 in the last quarter, what makes you think you will be able to double that amount?
4. “I will only overwork for the next month and I will then go back to normal:”
While temporary decisions may be excellent strategies to boost a specific project, we tend to accommodate to doing more without going back to the previous state.
5. “I would love my work only if I could work alone, working with others stresses me out!”
Whether it’s a boss, a colleague, a client or an employee, people-stress may push us to the edge. . .
6. “My work life is perfect, I want to work more… My relationship with my wife and kids? Fine… Well, my wife is busy with her life and the kids don’t speak to me unless they want something. . .”
Most people feel the most important reason for their hard work is being able to provide for their loved ones and yet, many busy executives and entrepreneurs feel
distanced from their driving source of energy.
7. “I know I am gaining weight, my blood pressure is higher and my ulcer is acting out. I’m taking more medications and I can’t change anything in my lifestyle, this is the way it is:”
Most people who are already experiencing stress-related medical conditions minimize the impact their work-style has to do with their current issues until it’s too late. . .
Join me in this educational and entertaining seminar at our Miami offices where we’ll discuss all your interests about staying healthy while becoming wealthy.
These are some topics we’ll discuss:
Effective strategies to lead under pressure
Tips to manage work in life
Winning ways to deal with conflict and manage difficult people at work
Proven ways to manage your physical and emotional stress
Strategies to maximize your performance and productivity while staying healthy and well
The Fort Hood massacre poses many underlying glitches beyond security and technology issues.
As a psychiatrist as well as a (past) MAJ in the Air Force Reserves in addition to assisting companies in critical events, I have been taken by surprise by these terrible events. The more I read about the case, the more I wonder, could we have predicted MAJ Hasan’s killing spree?
Many of us believe we are effective multitaskers when, in fact, we can only do one thing at a time. Even when we have ten things on our plate, we will only succeed at clearing one by one till we have nothing left. Better still, we will have additional projects thrown in and we’ll still achieve our goals by prioritizing, planning and organizing our plan of action.
Let’s think about this, though, and think each one of these requests at a time:
When in an English-speaking setting, is it polite to have staff speak other languages and leave colleagues wondering what’s going on? And how about guests? While it may be obviously fine to address them in Spanish if they are Spanish-speaking, how would they feel if they heard staff speaking another language while at work?
How about Americanizing the name? If Marcos becomes Mark and (accentuated) Martin becomes Martin with emphasis in the first syllable, is this the same as asking someone named Evangelina to be named Jane?
Keep it. Many seniors who could retire are staying at their job in the States. They have given their life-long dreams to retire because of the drastic loss of retirement funds and the uncertainty the future holds. Many have decided to keep their secure job – and steady paycheck - as long as it lasts.
Many who have lost their job and who are desperately seeking for new opportunities are facing an even tougher market because of this situation. Many Americans 62 and older are staying healthier and active at their well-valued job whereas the newer generations may be struggling to get a position.
What can you do?
1.If you are 62 and older and you have a job, you are using the right strategy as you keep your benefits and steady income. In addition, health coverage, regular activity and a healthy lifestyle will keep you active and positive along the way.
2.Create savings opportunities: many in their sixties were unable to retire because of massive loss of money in the Stock. Save money and think wisely when investing at a low risk, if you desire to use this money when you retire.
3.If you are younger and out of a job, consider part-time job options and continued education. Prepare yourself by becoming more competitive. This will be a great way of spending your time, energy and money.
4.Keep a positive outlook: whether you are young or ready to retire, keep a positive attitude toward the future: the more positive the better you will transition into a job (if you are new to the workforce) or into your next life phase.
5.Stay healthy: above all, continue to take good care of yourself. Use The Four Pillars of Healthas your core toward a healthy and fulfilling life experience.
