30 Days of Getting Results

By J.D. Meier

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What Others Say

"Getting Results the Agile Way delivers know-what, know-why and know-how for anyone who understands the value of momentum in making your moments count." Dr. Rick Kirschner, bestselling author

JD is the go-to-guy for getting results, and Agile Results demonstrates his distinct purpose he shows how anyone can do anything, better. This book has simple, effective, powerful tools and ideas that are easy enough for everyone to apply in their work and lives, so that they get the results theyd like, even the impossible and the unexpected.
Janine de Nysschen, Changemaker and Purpose Strategist, Whytelligence

NOTE You can read more testimonials at http://gettingresults.com/wiki/Testimonials.

About the 30 Days of Getting Results

Gettingresultsintodayslandscapeistough.Theworldchangesfasterthanwecankeep up.Worse,wedontalwayshavethebestpracticesforfocus,managingourtime,managing ourenergy,orevenpersonalproductivity. Mybook,GettingResultstheAgileWay,isasimplesystemformeaningfulresults.Itcombines thebestpracticesIvelearnedforthinking,feeling,andtakingaction.ItsthesamesystemIuse tomentorindividuals,leaders,andteamsforimprovingtheirresults.Itempowersyouwithan unbeatablesystemformakingthingshappenwithskill.Itsastorydrivenapproach,andby usingthreestoriestodriveyourday,youweek,yourmonth,andyouryear,youwriteyour storyforwardandrespondmoreeffectivelytoyoureverchangingworld.

Key Problems Addressed

Hereisashortlistoftheproblemswelltackleduringthe30DaysofGettingResults: Howtoimproveyourpersonalproductivityandpersonaleffectiveness Howtoachieveworklifebalance Howtofocusanddirectyourattentionwithskill Howtomotivateyourselfwithskillandfindyourdrive Howtouseasimplesystemtoachievemeaningfulresults Howtomanageyourtime Howtospendmoretimeonthethingsthatreallymattertoyou Howtoplaytoyourstrengthsandspendlesstimeinweaknesses Howtochangeahabitandmakeitstick Howtomakethemostofyouryourmoments,days,weeks,months,andyears Howtobetheauthorofyourlifeandwriteyourstoryforward

The 30 Days of Getting Results at a Glance

Herearethenamesofeachofthelessonsthatarepartofthe30days: Day1TakeaTourofGettingResultstheAgileWay Day2MondayVisionUseThreeStoriestoDriveYourWeek Day3DailyOutcomesUseThreeStoriestoDriveYourDay Day4LetThingsSloughOff Day5HotSpotsMapOutWhatsImportant Day6FridayReflectionIdentifyThreeThingsGoingWellandThreeThingstoImprove Day7SetupBoundariesandBuffers Day8DumpYourBraintoFreeYourMind Day9PrioritizeYourDaywithMUST,SHOULD,andCOULD Day10FeelStrongAllWeekLong Day11ReduceFrictionandCreateGlidePathsforYourDay Day12ProductivityPersonasAreYouareaStarteroraFinisher? Day13TriageYourActionItemswithSkill Day14CarveOutTimeforWhatsImportant Day15AchieveaPeacefulCalmStateofMind Day16UseMetaphorstoFindYourMotivation Day17AddPowerHourstoYourWeek Day18AddCreativeHourstoYourWeek Day19WhoareYouDoingitFor? Day20AskBetterQuestions,GetBetterResults Day21CarrytheGoodForward,LettheRestGo Day22DesignYourDaywithSkill Day23DesignYourWeekwithSkill Day24BounceBackwithSkill Day25FixTime.FlexScope Day26SolveProblemswithSkill Day27DoSomethingGreat Day28FindYourOneThing Day29FindYourArenaforYourBestResults Day30TakeAgileResultstotheNextLevel

Day 1 Take a Tour of Getting Results the Agile Way

Theonlyreasonfortimeissothateverythingdoesnthappenatonce.AlbertEinstein

Welcome to Day 1
Welcometoday1of30DaysofGettingResults.Today,wegoforaquickwalkinthe park.WelltakeatouroftheAgileResultssystem,asitsdescribedinmybook,GettingResults theAgileWay. ThepowerofAgileResultsisthesimplicity.Butdontletthesimplicityfoolyou.Itsthe simplicitythatmakesitworkforindividuals,teams,andleaders,athome,atwork,andat play. AgileResultshasbeenbattledtestedinthetrenchesofconsulting,inthehallsofMicrosoft,and aroundtheworldinvarioussettingsfrompersonalproductivitytodistributedteam effectiveness,bothinworkandinlife.Forexampleonenonprofitcompanyusesitwhile helpingdoctorsandpatientsinextremescenarios.Youtoocangetthesystemonyourside. ThewayIquicklyteachcolleagueshowtogetupandrunningwithAgileResultsisIshowthem threesimpleparts,andittakesnomorethanafiveminuteconversation.

The Three Key Parts of Agile Results

HerearethethreekeypartstoAgileResults: TheRuleof3 MondayVision,DailyWins,FridayReflection HotSpots

The Rule of Three

TheRuleofThreeisasimpleconcept.Thinkinthrees.TheRuleof3helpsusdealwith informationoverload.Itsasimplewaytosetlimitsandchunkthingsdown.Itseasyforusto rememberthingsinthrees. YoumighthaveheardoftheRuleof3before.Evenifyouhavent,itsbeenallaround you.Youveseenitintitles:TheThreeLittlePigs,TheThreeStooges,ThreeBlindMice, etc.Storytellersstructuretheirstorieswithabeginning,middle,andanend.Itsatimetested approachanditsbeenusedineverythingfrommarketingtothemilitary.Infact,themilitary teachessurvivalinthrees:3minuteswithoutair,3dayswithoutwater,3weekswithoutfood. InAgileResults,weuseTheRuleofThreetomapoutwhatwewanttoaccomplishinsetsof threes:

 3winsfortheday 3winsfortheweek 3winsforthemonth 3winsfortheyear Thiscreatesasimple33systemthatiseasytouse,easytoremember,andeasytogetbackon track,ifyoufalloffthehorse!

Monday Vision, Daily Wins, Friday Reflection

ThisistheheartofAgileResults.MondayVision,DailyWins,FridayReflectionisasimple patternforyourweeklyworkflow.Itsaweeklysystemforgettingresultsthathelpsyougeta freshstarteachday,andafreshstarteachweek.Eachweekandeachdayisanewchanceat bat. MondayVisionOnMondays,identifythreeresultsyouwantbyFriday.Forexample, maybeitsmypresentationiscomplete,Ihaveawrittenplanformyproject,andIve spentaminimumoffivehoursdoingwhatIlovethisweek.Focusonoutcomesor achievementsoveractivities. DailyOutcomesEachday,identifythreeresultsthatyouwantunderyourbelt.Ifyoure havingareallybadday,yourthreeoutcomesmightbeassimpleashaveagreatbreakfast, agreatlunch,andagreatdinner.Somedaysarelikethat.Ideallyyoucanseehowit connectsbacktothethreeresultsyouwantfortheweek.Itsthissimplecheckbetween thedayandtheweekthathelpsyouseeforforestfromthetrees. FridayReflectionFridaysareyouchancetotakeastepbackandreflectonyour results.OnFridays,askyourself,Whatarethreethingsgoingwell?andaskyourself, Whatarethreethingstoimprove?Thisishowyoustarttoseewhatsworkingandwhats not,aswellaslearnyourowncapacity. Thekeyeachweekandeachdayistocelebrateyourwins,nomatterhowsmall.Areyou gettingdonewhatyousetouttodo?Thisisaquickcheckonyourpriorities,yourfocus,and whatsgettingintheway.Thisalsohelpsyoucarryforwardwhatsworkingandwhatsnot,so ratherthanluckintosuccess,youknowexactlywhatworksforyouyouidentifyyourpersonal successpatterns. Icouldgointoalotofdetailsaboutwhythisworks,butsomeofthebigideasarethatyoure makingmindfulchoices,youreusinglimitsofthreetobetterprioritizeandfocus,andyoure usingpositivepsychologypracticesbyshiningthespotlightonyourwins.Yourealsousing someprovenprojectmanagementandsoftwarepracticesinaverysimpleway,tohelpyou authoryourlifeandwriteyourstoryforward,onedayatatime.

Visual Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection

Hereisasimplewaytovisualizewhatyourweekwouldlooklike,whenyouapplyMonday Vision,DailyWins,FridayReflection:

Itsaweeklysystemforgettingresultsthathelpsyougetafreshstarteachday,andafresh starteachweek.

Visual Monday Vision, Daily Outcomes, Friday Reflection

Anothermentalmodelistothinkofitasastorydrivenapproachtoyourweek:

Thisisamorestoryorientedviewofyourweek.Youhaveabacklogofbigthingsyouwould liketoachieve.Eachweekyouchoosethreestoriestomakehappen.Eachday,youchoose threesmallerstoriestomakehappen.Astoryisasimpleonelinerreminderofwhatyouare tryingtoaccomplish.Forexample,oneofmystoriesmightbe,Winaravingfan.Another samplebeDefeatmydesktopclutterorNailmyprojectproposal.Itsastorybecauseyou aretheherohere,anditsaboutyourspecificchallenges.Usingastorylike,oneliner reminder,youcanflashforwardtoyourvictoriesfortheday,ortheweek.

Hot Spots
WhenyouthinkofHotSpots,imagineaheatmap.Takeamomenttopauseandimaginea heatmapinyourmind.Onthisheatmap,thinkofmostimportantthingsinyourliferight now.Chancesaretheyfallunderoneormoreofthefollowingbuckets: Mind Body Emotions Career Financial Relationships Fun HotSpotsaresimplyareasoffocus.Theymightrepresentalotofpain,ortheymight representalotofopportunity.Eitherway,itsaquickvisualwaytomapoutwhatsimportant foryou.YoucanalsothinkofHotSpotsforwork.Simplylistoutyourtopprojectsoractivities thatmattermost.YoucanalsothinkofHotSpotsforyourpersonalprojects.Again,simplylist outyourtopprojectsoractivitiesoutsideofwork. HotSpotsarelikeaportfolio.Theyhelpusbalanceourinvestmentoftime,energy,andfocus acrossourcompetingdemands.Whatyoulltendtofindisthatwhenyouinvestinyourmind, body,emotions,career,financial,relationships,andfun,youimproveyourabilitytorespondto whateverworkorlifethrowsyourway.Whenyoudontinvestinoneormoreofthese buckets,youfindthatitcannegativelyimpacttheothers. Atthispoint,allthatsimportantisthatyouknowthatHotSpotsareawaytovisualizeamap ofwhatsimportantinyourlife.

Recap
Letsrecapthekeythingswelearnedfromourtour: UsetheRuleofThreetodealwithinformationoverloadandsetsimplelimitseachdayand eachweek. UseMondayVision,DailyOutcomes,FridayReflectionasapatternforweekly results.Eachweek,identifythreeresultsfortheweek,thenidentifythreekeyresultsyou wanteachday,andonFriday,identifythreethingsgoingwell,andthreethingstoimprove. UseHotSpotstoseetheforestforthetrees.Mapoutthekeyareasinyourlifethat mattermosttoyou.Mapoutyourkeyprojectsatwork,andmapoutyourkeypersonal projects.Simplybeingabletolisttheitemsisagreatstart.Itshowsyouataglance,whats onyourradar.Thisisimportantforchoosingwhattoinvestmorein,andwhattoinvest lessin.

Day 2 Monday Vision Use Three Stories to Drive Your Week

Mapoutyourfuture,butdoitinpencil.JonBonJovi

Your Outcome
Takecontrolofyourweekandcreateacompellingvisiontoguideyouthroughouttheweek.

Welcome to Day 2
Welcometoday2of30DaysofGettingResults.TodaywetakealookatMonday VisionfromGettingResultstheAgileWay. HaveyoueverhadaweekflybyandwhenFridayhitsyoureaskingyourself,Wheredidthe weekgo? Notanymore.WithMondayVision,youtakeamomenttojumpaheadtotheendoftheweek, andyouaskyourself,IfthiswereFriday,whatarethreeresultsIwantundermy belt?Mondayisyourchancetocreateacompellingvisionforyourweek. MondayVisionisasimplepatternforhelpingyouachievemoreeffectiveresultseach week.ItsalsoagreatwaytodealwithacaseoftheMondays.

The Challenges
MondayVisioncanhelpyoudealwiththreecommonchallenges: Youreoverwhelmed.Youhavewaymoretodo,thanyoucanpossiblygetdoneduring yourweek. Youreunderwhelmed.Yourenotinspired.Youmighthaveabunchofthingsyoushould orcoulddo,butyoudonthavetheenergyforit. Yougetofftrack.Youspendyourtimeonalotofthings,butattheendoftheweek,you didntgetdonethethingsyoureallyneededtogetdone.

The Response
OnMondays,yousimplyidentifythreekeyresultsyouwantfortheweek.Thisisyourvisionfor theweek.Itputsyouinthedriversseatandyougettodecidewhatyouwanttoaccomplish. Ratherthangetlostamongtheseaofthingstodo,yoububbleupthethreemostimportant outcomesfortheweek,andthesethreeoutcomeshelpguideyouthroughoutyourweek.

Thissimplepatternhasafewbenefits: Eachweekisafreshstart. Itsawaytomakeyourweekmoremeaningful. Itsawaytohelpyouprioritizeandfocus. Itsawaytohelpyouimproveyourresults.

Framing Your Results as Compelling Stories

Afteryouidentifyyourthreeresults,youcanturnthemintostories.Youcanturntheminto simple,onelinerstories,whereyouarethehero.Forexample,letssaythreeresultsyouwant fortheweekare: Finishmyprojectplan Createmyslidesformypresentation Completekeystakeholderreviews Thismightnotbeverycompelling.Youcanspruceitupassimplestoriesandconnectittoyour values.Forexample: Wintheracetofinishmyprojectplaninrecordtime. Createapresentationthatsetsanewbarformypersonalbest. Turnmystakeholdersintoravingfans. Youhavetoplayaroundtofindwhatconnectswithyourheart.Whatyouendupwithisthree storiestodriveyourweek.Thesestoriesarehandcraftedandpersonalafterall,youmade them.Theyareyourstoriestomakehappen.

Your Assignment
1. Identifythethreethingsyoureallywanttoaccomplishfortheweek. 2. Turnyourthreeoutcomesintosimplestoriesthatyoufeelpassionateabout. Dontworryifyouhavetroublefiguringoutyourthreebestresults,anddontworryifyouhave ahardtimeturningthemintocompellingstories.Whatsimportantissimplytryingthe exercise.Youmightsurpriseyourself,andinthebestcase,youllinspireyourselftoanewlevel youdidntknowwaspossible.

Day 3 Daily Outcomes Use Three Stories to Drive Your Day

Makeeachdayyourmasterpiece.JohnWooden

Your Outcome
Takecontrolofyourdaybyconnectingyouractivitiestowhatyouvalueandwhatinspires you.Turneventhemostmundaneactivitiesintomeaningfulopportunities.

Welcome to Day 3
Welcometoday3of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday2,welookedatusingthreestoriesto driveyourweek.Todaywetakealookatusingthreestoriestodriveyourday.Icallthis practiceDailyWinsanditsfrommybook,GettingResultstheAgileWay. DailyOutcomesisawaytousethreestoriestodriveyourday.Beforeyoustartyourday, simplyidentifythethreeresultsoroutcomesyouwanttoaccomplishfortheday,andwork backwardsfromthat.Anoutcomecanbeanythingfrom,Ihadagreatlunch,toIenjoyed myday,toIkickedarseinmypresentation.Whatsimportantisthatyourejumpingahead totheendresult.Iliketothinkofthispracticeastakingafewmindfulminutestoavoidgoing onamindlessmarch.

3 Steps for Great Daily Outcomes

Herearethreestepsyoucanusetocreateyourthreecompellingstoriestodriveyourday: Step1.Identifyyourthreekeyoutcomes.Youchoosewhatyourthreekeyresultsare.For example,maybeyourthreemostimportantoutcomesare:Imowedthelawn,Icompleted myprojectplan,andIhadagreatlunch.Ifyourefeelingreallyoff,maybeyourthree outcomesare,Ienjoyedmybreakfast,Ienjoyedmylunch,andIenjoyedmydinner. Step2.Turnyourthreeoutcomesintoonelinerstories.Storieshelpyouaddanemotional connectiontoyourtasks.Youcanevenbethehero(Today,Iconqueredthemessinthe laundryroom.) Step3.Connectyourstoriestoyourvalues.Youcanconnectyourstoriestothingsyou value.Forexample,maybeyoudontliketoraketheleaves,butyouliketodoyourpartto help.Maybeyoudontlikedoingspreadsheets,butyouliketoimprove.Maybeyoulike adventure.Maybeyoulikeachievement.Tobuildonthepreviousexample,TodayI conqueredthelaundryroomwithskillwhichisacontrasttosloggingmywaythroughto victory.OneofthethingsIliketodoeachdayismastermycraft.Getcreative.Findthe playinyourday. TherealbeautyofDailyOutcomesisthatyoucanwakeupanydayandsimplyaskyourself, WhatarethethreethingsIreallywanttoaccomplishtoday?Thatsit.

Make Your To Do List More Meaningful

Butwhatifyouhavewaymorethanthreethingstodofortheday?Simplyaddyourthree outcomes(yourwins)forthedaytothetop. Thethreeoutcomeswillguidealltherestofyourtasks. Thesethreeoutcomesareyourtestsforsuccessfortheday.Itsyourpersonalwayofsetting yourselfupforsuccesseachday.

Visual Identify Three Wins at the Top of Your To Do List

HereisanexampleofaddingthreewinsoroutcomestothetopofyourToDolist:

Be the Architect, the Author, or the Director of Your Life

Designingeachdayempowersyoutomakethingshappenwithskill.Youcanbethearchitect ofyourdayortheauthorofyourlife,astoryatatime,andadayatatime: Yougettobethearchitectofyourlife.Designstoriesthatempowerandinspireyoufor action. Yougettobetheauthorofyourlife.Writeyourstoryforwardandconnecttoyour emotions. Yougettobethedirectorofyourlife.Youchoosewheretopointyourcameraandwhatto focuson. Alwaysrememberthatyouarethemostimportantmeaningmakerinyourlife.

Your Assignment
1. Identifythethreeresultsyouwantfortoday. 2. Turneachresultintoasimplestorythatconnectstoyourpassionandvalues.

Day 4 Let Things Slough Off

Sometimesyouhavetoletgotoseeiftherewasanythingworthholdingonto.Anonymous

Your Outcome
Learnhowtoletthingsgowithskill.Bylettingthingssloughoff,youimproveyourability tofocusonwhatcountsandyoumakeroomforYOURbestresults.

Welcome to Day 4
Welcometoday4of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday3,welookedatusingthreestoriesto driveyourday.Todaywelookatlettingthingssloughoff.Lettingthingssloughoffsimply meanseitherlettingthingsgofromyourplateeitherbydesignorasanaturalprocessof focusingonhigherpriorities.Thisisthekeytostartingeachdaywithafreshstart. Ifyoudontletthingssloughoff,theproblemisyouweightyourselfdown.Thisistheproblem ofbigToDolists,whicheitherturnintolistsofthingsthatnevergetdone,oryouspendall yourtimemanagingyourlistofthingstodo,butnevergettinganythingdone.Ifyoureaslave toyourToDolist,orifyoufearthesheermagnitudeofitssize,itsnotworkingforyou! Evenifyoucoulddoitall,youcantdoitallatonce.Youonlyhavesomuchtimeandenergyin theday.Iftheresonetakeawayfromallthisrememberthatitstheachievementsunderyour beltANDthejourneythatyoulookbackon.

Three Keys to Letting Things Slough Off

Therearethreekeystolettingthingssloughoffwithskill: 1. Eachday,createanewToDolist.StartwithafreshToDolisteachday.Theseare yourDailyOutcomes.Asimplewaytodothisisuseanewpieceofpaperandwriteyour threeoutcomesatthetop.Ifyoureusinganelectronicsystem,thensimplycreateanew fileandnameitwithtodaysdate.Forexample,forWednesday,August4th,2010,Iwould simplynameit:20100804.IusethisapproachsothatIcansortiteasilyandflipback throughmypreviousdayswheneverIwant.Ratherthanautomaticallyaddeverythingfrom thedaybefore,onlycarryoverwhatyouthinkisanabsolutepriorityfortodayandletthe restgo.Thekeyhereistofocusonwhatsvaluablenowfromtodaysvantagepoint, checkingagainstwhatyouwanttoaccomplishfortheoverallweek. 2. Eachweek,createanewToDolist.StartwithafreshToDolisteachweek.Theseare yourweeklyoutcomes.Identifythethreeresultsthatyoureallywantforyourweekand writethosedown.Simplygrabanewpieceofpapereachweekandwritedownyourthree mainoutcomes.Ifyouredoingitelectronically,theneachMonday,createanewfileand

nameitthecurrentdate.Forexample,Monday,August9th,2010wouldbe:201008 09.Thisletsyouscrollbackthroughyourweeklylistsofoutcomes.Thisishowyou implementtheMondayVisionpracticefromGettingResultstheAgileWay. 3. Focusonflowingvalue.Therealkeytolettingthingssloughoffisfocusingonflowing value.Insteadoffocusingonyourlistofthingstodoorjustgettingthingsdone,focuson flowingvalue.Focusonyourmostextremevalueandlettherestgo.Valueisintheeyeof thebeholder.Itcouldbevaluetoyou,ortoyourfamily,ortoyourteam,ortoyour company.Simplybythinkingintermsofyourwinseachday,eachweek,etc.youshine thelightonyourmostimportantvictories.Onewaytoalwaysgetbackontrackistoask, Whatyournextbestthingtodo?Anotherquestiontoaskis,Whatdoyouwantto accomplish? Thepatternhereistoshiftyourfocustowhatsimportantnowbasedonwhatyouwantto accomplish.Theotherthingtorememberisthatifyouletsomethinggo,andittrulyisvital,it willcontinuetoresurface.Youcanthendealwithitwhenitmakesthemostsense.

Set Up Boundaries in Time and Quantity

Settingupboundariesisanotherkeytolettingthingssloughoffwithskill: 1. Setalimitintermsofquantity.Forexample,canyouprioritizeyourtopthreethings? yourtop5?,etc.Insteadofmakingalaundrylist,canyoumakeyourshortlist.TheRule of3isyourfriendforsettinglimitswheneveryouareoverwhelmedbyquantityandyou havetoletthingsgo.Ifyoureablogger,youmightdecidethatyourpostwillbenolonger thantwoparagraphsoralistof10items. 2. Setalimitintermsoftime.Youcansetlimitsintermsoftime.Forexample,youcan decideupfrontthatyoullspendnomorethan20minutesonthat.Oryoumightdecide thatafteraweek,itsjustdiminishingreturns.Youmightgiveyourselfamaximumof spending30minutesadaydoingemail.InXPdevelopment,thereisapracticeofa40 HourWorkWeek.ifyoureablogger,youmightdecidethatyoullspendnolongerthan 20minuteswritingyourbestmaterialandsharingyourbestinsightsanythingafterthat sloughsoff! Thismeansbrutallyfocusingonspendingmoretimeonwhatyouvalue,andlettingtherest go.Youmightthingofitaseitherfiercefocusordrivingwithclarity.Rememberthatyou getwhatyoufocusonsospendmoretimeonwhatyouwant,notwhatyoudont.

Examples of Boundaries in Time and Quantity

Boundariesintermsoftimeandquantitywillhelpkeepyoursanityandhelpyousurfyourway throughproducinggreatresults.Herearesomeexamples: WhenIfirstjoinedMicrosoft,oneofmycolleaguessaidthattheirboundaryisdinneron thetableat5:30andthatshowtheyachievedworklifebalance.

WhenIlaterjoinedanothergroupinMicrosoft,acolleaguetoldmethattheirboundaryis theytakeweekendsoff.Theyllworktheirfingerstotheboneallweek,butwhenthe weekendcomesitstheirtimetorecharge. WhenIworkedatTiffany&Company,oneofourdirectorshadaninterestingboundary Tuesdaynightsisdatenightwithhiswife.AnotheroneofthemanagersatTiffany& CompanyhadaninterestingbufferheusedDontspend$20ona$5problem.Inother words,iftheproblemisonlyworth10minutesofyourtime,dontspendmorethanthat. Forme,usingTheRuleof3totakeawaythreeactionableinsightsfromallthebooksIgo throughhasbothsavedmealotoftime,andgeneratedalotofvalue.

Additional Considerations for Letting Go with Skill

Herearesomeadditionalpointstoponderthatwillhelpyouletthingsgowithskill: 1. TimeChangesWhatsImportant.ToDolistsgetstale.Backlogsgetstale.Laundrylists getstale.Everythinggetsstale.Youcanspendallyourtimerearrangingstalethings,or youcanspendjustenoughtimebubblingupwhatsimportantandtakingactiononit. 2. FreshStarts.BycreatingnewToDolistseachdayandeachweekinsteadofonemassive one,yougiveyourselfafreshstart.Youcarrythemostimportantthingsforward. 3. Travellight.Dontbeabeastofburden.Ifyoubiteoffwhatyoucanchew,youcanactually getitdone.Thishelpsyoutravellighteachdayandeachweek.Ratherthanstartoffwith anoverloadedpackofthingsyoumayneverneed,youstartoffwithasimplevisionand storiesofyourmostimportantresults. 4. SpendmoretimedoingoverpapershufflingOneoftheworstthingsyoucandois continuouslyreshufflethethingsyouhavetodoinsteadofjustdothem.Forallthethings thatyoukeepreshufflingbutnotactuallydoing,admitit.Putthemintoaparkinglotor shelvethemforalaterpointwhenyouwillactuallyworkonthem.Dontkeepthemin yourface,anddontletthemgetinthewayofyourresults.Mostofall,dontdiethe deathofathousandpapercuts.(Ifyouveneverheardthistermbefore,papershufflingis onewaytodiethedeathofathousandpapercuts.) 5. ValueDeliveredOverBacklogBurndown.Ratherthansimplyburnthroughyourlaundry listsoftasks,dothequickrealitycheckandaskwhetherthetaskisstillimportant.More importantly,stepbackandaskthesimplequestion,ifyoucompletedit,Doesit matter?Doesitconnectbacktotheoutcomesthatyoucareaboutnoworinthefuture, orwasitsimplyagoodideathatsnowpastitsprimeorpastitstime?Inotherwords, dontlookatyourbigtasklistsorbacklogsaswhatdrivesyou.Theyaresimplyinput.Draw fromthem,butfocusondeliveringvalue,notsimplyblindexecutionofthingsthatwere importantatsomepoint,butnowarenolonger,yournextbestthingtodo. 6. Itsamindsetthing.Alargepartoflettingthingsgowithskillisaboutshiftingyour mindset.Itsaboutthinkingintermsofvaluedeliveredoverbacklogburndown.itsabout askingquestionslike,Whatsthenextbestthingformetodo?orWhatdoIwantto accomplish>?Itsaboutfocusingonvalueandyourwinsandwhatyougotdone,over focusingonwhatyoudidntgetdone.

Your Assignment
1. Writedownthreeoutcomesfortoday.ThisisreenforcingourdailyoutcomesAND practicinglettingthingssloughoffwithskill. 2. Writedownyourthreeoutcomesfortheweek.Considertheremainingtimeandenergy youhavefortherestoftheweek,wherecanyougetthemostbangforthebuck?What wouldthreewinsfortheweeklooklike? 3. Setonesimplelimitonsomethingthatsbeenwearingyoudown.Seteitheratimelimitor aquantitylimit.

Day 5 Hot Spots Map Out Whats Important

Onereasonsofewofusachieveswhatwetrulywantisthatweneverdirectourfocus;we neverconcentrateourpower.TonyRobbins

Your Outcome
LearnhowtouseHotSpotstocreateasimplemapofwhatsgoingoninyourlife.Useyour HotSpotsmapasawaytoinvestyourtimeandenergywhereitreallycounts,andtoknow thatyoureonyourpath.

Welcome to Day 5
Welcometoday5of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday4,welookatlettingthingsgowith skill.Today,welookatmappingoutwhatsimportant.IcallthispracticeHotSpotsandits frommybook,GettingResultstheAgileWay. HotSpotsareawaytoseetheforestfromthetrees.Thesimplestmetaphoristothinkofyour lifeasaheatmap.Takeamomenttoactuallyimagineaheatmap.Onthisheatmap,ifIwere toaskyou,whatsgoingonatwork,whatwouldyousee?IfIweretoaskyou,whatsgoingat home,whatwouldyousee?IfIweretoaskyoutostepbackandlookacrossyourlife,what wouldyousee? Iusedthosethreelevelsforareason:work,home,andlife.Yourabilitytoquicklyseewhats goingonineachareaofyourlife,willhelpyoumakebettertradeoffsacrosstheboard.

Visual Mental Model for Hot Spots

HereisasimplementalmodelforthinkingaboutyourHotSpotmap:

Three Keys to the Mental Model

Therearethreethingstonoticehere: 1. Therearethreeseparatelists:LifeFrame,Work,andPersonal.Thesearethreesimplelists thathelpyoufigureoutwhatsgoingoninyourlife. 2. NotetheBacklogcategoryunderWorkandPersonal.Thisisawaytoputeverything thatsnotactive,offyourplate.Youcanacknowledgethatyouhavealotofprojectsat workorpersonalprojects,butiftheyarentactiveinyourlife,thentheyarepartofyour backlog.Dontmixthemupwithwhatsreallyonyourplaterightnow. 3. TheLifeFrameisadurablesetofcategoriesthatisrelativelystableovertime:Mind,Body, Emotions,Career,Finance,Relationships,andFun.Ifyouinvestintheseareas,theysupport eachother.Ifyoudontinvestintheseareas,theyworkagainstyou.Forexample,try beingyourbestwhenyouletyourbodygo,ortrydoingwellatwork,ifyoudontbuildyour relationships,ortryhavingfunifyouletyouremotionsrunyourlife.

Three Steps to Map Out Your Hot Spots

Forthepurposeofthisexercise,justthinkofyourHotSpotsassimplelists.Wellcreatethree simpleliststoanswerthequestion,Whatsonyourradar?. Herearethestepstofollow: Step1.MapoutyourWorkHotSpots.Writedownalistofyourkeyroles,youractivities, andyourprojects.Keepitatthemacrolevel.Thisisntadumpofallyourtasks.Itsthe buckets,notalltheitemsinsidethebuckets.Forexample,forwork,Iwouldlistmymain projects:CommonCatalog,SimpleIA,AzureSecurityNotes,CustomerConnected Engineering,,etc.Iturnthemesofworkintoprojects,andIgivethemaname.Making themprojectsgivesthemastartandfinish,andhelpsmeidentifyoutcomesfortheproject, andmeasuretheimpact.

Step2.MapoutyourPersonalHotSpots.Writedownalistofyourkeyroles,your activities,andyourprojectsathome.Forexample,forpersona,Iwouldlistsomeofmy mainprojects:GettingResults,RV,Backyard,.etc.Dontworryaboutgettingthe orderrightjustdumpwhatsonyourmind. Step3.MapoutyourLifeHotSpots.Writedownthekeyareasorbigrocksinyourlife thatareimportant.Makethisaquickexerciseandsimplylistoutyourtoplistofareasthat areimportantinyourlife.Forexample,Itendtolist:mind,body,emotions,career, financial,relationships,andfun(IrefertothislistasmyLifeFrame,becauseitactslikea lenstohelpsmeframeoutorlookatthebigareasinmylifeinasimpleway.Feelfreeto usemylistasastartingpoint.Itseasytoswapthingsoutoradd,suchasaddingaSpirit categoryoraCommunitybucket.IlumpCommunityundermyrelationshipsbucket, butwhatsimportantisthatthecategoriesmakesenseforyou.

Congratulationsyoujustcreatedmoreclarityinyourlifethanmanybusinessesorpeopledo inalifetime!

Three Keys to a Great Hot Spots Map

HerearethreekeystocreatingagreatmapofyourHotSpots: 1. Donttrytoputyourlistsinanycleverorder.Itactuallybreaksthem. Whatsimportantisthateachlistactuallyresonateswithyouwhenyoulookatit. Theorderthingsarelistedshouldsimplybetheorderyouwouldrattlethemoffthe topofyourmind. Donttrytoalphabetizethemorputtheminanylogicalorder.Theyshouldsimply reflectyourmind.Icantemphasizethatenough. 2. Stickthethingsyouarentreallyspendinganytimeorenergyonunderyourbacklog.You mightfindthatyouhavereallylonglists.ThatsOK.Itsaprocess.Whatsimportantis nowyouhaveamapofwhatsgoingoninyourlife,fromthreeviewswork,personal,and life.Ifthingsonyourlist,reallyarentactive,thenmovethemdownyourlistundera headingyoucallBacklog. 3. Keepyourmapsoutintheopenwheretheyareeasytosee.

Using Your Hot Spots to Invest Your Time and Energy

YoucanuseyourHotSpotsmaptoeasilylookorscanacrosswhatsonyourradar.Insteadof tryingtorememberwhatyouweretryingtodo,youcanstepbackandsay,whatsworthdoing orwheredoIneedtospendmoretimeorenergy?Inotherwords,nowwithyourlifeportfolio atyourfingertips,youcanchoosewheretoinvestandwheretodeinvestataglance. Byaskingyourselfsomeverysimplequestions,youcantestyourinvestments.Forexample,are youspendingenoughtimeorenergyinrelationships?Areyougivingyourbodyenoughrest andrelaxation?Areyouchallengingyourbodyenough?Areyoumakingtimeforfunorfor play?,etc.

 Thekeytoinvestingwisely,issimplytoanswerthequestion,Why?andthencross checkingbyaskingthequestion,Whatdoyouwanttoaccomplish?Yourmindcanfindthe answerswhenyouasktherightquestions.Ifyourmindcantfindtherightanswers,thenpair uporfindsomebodyyoutrusthowcan.

Your Assignment
1. ReviewyourHotSpotmapsforwork,personal,andlifeandimprovethemuntilyoufeel theytrulyrepresentwhatsgoingoninyourlife.Theyshouldbesimpleand scannable.Theyarenotyouroutcomes,theyarenotyourtasks,theyaresimplyalistofthe activitiesorprojectsorbigrocksinyourlife. 2. ExploresomeoftheexamplesofHotSpotsinChapter4HotSpots,fromGettingResults theAgileWay. 3. Pickoneareathatyoucouldinvestlessintoinvestmoreinanotherarea.Identifywhyyou wouldwanttomakethisshift.Thisisyourchancetodeliberatelyimproveanareaofyour lifethroughaconsciousinvestmentandmanagingyourlifeportfolioinasmartwayby takingalookfromthebalcony.

Day 6 Friday Reflection Identify Three Things Going Well and Three Things to Improve
Ivefoundthatsmallwins,smallprojects,smalldifferencesoftenmakehugedifferences. RosabethMossKanter

YourOutcome
Celebrateyourwinsandfindyourpersonalsuccesspatterns.Learnasimplewaytopractice yourattitudeofgratitudewhilegrowingyourabilitytogetmeaningfulresults.

Welcome to Day 6
Welcometoday6of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday5,wecreatedasimplemapof whatsgoingoninourlifesothatwecouldimproveourfocusandinvestourtimeand energymoreeffectively.Today,wereflectonourpastweek.IcallthispracticeFriday Reflection.ItspartoftheMondayvision,DailyWins,FridayReflectionpatternfrommy book,GettingResultstheAgileWay. FridayReflectionisasimplebutpowerfulpractice.ForFridayReflection,simplythinkabout yourpastweekandidentifythreethingsgoingwellandthreethingstoimprove.Itsa chancetocelebrateyourwins,nomatterhowsmall.Itsalsoachancetofigureoutwhats notworkingforyou.Whateveryoulearn,youcancarryforwardintothenextweek,and usethistocontinuouslyimproveyourresultseachweek.Itsasnowballofsuccess.

Three Steps for Friday Reflection

HerearethreesimplestepstoperformyourFridayReflection: Step1.Askyourself,whatarethreethingsgoingwell?Thekeyhereistolookatyour approach.Youcantalwayscontrolyourresults.Instead,focusonwhetheryoumade smartplaysbasedonwhatyouwantedtoaccomplish.Patyourselfonthebackformaking yourbestmoves,independentoftheresults.Nomatterhowgoodabaseballteamis,you winsome,youlosesome.Thebestyoucandoisplayyourbest.Whereyoumadesmart moves,payattentiontowhyitworkedandhowyoucanuseitinthefuture. Step2.Askyourself,whatarethreethingstoimprove?Thisisthetoughquestion,butits importanttoownit,andlookatitobjectively.Onceyouputitdownonpaper,youdont needtooveranalyzeit.Yousimplyneedtoseeifyoucanidentifytherootcause,butthen moreimportantly,identifysomespecificwaystoimprove.Brainstormhereandletyour imaginationrunwild.Thekeyistoquicklyshifttohowquestions,dontkeepasking why?Forexample,HowcanIbemoreeffectiveinthatsituation?orHowcanIbe moreresourcefulwhenthathappensagain?orHowcanIpreventthatfromhappening inthefirstplace?

Step3.Identifywhatyoullchangenextweek.Youlllikelycomeupwithalaundrylistof simplethingsyoucantesttoimproveyourresults.Justpickafewyoureallycareaboutand addthemtoyourbagoftricks.Ratherthanoveranalyzeyourideas,justwritedownafew thingsthatyoucantestnextweekandgetfeedbackon.Theideaistolearnandimprove, notbeatyourselfup,orwallowinpity.

Irecommendaddingaremindertoyourcalendarandblockingofftimeforit.Ifyoudont,its easytoforgettodoit.Ifyouscheduleit,itwillhappen,anditsoneofthesimplestwaysto improveyourresultseveryweek.

Example of Friday Reflection

HereisaquickexampleofmyFridayReflection: 3ThingsGoingWell IgotgreatfeedbackfromalotofpeopleinsideandoutsideofMicrosofthow30Daysof GettingResultsishelpingthemachievemoremeaningfulresults. IaddedkeypeopletomynetworkatMicrosoftthathaveveryeffectivewaysofgetting results. Ieffectivelyanticipatedjustabouteverypossiblesurprisethisweekandhadafallbackplan. 3ThingstoImprove Ihadthewronglens,model,andmapforlookingatafewscenarios,whichlimitedmy effectiveness. IdidntcheckpointafewofmykeyassumptionswiththerightpeopleasearlyasIcould have. Ididntresetexpectationsappropriatelyinafewcases,whichwouldhavesavedmesome extraworkandbacktracking. AsfarasafewthingsIllchangenextweek,Illbeaskingalotmorepointedquestionsnext weekregardingpeoplestheirmodelandtheirmap.Ivebeenquicktoexposemythinking andvision,butnowIllbetestingotherpeoplesassumptions,theiroperatingmodels,their vision,theirtimeframes,andgainingclarityonunderstandinghowtheytesttheirsuccessor whattheirrulesareforwhatgoodlookslike.Itshouldbeinteresting.Illalsobestudyingup againstoneffectiveargumentationaswellasrhetoric(theartofarguingwithoutanger.)

Why Friday Reflection

Thisistheperfectopportunitytotakealookatthepatternsinyourweek: Ifyourenotachievingwhatyousetouttodofortheweek,whynot? Areyoubitingoffmorethanyoucanchew? Areyoulettingotherthingsgetintheway? Areyoufiguringouttherightthingstogetdone?

 Areyoumakingtherighttradeoffs? Asyoupayattentiontothesepatterns,youllfindyouwillimproveyourabilitytoanticipate, youllgetabetterhandleonyourcapacity,andyoullimproveyourabilitytofocus,prioritize, andachievetheresultsyouwant,whilerespondingtothingswithskill,insteadofreacting. Asidefromnaturallyimprovingyourabilitytogetresults,youllalsoimproveyouroutlook. Toomanypeoplelookatonlytheupsideorthedownsideoftheirweek. Lookingatthreethingsgoingwellandthreethingstoimprovegivesyouamorebalanced view,andyourwinswillbuildmomentum,whileyourlessonslearnedwillsupportyouinall areasofyourlife.

Your Assignment
1. Schedulearecurring20minuteappointmentwithyourselfforFridaysforreflectiononyour results.IrecommendmakingthissomethingyoudoearlierintheAMversuslaterinthe day.Yourclaritywillserveyoufortherestofthedayandstartyouoffontherightfoot. 2. Identifyyourthreethingsgoingwellandyourthreethingstoimprove.Celebratethose wins!

Day 7 Setup Boundaries and Buffers

Simplypushingharderwithintheoldboundarieswillnotdo.KarlWeickquotes

Your Outcome
Createspaceinyourlifetorenewandrecharge.Bysettingboundariesandbuffers,youset yourselfupforsustainableresultsandyoutakeasignificantsteptowardmasteringyour worklifebalance.

Welcome to Day 7
Welcometoday7of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday6,welearnedhowtouseFriday Reflectiontoskillfullytakealookatwhatsgoingwellandwhattoimprove. Today,Ihadtoaskmyself,whatsthemostusefulnuggetIcansharewithyouatthisstage?I thinktheanswerissettingboundariesandbuffers.Thisishowyoucreatespaceinyour lifeandmaketimeforwhatsimportant.Itsattheheartoffindingyourpeacefulcalmand findingyourflow.

A Quick Recap of What Weve Learned so Far

Beforewestartthough,letstakeamomenttorecapsomethingswevelearnedsofar: 1. YoucanuseTheRuleof3toavoidgettingoverwhelmed. 2. Youretheauthorofyourlifeandyoucanwriteyourstoryforward,onemomentorone dayatatime 3. Youcanusethreestoriestodriveyourdayandandlightupyourdaybyconnectingto yourvalues(DailyWins). 4. OnMondays,youcanusethreestoriestodriveyourweek(MondayVision). 5. OnFridays,youcanuseFridayReflectiontocelebrateyourwinsandfindyourpersonal successpatterns. 6. YoucanmapoutwhatsimportantinyourlifeusingHotSpotstocreateameaningful map. 7. Youcanletthingssloughoffwithskillnomorestrawsbreakingthecamelsback. AgileResultsisasystemthatcansupportyoutherestofyourlife,nomatterwhatyoudo.Iuse itforshippingstuffatMicrosoft,leadingteams,writingbooks,learning,etc.Thebeauty though,isnotjustthatitssimple,orthatitsprovenitsthateachdayyougetanewchance atbatafreshstart. Eachdayyouwakeupisanotherchancetoaskthequestion,Whatarethreethingsyouwant fortoday?andsoyouwriteyourstoryforward.

Buffers and Boundaries are the Key to WorkLife Balance

Nowthen,ontosettingupboundariesandbuffers Ifyoucanmasterthis,itsTHEkeytoworklifebalance,anditshowyoucangetmore done,inlesstime,withmoreenergy,anditshowyoucanfindyourflow. Ifyoufeeloverwhelmedbytoomuchtodo,andnotenoughtime,buffersandboundaries willsetyoufree.Attheendoftheday,itsaboutknowingwhatyouultimatelywantand balancingyourcompetingwantsandneedsagainstthat. KeepthisinmindyouhavetoProtectyourselfandboundariesandbuffersareyour friend.Nobodywillseteffectiveboundariesforyou,andyouknowthemostabout yourselfbetterthananyone. Thisistheultimatecareandfeedingofyourself,whichsetsthestageforeverythingyoudo.

Visual: Mental Model for Boundaries and Buffers

Hereisasimplementalmodelforthinkingaboutbuffersandboundaries:

Notethatyouhavetosetyourownboundariesthatworkforyou.Thisisjustanexampleof howsomepeoplehavefoundawaytoperformwellatwork,spendmorequalitytimewith thosetheylove,investintheirbody,andfindawaytospendtimeontheirpassionsagain andrememberthatonepersonsminimumisanotherpersonsmaximum.

Three Steps for Setting Up Boundaries and Buffers

Herearethreesimplestepsforsettingupyourboundariesandbuffers: Step1.Setuptimeboundariesforyourweek.Keepthisatthehighlevel.Decidethe maximumtimetospendonwork.Decidetheminimumamountoftimeyoushouldspend onyourbody.Forexample,ifyourenotgettingenoughsleep,decidethatyoullgeta minimumof6hoursor8hoursorwhateveryouneedtoperformyourbest.Ifyouwantto getyourbestresultsandhaveasustainablelifestyle,dontcompromiseoneating,sleeping,

andworkingout.Tradesomethingelsewhereyoucan.ThesimplestrulesIveheardfor settinglimitsonworkareDinneronthetableat5:30andweekendsoff. Step2.Settimelimitsforyourdailyroutines.Forthethingsthatyoudoregularly,figure outhowmuchtimeyoushouldspendonit.Dontdefaulttohowmuchtimeyoualready spendonit.Decidehowmuchtimeisreasonablebasedonwhereyouareatandwhatyou wanttoaccomplish.Balancethatagainstyourothercompetingdemandsandsetsimple timelimits.Forexample,whenIrun,its30minutes,butperiodicallyanhour.WhenIblog, Igivemyself20minutesmaximumonaverage,exceptfortheoccasionalheavyhitter post. Step3.Buildinspace.Createspaceinyourlife.Thisiskeyifyourealwaysfeeling harriedorunderthegun,thenyoudonthaveeffectivebuffersorboundaries.Youneedto buildinsomespace.Forexample,IneedmyalonetimeonSundaysandeitherearlyinthe daysduringtheweek,orlateratnight.itshowIrecharge.WhenIdrivetowork,Igive myself30minutestogettothere,thoughitusuallytakescloserto15.Idontwanttorace againsttheclock.Ieatbreakfastslowly,Itakethebackway,andIplanmyoutcomesfor theday,whileenjoyingtheride(andofcourse,playingmyfavoritetunes.)Idontblogon weekends,exceptfortheoccasionalexception(ImmakingexceptionswhileIworkon30 DaysofGettingResults.)CopymachinesandIdontgetalong,soIprintoffstuffformy meetingswellinadvance.OneofmyfavoriteruleshereisTuesdaynightisdatenightand everythinghastofitaroundthat.Keepinmindtherearealwayslotsofreasonsandlotsof excuseswhywecantcreatespace.Thatsnothechallengehere.Thechallengeonthe tableisfindawaytomakespacehowcanyoucreatespaceinyoulife?

Steppingback,IcantellyouthatthemostimportantpatternIveseenacrosspeoplethatget moreofwhattheywantfromlife,isthattheyfixtimeforeating,sleeping,andworkingout andeverythingelsefitsaroundthat.Theyneverrobthemselveshereitstheirfoundation andplatformforallresultsintheirlife.

Examples of Setting Boundaries in Hot Spots

TryusingHotSpots(Mind,Body,Emotions,Career,Financial,Relationships,andFun)and settingboundarieslikethis.Setamaxoncareerandaminonrelationships,body,andfun.For example Mind Bodyminimumof3hrs Careermaximumof50hrs Financial Relationshipsminimumof3hrs Funminimumof3hrs Youcanonlyspreadyourlifeforceoversomuch.Thecategoriessupporteachother. KeyInsights

1. Whenyousetaminimumintherightcategories,youavoidgettingunbalancedand improvingothercategories.Whenyousetamaximumintherightcategories,youlearn howtobecomemoreeffective.Forexample,ifyouonlyhave8hourstothrowatyourday, youllusethemwisely. 2. Theworstmistakeittothrowmoretimeatproblems. 3. Thekeyistoreducetimespent,whileincreasingvalueandimproving effectiveness/efficiency. Sosteponeisdecidingtospendnomorethan50hourseachweekatwork.Nowitforcesyou tobiteoffonlywhatyoucanchew.Thisishowyoustartimprovingplatemanagementand pushingbackeffectively.

Why Use Time to Set Boundaries

Itsthesimplestwaytoavoidspending$20on$5problems.Oneofmymostimportantlessons isthatthebestwaytosetboundariesistousetime.Treattimeasafirstclasscitizen.Its prettyreliabletooeachdayyouget24hours.Eachweekyouget7daysor168hours.And thecyclerepeatsitself,eachday,eachweek.Soifyoucanmasteryourday,youcanmaster yourweekandlookingatyourtimefromaweeklystandpointhelpsyouestablishaschedule thatworksforyou. Iusedtobeveryscopedriven.Iwantedtochangetheworld.Theproblemisthatwhenyou drivefromscope,youoftenrunoutoftime,thenyouhavetocutcornersyoudontwantto cut.Worse,youoftenpushpastyourboundaries(Illeatlunchlater,orIllstayuplaterto finishthisonelastthing,orIcanttakeabreaknow,etc.Worse,whenyoudontrespect time,notonlydoyouthrowtimeatproblemsandreenforcebadhabitsyoumisswindows ofopportunity.Ivefoundthatastitchintimeactuallysaveswaymorethannineandthat itsthekeytoeffectiveresults. Thisisakeyshiftfromitsdonewhenitsdoneorittakesaslongasittakes,tohowmuchtime doyouhaveforitandhowmuchtimeisworthspendingonthatandhowmuchistoomuch timetospendonthat? Onewaytothinkaboutthisisthattimeisabudget,justlikeyourmoney.Youonlyhaveso much.Youcanspenditwisely,oryoucanletitruleyou,oryoucanwasteit.Timeisaunique resourcethatyoudontgetbackandchoosinghowyouspendyourdiscretionarytimeiswhat ultimatelychangesyourlife.Ifyouwanttospendmoretimeinsomething,thenmakemore timeforsomething.Thewaytodosoistosetsmartlimitsonthethingsyouknowyouneedto do.Tradeyourtimebydesignvs.bydefault.

Your Assignment
1. Chooseanareainyourlifethatsnotworkingforyouandtrysettinganewlimit.Thismight meansettingamaximumamountoftimeinsomething,oraminimumamountoftimein somethingelse. 2. Findonesimplewaytoaddspaceinyourlifeandtakeitforatestdrivenextweek.

Day 8 Dump Your Brain to Free Your Mind

Youmustweedyourmindasyouwouldweedyourgarden.AstridAlauda

Your Outcome
Turnyourmindfromacarnivalfunhouseorhauntedmansiontoyourownprivateden.Free yourminduptofocusonbetterthings.Thisispartofachievinga"peacefulcalm"stateof mind,aswellasgettingridofthe"buzz"inyourmind,orthenaggingremindersthat interruptyourfocusthroughouttheday.Ratherthanuseyourbrainasadepotforrandom ideas,"ToDo"lists,reminders,andgeneralmindclutteryoullhaveaplacefordumping yourbrainandunshacklingyourmind.

Welcome to Day 8
Welcometoday8of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday7welearnedhowtosetupboundaries andbuffersasawaytorechargeourbatteries,setthestageforworklifebalance,andcreatea foundationforasustainablelifestyle. Today,welldeclutterourmindsandgiveourselvesspacetothink,dream,orsimplywonder aroundwithoutbumpingintosomuchmentalclutter,mentalchatter,andnoise.

The Mental Chatter is There for a Reason

Beforewestartdoinganybraindumping,weneedtoknowwhythisworksandwhyitsso important.Allthosethingsonyourmind,areprobablythereforareason.Theyrereminding youthatyouvegotstuffonyourplatethatneedsattention.Therearethingsthatcould threatenyourqualityoflife,orthatareblockingyoufromthequalityoflifeyoudliketo enjoy.Manyofthethingsbuggingyou,areactuallyuseful,whetheritsformotivationor simplyforreminders.

Thinking on Paper to Dump Your State

Yourmindisnotwhereallthethingsbuggingyoubelong.Streamofconsciousthinkingisway lesseffectivethanthinkingonpaper.Whenyoudumpyourstateonpaper,youcanstoptrying torememberwhatyouwerethinkingabout,andinsteadfocusonwhatyouwanttodoabout it,orwhetheryoucanjustletitgo,orprioritizesomethingelse.Whenitsonpaper,youfree yourmind.Whenitsonpaperyoucansliceitanddiceitinamoreeffectiveway,orsortitina waythatworksforyou,insteadofagainstyou. Thinkingonpaperishowyougofromsouptosanity.

 Theoppositeapproachistoletthingslurkinyourmind,whereeverycorneryouturn, somethingjumpsoutatyousurprise!oreachthoughtturnsintoaJackintheBox,oreach ideaislikelookingstraightintoaFunhousemirror.

3 Ways to Dump Your Brain

Therearethreecommonwaystodumpyourbrain: 1. Dailybraindumps.Haveaplacetowritethingsdown.Forme,onmycomputerIkeep Notepad(aplaintexteditor)openandIdumpthingsdownthroughouttheday.Itsasimply aticklerlist.Ratherthanletitbouncearound,Iwriteitdown.Thishelpsmestayfocused throughouttheday,withoutworryingaboutwhatImforgetting.Attheendoftheday, beforeIgohome,IdumpdownwhateverstateIvebuiltupinmymind,suchasthingsI stillwanttoaccomplish.IfIhaveabunchofbrowserwindowsopen,Isimplypastethe URLsintomyopenNotepadincaseIwanttorehydratemystateatanothertime.Isimply savethesebraindumpswiththecurrentdate:200100806,20100807,20100808, etc.ThiswayIcanflipbackthroughthemifIwant,orjustletthemgo.Itsmydumping ground. 2. Periodicbraindumps.Thisiswhereyouperiodicallydumpeverythingdownthatstopof mindortuggingatyou.Itsjustalong,flatbulletedlistofanythingthatkeepspoppinginto yourmind.Youtakeafewminutesandyoujustkeepdumpinguntilyourbrainsays,OK,I thinkitlookslikeyougoteverythingIvebeentryingtotellyou.Thismightbemanypages, oryoumightfindyourmindwassimplyabrokenrecordanditsbeentellingyouthesame fivethingsagainandagain.Onceyourmindfeelsheard,andyouveechoeditbackby writingitdown,yourmindcannowshiftintowhatitdoesbestproblemsolving.Inmy case,againIuseNotepadandIsimplytitlethefiletodaysdate(20100808Master List)ItendtoaddadistinctionincaseIhavemydailybraindumpandmymotherload. 3. Penandpaperonthego.Simplycarryanotepad,astickypad,orindexfileswithyou.Its nothingfancy,butitiseffective.Ratherthanletthingsfloataroundinyourmind,jotthem down.Youllgetveryeffective,veryquicklyatkeepingtightticklerliststoremembergobs ofinformation.Asinglewordmightbejustenoughtohelpyoujumpbacktothatideayou hadtochangetheworld.Asakeytip,useTheRuleof3tokeepthingssimpler.For example,whenIminameetingortakingtraining,Illshootforwalkingawaywiththree takeawaysoveralaundrylistofthings. Inallofthesecases,yourefactoringyourthinkingfromyourchatterandyourreminders.This islikefactoringeditingfromyourwritingwriteitdown,thenedit.(Asanaside,Hemmingway editedforanhourandwroteforanhour.)Onceyouhaveyourlists,youareempoweredto turnthemintoaction,andyoucansimplydosobychunkingthemintostories,andfittingthem intoyourthreestoriesfortheweek,orthreestoriesfortheday.

Example of a Periodic Brain Dump

Heresaquickexampleofaperiodicbraindump.AllIdidwasdumpthethingsthatarebugging mearoundthehouse: Clearthegrowthalongthepath Clearthegrowtharoundthedeck Clearthegrowthonthebackdriveway Getridofstuffthatsnolongeruseful Downsizebookcollection Fixtheguttersonthehouse Fixtheguttersonthegarage Fixthefrontdeck Fixthebackdeck Retilebathroom1 Fixtheshowerinbathroom1 Addabordertothebacklawn Retilebathroom2 Takedownthetree Getanewfence Fixthefloorinden2 Fixthewindowinden2 Fixthefloorinthekitchen Shredthepapers Thatwasstepone.Itsrandomanditsjustaquickdumpofmytopofmindthings.Steptwo wouldbesortingitandanalyzingitagainstwhatIwanttoaccomplish.Thatswheremymapof HotSpotsreallycomesintoplay,becauseIcanseeataglancewhatsonmyradarandwhats important.

Your Assignment
1. Dumpyourbrain.Simplymakealistanddumpouteverythingthatstopofmindortugging atyourthoughts. 2. Takeamomenttoenjoythefactthatyouunclutteredyourmindandgaveitsome breathingroom.Letyourselfplaywiththepossibilities. 3. Ifyourereallyfeelinggungho,thenreviewyourlistandfindsomelowhangingfruit.For example,thesimplestthingonmylistisshreddingpapers,andIenjoyit,soImgoingto tacklethat.Fortheotherthings,Illhavetostepback,prioritizeagainstwhatIwantto accomplish,thenmakeasimpleplan.

Day 9 Prioritize Your Day with MUST, SHOULD, COULD

Goodthingshappenwhenyougetyourprioritiesstraight.ScottCaan

Your Outcome
Getahandleontheminimumyouneedtodo.Gettheminimumoutofthewayandtherest ofthedayorweekisyours.ByhavingclarityonwhatyouMUSTdo,youcanavoidgetting overwhelmedbyallthetasksandactivitiescompetingforyourtimeandenergy.With claritycomesconvictionandyousetthestageforfierceresults.Orsimplyclearyourplate, thendoenjoytherestoftheday,CoolHandLukestyle.

Welcome to Day 9
Welcometoday9of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday8,welearnedhowtodumpyourbrain tofreeyourmind.Today,welearnhowtousesomesimplelanguagetohelpusprioritize moreeffectively. Prioritizingeffectivelyisoneofthemostimportantkeystoyoursuccess.Whenyoufeellike youreworkingontherightthingattherighttime,itseasiertofocusandstay engaged.Prioritizingisacontinuousactivity.Itsabouttakingthingsonwhilelettingother thingsgo.Itsaboutmakingtradeoffs.Itsalsoaboutfindingsynergies.Toprioritize effectivelyyouneedtobeabletoseetheforestfromthetrees,andyouneedtobeableto identifytheminimumforsuccess.ThatswhereMUST,SHOULD,andCOULDcomeintoplay.

Must, Should, Could

Ratherthanprioritizewithpriority1,priority2,andpriority3(orp1,p2,p3),Ivefounditway morehelpfultothinkintermsofMUST,SHOULD,andCOULD.Ifyouneedtousea prioritizationsystemthatisnumbercentric,thenyoucanstillthinkofitintermsofMUST, SHOULD,andCOULD.IfyougetreallygoodatfocusingonyourMUSTs,youllseeimmediate improvement. WherepeoplefalldownistheymixtoomanySHOULDsandCOULDsintheirworkeachdayand theydontactuallyevergetanythingdone.IfMUSTSreallyareaproblemforyou,TheRuleof3 shouldhelpyoucapandavoidoverwhelmingyourself.GettingthreeMUSTSdoneeachday quicklybuildsmomentum.Itsasenseofaccomplishment.Youmayfindasyougetmore effective,youstarttobiteoffmore.

Getting a Quick Handle on Your Day

Askyourself

 WhatMUSTIdotoday? WhatSHOULDIdo? WhatCOULDIdo? WhittleyourlistdowntothreeMUSTsfortheday.Ifyouhavemorethanthree,thenlimitto threemax.Youcanalwaysuplevelthemorbubblethemupintoahigherlevel outcome.Cappingitatthreewillhelpyoufocusandrememberthemeasily.

Getting a Quick Handle on Your Week

Askyourself WhatMUSTIdothisweek? WhatSHOULDIdothisweek? WhatCOULDIdothisweek? CarveoutyourMUSTsbyweightingyourwindowofopportunity,painpoints,andbestvalue.

Identify Your Minimum MUSTs for the Day

HerearesomewayshowhavingyourMUSTslistforthedayservesyou: 1. IfyoustaymindfulofyourminimumMUSTsfortheday,thenyoureinthedrivers seat.HavingyourthreeMUSTresultsonthemind,givesyoualasersharppath. 2. Ataninstant,youknowhowsignificantlyanyquicktradeoffsare,suchasdoingthisover that,hittingormissingawindowofopportunity,andtradingpainforpleasure. 3. Ifyourbosscomesbyandhassomethingmoreforyoutodo,youcaneitherpushbackor negotiateyoursuccess,Icandothat,ifyouwanttoprioritizeitoverXYZ

What if You Have fewer than Three MUSTs?

Goodforyou! DontupgradeSHOULDstoMUSTs,acknowledgethatyougotyourMUSTsdone,andmoveon toyourSHOULDsorCOULDs.RememberthewholepointofMUSTsisnotjusttohelpremind youofwhatsmostimportantforyou,itsaboutsurvival

Choose Tos
OnethingtonoteisthatifthewordMUSTforyoucreatesasenseofheavinessoryoufindyou nolongerlookforwardtogettingyourresults,thenchangeyourlanguage.Ratherthanyour MUSTdos,thinkofyourCHOOSETOs.Thisputsyoubackinpowerandthissimplereframing canhelpyougetyourenergyback.

Why Priorities Matter

Herearesomekeyreasonswhyprioritiesmatter: 1. AlaundrylistofToDoswhereeverythingisequallyimportantisarecipeforfailure. 2. TimespentidentifyingyourthreeMUSTsforthedayismorethanworthitbecauseitgives youflexibility. 3. WithoutknowingyourthreeMUSTs,everythingismushyandyouhavenothingtosteerby. 4. Attheendoftheday,youwilllikelywonderhowyouworkedonwhatyouthoughtwereso manyimportantthingsyetwithoutanythingimportantgettingdone. 5. MUSTbecomesincreasinglyclearunderhighpressure. 6. PeoplewhodotheirminimumMUSTseachdaytendtodowell. 7. Whenpushcomestoshove,thesepeoplepickoneMUSTeachdayforthemselves,their job,andtheirfamilytokeepthingsincheck,whenchaos,pressure,andoverloadabound.

Why MUSTs?
TherearemanyreasonsforusingMUSTs,buthereareafewtoconsider: MUSTmeanssomething.ContrastthiswithaskingWhatisPriority1thisweek?Your mindhastotranslatewhatPriority1reallymeans.WithMUST,SHOULD,COULDyourmind cancategorizethetasksmucheasierinsteadoftranslatingintosomeothersystems. NailingyourMUSTsbuildsarhythmofresults.WithoutyourthreeMUSTstoprioritize with,everythinglooksimportant.Thisisthesourceofoverwhelm,shutdown,burnout,and lackoffocus.WhenyoustartwithafirmfoundationofMUSTs,thenyoucandriveyour day.Youcanprioritizeincomingrequestsagainstyourthree.Asyoufinishsomething,you cantakemoreon.Thisishowyoufindyourrhythmforresults. MUSTshelpyouputyourmostimportantissuesoutonthetable.Itstheheartoffocus andprioritizationandoutcomes.Ifyoudontknowyoureonyourbestpath,youcant commitalltheway.Whenyouknowyoureworkingonthemostimportantthingsright nowinthemomentforyourmostimportantoutcomes,thenyoucanfullyengageand yourenolongerworriedaboutalltheothernoise. MUSTshelpyouquicklyidentifyyourminimumfortheday.TheMUSTisforbrutalclarity aroundtheminimumIveneverfoundamorecuttingwordtogetsomebodyto absolutelyfocusonjustthat(andevenwith*MUST*folksstillbiteofftoomuchordont prioritizetheirbest.)ThecommitmentofMUSTforcesyoutochoosedefinitelydoablein theavailabletimeandnotoverstep.Takingontoomuchiswherefolksfalldown. MUSTshelpyoucreateaglidepathfortherestofyourday.Takecareofyourbasicneeds andMUSTsfirstinthedaysoitsaglidepathfortherest.Asimplewaytothinkaboutyour dayisMUSTs,thenSHOULDs,thenCOULDs. MUSTsenableincredibleflexibility.IfyouknowyourthreeMUSTsfortheday,youthen canprioritizeagainstthem.Ifsomethingmoreimportantcomesin,youcanbump somethingoutasadeliberatetrade,yetstillremainagile.

Balance Against What You Want

AsyoudealwithyourMUSTs,onethingtokeepinmindisthatyoushouldbalancethem againstwhatyouultimatelywant. Youcanusethreesimplequestionstohelpyoucheckpoint: Whatdoyouwant? Whatdoyouwanttoaccomplish? Whodoyouwanttobeandwhatexperiencesdoyouwanttocreate?

Your Assignment
1. IdentifyyourMUSTsfortheday. 2. IdentifyyourMUSTsfortheweek.

Day 10 Feel Strong All Week Long

Lifeisnotmeasuredbythenumberofbreathswetake,butbythemomentsthattakeour breathaway.HilaryCooper

Your Outcome
Getready.YOURworldsabouttorock.Youreabouttobecomeapowerfulforceof one.Weallhavestrengthsandweaknesses.Itstimetoshiftfromspendingmoretimein yourweaknessestospendingmoretimeinyourstrengths.Byspendingmoretimeinyour strengths,andlesstimeinyourweaknesses,itslikeacombinationofsimultaneously uncorkingyourabilitiesanddrinkingfromthefountainofyouth.Findingyourvitalfewset ofstrengthsandspendingmoretimeinthemisthesinglemostdirectwaytocrankupyour energyandyourpassion,enjoywhatyoudo,andcreateuniquevaluetoyourworld.

Welcome to Day 10
Welcometoday10of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday9,welearnedhowtofocusand prioritizeusingMUST,SHOULD,andCOULD.Todaywelearnhowtorefocusthetimeand energywealreadyspendawayfromtheactivitiesthatmakeusweaktotheactivitiesthat makeusstrong.Itstimetounleashourpossibilities.Forsomeofyou,thispostwillsing directlytoyourheart,asifitsexactlywhatyouneed,righthere,rightnow.Youregoingto changeyourworldinyourmostpowerfulway,,.,youregoingtochangehowyouspendyour timeandyoullhaveanewlensforunleashingyourbest. Ifthereisonethingtorememberasyoureadthis,itsthisGiveyourbestwhereyouhave yourbesttogive.

Get on Your Strengths Path

Whatiftherewasonethingyoucouldfocusonthatwouldhelpyougetexponentialresultsin allareasofyourlife?Wellthereis.Itsgettingonyourstrengthspath.Whenyouare spendingmoretimeintheactivitiesthatmakeyoustrong,youautomaticallydogreatwork, yourenewandrebuildyourmind,body,emotions,andspirit,andyoudramaticallyaccelerate yourlearningandgrowth.FightingtogetonyourstrengthspathisoneofthehighestROI (ReturnonInvestment)battlesyouwilleverwin.Itpaysyoubackdaily. Iftherearesomanybenefitstobeingonyourstrengthspath,andspendingmoretimeinyour strengths,thenwhydoesnteverybodyjustdoit?Becauseitrequiresselfawarenessandyou havetoownit.Nobodycomesalongandputsyouonyourstrengthspath.YOUhavetoown it.YOUhavetocontinuouslyfindwaystospendmoretimeinyourstrengths.Onlyyouknow trulywhatmakesyoustrongandwhatmakesyouweak.Youhavetodecideyouwantto

spendmoretimeinyourstrengthsandyouhavetobedeliberateaboutspendinglesstimein yourstrengths. Yourethearchitectofyourlife.Buildafirmfoundation.Designhowyouspendyourtime effectively.Spendyourtimeonyourstrengths.Limityourtimeonyourweaknesses.Ifyouget knockeddown,getupagain.Staythepath.Focusonfindingyourstrengthsandfindingways toleveragethem.Expectalearningcurve,butknowthatthisisthehighROIpath. Wheneveryougetrundownorfeeloverwhelmedanddrained,thereisagreatchancethatyou arenotspendingenoughtimeinyourstrengthsandyourenotonyourstrengthspath.

Grow More in Your Strengths

Tolookatitwithanotherlens,manypeoplemistakethepathofweaknessesasthegrowthor opportunitypath.Whattheydontrealizeisnotonlyaretheyrobbingfromtheirenergy,their bestcontribution,andtheirsenseoffulfillment,buttheyaretakingawayfromtheirgreatest sourceofgrowth. Youllgrowfasterinyourstrengths.Intodaysworld,youhavetooutpaceyour problemsandgiveyourbestwhereyouhaveyourbesttogive,tosucceedinanysituation,flow amazingvaluetoyourselfandothers,andfindasustainablewayforgettingresultsin everythingyoudo. Ifyouspendthebulkofyourtimeinyourweaknesses,thenyouarestackingthedeckagainst you,andevenifyouimproveyourweaknesses,youwillneverachievethepowerfulforceof growingyourstrengths.

What Are Your Strengths

Tokeepthisverysimple,herearethekeys: Yourstrengthsareyournaturaltalents.Yourstrengthsarewhatyournaturalpatternsfor howyourthinking,feeling,andbehavior. YourstrengthsareNOTwhatyouaresimplygoodat.Unfortunately,manyofusaregood atthingsthatmakeusweakordrainus,sowespendmoretimeinthose.Soyes,weare goodatthem,butnotheyarenotstrengthsthatgiveusenergyorthatweexponentially improveat.Truestrengthsareyournaturaltalentforthinking,feeling,andbehavior, appliedtoacontext.. Yourstrengthsarewhatyoufindeasytodo.Thethingsthatotherpeoplestrugglewith thatyoufindveryeasytodoareyournaturalstrengths. Yourstrengthsgiveyouenergy.Youcanspendtimeinyourstrengthsalldayandactually havemoreenergyattheendofthedaythanwhenyoustarted.Yourstrengthscatalyze you.Theymakeyoustrong.

Yourstrengthsarewhereyougetbetterfaster.Yourstrengthsareaplacewhereyoucan accelerate.Yougrowfasterinyournaturalstrengthsthaninanyeffortthatworksagainst yourstrengths.

Give Your Best Where You Have Your Best to Give

Youreanindividualwithauniquesetofstrengths,weaknesses.Ithinkthekeyistofinda purposethatlightsupthefollowingstatement: Giveyourbestwhereyouhaveyourbesttogive. Whenyoufindthat,itsyouruniquecontributiontotheworld,andwhenyouspendtimein yourstrengthsitsyourgrowth,renewalandpassioninaction.Ofcourse,thetrickistofind somethingwhereyoucanbethebestintheworldat,andthetrickthereisitsYOURworld, sinceitsallrelative. Herearesomekeypoints: Lightthingsupyourway.Imafanofbemoreofyourselfwithskillandgiveyourbest whereyouhaveyourbesttogive.Itsallaboutbringingyourselftothepictureandlighting thingsupthebestwayyoucan. Amplifyyourresults.ItlinesupnicelywithwhatIvelearnedtobetruedrivebyyour why,liveyourvalues,andplaytoyourstrengthsandgiveyourbestwhereyouhaveyour besttogive. Renewyourselfandliftothersup.Ithinkitsimportantthatyougiveyourbestwhereyou haveyourbesttogive,otherwise,youcandrainyourself.Ithinkrenewalanddowntime andtakingcareofyourownbasicsbuildsafirmfoundationforliftingothersup. Focusonthevitalfewactivitieswhereyoucanreallygiveyourbest.Focusonstrengths overweaknesses.Youllgetmoreresultsbyimprovingyourstrengthsthanimprovingyour weaknesses. Spendlesstimeinyourweaknesses.Limitthetimeyouspendinyourweaknesses.Find waystooffloadmoreofyourweaknessessoyoucanspendmoretimeinyourstrengths. Fighttospendmoretimeinyourstrengths.Dontletthechangesaroundyou,causeyou tolosesightoftheactivitiesthatmakeyoustrong.Dontletyourselfgetcaughtupin activitiesthatweakenyou. Getbackonyourhorse.Sometimeswegetknockedoffourhorse.Wemaynothave realizedhowbeautifultheridewasorhowwellwewereriding.Wewerecaughtupinthe rideanditwasgreat.Butsomethingchanges.Theridenolongerfeelsrightandweno longerfeelstrong.

Find Your Sweet Spot

Thesecretofamplifyingyourimpactandgettingexponentialresultsisfindingthesweetspot whichistheoverlapofyourtalent,yourpassion,andvalue.Valueisintheeyeofthe

beholder.Youcanflowvalueforyourselforforothersorforyourcompany.Thekeything hereisthatyoufindthestrengthsthatgiveyoujuiceandthatflowvalue.

Visual The Sweet Spot

Hereisavisualtoholdinyourmindofwhatitmeanstofindyoursweetspot:

Finding Your Strengths

Therearemanywaystofindyourstrengths.Thekeyistofindtheactivitiesthatyoulook forwardto,giveyouenergy,andliftyouup.Anotherkeyistogetspecific.Forexample,maybe youcanwritesongsallday.Maybeyoucanwritecontentallday.Maybeyoulovetointeract withcustomers.Maybeyouliketobrainstorm.Maybeyouliketosolvebighairy challenges.Forme,IliketomakesenseofmeaningfulproblemswhereIcanturnitintoaform factorthatseasytoshareandscaleexpertise.Ifindthathavingalanguagetothinkaboutyour strengthscanhelpyoubetter.

Find What Gives and Takes Your Energy

Attheendoftheday,themostimportantthingistofindwhereyougetenergyfrom,andfind whattakesitaway.Thisleadsyoutoapersonalizedlistofstrengthsthatyoucanuseasalens forinvestinginyourportfolioofstrengthsandthisisthekeytoexponentialresults.

Three Steps to Designing a Strong Week

Therearemanywaystospendmoretimeinyourstrengths,buthereisthemosteffectiveway thatImentorindividuals,teams,andleaders: Steps Checks Step1Map OutYour Weaknesses. Canyouidentifythetop3activitiesthatmakeyoutheweakest? Canyouidentifythetypesofworkthatmakeyouweak? Canyouidentifywhodrainsyouandwhocatalyzesyou?Whatsthepattern?

Step2Map outYour Strengths.

Canyouidentifythetop3activitiesthatmakeyoustrong? Canyouidentifythetypesofworkthatmakeyoustrong? Canyouidentifythepatternsofpeoplethatcatalyzeyou?

Step3Design aStrongWeek.

Haveyoueliminatedasmanyoftheactivitiesthatmakeyouweakasyou can? Haveyoufoundawaytoaddafewactivitiesthatmakeyoustronger? Haveyouconsolidatedyourweaknessesasbestasyoucan?

Reviewing the Map of Your Week from a Strengths Standpoint

Usuallywhathappensisyoufindoutthatyouhaveascatterchartallovertheweekofspending timeinyourweaknessesandspendingtimeinyourstrengths.Thekeyistoconsolidateyour weaknessessothatyoucaneitherspendlesstimeinthem,getthemoffyourplate,orpairup withotherpeople,orfindawaytoenjoythem.Theotherkeyistoaddmoreactivitiesthat giveyoustrengthtoeachandeveryday.Thisisthesecretofrenewalandboundlessenergy formakingthingshappeninyourlife.

Example of Mapping Out Your Weaknesses

Hereisanexampleofwhataweekmightlooklike,whereWrepresentsanactivityortask thatdrainsyou: 7:00 8:00 9:00 Monday W Tuesday Wednesday W Thursday Friday

10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00

W W W

W W W

W W

W W W

Example of Mapping Out Your Strengths

HereisanexampleofmappingoutyourstrengthswhereSrepresentssomethingthatgives youenergyandthatyoucoulddoallday: 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 Monday S Tuesday S S Wednesday S Thursday S Friday S S

3:00 4:00 5:00 6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00

Example of a Strong Week

Hereisanexampleofdesigningyourweektoconsolidatethatthingsthatmakeyouweak, whiledoingmoreofwhatmakesyoustrong: 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00 11:00 12:00 1:00 2:00 3:00 4:00 5:00 Monday W S S S Tuesday W S S S Wednesday W S S S Thursday W S S S Friday W S S

6:00 7:00 8:00 9:00 10:00

Cornerstone Concepts for a StrengthsBased Approach

Herearetwelvecornerstoneconceptstohelpyoureallyadoptastrengthsbasedapproachto yourlife: 1. Everybodyhasstrengthsandweaknesses. 2. Strengthsarenotsimplywhatyouregoodat. 3. Strengthsarewhatyounaturallythink,feel,ordo. 4. Spendmoretimeinyourstrengths.Scheduleit.Ifyouscheduleit,ithappens.Ifyoudont, itwont. 5. Ownit.Onlyyoucandothis.Onlyyouknowwhatyourstrengthsare. 6. Dolessofwhatmakesyouweak. 7. Energycancomefromyourmind,body,emotions,orspirit. 8. Byspendinglesstimeinyourweaknessesandmoretimeinyourstrengths,yourenew, rebuild,andrejuvenateyourmind,body,emotions,andspirititsyourmultiplier. 9. Youhavetoowngettingonyourstrengthspath. 10. Findthespecificthingsyouwanttospendmoretimedoingeachdaythethingsthatmake youSTRONG. 11. Findthejobs,tasks,andactivitiesthataredirectlyrelatedtoyourstrengths. 12. Findcreativewaystochangehowyoudowhatyoualreadydotograduallyintegratemore ofyourstrengths.Yourlittlewinswilladdup.

Your Assignment
1. Findyourstrengthsandwritethemdowninwaysthatsingtoyourheartandputprecision onwhattrulymakesyoustrong.Yourdonewhenyourlistfeelslikeashortlistofyour superskills. 2. Mapoutyourstrengthsandweaknesses. 3. Findcreativewaystoeliminate,consolidate,orreducetheactivitiesthatmakeyouweak, andfindawaytospendatleastonemorehourperweekinsomethingthatmakesyou strong.Tradeupspendingtimeinyourweaknessesinfavorofspendingmoretimeinyour strengths.

Day 11 Reduce Friction and Create GlidePaths for Your Day

Simplicityistheultimatesophistication.LeonardodaVinci

Your Outcome
Simplifyyourdaybygettingridofthehurdlesandpersonalobstaclecoursesthatareinyour waythroughouttheday.Doingyourdailychoresorcommontasksshouldntbeajungle gym.Itshouldbeaglidepath.

Makeyourdayawholeloteasierbyeliminatingorreducingthefrictioninyourday.Establish frictionfreeglidepathsthatsupportyouthroughoutyourentireday.Byreducingthefriction andsimplifyingyourdailyroutinesandcommontasks,youmakeiteasiertoglidethroughyour results.

Welcome to Day 11
Welcometoday11of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday10,welearnedhowtofeelstrongall weeklong.Today,welearnhowtoreducethefrictioninourday,andmakeiteasiertodothe commonthingswedo.Thiswaywespendlessenergyonlittlethingsgettinginourway,sowe havemoreenergyandfocustotacklethebigthings. Dontdiethedeathofa1000papercutsthroughoutyourday! Allthelittlefrictioninourdaycanwearusdown.Dontcomplainaboutthestuffinyourway dosomethingaboutit.Yourglidepathswillreallyhelpyouondayswhenyourerundown,or yourerunninglate,andyoureallyneeditmost.

3 Steps to Creating FrictionFree Glide Paths

Herearethreestepstocreatingfrictionfreeglidepaths. Step1.Walkyourpaths.Simplywritedownyourcommonroutinesandcommontasksyou throughoutyourday.Ifyoudontknowwheretostart,writedownbreakfast,lunch,and dinner.Chancesareyouhavealotofrecurringactivitieseachdaythatyoucanchooseto tune. Step2.Identifythefriction.Identifythethingsthatcreatefrictionthroughoutyourday: Whatslowsyoudown?Whathoopsdoyouhavetojumpthrough?Whatsalwaysin yourwayorwhatareyouconstantlymovingoutofyourwaytogettosomethingelse? Step3.Simplifyyourpaths.Declutterandreducethefrictionforyourcommonscenarios, routines,andtasks.Mostofthewaystodothiswillbeobvioustoyounowthatyouve

listedyourcommontasksandpointsoffriction.Brainstormideasformakingtheseroutines lesscomplicatedandlessfriction.

10 Examples of FrictionFree Glide Paths

Herearesomeexamplesoffrictionfreeglidepaths: 1. Getridoftheclothesonthetopofthehamper.TipIfyouwantclothestogointhe hamper,thendonthaveclothesontopofit.Nobodyshouldhavetoliftthehamperlid withabunchofclothesontop.Ifthelidkeepsturningintoonemoreshelf,thenremove thelid. 2. Clearyourworkspace.Keepyourworkspaceclearandreadytogo.Youcanclearitthe nightbeforeoryoucandoaquicksweeprightbeforeyouuseit. 3. Putyoursneakersbythebed.Ifyouexerciseinthemorning,haveyoursneakersandgym clothesreadytogo.Thisisonelessexcusefornotworkingoutonadaywhenyoudont feellikeit. 4. Putgarbagecanswhereyouneedthem. 5. Createchecklistsforcommonroutines.Youwonthavetotryandrememberwhattodo nextandyoucanmakeiteasiertofollowyourroutine. 6. Putthingswhereyoulookforthem.Ifyouarealwayslookingforsomethinginthewrong place,thenmakethewrongplace,therightplaceandputitthere. 7. Makespaceonyourbookshelfsoyoudonthavetostackorbalancethingsorsqueezewith allyourmighttogetthatverylastbooktofitjustright.Pullingbooksoffyourshelf shouldntbeachore,andneithershouldputtingthemback. 8. Putyourcalendarwhereyoucanseeitataglance.Makeiteasytoquicklyseewhatyour schedulelookslike. 9. Makeiteasytolookthingsup.Ifyouregularlylookcertainthingsup,consolidatethemand putthemineasyreach. 10. Removeanythingthatyouhavetostepoverorwalkaround.Paveasimplerpathandmake iteasytogowhereveryouneedtogettoonaregularbasis. Therearemany,manywaystocreateglidepathsinyourday.Thesearejustsomerandom ideastogetyourstarted.Getcreative.Youprobablyalreadyknowwhatyouneedtodo,you justhavetodecidetodoit.Thisisworthmakingtimeforsinceitpaysyoubackthroughout yourday,anditpaysyoubackeverydaywithinterest.

Your Assignment
1. Identifyyourworstfrictionpointsinyourday. 2. Createthreeglidepathstosimplifyyourday.Pickanyroutinesorcommontasksthatyou wanttomakeeasierforyourself.

Day 12 Productivity Personas Are You a Starter or a Finisher?

Ourchiefwantissomeonewhowillinspireustobewhatweknowwecouldbe.Ralph WaldoEmerson

Your Outcome
Becomeaproductiveartist.Findwhetheryouareastarterorafinisherandimprove yoursuccessineverythingyoudo. Somepeoplearenaturalstarters.Theyliveforthecreativebeginningofprojects,butnotthe daytodayexecutionorthedetailedfollowupandfollowthrough.Somepeoplearenatural finishers.Theylikethedaytodayworkandtheroutineexecution.Whenstartersand finisherspairup,everybodywins.

Welcome to Day 12
Welcometoday12of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday11,welearnedhowtoreducefriction andcreateglidepathsforyourday. Today,welearnhowtofigureoutourstrengthsandweaknesseswhenitcomestoproductivity usingProductivitypersonas.ThebeautyisthatyoucanProductivitypersonastogetabetter lensonyourself,yoursituation,orpeopleyouworkwith.Withthislens,youcanbemore effectiveandgetbetterresultsinanysituation,whetheritsaonemanbandorpartofateam.

Starters and Finishers

Oneofmyfriendsisgreatatstartingthings.Justdontexpecthimtofinish.Hewouldlighta lotoffiresinalotofplacesandthenhedbeontohisnextbigidea.Trustme,unlessyouwant tojustfadeaway,youwantfirestartersaround.Theylightthingsupandcreatevalueand possibilitiesoutofthinair.Hesanaturalstarter. Anotheroneofmyfriendsisgreatatfinishingthings.Heisamasteratknowingthedetailsand beingcomplete.Wordsthatcometomindarethorough,attentiontodetail,responsible, seesthingsthrough,yougettheidea.Whathelacksingettingthingsstarted,hemakesup forinbringingthingstocloseandgoingthelastmile.Heisafinisheratheart. Whenastarterandfinisherpairuplookout.Greatthingshappen.Thefastestwaytosuck yourlifeforceoutofanyoneistoalwaysplaythefinisherrolewhenyoureastarter,or alwaysplayastarterrolewhenyoureafinisher.

Why Productivity Personas

Yourpersonalsuccessatgettingresultsisclearlyaplacewherealittleknowledgegoesalong way.ByaddingthelensofProductivityPersonastoyourtoolbelt,youwillbebetterequipped todealwithanyproductivityissue,whetheritsforyourself,helpingafriend,orleadingateam. Ifyourefeelingdrainedorlikeyourespinningyourwheelsorsimplynotmakingtheimpact youknowyoucanmake,thismightjustbeyourtickettofaster,simpler,andbetterresults.

3 Ways to Use Productivity Personas

HerearethreewaysyoucanusetheProductivityPersonastoyouradvantage: 1. KnowYourself.UsetheProductivityPersonastoknowyourself.Ifyoureawareofthe personas,youcanusethemtoyouradvantage.Forexample,dontletyour innerCriticorPerfectionistgetinthewayofyourDoer.Askyourself,WhenamIatmy best?AmImoreofaStarteroraFinisher?AmImoreofaMaximizeroraSimplifier?AmI moreofaThinkeroraDoer? 2. TeamUp.UsetheProductivityPersonastopairupwithotherpeopleandimproveyour owneffectiveness.YoucanalsousetheProductivityPersonastocreatemoreeffective teamsortooptimizeteamwork.Askyourself,WhocanIteamupwithtogetresults?How canIbuildmoreeffectiveteams?Whoshouldbepairedupontheteamforbestresults? 3. ImprovetheSituation.Youcanimaginehowsomebehaviorsworkbetterwithothersand howsomecancreateconflict.Swapoutformoreeffectivepersonasbasedonthescenario. Forexample,ifyoureallyneedaStarterforthesituation,butyoucantbreakout ofFinishermode,thenseeifyoucanfindsomebodywhocanplaytherole.Ask yourself,Whatarethebestbehaviorsforthesituation? RemembertousetheProductivityPersonasasalens.Thelabelsareforbehaviors,notfor limitingorboxinginpersonalities.Anybodycandemonstrateanyofthebehaviorsatanytime.

Productivity Personas at a Glance

Persona Achiever BigPicture CanDo Controller Notes Likestoaccomplishthings.

Seestheforestfromthetrees.Likesthebigideasanddoesntwanttogetlostintheminut Findsaway.Wheretheresawill,theresaway,andtheyllfindit.Itmaynotbetheoptim solution,buttheyllfindaworkaround. Likestocontrolthings.ThiscouldbetheDoers,theproject,ortheirworld.

Critic Daydreamer Details Doer

Findsthefaults.Theyllfindwayswhyyoucantorwhyitswrong.Theyllcritiquethemselv theirwork,ortheirideas.Anythingisfairgame.

Likestodreamupbetterwaysforbetterdays.Theydratherdreamthando.Theydontha toactontheirdreamstoenjoythem.

Lovesthedetailsandwillwanttoseethingsthrough.Dotstheisandcrossesthets.They passionateaboutspreadsheets.

Doestheirjob.Theytendtogettheirjobdone.Theymaynotcomeupwithnewideas,but theyhaveapreferencefortakingaction.

FactsandFigures Isanumbersperson.Theywantquantifiablemeasurements.LikeDetails,theytoolike spreadsheets. Finisher Marketer Maximizer Opportunist Perfectionist Procrastinator Randomizer Simplifier Starter

Bringsthingstoclosure.Effectivefinishers,completethingsandmoveon.Isafitandfinish typeofperson.Itsfinishedwhentheysayitsfinished. Communicatesthevalue.Knowshowtosellideas. Findsthemaximumimpact. Findstheopportunityinanysituation.

Treatseverythinglikeaworkofart.Qualityistheirname,finishingisnttheirgame.Theyll donewhenitsdone.Itwillbedonejustassoonasitsperfect.Wheneverthatis.

Findswaytoputofftotomorrow,whattheyreallyshoulddotoday.Theyonlysendbelated birthdaycardssincetheyknowtheyllneversendthemoutontime. Turnstheirlatestpriorityintootherpeoplesproblems.

Findsthesimplestpath.Stripsthingsdowntotheminimum.GoodenoughfornowisOKin theirbook.

Thinker Tinkerer

Startsthingsbutdoesntalwaysfinish.Theirenergycomesfromthinkingupnewideasand kickingthingsoff.Loveprototypinganidea,butoncetheyvefigureditout,theyrereadyt moveontosomethingelse. Isanideasperson.Thinkingiswhattheydobest.Analysisistheirgame,butdoingis somebodyelsesgame.Theydonthavetoactontheirthoughtstoenjoythem. Likestotinker.Theworldistheirsandbox.Dabbleshere,dabblesthere.

Using the Productivity Personas

SimplyfamiliarizeyourselfwithsomeofthevariousProductivityPersonas.Theycanhelpyou whenyouneedtomakesenseofaproductivitychallengeorscenario,aswellastolearnmore aboutyourself.Thekeyistobeawareofthepreferences,foryourselfandothers,andto choosemoreeffectivebehaviorsaswellastooptimizeyourselfandothersinanysituation.

Your Assignment
1. Identifyyournaturalpreferencesintermsofastarterorfinisher. 2. IdentifythemostcommonProductivityPersonasorrolesthatyouplayinyourdaytoday. 3. Findonesimplethingyoucandotocomplementyournaturalproductivitypattern.

Day 13 Triage Your Action Items with Skill

Dowhatyoucan,withwhatyouhave,whereyouare.TheodoreRoosevelt

Your Outcome
Learnhowtodealwithabarrageofincomingactionitemsanddemandsonyourtime.

Welcome to Day 13
Welcometoday13of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday12,welearnedhowto useProductivityPersonastoanalyzeandimproveourresultsinanysituation. Today,welearnhowtotriageanoverflowingplateofactionitemsandtasks.Triageisa HealthyProcessofSorting,Sifting,andSelecting

What is Triage
Triageisaprocessofsorting,siftingandselectingwhattoworkon.Youmighthaveheard aboutdoctorstriagingtheirincomingpatientsinemergencysettings. WhenIfirstjoinedMicrosoft,Triagewasacommonpracticeourteamusedtodealwithour incomingissues.Triagehelpedussortourbacklogsandqueuesofissuesintomoremeaningful buckets.Wecouldntjustdoeverythingatonceandwecouldntkeepupwithourflowof incomingrequests.Triaginghelpedusmoreeffectivelymakethemostofourtime,energy,and resourceswehadonhandatthemomentagainstourincomingactions.

Triage in Practice
Iveusedtriagesuccessfullytodealwitheverythingfromdealingwithemail,todealingwitha floodofincomingtasks,todealingwithagingbacklogsofactionitems,bothatthepersonal, andtheteamlevel. WhenIleadadistributedteam,Iuseemailtriageasanadhocandlightweightwaytogetthe teamseyeballsquicklyfocusedonanissue.Isimplyaddemailtriagetothesubjectline,and sendthemailoutwiththespecificissueorquestiontosortthrough.Ivealsousedtriageto clearmyemailinboxandtokeepmyemailatzeroinboxforyears,andIveshownmanyothers, includingteamsaroundMicrosoft,todothesame(andwehavealotofemailatMicrosoft.)I affectionatelycallthisapproach,TheZenofZeroMail.Forthingsthatyouneedtoacton, prioritize,orgetoffyourplate,triageisahealthyprocessofsortingandselectinginamore mindfulway.

Do It, Queue It, Schedule It, or Delegate It

Youcantriageanincomingactionitemtoeitherdoit,queueit,scheduleit,ordelegateit: DoItDoitifnowisthetime:itsthenextbestthingforyoutodo;nowisthemost opportunistictime;oritwillcostyoumorepain,timeorefforttodoitlater. QueueItQueueit,byaddingittoyourqueueifitssomethingyouneedtogetdone,but nowisnottherighttime.Aqueueissimplyalistofactionitems. ScheduleItScheduleitbyaddingittoyourcalendarifyouneedablockoftimetogetthe workdone.Onlyaddthingstoyourcalendarifyoutrulyneedareminderorifyoureally needtoblockoffachunkoftimetoworkonit.Rememberthatifyouscheduleit,itwill happen,butifyoudont,itwont.Ifitsreallyimportant,thenmaketimeforit.Ifitsjust somethingtodolater,anditwontreallyhappen,thenjustletitgowithskill. DelegateItDelegateitifitssomethingthatshouldbedonebysomebodyelseandit makessensetodoso,andyouhavethatoption.Whenyoudelegate,trytomatchitto anotherpersonslearningopportunityorpassion.(Theresadifferencebetweendelegating anddumping.)

3 Steps to Triaging Your Action Items

Herearethreestepsfortriagingyourstackofactionitems: 1. Consolidateyouractionitems.Dealingwiththeminabatchreallyshowsthebenefitofthis approach,becauseyoucanquicklywhackyourstackdowntosize. 2. Triageeachitem.Foreachitem,determinewhatthebestplanofattackis:DoIt,QueueIt, ScheduleIt,orDelegateIt. 3. Repeattheprocess.Repeattheprocessuntilyouhaveamanageablesetofactionsandyou feelthatthingsareappropriatelyintherightplaces,eitherinyourlistofactions,your queue,oryourschedule,oroffyourplate.Ifyouendupspendingtoomuchtimetriaging, andnotenoughtimedoing,thenestablishatimeboxortimelimittopaceyourselfandto knowwhentostop. Reallywhatyouredoingissettingthestageforyoursuccess.Byhavingatimeforthings,and havingthemonyourcalendarorinyourqueue,youcanfocusonwhatyouhaveinfrontofyou withmoreconfidence,clarity,andconviction,knowingthatyouremakingthemostofwhat youvegot.YoucanalsomoreeffectivelyprioritizewithMUST,SHOULD,andCOULD.

Questions to Help Guide You

HerearesomequestionsIfindusefulasacheckpoint: Whatdoyouwanttoaccomplish? Doesitmatter? Howimportantisit? Whatstheimpact?

 Whatsthenextbestthingtodo? Youcanalwayscheckyouractionsagainstthebiggerpictureandwhatyouwantto accomplish:Thisisjustastartingpointandyoullwanttocreateandtestyourownquestions toseewhatworksforyou.

Putting It All Together

Letstakeaquickstepbackanddoarundownofwhatyouvelearnedsofarduring30Daysof GettingResultsandhowthisfitsin: 1. YoucanuseTheRuleof3toavoidgettingoverwhelmed. 2. Youretheauthorofyourlifeandyoucanwriteyourstoryforward,onemomentoroneday atatime 3. Youcanusethreestoriestodriveyourdayandandlightupyourdaybyconnectingtoyour values(DailyWins). 4. OnMondays,youcanusethreestoriestodriveyourweek(MondayVision). 5. OnFridays,youcanuseFridayReflectiontocelebrateyourwinsandfindyourpersonal successpatterns. 6. YoucanmapoutwhatsimportantinyourlifeusingHotSpotstocreateameaningfulmap. 7. Youcanletthingssloughoffwithskillnomorestrawsbreakingthecamelsback. 8. Youcancreatespaceinyourlifetorenewandrechargebysettingupboundariesand buffers. 9. Youcandumpyourbraintofreeupyourmind. 10. YoucanprioritizemoreeffectivelybyusingMUST,SHOULD,andCOULD. 11. Youcanfeelstrongallweeklongbyspendingmoretimeinyourstrengthsandlesstimein yourweaknesses. 12. Youcanestablishglidepathstosimplifyyourdayandmakeyourroutinesfrictionfree. 13. Youcananalyzeandbemoreproductiveinanyscenariousingproductivitypersonas. Byaddingtriagingtoyourbelt,younowhaveasimplementalmodelfordealingwithincoming actionitemsmoreeffectively.

Using Agile Results to Write Your Story Forward

AgileResultsisasimplesystemformeaningfulresultsthatyoucanusetosupportyouforthe restofyourlife,nomatterwhatyoudo. Thebeautyisnotjustthatitssimpleorthatitsprovenitsthateachdayyougetanew chanceatbatafreshstart. Eachdayyouwakeupisanotherchancetoaskthequestion,Whatarethreethingsyouwant fortoday?andsoyouwriteyourstoryforward,onedayatatime.

Your Assignment
1. Whenanincomingactionitemcomesyourway,triageitanddecidewhethertoDo It,QueueIt,ScheduleIt,orDelegateIt. 2. Triageoneofyourstacksofthingstodotowhackitdowntosize.

Day 14 Carve Out Time for Whats Important

Thingswhichmattermost,shouldneverbeatthemercyofthingswhichmatterleast. Goethe

Your Outcome
Maketimeforwhatsimportant.SpendmoretimeinwhatreallymattersinYOURlife,and spendlesstimeinwhatdoesnot.Asoneofmyfriendsputsit,timeisallwehave.

Welcome to Day 14
Welcometoday14of30DaysofGettingResults,aseriesofpostswhereIsharewithyouthe artandscienceofgettingmoreeffectiveresultsfrommybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday13,welearnedhowtotriageouractionitemswithskilltochopourbacklogsor overflowingplatesdowntosize. Today,welearnavitalkeytosuccessfulandeffectivetimemanagement.Welearnhowto maketimeforwhatreallymattersinourlife,adayatatimeandamomentatatime.

A Lesson in Life for the Best of Your Life

Oneofthemostcruciallessonsinlifethatmanypeoplelearnthehardwayisthis: Youdonthavetime,youmaketime.Ifyoudontmaketimeforwhatsimportant,itdoesnt happen. Youllnevergetoffthetreadmillorstoptreadingwater,unlessyoudecideto.Thatswhatthis seriesofmodulesisallabouthelpingyougetresults,enjoythejourney,andmakethemost ofwhatyouvegotwithskill(versusjusthopingforthebestortryingharderorwishful thinking.)

Put the Big Rocks First

ThisisastoryIfirstheardfromStephenCoveyalongtimebackthatreallystuckoutforme.As thestorygoes,ateacherfillsajarwithrocksuntilnomorewouldfit.Hethenaskstheclass,Is thejarisfull?Theclasssays,Yes.

Theteacherreachesunderthetable,pullsoutsomegravel,andaddsthegraveltothejar.The gravelfillsthespacesbetweentherocks.Theteacherasksagain,Isthejarfull?Somenod theirhead. Theteacherthenaddssandtothejarfillinguptheremainingspaces.Theteacherasks,Isthe jarfull?Theclassisontohimnowandsays,No. Good,theteacherreplies,andheproceedstopourwaterintothejaruntilitsfilledtothe brim. Theteacherasks,Whatsthepointofthisillustration?Oneofthestudentsrepliesthatno matterhowfullyourscheduleis,youcanalwaysfitmorethingsin. No,theteacherresponds.Thepointisthis: Ifyoudontmakeroomforthebigrocks,youllneverfitthemin.

Make Room for Your Big Rocks Today, Each Day

ThisiswhereTheRuleof3helps.Areyouspendingtherightamountoftimetodayonthose threeresultsorstoriesthatyouwanttoaccomplish? Thedefaultpatternistotryandfittheminwithallyourexistingroutines.Amorepowerful approachistomaketimeforyourthreeresultstodayandoptimizearoundthat.Thismight meandisruptingotherhabitsandroutinesyouhave,butthisisagoodthing.Themoreyouget inthehabitofmakingtimeforwhatsimportant,themoreyoullgettheresultsyouwant.If yourenotgettingtheresultsyouwantyoucanstartaskingbetterquestions.Forexample,are youinvestingenoughtime?Areyouinvestingtherightenergy?Maybetheapproachisoff. Justmaybe,adifferentthinghappens.Maybeyoustartaccomplishingtheresultsyou *thought*youwanted,butyoudontlikewhatyouget.ThegrassisNOTalwaysgreener.Now youcanstepbackandaskwhetheryourechoosingtherightoutcomesorstoriesforwhatYOU reallywantorreallyneedinyourliferightnow.

What are You Rushing Through For?

Coveyteachesus,beefficientwiththings,buteffectivewithpeople.WheneverIseesomebody rushingthroughsomethingoritfeelslikeitsadrivebydumporexchange,Ihavetoask: Whatareyourushingthroughfor?

Sometimesitsbecausepeoplearelate.Sometimesitsbecausetheyaremorefocusedonthe goal,thanthejourney.Alotoftimes,itsbecausetheysimplydidntallowthemselvestobe herenow,wherethismomentistheonethatreallycounts. Itdoesntmeanbeingslow,unlessslowmakessenseforthesituation.Infact,Icanthelpbut tothinkofJohnWoodenssaying,Bequickbutdonthurry!Forme,itremindsmetobe deliberateandmindfulonhowIpacemyself.Icanbequickwithouthasteorrushingthrough things,asifsomethingelseisalwaysmoreimportant,somewhereelse.

3 Ways to Carve Out Time for Whats Important

Takethetimetostepbackandreflectonwhereyouspendyourtimeonaregularbasis.Here arethreewaystomaketimeforwhatsimportant: 1. Resetyourday.Youcandoaresetforyourdaybysteppingbackandaskingyourself, WhatthreeresultsdoIwantfortoday?Forexample,oneofmyoutcomestodayis, Enjoythenicedayoutside.Imnotgoingtoletsomethingelsegetinthewayofmissing ourfleetingsunnySummerdays. 2. Resetyourschedule.Youcandoaresetfortheweekbysteppingbackandasking yourself,WhatthreeresultsdoIwantforthisweek?orWhatthreestoriesdoIwant tolightupinmylifeormakehappenfortheweek?Youcanthenfiteverythingelse aroundthat.Youcanalsosimplycheckwhetheryouvemadeenoughtimeinyourschedule onaweeklybasisforthethingsthatreallycount,foryou,inyourliferightnow.Itsnotall ornothing,andtheresalwaysawaytospendalittlemoretimehere,andalittlelessthere, butyoumighthavetogetcreative.Ifyougetstuckhere,pairupwithsomebodyandask fortheirhelpyoumightbesurprisedhowthissimpleactgivesyouclarityonyour calendar,andhowanotherpairofeyescanreallyshinethelightonwaystogetmoreof whatyouwant. 3. InvestinyourHotSpots.HoweveryoudefineyourHotSpots(mind,body,emotions, career,financial,relationships,andfun),youcanverydeliberatelymapoutwhats importantinyourlife,andyoucandeliberatelyinvestinyourHotSpots.Ifoundthesingle mostimportantfactorhereistomaketimeonmyweeklyscheduleformyHotSpots.IfIm notgettingenoughtimeinabucket,thenIschedulemoretime.IfImputtingtoomuch timeintoonebucket,andnotanother,thenIadjustit.OnceIhaveenoughtimeintheright buckets,thenImakesureIminvestingmybestenergyandbestmindset.Ineverwantto beinascenariowhereImalwaysrushingthrough,becauseIdidntmaketimeforit. And,ofcourse,youcanalwayssimplyaskyourself,Whatareyourushingthroughfor?anddo areset,atanymoment,atanytime.

Todays Assignment
1. MaketimeTODAYforsomethingyoureallywanttospendmoretimein,thatsimportant foryou.Maybeitsassimpleasfeedingtheducks.Maybeitsspendingtimewithanold

friend.MaybeitsspendingmoretimelearningaboutGettingResultstheAgile WayWhostojudge?Yourethejudge.Justremember,youretheonethatliveswith theconsequencesofhowyouchoosetospendyourtimeeachmoment,eachday,every day.Betheauthorofyourlife,andwriteyourstoryforward.Noregrets,justchoosingyour ownadventurefromhereforward. 2. Stepbackandaskthetoughquestion,Whatareyourushingthroughfor?Iftheansweris nothing,thenjustkickbackandenjoydoingwhateveryouredoingrighthere,rightnow.

Day 15 Achieve a Peaceful Calm State of Mind

Afterastormcomesacalm.MatthewHenry

Your Outcome
Quietthebuzzinyourmind.Achieveapeacefulcalmstateofmindthatisrelaxed, responsive,andready.

Welcome to Day 14
Welcometoday15of30DaysofGettingResults,aseriesofpostswhereIsharewithyoua simplesystemformeaningfulresultsfrommybook,GettingResultstheAgileWay.Inday14, welearnedakeywaytomastertimemanagementbycarvingouttimeforwhatsimportant. Today,welearnhowtoquietourmindandachieveapeacefulcalm.Fromthisvantage point,youllseethingswithmoreclarity,youllfeelcentered,andyoullthinkyourbest thoughts.Youllalsofinditeasiertoquietyourmentalchatter,andjustbeinthe moment.Youlldirectyourattentionwithskill.

A Peaceful Calm State of Mind

Ifyouarentsurewhatitsliketofeelapeacefulcalm,thebestwayIcandescribeitisitslike lookingoutovertheGrandCanyonforthefirsttime.Yourmindjusttakesitallin.Thereareno worriesaboutthepast,thepresent,orthefuture.Yourmindisfullyabsorbedinthemoment. Forthatbriefmoment,yourmindiscaptivatedbytheexperience. Yourmindisempty,butfullyalert,fullyaware,andnotdistractedbyanymentalchatterorany ofyourheadmovies.Insteadofreplayingscenesinyourmind,youarethemovie.

Relaxed, Ready, and Resourceful

Whiletheworldmightbeajungle,fightorflightmodecanlimitourbestthinking.Tothinkour bestthoughtsorcreateourbestideas,orsolveourproblemsinthemostresourcefulway,we needtooperatefromaplacethatscenteredandserene. WhenIthinkofpeacefulcalm,wordsthatcometomindare:tranquil,centered,serene, andpeaceful.IalsothinkofaseriesofRwords including:restful,resourceful,relaxed,responsive,andready.

 Anemptymindisapowerfulone.Itsreadyforaction.Itsrelaxed,ready,andresponsive. Whenyourmindisrelaxed,youcantakeininformationwithlessdistortion.Youre connectedtoyouremotions,butratherthanbeingoverwhelmedorrandomized,itsmore likeusingyouremotionsasinput. Whenyourmindisready,youareresponsive.Youareabletoeasilyseethesituationand respondwithskillinsteadofreactoutoffearoranxiety. Whenyourmindisresourceful,youareabletoeasilythinkthethoughtsthatserve you.Yourcreativemindisreadytosolveproblemswithyouinsteadofworkagainstyou.

Additional Ways to Center Yourself and Achieve a Peaceful Calm

Herearesomeadditionalwaystohelpyouachieveapeacefulstateofcalm: 1. Takeawaythethreat.Iftheresonethingthatcankeepeatingatyou,itsthethreatsin yourlife.Ifyoutakeawaythethreats,yousolidifyyourfoundation.Youeitherhaveto decidewhattodoaboutit,orletitgo,ordecideitsnothowyouregoingtolive.Oneof thebestwaystodealwithathreatistoreframeitasachallengeandtakethebullbythe horns.Anotherwayistoassumetheworstcasescenarioanddealwithit.Forexample,lets sayyourthreatislosingyourjob.Thenassumeyoullloseit,andmakethepreparations getstaffingcompaniesonyourside,buildyournetwork,andcreateawinningresume. 2. Makeamapofwhatsimportant.Thissimplestepwilladdclarityforyourmindanda placetofocusyourthoughts,whentheymightseemrandomorallovertheboard.Mapout yourprioritiesandoutcomes. 3. Findyourwhy.Byfindingyourwhy,yousimplifyyourlifedowntoadrivingpurpose.It givesyouasimplewaytoprioritizeandevaluatewhatyouwillspendyourtimeoryour energyon. 4. Learntopause.Bytakingabriefpause,youcanrespondoverreact.Itwillhelpyoustay centeredinmoresituationsandrespondmoreeffectively. 5. Resetyourmentalmodel.Askyourself,Whodoyouwanttobe?andWhatexperiences doyouwanttocreate?Doyouwanttoberunningaroundlikeachickenwithitsheadcut offordoyouwanttoshowsomeselfcontrol,confidence,clarity,anddeliberate action?Simplybydoingareset,whenyoufindyourselfoffkilter,canhelpyoucenter yourselfwithskill. 6. Focusonyourbreathing.Youdthinkwedothiswell,givenhowmuchwebreatheallthe time.Well,usuallywedont.Itseasytogetstressedandthenbreathehighandshallow insteadofdeepandfull.Ifyouwanttocenteryourself,thenfocusonyourbreathing.Key tipdonttreatitweirdoractlikeitsamagicritual.Simplyfeeltheflowofyourbreathin, down,andaround,thenbackout.Pausewhenitsfullyin,andsimplynoticewhatafull, deepbreathfeelslike.Simplyenjoyyourbreath.Thenhaveanother,itsonthehouse. 7. Visualizewithskill.Thisisparticularlyeffectiveifyoutendtobeveryvisual.Youcan simplyrecallsomeofyourfavoritesceneryorscenesfromyourlife,whereyoufelta

peacefulcalm.Thiswillhelpyourememberthefeeling,anditwillgiveyourmindaquick waytofocusonsomethingthatitalreadyknows. 8. Remindyourselfthatthingscanalwaysbeworse.Theyreallycan.Ifyouneedexamples, youcanfindthemeasily.Somebodyisalwaysworseoff.Ifyouadjustyourframeof reference,thiscanhelpyoukeepthingsinyourownlifeinbetterperspective.Onething thatsticksoutformehereisalinefromNavySealstryoutsthatgoeslikethis,Theonly easydaywasyesterday.Andofcourse,yesterday,wasanabsolutenightmarebutby comparison,itsawalkinthepark.

Todays Assignment
1. Getagoodmentalpicturethatyoucanusetogettoyourpeacefulcalm.Remembera timewhenyourmindwasatitsmostrelaxed,ready,andresourcefulstate.Reallygeta goodpictureinyourmindofthisexperience.Noticewhatitfeelslike.Walkyourfive sensesonebyone(site,hearing,touch,smell,taste):Whatdoyousee?Whatdoyou hear?Whatdoyoufeel?Whatdoyousmell?Whatdoyoutaste?Forexample,if yourimageisonthebeach,youmightseathewaveslapagainsttheshore,youmighthear theseagulls,youmightfeelthesandbetweenyourtoesandthewarmsunonyour shoulders,youmightsmelltheboardwalk,andyoumighttastethesaltintheair.Simply walkingyoursenseswilldramaticallyimproveyourabilitytofullyrememberthe feeling.Themoreyoupracticethebetteryouget. 2. Writedowneverythingthatsbuzzingaroundinyourbrain.Whetheritsthingsthatare buggingyouorideasthatkeepfloatingaround.Justemptyitandkeepemptyingituntil youvegotitalldown.Breatheasighofrelief.Yourelookingatyourmindonpaper. 3. Makeatimeandaplaceforthings.Forthethingsthatyoureallyhavetodealwith,create anappointmentwithyourself,addittoyourschedule,andwhenevertheissuecomesup, reminderyourselfthatyouhaveanappointmenttodealwithit.

Day 16 Use Metaphors to Find Your Motivation

Todifferentminds,thesameworldisahell,andaheaven.RalphWaldoEmerson

Your Outcome
YourOutcome:Findthemetaphorsthatempoweryourforyourbestresultsinworkand life.Useinspiringmetaphorstomakemeaningandenjoythejourneyandyour destination.Thisisyourwaytogetonyourpathorbackonyourhorseorgetupto batandmakethemostofwhatyouvegot.

Welcome to Day 16
Welcometoday16of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday15,welearnedhowtoachievea peacefulcalmstateofmind. Today,welearnhowtousemetaphorstofindourmotivationanddrive.Metaphorsarea simplewaytoaddjuicetoyourlife.Byusingmetaphors,youcanempoweryourselfmore effectively,andcreatemoremeaningfulandcompellingsituationsandcircumstances.When youusemetaphorsthatconnecttoyourvalues,youfindwaystoturnordinarysituationsinto extraordinarysituations.Forexample,Idontdriveaproject,Ileadanepic adventure.Adventureisoneofmyvalues,soItryandconnecttoitwhereverIcan. Inyourlife,itsyourstoryandyouarethedirector.Youchoosewhattopointyourcameraat andthemeaningyoullmake.Metaphorshelpyoushapeyourstory.

Why Metaphors
Metaphorshelpsusshapealanguageandthepicturesweholdinourminds.Creatingavision andholdingitinourheadswilltendtosteerustowardstheemotionsandfeelingsthatwe associatewithsuchapicture. Whetherornotthepictureisanaccuraterepresentationofwhatwearerelatingitto,wetend tocreatethatpictureanywayandtheemotionsthatgoalongwithit.Itthereforehasa tendencytobecomereality,atleastonanemotionallevel.Thebottomlineis,metaphors shapeyouroverallexperience,filterwhatyouperceive,andinfluencehowyoumakemeaning. Youarethemostimportantmeaningmaker(andperhapsnotalwaysthebest,especiallyifits bydefaultandnotbydesign).Chooseyourmetaphorsthoughtfully;hereswhy: Theyshapeyourexperience. Theyempoweryoutochangehowyouthinkandfeel(andyourthinkingandfeelingimpact yourdoing).

Theyhelpyoumakemeaning.

Example Metaphors
Herearesomecommonmetaphors: PositiveMetaphors Chippingawayatthestone Expedition Eyeofthetiger Grabthebullbythehorns Mission Yourshiphascomein Yourshipissailingandyoureonit NegativeMetaphors Hittingawall Lifesucksthenyoudie Swimmingupstream Thatshiphassailed Upthestreamwithoutapaddle Uphillbattle Youreonyourown

Whetherametaphorispositiveornegativeisuptoyou.Forexample,mostpeoplewould probablythinkofanuphillbattleasnegative.Thenagain,somepeoplemightlikethe challenge.Ultimately,itsyourcontextandhowyouthinkaboutaparticularmetaphorthat decideswhetheritspositiveornegative. Youcanusemetaphorsforyourselfandforlife.

Metaphors for You

Youcanusemetaphorsforwhoyouareorwhatyoudo,asasimplewaytoshapeyour experience,ortohelpothersmakesenseofwhatyoudo.Herearesomeexamples: Imasurvivor Imalover Imafighter Imahealer Imateddybear Imalion Imabull Imapeacefulwarrior Imatruthseeker Imamentor Contrastthatsomeofsomedisempoweringornegativemetaphors.Youcanusemetaphorsto morepurposefullyshapetheexperiencesyouwanttocreate.ForexampleAreyouanold dogoralifelonglearnerorforeveryoungoryoungatheartordoyouagelikeafine wineandgetbetterwithage?Thechoiceisyours.

Metaphors for Life

Yourmetaphorforlifehasabigimpactonyourdaytodayexperience.Yourmetaphorforlife shapesyourdaytodayexperienceinsimplebutprofoundways.Considersomeexamples: Lifesagame Lifesadance Lifesmagic Lifesatragedy Lifesanadventure Lifesacomedy Ifyouseelifeasatragedy,itbecomesone.Ifyouseelifeasagame,youmighttryandfindout howtowin.Iflifeisacomedy,thenmaybeeverydayislikeyourfavoritesitcom.Iflifeisa dance,maybeyoufindwaystoseegraceorbeautyinyourselfandothers.Iflifeismagic,then youfindthewonderintheworldandyouenjoyseekingoutmysteryandpossibility.

Key Take Aways

Herearekeytakeawaystohelpyouusemetaphorstofindyourmotivation: 1. Metaphorsshapeyourexperience. 2. Metaphorscanbeasimplewaytoempoweryourself. 3. Choosethemetaphorsthatworkforyou. 4. Youcanfindametaphorforyourselfandforlife.

Todays Assignment
1. Findanempoweringmetaphorforyoursituationorcircumstance. 2. Findanempoweringmetaphorforyourselforwhatyoudo. 3. Findanempoweringmetaphorforlife. Rememberthatthekeytoasuccessfulmetaphoristhatitmotivatesyouandhelpsyourespond toanychallengethatcomesyourwayorsucceedatwhateveryoudo.Itsnotwhetheritmakes sense,itshowitmakesyoufeelandtheresultsyouget.Measureandtestyourmetaphors againstpersonaleffectivenessasyourultimateyardstick.

Day 17 Add Power Hours to Your Week

Theenergyofthemindistheessenceoflife.Aristotle

Outcome
AddPowerHourstoyourweekanduseyourbestenergyforyourbestresults.Byguarding yourpeakhoursthroughouttheday,andapplyingthemwhereyouneeditmost,you dramaticallyimproveyourabilitytoachievefaster,better,andeasierresults.

Welcome to Day 17
Welcometoday17of30DaysofGettingResultsbasedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday16,welearnedhowtousemetaphorstofindourmotivation. Today,welearnhowtoincreasethenumberofpowerhourswehavethroughouttheweek.By addingPowerHours,wekeepourenergystrongandweachievemorethanwouldnormallybe possible.

Power Hours are Your Force Multiplier

Outofyourweek,howmanyhoursarehourswhereyouactuallyfeellikeyouareontopof yourgameandgettingyourworkdoneormakingyourideashappen?ManypeopleIknowget thebulkoftheirworkdoneinashortperiodoftime.Theyhaveto.Theyonlyhaveafew uninterruptedhourswheretheycanfullyfocusandproducetheirresults.Theyvemastered theirPowerHours. ThebeautyofthePowerHouristhatItsasmallblockoftime.ItsYOURpeakhourandits YOURforcemultiplier.Youcandeliberatelyturnmoreofyourhours,intoyourpeakhoursto multiplyyourresults. Ifyourealreadyworkingontherightthings,therightway,Icantthinkofanystronger multipliertoyourdaythanusingyourbestenergytoamplifyyourresults.

Visual The 3 Keys to Amazing Results

Hereisasimplementalmodelforthinkingabouthowyoucanimpactyourresults:

 Basically,youcanthrowmoretimeatsomething,oryoucanchangeyourapproachoryour technique,oryoucanchangetheenergyoreffortyouapply.Thekeyistospendtheright time,ontherightthings,therightway,withtherightenergy.Thatsthetruesecretoffaster, simpler,easierresults.

Power Hours are Your Peak Hours

APowerHourissimplyanhourwhereyouareinthezoneandatyourbest.ItsatermI heardoftenwhilegrowingup,whetheritwassomebodyhavingapowerhourwhenthey workedout,orhavingapowerhouronthejob.Onthejob,apowerhourmeantthatyou arefiringonallcylinders,clearinghurdleswithease,andplowingthroughyourworkinan unstoppableway,withenergyandzest.

Why Power Hours

Notallhoursarethesame.Somehoursarebetterthanothersthroughouttheweek.There aremanyreasonstoaddmorePowerHourstoyourweek,buthereareafew: 1. PowerHoursarethekeytoexponentialresultsTheyareyourforcemultiplier.Idrather havefourPowerHours,thanfortynonpeakhours. 2. PowerHoursareexclusivelyyours.Theyareyourpeakhours.Yourbatteriesarecharged andyouarereadytogo. 3. PowerHoursrefuelyou.Theyhelpyourenew,refuel,andbuildmomentumthroughout yourdayandthroughoutyourweek. 4. PowerHourshelpyouconqueryourmountains.Theyhelpyoublastthroughyourworkor betterdealwithyourworsthurdlesorchallengesinworkandlife. 5. PowerHoursarethesecrettoworkingless.Theyarethekeytoworkingless,while achievingmore. ThemainreasontoaddPowerHourstoyourweekistogetleveragefromthetimeandenergy youalreadyspend.Ifyouveeverthrowntimeatyourproblems,orhadyourworkfeellikeit

stretchesonandon,oryouvegonethroughthemotionsbutdidntfeellikeyouweregetting anywhere,thenyouknowexactlywhyyouneedtoaddmorePowerHourstoyourweek.

3 Steps to Adding Power Hours to Your Week

HerearethreewaysthatyoucanaddPowerHourstoyourweek: Step1.FindthePowerHoursyoualreadyhave.Weallhavethem.Someofourhours arewaymoreeffectivethanothersorwefeelwaymorealertandalive.Simplyidentify throughouttheweek,whichhoursarethehourswhereyoufeelyouareatyourbest,and youcoulddoyourbestwork.Dontconfusethiswithwhendoyouactuallydoyour work.Thisislikeknowingwhenyoufeelhungryversuswhendoyouactuallyeat.Inthis case,simplyidentifyyourbesthoursofenergyintheweek. Step2.GuardyourPowerHours.FindwaystoblockofyourPowerHoursasifyourlife dependedonit.Infact,yourlivelihoodmightdependonit.Nowthatyouveactually identifiedwhenyourPowerHoursare,protectthemsothatyoucanspendthemwhere youneeditmost.Whatsomepeopledoistheycreateappointmentswith themselves.Theystopsettingupmeetingswithotherpeopleduringthosetimes.They pushbackonmeetingrequestsforthosetimes.SimplybyprotectingthePowerHoursthat youalreadyhaveisthefastestwaytoaddPowerHourstoyourweek(or,toputitanother way,itshownottoruintheyourpeakhours.) Step3.SpendMoreTimeinYourStrengths.YoucanaddPowerHoursbyshufflingyour schedulearoundtospendmoretimeinyourstrengths.Forexample,Ideliberatelyadded activitieslikebrainstormingorhavinglunchwithmymentorsasweeklyroutinestoadd morePowerHourstomyday.Forideasonfindingandapplyingyourstrengths,seeDay10 FeelStrongAllWeekLong. WhenIfirstcountedupmyPowerHoursfortheweekseveralyearsback,IfoundIhadaround four.IwasprettyupsetuntilIcheckedwithotherpeopleandfoundouttheywereluckyifthey hadthat.IcanhappilysaythatbydeliberatelyfocusingonaddingPowerHourstomyweek,I haveaminimumoffourPowerHoursperday.Thishelpsmeachievealotmorewithlesstime, andspendmybestenergywhereIneeditmost.Thiswasmykeyforexponentialresults.

Todays Assignment
1. IdentifyyourcurrentPowerHoursfortheweek.Findtherecurringrhythmsand patterns.Itmightbejustbeforebreakfastorrightafter,ormaybeitsafterlunch.Lookto whereyoufeelyourbestduringtheday. 2. Guardyourpowerhours.FindawaytofreethosePowerHoursbackupsothatyoucanuse themeitherforgettingyourworkdoneormakingyourideashappenorblastingthrough barriers.

Day 18 Add Creative Hours to Your Week

Creativityisallowingyourselftomakemistakes.Artisknowingwhichonestokeep.Scott Adams

Your Outcome
AddmoreCreativeHourstoyourweek.Letyourideasandimaginationcomeouttoplay, whileyouuncorkyourcreativegeniusandflexyourcreativemind.

Welcome to Day 18
Welcometoday18of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday17,welearnedhowtoaddPowerHourstoyourweek. Today,welearnhowtoaddcreativehourstoourweek.Withourcreativehours,wecan innovateorthinkofnewideasorworkonourcreativeart.

Adding Creative Hours to Your Week

JustlikeaddingPowerHours,youmightbenefitfromaddingmoreCreativeHourstoyour week.CounthowmanyCreativeHoursyouhaveduringtheweek.Ifitsnotenough,schedule moreandsetyourselfupsothattheytrulyareCreativeHours. Ifyourethecreativetype,thiswillbeespeciallyimportant.Ifyoudontthinkofyourselfasvery creative,thensimplythinkoftheseasfreehourstoletyourmindwanderandexploreor reflect.

Creative Hours are Your FreeForm Thinking

Itsthosetimeswhenyourmindfeelsfreetoexploreideas:creatingnewideasfromscratch, puttingnewideastogether,orsimplyreflecting.YourCreativeHoursarereallyastateof mindastateofdaydreaming.Itsthemindsetthatsimportant.WhereasyourPowerHours maybefocusedonresults,yourCreativeHoursarefocusedonfreeformthinkingand exploration. YoumightfindthatCreativeHoursareyourperfectbalancetoPowerHours.Youmightalso findthatyouthrivebestwhenyouaddmoreCreativeHourstoyourweek.Ultimately,you mightfindthatyourPowerHoursfreeuptimeforyourCreativeHours,orthatyourCreative HourschangethegameandimproveyourPowerHours.

YourpowerhoursmightalsobehowyouleverageyourideasfromyourCreativeHours.Test yourresults.

3 Common Patterns for Your Mind at Work

Forsimplicityssake,letsstartbycallingoutthreecommonpatternsormodesofthinking: 1. Creativeinspiration.Yourcreativejuicesareflowing.Thisiswhereyourimaginationruns wildandyourideasarefreeflowingandyouarefullofcreativeinspiration.Youreableto thinkoutoftheboxandideasseemtocometoyou. 2. ThoughtfulTask.Yourbrainisengagedandthisiswhereyouhavetothinkyourway throughyouractivity.Youareactivelythinkingandprocessinginformationandusingyour memory. 3. RoutineActivity.Yourbraindoesnothavetobeengaged.Itsafamiliarorrepetitivetask thatyoucandowithoutthinking.Youjustknowwhattodoandyoucanjustdoit,without muchmentalintervention. Youcanusethesepatternsasalenstohelpyoubetteridentifywhenyouareinyourmost creativestate.Keepinmindthatthenatureofyourworkwillinfluenceyourpattern.

3 Steps to Adding More Creative Hours to Your Week

HerearethreewaystoaddmoreCreativeHourstoyourweek: Step1.ProtecttheCreativeHoursyoualreadyhave.Firstidentifythewhenyoureatyour creativebestthroughouttheweek.Youmightfindthatyourbesthoursforcreativity followcertainroutinesoroccuratrepeatabletimes.Forexample,maybeyourridehome fromworkputsyouinacreativestate. Step2.CreateSpace.Youmightneedtoaddspaceinyourscheduletogiveyourselfroom forimaginationandcreativity.Forexample,ifyourealwaysrushingtomakeadeadlineor alwaysworriedaboutwhatyouhavetodonext,youmightnotbemakingenoughspaceor downtimetoexperienceyourbestcreativity.Youmightneedtocreatespaceintermsof timeorcreatespaceintermsoflocation.SeeDay7SetupBoundariesandBuffers. Step3.Changeupyourroutines.Youmightneedtochangeyourroutinestofindpatterns thathelpyougetintoyourcreativemodemoreeasily.Forexample,maybebysimply movingaroundsomeofyourroutines,youfindthatyousuddenlyexperiencemorecreative energyandyourideasflowonamoreregularbasis. Thekeyinallthisissimplybeingmoremindfulofwhenyouareatyourcreativebest,and findingwaystoexperiencemoreofyourcreativemindsetbydesigninsteadofjustluckinginto it.Experimentandtesttofindwhatworksforyou.

Experiment Between Morning Person and Night Owl

Somepeoplefindthattheyaremorecreativeatnightbutaremoreproductiveduringtheday. Otherpeoplefindtheysimplycantbecreativeincertainsituationsorthattheycantbe productiveinothers.Experimentbetweenbeinganightowlandamorningpersontoseewhich patternsworkbestforyou.Youmightevenfindthatthesepatternsswitch,dependingonthe season.Forexample,youmightprefertobeanightowlinthewinterandamorningpersonin thesummer.

Todays Assignment
1. IdentifyyourCreativeHours. 2. CreatemorespaceforyourCreativeHours

Day 19 Who are You Doing it For?

Beautyisaltogetherintheeyeofthebeholder.?LewWallace

Your Outcome
Figureoutwhothethingsyoudoarereallyfor.Seehowwhethertheworkyoudoisactually abovethelineorbelowthelineintermsofwhetheryouregettingahead,orjust treadingwater.

Welcome to Day 19
Welcometoday19of30DaysofGettingResults.Inday18,welearnedhowtoaddmore creativehourstoyourweek. Today,welearnhowtogetclarityonwhotheworkwedoisreallyfor.Withgreatclarity, comesgreatconviction.Whenyouknowwhoyouareactuallydoingthingsfor,youcancheck whetherwhatyouredoingisreallyvalued,orifthereissomethinghigherpriority.Youcan theninvestmoreofyourtimeandenergyinthingsthathavemorevalue.More importantly,youcanbettermapthevalueyoucreatetowhatpeopleactuallycareabout, includingyourself.Whensomethingyoudoisactuallyforyou,makesureitswhatyoureally value.Whensomethingyoudoisforsomethingelse,makesureitswhattheyreallywantor careabout. Thisonesimplepracticewillhelpyouavoidcrossedexpectationswithyourselfandothers. Itwillalsohelpyouavoidfeelingunderappreciated,anditwillalsohelpyouactuallyflowmore valueforyourselfandothersonaregularbasis.Alittleclaritygoesalongway.

What Value Are You Delivering?

Whenyouthrowtimeandenergyatthings,lookatitintermsofvaluedeliveredversus activityperformed.Rememberthatvalueisintheeyeofthebeholderwhetheritsvalue toyourself,toyourmanager,forthecompany,orfortheworld.

Value is in the Eye of the Beholder

Onecommonpitfallisthrowingalotoftimeandeffortatthings,onlytofindthatwhenyoure done,nobodycares. Youneedtofigureoutwhoyouarereallydoingitfor,andhowvalueditreallyis. Ifitsforyou,dontexpectappreciation.Ifitsactuallyforyou,thatsperfectlyfine.You havetotakecareofyourneedsandwants,too.Justdontexpectotherstoappreciateit,

sinceitsnotactuallyforthem.Ifyoukeepfeelingalackofappreciation,thenaskyourself, WhowasIreallydoingitfor?Ifitwasactuallyforyourself,thenfigureoutwhetheritwas whatyoumostcaredabout,orwhetheryoucouldhaveinvestedthesametimein somethingelseandmademoreimpact. Ifitsforsomebodyelse,findouthowmuchtheyreallycare.Ifyouweredoingitfor somebodyelse,askthemwhetherwhatyoureworkingonisreallythemostimportant thingtothem,rightnow.Checkwiththem!Whetheritsyourcustomeroryourpartneror whoever,itseasytoassumetheyshouldvalueit,justbecauseyoudo,orbecauseyouthink theyshould.Itsalsoverypossiblethatwhatwasimportanttothematonepoint,isno longerasimportant(timechangeswhatsimportant.)Ifyoureworkingonalotoflow priorityitems,dontexpecttogettherewards.Yoursuccessdependsonfiguringouttheir trueprioritiesandmappingthevalueyoudelivertothat.Atwork,Ifindthatpeopledont alwaysknowwhattheyreallyvalue,soItendtosimplyask,Whataresomeofyourworst problemsonyourplate?Thishelpsquicklyseparateallthethingsamanagermighttell youtodoversuswhatsreallyontheirradarandwhattheyreallycareabout. Dontbecomeadumpingground.Themoreyouworkonlowpriorityitems,themoreyou becomeadumpingground.Themoreyoubecomeadumpingground,thebusieryouget; andthebusieryouget,themoreoverloadedyouwillfeel.Nowtheworsthappensyoure overworked,underappreciated,andnofuntobearound. Getoffthetreadmill.Byfailingtoworkonwhatsvaluableandbyfailingtounderstand andresetexpectations,youveworkedyourselfintoanunrewarding,highstressscenario.

Acommonscenarioonateamiswheresomebodyspendsalotoftimerampingupand learning.Theyarentactuallydeliveringvaluefortheteamyet.Theygetfrustratedthatthey dontfeelappreciatedandtheysayhowmuchtimetheyvespentlearningorfiguringthingsout orworkinghard.Thelenstheyaremissingisthattheyarejustdoingwhatsexpectedwhichis belowtheline,andtheyhaventrisenabovethelineyet.Theyneedtoseethat,atthat stageoratthispointintime,thevalueisactuallyforthemandthatitstheirowngrowth.

Points to Ponder to Deliver More Value

Herearesomepointsforyoutopondertohelpyoudelivermorevaluetoyourselfandothers: Areyouworkingonstuffthatsvalued? Whoisthevaluefor:youorsomebodyelse? Theimportantthingisforyoutohaveanappropriateframeofreferenceforthevalueofwhat youredoing.Ifyoudontfeelappreciatedforwhatyouredoing,itjustmightnotbethat valuabletosomebodyelse,oritmightjustbeexpected.Youalsomightfindthatyouresobusy takingcareofeverythingthatyoucantgetyourheadabovewater. Thefixisusuallyreprioritizingwhatsonyourplate,figuringoutwhattherealvaluesand expectationsare,andresettingexpectationswithyourselfandothers.Thelastplaceyou

wanttobeisgrindingawayonsomethingthatneitheryounoranyoneelsewillvalue,orworse, missingbasicexpectationsthatminimizesyouroveralleffectiveness.

Todays Assignment
1. Forthethingsthatareonyourplate,getclarityonwhotheyarereallyfor.Itsfinefor thingstobebothforyouandotherpeople,butifitsforotherpeople,youmightwantto checkwhethertheyactuallyvalueitorwouldprefersomethingelse.Dontbesurprisedif whattheyvalueisnotthesameaswhatyouvalue.However,youcanoftenfindorcreatea bridge. 2. Figureoutthethingsthatyoureallyneedtodoforyourself.Dothemguiltfree.Remember thatthebetteryoucantakecareofyourself,thebetteryoucantakecareofothers.Builda firmfoundationandaplatformforyourself,soyoucandogreatthingsandflowvaluefor yourselfandothers.Onewaytoremindyourselfofsomeofyourbasicneedsisto exploreMaslowsHierarchyofNeeds.

Day 20 Ask Better Questions, Get Better Results

Therearenorightanswerstowrongquestions.UrsulaK.LeGuin

Your Outcome
Learnhowtoaskcuttingquestionstoinstantlystarthelpingyouimproveyourresults.By askingkeyquestions,youcancutthroughthefogorcuttothechaseandfigureoutwhat reallycounts.

Welcome to Day 20
Welcometoday20of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday19,welearnedtoaskthequestion,Whoareyoudoingitfor?tohelpusget clarityonwhywearedoingwhatweredoingandwhetheritisreallyvaluedandwhoactually valuesit.Thisalsohelpsusmapthevaluebetter,whetheritsforourselvesorforsomebody else. Today,webuildonthisapproachofaskingquestions,toimproveourresults. Askingcuttingquestionshelpsyouimproveyourabilitytoworkontherightthings,withthe rightenergy,attherighttime,therightwayforYOURBESTRESULTS. Askingbetterquestionsisanongoingprocess.Theonewhogainsthemostisyou.Yourability toimprovethequestionsyouaskyourselfwillimprovethequalityofyourlifeinallareas.

Why Ask Questions

Askingtherightquestionscanhelpyoubalance,focus,makebetterdecisions,andprioritize moreeffectively.Letselaborateonthat: Askingtherightquestionsleadsustobetteranswers.Ifwethinkofthinkingasaprocess ofaskingandansweringquestions,thentogetbetteranswers,wehavetoaskbetter questions.Thinkaboutthat.Whetheritsyourownselftalkorinameeting,howpowerful isittoasktherightquestion? Askingquestionschangesyourfocus.Youcanchangeyourfocusbychangingyour question,andthisallowsyoutoquicklyswitchperspectivesorgetanewlensonthings.For example,byaskingyourselfWhatsrightinyourlife?yougetaverydifferentresultthan asking,Whatswrongwithyourlife?Somepeopleneveraskthemselveswhatsrightin theirlife,andtheyloseappreciationforwhattheyvegot,andtheyblowthebadthingsout ofproportion.

Directyourselftalkmoreeffectively.Changeyourquestionsandyouchangeyour game.Ratherthantellyourselftodothings,youcanaskmoreeffectivequestionstoget moreresourceful.Forexample,HowmightIsolvethisorWhatsagoodapproach?or WhoelsesharesthisproblemthatIcanlearnfrom?Youcanalsogetunstuckby switchinggearsfromWhytoHowquestions.Forexample,ratherthanask,Whydoes thisalwayshappentome?,askyourselfeither,Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?or Howwillyouavoidthisinthefuture? Askingquestionscreatesopportunity.Ifyouwantmoreconflictinyourlife,simplymake morestatements.Statementscreateconflict.Somebodycanalwaysarguewitha statement.Youcanevenarguewithyourself.Switchingtoquestions,opensup exploration. Questionscreateahhas.Whenyouaskquestions,youcanactuallycreateemotional connectionsasyouhaveyourinsightandahhamoments.Theseemotionallinksare morepowerfulthanjustrawinformation.

Asyoucansee,therearelotsofreasonswhyimprovingyourquestionscanimproveyour everydayexperienceinaverypracticalway.

Quotes About Questions

Herearesomeofmyfavoritequotesaboutthevalueofaskinggoodquestions: 1. Achildcanaskquestionsthatawisemancannotanswer.Unknown 2. Aprudentquestionisonehalfofwisdom.FrancisBacon 3. Ananswerisalwaysaformofdeath.JohnFowles 4. Itisnoteveryquestionthatdeservesananswer.PubliliusSyrus 5. Noquestionissodifficulttoanswerasthattowhichtheanswerisobvious.KarlOtto vonSchonhausenBismarck 6. Qualityquestionscreateaqualitylife.Successfulpeopleaskbetterquestions,andasa result,theygetbetteranswers.AnthonyRobbins 7. Questionsareneverindiscreet.Answerssometimesare.PubliliusSyrus 8. Themanwhoquestionsopinioniswise;themanwhoquarrelswithfactisafool.FrankA Garbutt 9. Theonlyquestionsthatreallymatteraretheonesyouaskyourself.UrsulaK.LeGuin 10. Theuncreativemindcanspotwronganswers,butittakesaverycreativemindtospot wrongquestions.AntonyJay 11. Welearnmorebylookingfortheanswertoaquestionandnotfindingitthanwedofrom learningtheansweritself.LloydAlexander 12. Whenwehavearrivedatthequestion,theanswerisalreadynear.RalphWaldoEmerson 13. Youcantellwhetheramaniscleverbyhisanswers.Youcantellwhetheramaniswiseby hisquestions.NaguibMahfouz

Questions for Improving Your Results

Hereisatableofquestionsyoucandrawfromtohelpyouimproveyourresults: Category General Questions Aretherightpeopleworkingontherightthings? Whatstherightthingtodo? Whatsthebestplayforthisscenario? Doesyourcontainerlimitorsupportyou? Whatsthenextbestthingtodo? Nextsteps? Whataretheactions? Whatsthesimplestthingyoucandonow? Isyourcurrentactionmovingyourforwardsorbackwards? Whatareyouoptimizing? Isiteffective? AreyougoingfasterANDintherightdirection? Whatdoyouwanttoaccomplish? Whatarethetestsforsuccess? Arethesereallyyourgoalsorsomeoneelses?

Action

Efficiency andEffectiveness

GoalsandObjectives

Learning

Whocanyoulearnfrom? Whatare3examplestomodelfrom? Whatare3thingsgoingwell? Whatare3thingstoimprove? Doyouwanttodoit? Doyouliketodoit? Howcanyouenjoytheprocess? Whatthoughtsaregettinginthewayofyourmotivation? Canyoumakeadifferentchoicethatismoremotivating? Howmuchtimedidyouspendonit? Howmuchtimeshouldyouspendonit? Isnowtherighttime? Whatsgoodenoughfornow? Areyouspending$20ona$5problem? Howcanyoumanageyourenergytouseyourtimemoreeffectively?

Motivation

TimeManagement

Value

Doesitmatter? Isitsignificant? Whofeelsithasvalue?You?Others? Ifothersvalueit,doesitconflictoralignwithwhatyouvalue?

Using the Table of Questions

Usethetableasastartingpoint,butthekeyistofindthequestionsthatworkforyouand continuetoaddtoyourquestiontoolboxovertime.Youllfindthatsomequestionswill reallyempoweryoufromgettingunstuck,tofindingsolutions,togettinginspired,tofiguring outyournextbestthingtodo.

Your Assignment
1. Identifyonequestionyoucanaskyourselfthatcanhelpyougetbetterresults. 2. Identifyonequestionyouneedtostopaskingyourself,soyoucangetbetterresults.Finda moreeffectivequestionyoucanreplacetheineffectivequestionwith.

Day 21 Carry the Good Forward and Let the Rest Go

WhenIletgoofwhatIam,IbecomewhatImightbe.LaoTzu

Your Outcome
Makethemostofyoursetbacks,failures,andlessons.Takethelessonsyoulearneach week,carrythegoodforward,andusethemtorefineyourapproach.Lettherestgo.

Welcome to Day 21
Welcometoday21of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday20,welearnedhowtoaskbetterquestionstogetbetterresults.Byaskingbetter questions,wegetclarityonwhatcountsforourselvesandothers,andwefigureoutwhats reallyvalued. Today,welearnhowtofindthelessons,failfast,andfailforward.Thekeystorapidlearning areturningfailuresintofeedback,carryingthegoodforward,andstayingcurious.Theworst pitfalltofallintoisastateoflearnedhelplessness,whereyoushutdownorstartthinking thatnomatterwhatyoutry,itjustwontwork. Dontdwellonwhatyoudidwrongfigureoutwhatyoucandoright. Justbecauseyoudontgettheresultsyouexpected,dontloseyourway.Oneofmyfavorite remindersinPeacefulWarrioristhatawarriordoeswhattheylove,despitethesetbacksand thechallenges.Theyfindaway.

Why Carry the Good Forward

Whenyoucarrythegoodforward,andlettherestgo,yourlessonsbecomeaspringboardthat supportyouinallareasofyourlife.Ratherthangetboggeddown,orbeatyourselfupfromall thethingsthatdontgoasplanned,youfindsmarterstrategiesandtacticsforimprovingyour success.Thisbuildsmomentumandapersonaltoolboxyoucandrawfromwheneveryou needit.

Find the Lessons

Nomatterwhatgoeswrongyoucanalwaysfindthelessons.Mistakeshappen.Were human.Thingsdontalwaysgoasplanned.Itseasytolookbackandsecondguessyourself afterthefact,withperfect2020hindsight.

Thatswhatmakesjudgingandcritiquingsoeasy,sinceyouhaveanewvantagepointandmore information.Ratherthanusethevantagepointasacritic,turnyourinnercriticintoyour personalcoachanduseyourfeedbackasawaytopaveapathforward.Youcanusequestions tofindthelessons: WhatdidIlearn? HowcanImakethemostofthis? HowcanIusethis? Testyourresultsandfindthequestionsthatworkforyou.Ifyoureinasituationthatdoesnt seemlikeitwillchange,thenchangeyourselffirstbyaskingthequestion,Ifthissituation neverweretochange,whatstheonequalityIneedtomakethemostofthis?

Fail Forward
Turnfailuresintolessons.Dontjustask,WhydidIfail?Itsimportanttoalsoask,WhatdidI learn?Carrythegoodforward.Asyougetintothehabitoffailingforward,youllfinditeasier andeasiertoturnfailureintofeedback,whilelearningthekeylessonsandinsightthathelpyou spreadyourwingsorbouncebackfastereachtime.

Catch the Next Train

Dontbelatefortoday.Beearlyfortomorrow.Allthetimeyouspenddwellingonwhatyou missedoropportunitylost,takesawayfromyougettingreadytocatchthenexttrain.While yourrearviewmirrorishelpfulforlearninglessons,findawayforwardandleadyourselfwith skillbystayingforwardlookinginyourapproach.Wheneveryoufindyourselfdwelling,ask yourself,Whatsnext?

Get Up to Bat
Thisisoneofmyfavoritemetaphors.Yougetanewchanceatbateachday,eachweek,each month,eachyear.Aslongasyoukeepgettinguptobat,youhaveanotherchance. Ifyouregoingthroughchange,thenrememberthatchangeisaprocessandthatitmighttake multipletimesormultiplechancestogetitright.Allowforthefactthatchangeishard.You mightfailmultipletimes;justkeepgettingbackonyourhorse,learnfromeachsetback,and carrythegoodforward.Dontbreakyourselfagainstyourowngoalsbybitingofftoomuchor beatingyourselfovertheheadwiththem;instead,usethemtoliftyouandguideyourchoices.

Cut the Chains that Bind You

IfyousawDisneysmovieUp,thenyouknowwhatitsliketocutthetiesthatbindyou.Cut thedeadwoodorwhateverisholdingyouback.InPeacefulWarrior,thereminderwastoput yourbagsdown.Inthemovie,UpintheAir,themainactor,playedbyGeorgeClooney,asks

thequestion,Whatsinyourbackpack?Thisforcesyoutotakealookatallthepossessions, relationships,commitments,andresponsibilitiesthatyoucarryaroundinyourmetaphorical backpack,andwhethertheyrehelpingorhurtingyou,orjusthowmuchtheyareweightingyou down.ThewaythatIturnalloftheseinsightsintoactionandkeepitsimpleiswithaoneliner reminder Carrythegoodforward,andlettherestgo.

Your Assignment
1. Addthequestion,HowcanIusethis?toyourmentaltoolboxfordealingwithyour setbacks,mistakes,andfailures. 2. Addthequestion,Ifthissituationneverweretochange,whatstheonequalityIneedto makethemostofthis?toyourmentaltoolboxfordealingwiththeworstinyourlife. 3. Reframeyourfailuresasfeedback.Treatyourfeedbackasanendlesssupplyof learningsandlessonsyoucanchoosetoacton,ignore,ormakethemostof. 4. EachFriday,findthethreelessonsyoucancarryforwardfromtheweek,intoyournext week,tocreateyourmomentumandaspringboardforyoursuccess.

Day 22 Design Your Day with Skill

Letyourimaginationreleaseyourimprisonedpossibilities.RobertH.Schuller

Your Outcome
Designyourdaytosupportyouforsuccess.Learnhowtostructureyourdaytomakethe mostofwhatyouvegot.Chunkupyourdayandavoidbeingoverwhelmed.

Welcome to Day 22
Welcometoday22of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday21,welearnedhowtocarrythegoodforwardandlettherestgotofailforward, failfast,andimproveaswego. Today,welearnhowtodesignourdaywithskill.Bydesigningourdayinamindfulway,we createjustenoughroutinestogiveusafirmfoundationandplatformforsuccess.Whenwere havingagreatday,thesehabitsamplifyandcatapultoursuccess.Whenwerehavinganoff day,thisfoundationwillhelpusdealwithwhateverlifethrowsourway,aswellasvaultour keychallengesorhurdles.Itsallaboutgettingthesystemonourside,bydesign.

You Drive Your Day or Your Day Drives You

Whenyoudriveyourday,yougettodefinewhatgoodlookslike,andwhenyousettherules, youwinthegame.Itonlytakesamomenttotakealookfromthebalconybeforeyougeton thestage.Beforeyouaremiredinyourday,takethisbrieflooktoseethescenesyoullbe steppinginto. Ifeachdayislikeaplay,thenyouhaveabeginning,amiddleandanend,orthreeacts.What rolesdoyouwanttoplay,andwhatdoyouwantyourdaytobeabout.Whetheritsfromthe balconyorthedirectorschair,youneedtosetthestageforyoursuccess,onescene,oneact, oroneplayatatime. Youdriveyourdayoryourdaydrivesyou.

Each Day is a Fresh Start

Eachdayisafreshstart.Rememberasakidwakingupeachmorningtoanewandexcitingday? Thatsthepointyouneedtostartfrom.Thedifferenceisnowyouhaveskills.Youalsopicked

upsomegoodhabitsandsomebadhabitsalongtheway.Youlookedforwardtogrowingupso youcoulddowhateveryouwant. Unfortunatelyovertime,maybeyoustartedtothinkthatlifeisntasfullofpossibilitiesoras limitlessasyouoncethought.Butwhatsreallylimitingyou?Youare,andallthelimitsyou bringtoeachnewday.Baggagebringsyoudown.Dontpickupyourbagstoday.Travellight. Testyourself.Testyourlimits.Chancesareyoullsurpriseyourselftimeandagain;justgive yourselfachance.Ifthingsdontworkouttoday,thenyoucanstillwalkawaywithlessonsthat willhelpyoushapeabettertomorrow.

3 Ways to Design Your Day with Skill

Herearethreewaystodesignyourdaywithskill: 1. CreateaneffectiveStartupRoutineThisishowyoubootstrapyourday.Youalready haveastartuproutine.Itstheactivitiesyoudotostartyourdayandfeelgrounded.For example,onweekdays,mystartuproutineistowakeup,throwmyshoeson,workoutfor 30minutes,shower,eatbreakfastslowly,andtakethebackwaytowork.Onmydriveto work,Ilistentomyfavoritemusic,andIthinkofmythreemostcompellingoutcomesfor theday.WhenIgettowork,Iscanmyinbox,myqueues,andmycalendartoseeifIneedto adjustmythreeoutcomes. 2. CreateaneffectiveShutDownRoutineThisishowyouendyourday.Justlikehavingan effectivestartuproutinehelpsbootstrapyourday,aneffectiveshutdownroutinehelpsyou winddown.Thekeytoaneffectiveshutdownroutineistestingdifferentpatternsuntilyou findonethathelpsputyouintherightframeofmindforamorerestfulsleep.Sleepingwell isthemeanstostartingthenextdayrefreshed. 3. DriveyourdaywiththeRuleof3Ifyouremembernothingelse,startyourdaywithThe Ruleof3.Knowtheminimumthreeoutcomesthatyouwantforthedaysimplyidentify threeresults.Theseareyourtestsforsuccess.Itsyourchancetodefineyoursuccess,and yougetacleanslateeachday.

Designing a Great Startup Routine

Thewayyoustartyoudaycanhaveadramaticimpactonwhetheryoustartthedayfresh, centered,andfromafirmfoundation,oryoustartthedaylikeachickenwithitsheadcut off.IveseenthedifferenceinmyselfandIveseenthedifferenceinmanyothers,upanddown theranks. AsIvebuiltteamsovertheyears,Iveaskedvariousteammembershowtheystarttheir day.Normally,theywouldtellmewhattheydoatwork.Idsaybackup,startfromwhenyou wakeupoutofbed.Iwassurprisedtofindhowvariedmanystartedtheirdaywiththenews andtheiremail,evenbeforetheygottowork.Theywouldalsotellmehowthenewswould

eithermakethemfeelanxiousordepressed.Theywouldalsoberunningthroughtheiremails intheirmindallthewaytowork. Thatsthekeyrightthere.Bythetimeyoureatwork,itstoolate.Youreinthelineof fire.Yourereacting. ThekeyistouseyourStartupRoutinetocreateafirmfoundationforyourdaybeforeyoueven gettowork.Itsnotaboutwatchingthenewsorcheckingyouremail.Itsaboutfirstdeciding whatyouwantyourdaytobeaboutandwhatyouwanttoaccomplish.Nowyouarereadyto respondinsteadofreacttothebarrageofinputsthroughouttherestofyourday,from emails,tonews,topeoplestoppingbyandwhateverchangesyourcoursethroughoutthe day.Becauseyoucreatedaquickminiplanforyourday,youcaneffectivelychoosehowto respondandmakemoreeffectivetradeoffs,ratherthangetknockedaroundbywhatever comesyourway.

Designing a Great Shutdown Routine

Youmightthinkitwouldbeeasyenoughtothinkofagreatshutdownroutine,buttherearea lotofvariables.Itsactuallybettertotestavarietyofpatternstoseewhathelpsyouthemost, whetheritswatchingTV,readingabook,meditating,etc.Forexample,ifyoutendtowatchthe newsbeforeyousleep,testwatchingacomedy;differentshowswillproducedifferentresults. Ifyouliketoreadabookbeforebed,areyoureadingabookthathelpsyouwinddown,orare youreadingmaterialthatmakesithardforyoutofallasleep?Simplynoticetheresultsyoure gettingandtestdifferentapproaches. Theresalotofresearchandopinions,butthemostimportantthingistofindwhatworksfor you.Itslessaboutthespecificactivityyoudoanditsmoreabouthowitimpactsyouorhow youreacttoit.Forexample,ifyouwatchacomedywherethemaincharacteralwaysgetsinto astressfulsituation,andyouhavealotofempathy,maybethisisnotthebestthingforyou beforebed.Thenagain,maybethehappyendingisjusttheperfecttensionandreleaseyou needfortheperfectslumber.Testyourresultsandchangeyourapproachifitsnotworking. Attheendoftheday,yourethemostimportantjudge. Lastly,inadditiontohowyoufeelattheendofyourday,itsalsoimportanttonoticehowyou feelwhenyouwakeup.Ifyourenotwakinguprefreshed,chancesarethatitswhatyoudid thenightbeforethatmakesallthedifference(barringanymedicalconditions,ofcourse).So goaheadandfindwhatworksforyou.Testsomenewpatterns.Getcreative.Exploreyour results.

Why Use the Rule of 3 to Drive Your Day

TheRuleof3isoneofyourmaintoolsfordrivingyourday.Youcanuseitanytime,anywhere tomakethemostofwhatyouvegot.Herearesomeofthemainreasonstostartyourdaywith TheRuleof3: 1. Youdefinethethreetestsforsuccess.Ifyousettherules,youwinthegame. 2. Yougettodefinewhatgoodlookslike.Itsyourlife. 3. Yougettochartyourcourse.Ifyoustartbyquicklylookingoverthetimeyoullspendforthe day,thenyouhaveamaptoguideyouthroughyourdayandtoleadyouifyougetlostin thethickofthings. 4. Ifyouknowwhatyouretryingtoaccomplish,youcanprioritizemoreeffectively.Therearea lotoflittleminidecisionsduringyourdaythatyoucaninfluencebyknowingwhereyou wanttogo. 5. Ifyouknowyoureworkingontherightthings,itseasiertogiveyouralltofindyour motivation. 6. Whenyoumapyourday,youknowhowtopaceyourself.Youcantrunaheadifyoucant seewhatsinfrontofyou. Rememberthatyourthreeoutcomesarenttasks.Youmighthavelotsoftasksthatrollupto thesethreeoutcomes,butthesearethreeresultsyouwantfortheday.Forexample,fortoday Iwantseeagoodmovie,haveagreatlunch,andshipapostthathelpspeoplemakethemost oftheirlife,adayatatime.ThosearethelinesIvedrawninthesandformyday.Theyare subjecttochange,buttheychartasimplecoursethatIcanchoosetodepartfrom,andtrade uporscalebackwithskill.EvenifIdecidetodonothing,itstheartofmakingamoremindful choicethatmatters.

Your Assignment
1. DesignaStartupRoutinethatworksforyou.Ownthewayyoustartyourday.Findthe simplehabitsorroutinesthatunleashyourinnerTiggeroryourcorporatewarrioror whateversupportsyouinthemosteffectiveway. 2. DesignaShutdownRoutinethatworksforyou.Ownthewayyouendyourdayandcapthe night.Thisisoneoflifeslittlemomentsthatyoucanshapeeachdayinawaythatrenews you. 3. UseTheRuleof3toshapethreestories,outcomes,orresultsforyourday,inaninspiring way.Ownyourdestiny,astoryatatime.Rememberthatourfavoritecharactersinour storiesdontalwayschoosetheadventuresorchallengestheyfindthemselvesin,butits howtheyrespond,especiallywhentheygettested,thatwereallycareabout.

Day 23 Design Your Week with Skill

TimeisbutthestreamIgoafishingin.HenryDavidThoreau

Your Outcome
Designaweekthatsupportsyouinasustainableway.Havemoretimeforthethingsyou want,spendlesstimeinthethingsthatyoudontwant,andaddmorefreetimetoyour week.

Welcome to Day 23
Welcometoday23of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday22,youlearnedhowtodesignyourdaywithskill. Today,wetakeastepbackandlookathowtodesignyourweekwithskill.Yourweekisalarge chunkoftimetogetahandleon.Bydesigningaweekthatsupportsyou,yousetyourselfup forweeklyresults.Eachweekisafreshstart.Youcancarrythelessonsforwardfromoneweek intothenext.Allyoureallyhaveistime,sothekeyistomakethemostofit. Ifyouhaverecurringactivities,youprobablyaddedthemovertimewithoutrealizingit.Thats aschedulebydefault,notbydesign.Seizetheopportunitynowtodesignaweekwhich actuallysupportsyou.

Design Your Week to Enhance Your Life

IfthereisoneplacewhereIveseenbreakthroughafterbreakthrough,itswhenapersontakes controloftheirweeklyscheduleandmapsouthowtheywanttospendtheirtimebydesign, notbydefault.Howyouspendyourtimeonaweeklybasiscaneitherhelpliftyouup andspiralyoursuccessupwardbyleapsandbounds,oryoucanspiraldown,ifhowyoure spendingyourtimeisworkingagainstyou. Designingyourweekisoneofthesinglemosteffectivewaystoenhanceyourlife.

Why Design Your Week

Isyourweekbydesignorbydefault?Oneofthekeystoresultsisowningyourschedule.You candriveyourschedule,oritcandriveyou. Imagineaweekwhereyouspendeachdayworkingontherightthingswiththerightpeople andmakingtherightimpact.Imaginelookingforwardtothestartoftheweek,whetherits

becauseitsafreshstart,oritsachancetoexperiencemoreofwhatyouwant.Imagine spendingmoretimeeachdayonthethingsthatmakeyoustrong,giveyouenergyandmake youfeelpowerful.ImagineaweekfilledwithPowerHours,CreativeHours,andenoughfree timethatyoufeelbalancedandeffective.Imagineaweekwhereyougetenoughsleep,get enoughmovement,andhaveenoughenergytoaccomplishwhateveryouwant. Thatisaweekbydesign.Itsnotjustaboutweeklyresultsitsaboutsustainableresultsfor thelonghaul.

3 Ways to Design Your Week with Skill

1. Baselineyourweek.Mapouthowyouspendyourtimefortheweek.Ifyourenot spendingenoughtimeonthethingsyouwant,thisisyourfirststeptofixingit.Simplyby makingthemap,ithelpsyoutoseewhereyourtimealreadygoes.Thisisthefirststepto seeingyourtimeleaks,yourtimewasters,yourtimepainpointsandopportunities. 2. Setboundariesandlimits.Settingtimeboundariesandlimitsisoneofthebestwaysto designyourweek.Thisisultimatelywhereyouchoosethelifestylethatyouwantto lead.Thisiswhereyouchoosewhethertobetheworkaholicormorebalanced.For example,youmightdecidethatweekendsornightsareyourfreetime.Youmightdecide thatyouwontworkmorethan40hours,andwhateverfallsoff,fallsoff.Whenyoudont setlimitsforyourself,youputyourselfatrisk.Whenyousetboundaries,youestablish whatahealthymodelofaweekisforyou. 3. CarveOutTimeforWhatsImportant.Ifyouwanttospendmoretimeinsomething,than maketimeforit.Itwillmostlikelymeanlettingsomethingelsego.Thekeyistomakeita mindfulchoiceinsteadofplayingavictimrolewhereyouneverhavetimeforthisorthat.If youwantmorefreetime,thenmakefreetime,bycuttingsomethingelse.Dontfeelguilty, bedeliberate. Thekeytorememberhereisthatnobodywillcomealonganddesignyourtimeforyouinthe bestwaypossible.Youaretheultimatearchitectanddesignerofhowyouspendyourtimeina waythatworksforyou.

Baseline Your Schedule

Mapouthowyoualreadyspendyourtime.Oneofthemosteffectivetoolsfortime managementistobaselineyourschedule.HereisatemplateIusetomapoutaweekly schedule:

Examples of What to Put on Your Map

Abaselineissimplyacurrentpictureofyourweek.Itsamapofthedaysandthetimesandthe recurringactivitiesoreventsthatyouhave.Herearesomeexamplesofwhattoputonyour map: Sleeping Eating Workouts Meetings Worktime RecurringActivities Freetime Thishelpsgiveyouabalconyviewofyourweekataglance.

Setting Boundaries and Limits

TryusingHotSpots(mind,body,emotions,career,financial,relationships,andfun)tohelpyou setboundaries:

Examples of Setting Boundaries

Forexample,trysettingamaximumoncareerandaminimumonrelationships,body,andfun. Settingboundariesandlimitsishowyouachieveyourbalance.Ifyoudontmaketimefor things,theywonthappen.Ifyoudontsetlimitsforthings,theywilltakeoverotherimportant partsofyourlife.Youcanstartwithsimpleboundaries.Herearesomeexamples: Dinneronthetableat5:30p.m. Noworkontheweekend. Tuesdaynightisdatenight.

Monday Vision, Daily Wins, and Friday Reflection

Whetheryoudesignyourweekornot,rememberthattheMondayVision,DailyWins,Friday Reflectionpatternistheheartofyourweek.Thisisthescaffoldingtosupportyourweekly results.Itshowyoullgetafreshstarteachweekandeachday.Itsalsohowyoullimprove overtime. Itsasimple,yetconsistentpatternyoucancounton: OnMondays,youenvisionwhatyoudliketoaccomplishfortheweek;yousimply imagineifthiswasFriday,whatthreeresultswouldyoulikeunderyourbelt? Eachday,youfigureoutthreeresultsforthedaythathelpyoumovetowardsyourthree resultsfortheweek.Atthesametime,youstayflexiblesothatyourealwaysworkingon thenextbestthingforyoutodo. OnFridays,youreflectonyourresultsandyoucarrythegoodforward.

5 Ways to Improve Your Week

Herearesomeadditionalwaystoimproveyourweek: 1. ScheduleYourFreeTime.Ifyouscheduleit,ithappens.Ifyoudont,itwont.

2. Fixtimeforeating,sleeping,andworkingout.Thisisoneofthemostcommonsuccess patternsIseetimeandagain.Haveatimewhereyouregularlyeat,sleep,andexercise andmakeeverythingworkaroundthat.Thisisyourfoundationandcore.Itspartofyour platformforpersonalsuccess. 3. Consolidateyourrelatedactivities.Oneofthebestwaystofreeupyourtimeorspendless timeonthingsistodotheminabatch.Lumpthemtogethersoyoucantacklethemwith efficiencyandeffectiveness. 4. Consolidateactivatesthatmakeyouweak.Ifsomeactivitiesdrainyou,trytolumpthem togetherandconsolidatetheamountoftimeyouspendinthem.Again,batchingisyour friend. 5. Addmoreactivitiesthatmakeyoustrong.Ifyouneedtoaddmoreenergytoyourweek, simplyfindwaystospendmoretimeinthingsthatmakeyoustrong.Itsnotdoingnothing thathelpsyourenewyourenergy,itsactuallydoingwhatyouloveordoingthethingsthat makeyoustrongerthathelpyoubouncebackwithskill.Forme,Iregularlymeetwithmy mentorstogetnewperspectivesonthings.Thisisoneofmyrenewalpatternsthat supportsmeeachweek. Thekeytorememberinallthisisitsnotaboutbeingaproductivemachine.Itsabout spendingmoretimeonthethingsyouwant,drivingfromyourlifestyle,beingwhoyouwantto be,andcreatingtheexperiencesyouwantinyourlife.

Free Yourself Up
Youcantuneandpruneyourweekfromhere,butsteponeissimplyhavingaweeklyschedule thathassomesimplebuffersandboundariesandfreetime,tohelpyoutakethepressureoff, andtobeyourmosteffectiveself.Whenyouspendtherightenergyontherightthingsthe rightway,yougetthemdoneinwaylesstime.Thisfreesyouupinmultipleways,beyondjust givingyousomehoursback.Itgivesyoupeaceofmindanditgetstimeonyourside.When timeisonyourside,youareunstoppable.

Todays Assignment
1. Baselineyourschedule.Takethetimetomapoutyourweeklyscheduleandtakealook fromthebalcony. 2. Scheduleyourfreetime.Ifyoudonthaveenoughfreetime,thesinglemosteffectiveway youcanaddfreetimeistoaddmorefreetimetoyourschedule.Rememberthebigrocks story?Firstmakeroomforyourfreetime,ifthatswhatsimportanttoyou,thenadd thingsaroundthat.

Day 24 Bounce Back with Skill

Lifeisnotabouthowfastyourun,orhowhighyouclimb,buthowwellyoubounce. Anonymous

Your Outcome
Bouncebackwithskillandrollwiththepunches.Learntodrawfrommultiplesourcesof strengthandenergy,includingyourmind,body,emotions,andspirit.

Welcome to Day 24
Welcometoday24of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybook,GettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday23,youlearnedhowtodesignyourweekwithskilltogetafreshstart,establish routinesthatsupportandrenewyou,andspendmoretimeonthethingsthatcountforyou. Today,welearnhowtobouncebackwithskill.Bouncingbackwithskillhelpsusrollwiththe punches,refuelourbodies,andkeepoursparkalive.Itshowwekeepourenginegoingwhen therestofussayswecantanditshowweshutdownorturnitoffsowecanbounce backstronger.

Its How High You Bounce

Ifyoucombineafirmfoundationwithyourabilitytobouncebackwithskill,whileleveraging thecyclesofthings,includingyourownpersonalpatternsofupsanddowns,younotonly makethemostofwhatyouvegot,butyoutrulywriteyourstoryforward,focusingonthe thingsyoucontrol,whilelettingtherestgo. Rememberthatinlife,itsnothowmanytimesyougetknockeddownitshowmanytimes yougetbackup.

Key Principles for Bouncing Back with Skill

Herearesomecoreprinciplesforbouncingbackwithskill: 1. Drivefromwhatyouwantyourlifetobeabout.Focusonwhoyouwanttobe,what experiencesyouwanttocreate,andwhatyouwantyourlifetobeabout.Waterseeksits ownlevel.Youhavetosetthelevelstartingwithyourownmentalmodelorthewayyou wanttowriteyourstoryforward.Whenlifedoesntplayoutthewayweexpect,itsupto ustopickourselvesup,dustourselvesoff,andmakethemostofwhatwevegot,fromthat pointforwardRiseagain.

2. Drawyourstrengthandenergyfrommultiplesources.Yourenergycomesfrommultiple sourcesmind,body,emotions,andspirit.Youcangetasynergybycombingthese sources,andthewholeisgreaterthanthesumoftheparts. 3. Spendingtherightenergycreatesmoreenergy.Thinkingthethoughtsthatserveyou, spendingmoretimeinyourstrengths,andgrowingyourlimitscancomebacktoyou tenfold.Yougrowfasterinyourstrengthsthanyoudoinyourweaknesses.Akeyto bouncingbackfurther,ispushingyoubackstronger.AsTonyRobbinsputsis,Resistance makesyoustronger. 4. Knowthecyclesofthings.Youcanswimupstreamoryoucanridethewave.Respectthe cyclesandgowiththeflow.Growingandrestingareacycle.Whetheritstheebbandflow orthecyclesofupanddown,youcangetthecyclesonyourside,ifyouworkwiththem, insteadofagainstthem.Whenyouknowthecycleofthingsorhowtheprocessworks,you canallowtimefortheprocess,whetheritsresettingyourexpectationsorsimplyadjusting oraccountingforwhereyouareinthecycle. 5. Keepyourexpectationsincheck.Dontletcrossedexpectationsbringyoudownorkeep youdown.Sometimesoneofthebestwaystoleapthehurdlesinyourlifeistoloweryour expectations.Sometimesitmeansraisingthebar.Akeyhereistestingyourassumptions andusingthefeedbackasalearninglooptosetyourexpectationsaccordingly. Attheendoftheday,yourabilitytobouncebackisuptoyou.Evenifyouuseacoach,a therapistoranybodyelse,youstillhavetopairwiththemforyourbestresults.Knowinghow todrawfromyourmultiplestrengthsiscrucialtoyoursuccess.

Visual Sources of Strength 44

HereisasimplemodelIputtogethertohelpyoumultiplyyourabilitytobouncebackinany situation:

The Quantity, the Quality, the Focus, and the Force of Your Energy
Youcanbetterfocus,shape,andamplifyyourenergywhenyouknowwhereitcomes from.Youcanthinkofyoursourcesofenergyinasimplebuteffectiveway:bodyisquantity, emotionsarequality,mindisfocus,andspiritisforce.Youenergyisthecombinationofyour mind,body,emotions,andspirit.Ratherthandoingnothing,sometimestheanswerisdoing somethingtoimproveyourenergyandrefuel.Forexample,itmightmeanspendingmoretime inyourstrengthsordoingmoreofthethingsyouenjoy,orsimplylessofthethingsyou dont.Sometimesthebestwaytobouncebackistoreallygiveyourselfsome downtime.Sometimesitsaboutreducingyourexpectationsandgivingyourselfthetimeand spacetorecover,orplayouttheprocess.

Mind
Yourmindishowyouframeandfocus.Itshowyouchoosewhattofocusonandwhatlensto lookthrough.Thesameglasscanbehalfempty,orhalffull.Yourmindisyoursourceofself talkthatcanbeinspiringordeflating.Youmindcanholdthepicturesthatliftyouuporbreak youdown.Thescenesyousee,thestoriesyoutell,andyourbeliefscanalllimitorenableyou.

Ways to Bounce Back with Your Mind

Herearesomewaystobouncebackwithyourmind: 1. Focusonwhatyoucontrolandlettherestgo.

2. LikearubberballHavingtherightmentalmodelormetaphoriswhereitstarts.Youcan belikearubberballandbouncebackfromanything. 3. Setlimitsonthings.Ifyouletyourbodygountilitcrashesorrunsoutofsteam,itcanbe toolate.Youhavetosetlimitseitherintermsofbuffersorboundariesortimeboxes. 4. Askyourself,Whatdoyouwantyourlifetobeabout? 5. Turnresistanceintoyoursparringpartner.Resistanceistheenemy.Respectit,butdontlet itwearyoudown. 6. Visualizetheprize.IfitworksforOlympicathletes,itmightjustworkforyou.Pictureit, thenmakeitso. 7. Improveyourselftalk. 8. Changeyourbeliefs.Findamodelorlearnfromotherswhatsomemoreempoweringor usefulbeliefsmightbe. 9. Changeyourfocus.Youcanchangeyourfocusbychangingthequestion. 10. Focusonwhatyoucontrolandlettherestgo. 11. Changeyourstate. 12. Knowhowtopsycheyourselfup. 13. Dontkeepsolvingthesameproblems.Burnoutisntcausedbyworkinghardorworking longhours.Itscausedbyworkingonthesameproblemsornotmakingprogress. 14. Mentallyprepareforit.Simplyresettingyourownexpectationscanhelpyoupreparefor anything.Hopeforthebest,butpreparefortheworst. 15. Choosetoactstrong 16. Turnasetbackintoadefiningmoment. 17. Takebreaks.Evenlittlebreaksinterspersedcanhelpyoumentally,emotionally,or physically. 18. Useyourrenewalpatterns.Maybethismeanstakinganafternoonsiesta.Findwhatworks foryou. 19. Shakethingsup.Sometimesthebestwaytobreakoutofarutistoshakethingsup. 20. Shifttothefuture. 21. Askyourself,Whosinyourcorner? 22. Knowthatresistanceistheenemy. 23. Braceyourselfandpaceyourself.Youmighthavetochipawayatthestone. 24. Rememberyourheroes. 25. Rememberyourshiningmoment. 26. Playtherightheadmovies.Ifyoukeepplayingthewrongscenesinyourhead,youwear yourselfdown.Findanewsceneormovietoplayinyourheadthatinspiresyou.

Body
Whetheryouthinkofyourbodyasyourtempleoryourfortressoryourmachine,youneedto takecareofit,soitcantakecareofyou.Thereisastrongmindbodyconnectionandyour bodyisastrongmultiplierwhenitcomestobouncingbackwithskill.Payattentiontoyour ownpatterns.Forexample,afriendofminetoldmehesleptbetterwhenhecutdownhis caffeineafter6pm.ItestedthisandfoundIsleptfaster,easier,anddeepertoo.Oneofthe

guidelinesforyourbodyistopushyourselfpastyourlimitstogrow,restandrecoverforyour bestgrowth,respectyourcyclesofonandofforupanddown,andfeedyourneeds (whetherthatsnutrition,hydration,rest,etc.)

Ways to Bounce Back with Your Body

Herearesomewaystobouncebackwithyourbody: 1. Allowforrecovery. 2. Takeaction.Sometimesyouhavetotakeactionfirstandthenenergyandmotivation follow.Youcanthinkofthisasfakeituntilyoumakeit.Thisisespeciallytrueforme whenIrun. 3. Playlikeakid,sleeplikeababy.IheardDeepakChoprasayinaninterviewthatchildren sleeplikeababybecauseoftheirdynamicactivitythroughouttheday.Toknowgreatrest, weneedtoknowgreatactivityandviceversa.IknowformyselfthatifIdontgetmy downtime,Igointoaslump.ImafanofgivingmyallwhileImdrivingaproject,andthen takingabreakafterIship. 4. Avoidspikingyourbloodsugar.Spikingyourbloodsugarisoneoftheworstwaystowork againstyourbody.Itcreateshigherhighs,andlowerlows.Youcanreducetheroller coastereffectbylimitingyourintakeofthingsthathaveahighglycemicindex.Another approachistobalanceyourratiosoffat,carbs,andprotein,suchasintheZoneDiet. 5. Swapoutstarchycarbsformorefibrousones.Thisseemstobeapatternthathelpsalotof peoplefindmoreenergyinaconsistentway. 6. Eatmorefrequentandsmallermeals.Thisisanotherwaytobalanceyourbodysneeds throughouttheday.Onepatternistoaimforhavingasmallmealorsnackthroughoutthe day,suchaseverythreehours. 7. Respectyourcycles.Weallhaveouruptimesandourdowntimes,eventhroughoutthe day.Ifyoufindyouneedmoresleep,testgivingyourselfmoresleep.Knowyourpeak energycyclesthroughoutthedayandleveragethose. 8. Dontbakebadhabitsin.WhenBruceLeewasofforhecouldntpracticeatechnique properly,hestopped.Thelastthinghewantedtodowasburninahabitorpracticethat wasineffective.

Emotions
Emotionalupsanddownscanbetough,especiallyifyouhaveexceptionalemotionallows,or exceptionalemotionalhighs.Oneofthemostimportantthingstodohereistoavoidlearned helplessness.MartinSeligmanteachesusthattheworstthingwecandoismakethings permanent,personal,orpervasive.Thewaytostayoptimisticistomakethebadthingsinlife notpersonal,notpermanent,andnotpervasive.Thissimplelittlechangetoyourexplanatory stylecanmakeacrucialdifferenceinyourabilitytobouncebackintheworstsituations.

Ways to Bounce Back with Your Emotions

Herearesomewaystobetterbalanceandbouncebackwithyouremotions: 1. Thinkthethoughtsthatserveyou.Yourthoughtscreateyourenergy. 2. Pullyourselfforwardbywhatyoureallywanttodo. 3. Growyourcompassion.Keepyourheartopen.Oneoftheworstwaystokillyourlustfor lifeistogrowcallousandcold. 4. Holdyourselfhigh.Yourphysiologyaffectsyouremotionsinastrongway.Sometimesyou needtosmilebeforeyoufeelhappy. 5. Believeinyourself.Thismightmeanassimpleasdecidingthatyoullgiveitallyouvegot andwhateverhappenshappens.Youdonthavetoputyourfocusonyourability.You canputyourfocusonyoureffortoryourdetermination.Whereyouputyourfocuswill changehowyoufeel. 6. Findyourwhy.Thisishowyoulightyourfirefromtheinsideout.Dontdependon externalthingstokeepyougoing.Rootyourselffirmlyinyourownfoundation. 7. Leverageyourrelationshipsandnetwork.Thereisstrengthinnumbersorevenjust somebodywhowantstolisten.

Spirit
Youcanpracticeyourspiritualintelligenceasawaytofullyengageandliftyourspiritwhenyou needitmost.ThemostusefulwayIfoundtothinkaboutspiritualintelligenceislivingyour values,findingyouruniquecontribution,andshapingabetterversionofyourself.

Ways to Bounce Back with Your Spirit

Herearesomewaystobouncebackwithyourspirit: 1. Makeitbiggerthanyourself.Findacausewhereyoucanputyourfocusonsomethingyou thinkisgreat.Havingacauseisagreatwaytogetbackonyourhorseorbackuptobat. 2. Dowhatyouloveordowhatyouwereborntodo.Eitherway,youwin.Ifyoucantfind yourcalling,thenlookforyouruniquecontribution. 3. Connecttoyourvalues. 4. Immerseyourselfingreatliteratureormusic. 5. Findthesynergy.AccordingtoStephenCovey,weunleashourspiritualintelligencewhen wecombinemeaning,integrityandcontributionbyservingandliftingallstakeholders: customers,suppliers,employeesandtheirfamilies,communities,societytomakea differenceintheworld.

Stories, Metaphors, Sayings, and Songs

Keepacollectionofstories,sayings,andsongsthatyoucanusetoliftyourselfupwhenyou needitmost.

Example Metaphors and Stories

Hereareafewstoriesandmetaphorsthathelpmebouncebackorstandstrong: Category Stories Items 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. TheLittleEngineThatCould TheWizardofOz Rocky TheKarateKid Backonthesaddleagain. Likearock Likearubberball Rollwiththepunches You2.0

Metaphors

Example Sayings and Songs

Hereareafewsayingsandsongsthathelpmebouncebackorstandstrong: Category Items Sayings 1. Makelikeaduckandletitrolloffyour back. 2. Finishstrong. 3. Livestrong. 4. Godownswinging. 5. Dontgodownwithoutafight. 6. Takethebullbythehorns. 7. Whenthegoinggetstough,thetoughget going. 8. Wheretheresawilltheresaway. 9. Ivenotyetbeguntofight. 10. Whateverdoesntkillyoumakesyou stronger. 11. Standstrongwhentested. 12. Nopain,nogain. 13. Theresnofailure,onlyfeedback. 14. Itsnotoveruntilyougiveup. 15. Imdown,butnotout. 16. Illbeback. 17. Hopeforthebest,butprepareforthe

worst.

Songs

1. SurvivorsEyeoftheTiger 2. OzzysCrazyTrain 3. LincolnParksFaint 4. SteppenWolfsBorntoBeWild 5. QueensWearetheChampions 6. ChumbawambasTubThumping 7. INXSTheDevilInside 8. VanHalensJump 9. TPainsAppleBottomJeans 10. EltonJohnsImStillStanding 11. WhileLionsLittleFighter

Find What Works for You

Whateverworksforyouiswhatcounts.Thestories,metaphors,sayingsorsongsdonthaveto makesenseorbetherightchoice.Alltheyhavetodoisgetyougoingwhenyouneedit most.Theartofbouncingbackwithskillisshiftingfromwhatshouldworktowhatdoes workforyou,andchangingyourapproachuntilyoufindyourkey.

Todays Assignment
1. Findoneofyourpastvictoriesinlifeandaddthattoyourmentalflipbookofscenesto drawfromwhenyouneeditmost. 2. Findonemetaphortohelpyoutorepresenthowyoubouncebackinlife. 3. Findonesongoronesayingtohaveinyourmindthatyoucanuseasaonelinerreminder totaketherightactionswhenitcounts.Forexample,onethatsomepeoplelikeisStand strongwhentested.

Day 25 Fix Time, Flex Scope

Workexpandssoastofillthetimeavailableforitscompletion.ParkinsonsLaw

Your Outcome
Learnhowtomastertimemanagementandseteffectivetimelimitsforthingsandthenbite offwhatyoucanchewwithinthattimelimit.Yourabilitytousetimeboxingandtime budgetswillhelpyoumanageyourenergy,freeupyourtime,getmorethingsdone,and achieveworklifebalance.

Welcome to Day 25
Welcometoday25of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybookGettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday24,welearnedhowtobouncebackwithskillandtotodrawfromourfoursources ofstrength(mind,body,emotions,andspirit.)Today,welearnthesinglemosteffectiveway tomastertimemanagement.Itstheartoftimeboxing.Timeboxingisasimplewaytotreat timelikeabudgetandchoosehowmuchtimetospendonthings.Thisishowyouavoid throwinggoodtime,afterbadorworkingpastthepointofdiminishingreturns,orsimply put,spending$20ona$5problem. Ifyoureaprocrastinatororifyouhavestuffyouhatetodo,orifyoufallpreytoineffective thoughtsorgetstuckinanalysisparalysis,orifyoufindyourselfalwaysrunninglateormissing windowsofopportunity,thenthispostwillhelpyoutransitiontoamoreeffectiveapproach.

Fixing Time, Flexing Scope

OneofthebestpatternsIknowformasteringtimemanagementiscalledFixTime,Flex Scope.Thisisapracticeweveusedforseveralyearsonourpatterns&practicesteamat Microsoft,toshipthingsontimeandonbudget.Iveusedthispatternpersonallyandforallmy projectsforaperfecttrackrecordofontimeandonbudget.Theideaistofixorallocatea certainamountoftimeforsomethinginadvance,andthenbiteoffwhatyoucanchewwithin thatamountoftime. Theoppositepatternistosimplyworkonsomethinguntilyouredone.ThatpatternisFix Scope,FlexTime.Basically,youkeepthrowingtimeattheproblemuntilyoueventuallydecide itsdone.Thatpatternhasseveralproblems,includingthefollowing: 1. Younolongerhavethebenefitoftimetohelpyouprioritize 2. Youcannolongercountonhittingyourwindowsofopportunity 3. Youpotentiallyrunoutofsteamorgointoadeathmarchwithnoendinsightbeforeyou actuallyfinish

4. Youendupthrowingtimeatproblems(timeexpandstofillitscontainer) 5. Youendupwithscopecreepbecauseofyourmovingtimelinethatjustkeepsmovingout furtherandfurther.

3 Easy Steps for Timeboxing with Skill

Hereare3keystepstocreatingeffectivetimeboxes: Step1.Identifycandidateareasfortimeboxing.Identifycandidatesfortimeboxing.This couldbeanythingfromworkprojectstopersonalprojects.Personally,Ivefounditthe mosteffectivetostartwithsomethingsmall,suchasstartinganewexerciseprogram.Ive alsofounditeffectivetouseittotacklemyworsttimebandits(anyareawhereIlosea bunchoftime,witheitherlittleROIorattheexpenseofanotherarea.) Step2.Identifyyourobjectives.Inthisstep,askyourselfwhatyouneedtoaccomplish withtimeboxing.Examplesinclude:meetadeadline,showincrementalresults,make incrementalprogressonatoughproblem,buildmomentum,etc. Step3.Identifytheappropriatetimebox.Inthisstep,figureoutwhatarightsizedtime boxwouldbe.Forexample,youmighthaveaprojectdueinthreeweeks.Withinthat threeweektimebox,youmightdecidethatifyouallocate2hoursaday,youllproduce effectiveresults. TherightsizedtimeboxlargelydependsonwhatyoudeterminedinStep1.Youmightneedto groworshrinkyourtimeboxdependingonwhetheryouretryingtobuildmomentum,show resultsorjustmakeprogressonaproblem.

10 Ways to Think in Terms of Fixing Time and Flexing Scope

Herearesomewaystothinkintermsoffixingtimeandflexingscope: 1. 33systemusethreestoriesforyourday,foryourweek,foryourmonth,andforyour year.Thisisasimpleanddirectwaytofixtime,whileflexingscope(youarevaryingyour storieswithinthetimeboxesofaday,week,month,andyear.) 2. Catchthenexttrain.Keepyourtrainsleavingthestation.Whenyoumissone,donthold yourtrainback.Instead,catchthenextone.Itsasimplemetaphorbutitkeepsthings flowing.Forexample,ifyoumissedcompletingoneofyourstoriestoday,thenyoumight addittotomorrowsmetaphoricaltrain,butonlyifitsthenextbestthingforyoutodo. 3. Askyourself,Howmuchtimeshouldittake? 4. Askyourself,Howmuchtimedoyouactuallyhaveforit? 5. Thinkintermsofcontainersoftimetodoyourworkin.Forexample,youmighthavea30 minutecontainer,ora2hourcontainerora1daycontaineroraweekasacontainer, etc.Giveyourselfenoughspaceinthiscontainer. 6. Haveatimeandaplaceforthings.Simplyorganizingyourtimethiswaywillhelpyoufind peaceofmind.Forexample,IhaveasmallwindowsonSundaymorningsthatIusefor creativework.IfImissit,laterinthedayjustdoesntfeelthesame.Assuch,Iusethistime forwhatitsreallymeantfor.DonttrytorobPetertopayPaul.

7. Dingyourtimeisup.Whenyourtimeboxexpiresandyourtimeisup,treatitlikeits reallyupandbedonewithit. 8. Thinkintermsofgoodenoughfornowandtreatperfectionasajourney,nota destination. 9. Versionyourwork.Yourfirstversionmightnotbeasgoodasyoursecond,third,orfourth, butgetinthehabitofusingversionsasawaytoshareandimproveyourworkover time.Forexample,youmightcreateanAlpha,Beta,Version1,Version2,etc. 10. Chunkyourworkdown.Thisiskeybothtoflowingvaluealongtheway,aswellas havingcuttablescope.OneunitthatIfindworkswellisusingastory,wherethestoryisa narrativeofataskyoullperformoragoalyoullachieve.Yourstoriescanvaryinsize whethertheyareoneofyourstoriesfortheday,theweek,themonth,ortheyear.For example,ameaningfulstoryfortheyearmightbeamuchlargerstorythanastoryyou wouldtacklewithinasingleday.

A Story Its Done When Its Done

Manymoonsago,oneofmyearlyturningpointsinmycareerasaProgramManagerat Microsoftwasduringameetingwithmymanageraboutwhenmyprojectwouldship.The conversationwentroughlylikethisMymanageraskedmewhenmyprojectwouldbedone, andIsaidIdidntknow.Iaddedthattherewasnowaywecouldaccuratelyestimateoreven guestimatewhenwecouldfinisheverythingleftontheplate.Iwasbasicallyscopedrivenand theprojectwouldbedone,whenIfinishedallthescope. Irememberacolleaguesaying,WhatImhearingyousayisitsdonewhenitsdone. Atthetime,thatseemedperfectlyreasonabletome.Afterall,somethingisdonewhenits done,isntit?Theproblemwasthatnobodywassigneduptobetonsomethingthatdidnt haveanenddate.Nobodywantedtokeepsupportingsomethingwheretheycouldnotseethe endinsightandtheycouldnotseeanyresultsuntilafterIshipped,sometimeinthefuture. Tomakealongstoryshort,Iendeduphavingtosetadateandbrutallycutscopetoshipon time.MybiggestwakeupcallwasthatIdidntactuallyhavemuchcuttablescope(thingsthatI couldeasilycutwithoutkillingthequality)andthattryingtowhittlesomethingdownwasfar worsethanbuildingsomethingupwithatimeframeinmind. ThatwashowIlearnedtogofromscopedriventotimedrivenandactuallytreattimeasa firstclasscitizen.

Todays Assignment
1. Pickoneofyourdailyactivitiesthateatstoomuchtimeandsetatimelimitforit.For example,oneofthebestmovesIdidlongagowasdecidethatIwouldnotspendmorethan 30minutesadayonemail(andIgetatonofemailatMicrosoftthatrequiresmyattention

andactions.)Thisonemoveforcedmetobothruthlesslyprioritizeandfindwaybetter techniquestomanagemyemail. 2. Pickonethingthatyouvebeenspreadingoutovertoomuchtimeandcreateatimeboxfor it.Maybeitsapetprojectthatyouwouldloveforittoseethelightofday.Maybeits writeabook.Decidehowmuchmoretimeisworthspendingonit,atleastforastrawman orwhateverisgoodenoughfornow.Maybeitsworthspendinganotherday,another week,oranothermonth,etc.Whateverthetimeboxis,putyourstakeintheground.Then decidethemostimportantthingstocompleteforyourprojectwithinthattime.Cherrypick themostimportantvalue,andworkonthatfirst,untilyourunoutoftimeinyourtimebox.

Day 26 Solve Problems with Skill

Youdontovercomechallengesbymakingthemsmallerbutbymakingyourselfbigger.John C.Maxwell

Your Outcome
YourOutcome:Solveyourproblemswithskill.Becomeaskilledproblemsolverandlearna systematicwayforsolvingyourproblems.Turnevenyourworstlemonsintolemonade.

Welcome to Day 26
Welcometoday26of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybookGettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday25,welearnedhowtofixtime,flexscopetogetthingsdoneontime,sliceour workdowntosize,achieveworklifebalance,andflowvaluealongthewayversuswaitforabig bang. Today,welearnhowtosolveourproblemswithskillandtoframetheminawaythatinspires action.Itsnotwishingourproblemsawaythatleadstoabetterlife.Itsfindingmoreeffective waystodealwithwhatevercomesourway. Ourabilitytosucceedinlifeisdirectlyrelatedtoourabilitytorespondtoourchallenges.

Why Focus on Solving Problems

Wecantavoidthem.Growingup,Iwantedtomakeallmyproblemsgoaway.IthoughtifI justwonthelotteryormadeittothetoporgottheperfectjobthatallmyproblemswouldgo away.Iwouldachievesomethingandthenlivehappilyeverafter.Itwasaverystaticviewof life. EventuallyIrealized,problemsareapartoflife.Theycomewiththeturf.Yourproblems change,butyoullneverbefreeofproblems.Andeverybodyhasproblemsinsomeshapeor form.Insteadoferadicateproblemsfrommylife,Icouldembracethemtakethebullbythe horns.Atthatpoint,IdecidedthemosteffectivethingIcoulddoisbecomeaskilledproblem solver. Byfocusingonsolvingproblems,Ilearnedtotakeonbig,hairychallenges,andtoshapemylife withmyskillsandabilities.Ialsolearnedhowtohelpothersdrasticallyimprovetheirproblem solvingability.

5 Steps for Solving Problems

Herearefivestepsyoucanuseforsolvingproblemsinyourlife: 1. Stateyourproblemasahowto.Ivefoundthatthemosteffectivewaytostatea problemistomakeitagoalbasedproblems,suchashowtowinfriendsandinfluence peopleorhowtowritefasterorhowtocureproblemXYZorhowtomotivate yourself,etc.Thismakesyourproblemactionable.Itmakesiteasiertofindexisting solutions.Itmakesiteasiertoshareyourproblemwithothersinawaytheycanquickly follow,whichmakesiteasierforotherstohelpyou.Youputyourbrainintoautomatic resourcefulmode.Ithinkitsalsoincrediblyimportanttowriteyourproblemdownasa onelinerstatement,usingthishowtophrase.Writingtheproblemdownforcesyouto clarifytheproblemandthinkingonpaperisaneffectivewaytoreallyseeyourproblem echoedbackatyou. 2. Findpotentialsolutions.Thisiswherethemagichappens.Itsrarethatyouwouldbethe onlypersonintheworldwiththeproblemyouhave.Figureoutwhoelsesharesyoursame problemorwouldhavehadtosolveyourproblemandfindthreepotential solutions.Lookingforthreesolutionsforcesyoutocastawidernet,itexpandsyour possibilities,andithelpsyoulookatpotentialsolutionsfrommultipleperspectives.You canlooktopeopleyouknoworpeopleyoudont.Youcanconsultthewisdomofthe ages.Youcanlooktopeoplewhospecializeinyourproblem.Youcanfindworking examplesorpeoplewiththeresultsyouwant,andreverseengineertheirsolutions.You canalwaysalmostalwaysfindsomeworkingexampleoractualresultstolearnandmodel from,versusstartfromscratch. 3. Testyourresults.Yourproblemdoesntsolveitself.Takeactionandtestyour results.Youhavetobounceitagainstrealityandseewhatsticks.Atthispoint,youare eitherachievingsuccess,oryouaregettingfeedback.Worstcase,yourefindingabunchof thingsthatdontwork.Bestcase,youremovingtowardsyoursolution.Hereyoureally needtopayattentiontowhatresultsyouareactuallygetting.Thiswillinformyou,inavery realway,whetherorhowyouneedtochangeyourapproach. 4. Changeyourapproach.Ifitsnotworking,changeyourapproach.AccordingtoAlbert Einstein,insanityisdoingthesamethingoverandoveragainandexpectingdifferent results.Ifyouwantdifferentresults,thenchangewhatyouredoing.Ifyoudontknow howtochangeyourapproach,startaskingyourselfbetterquestions.Ifthatsnotworking, startaskingotherpeoplebetterquestions.Youcanalwaysfindsomebodywhowilloffer advice.Ifyoudogetadvice,makesureyouareaskingtherightpeople,andaskingtheright questions.Everybodyhasasuperskill,andtheworldisanetworkofcapabilities. 5. Refinetheproblem.Sometimesthebestthingyoucandoiskeeprefiningyourproblem, basedontakingactionandgettingrealfeedback.Youmightfindthatyouonlyhada surfacelevelunderstandingoftheproblem,andnowyouhaveamuchdeeper understanding,byactuallyexploringsolutionsandtestingyourresults.Howyoudefineand refinetheproblemwillcontinuouslyimproveyourabilitytofindtheansweroratleastget closertothesolution.

Assimplisticasthisprocessmightappear,itscalesupanddownandyoucanuseitforpretty extremechallenges.

Change Your Approach, Change Your Results

IlearnedtodramaticallysolveproblemsfasterwhileworkinginMicrosoftDeveloper Support.IwasconstantlyfacedwithproblemsIhadneverseenbefore.Myabilitytodefine theproblemandtestsolutionswastestedonadailybasis,inextremescenarios(Iwasona smallescalationteam.) InmyfinaldaysofDeveloperSupport,Ilearnedarecipeforsolvingproblemsinabetter way.Whenacustomerreportedtheirproblem,ratherthanjustsolveithoweverIcould,I wouldfirstenumeratethepatternsofsolutionsforthegivenproblem(drawingfromour internalcollectionofsolutions.)Iwouldthenletthecustomerknowhowmanytimesthis problemwassolved,identifythevarioussuccessratesforthedifferentpaths,andthen,witha bettersenseofexpectations,letthemchoosewhichpathtofollow,basedontradeoffs. Thisapproachhelpedmepairwiththecustomerandcocreatethesolution,andgodown whateverpathmadesenseforthem,basedonwhattheywereoptimizingfor.More importantly,bylettingthecustomerknowupfront,howmanytimesaproblemhadbeen solved,itgavethemhopeandconfidenceversusthinkingtheywereoutonalimbandtheonly oneintheworldwiththeirspecificproblem.Basically,Ilearnedhowtocastawidenetonthe problem,enumeratesolutions,evaluatethebestpath,andmakebettertradeoffs,while increasingmysuccessrate,andreducingtimespentonproblems.

7 Telltale Signs that You are Getting Better at Solving Problems

Herearesomethingsyoullnoticeasyougetbetteratsolvingproblems: 1. Yougetbetteratrecognizinganddefiningtheprobleminawaythataddsclarityandfocus ontheunderlyingproblem. 2. Youfinditeasytoreframeproblemsfasterinawaythatempowersandinspiresyou. 3. Youfinditeasiertoexplorepossiblesolutionpathsversuslockintoonesolution. 4. Youtestyoursolutionssoonerversuslater. 5. Youfigureoutwaystogetmorefeedbackfasterandeasier. 6. Youbuildanetworkofsmartpeopleandcapabilitiestohelpyousolveproblems. 7. Youfinditeasytoswitchyourmindintoamoreobjectivemodewhereyoucanfocuson effectivenessinsteadofstewingontheproblem.

7 Reasons Why People Fail at Solving Problems

Herearesomecommonreasonswhypeoplefailatsolvingtheirproblems:

1. Theyaskthewrongquestions.Ifyouwanttogonowherefast,thenjustaskthewrong questions.Ifyouwanttostaystuckinaloop,keepaskingwhyquestions(Whydoesthis alwaysme?,Whyisthishappeningnow?,Whydidthishappen?etc.).Ifyoudont startaskinghowquestions,Howtopreventthisfromhappeningagain?"Howtosolve this?Howtomakethemostofthis?,etc.,thenyoullbeabrokenrecordthatevenyou wontwanttolistentoanymore. 2. Theyblameotherpeoplefortheirproblems.Ifyoudontstepuptotheplateandown yourproblems,thenyourproblemsownyou.Onceyoufallintovictimorblamermode, thenitsgameover.Youtookawayyourpowertodosomethingabouttheproblem. 3. Theyactfromtheirleasteffectivestate.Therearemanywaystoputyourselfinan ineffectivestate.Acommononeistoblowtheproblemoutofproportionandmakeit largerthanlife.Anotheristoaskyourselflimitingquestions(whyme?)ortoadopt limitingbeliefs(Illneversolvethat.)Switchingtohowtoquestionshelpsyouengage yourbraininamoreresourcefulway.Simplyreframingyourproblemstochallengesis aneffectivewaytoplaywithyourprobleminamoreinspiringway. 4. Theydontasktherightpeopleforhelp.Dontaskabumformoney.ItsOKtogetinput fromawidevarietyofsources,butyouhavetoseriouslyaskyourselfwhetheryoureasking therightpeoplewhoreallyhavetherightperspectiveonyourproblem.Agoodwayto whittlethisdownistocheckhowmanytimesthispersonhasactuallydealtwiththis problemsuccessfully,orwhethertheyhavetheresourcesorareinapositiontoactually helpyou.Dontfallintothetrapoftheblindleadingtheblind. 5. Theydontusetherighttoolforthejob.Ifyouhaveasurgicalproblem,getasurgical solution.Oneoftheworstwaystotackleyourproblemsiswithasilverbulletoraonesize fitsallsolutionorabuckshotapproach(whereyousprayabunchofsolutionshoping somethinghitsitstarget.)Yourabilitytosolveaproblemwellisareflectionofyourability tochoosetherighttoolforthejob. 6. Allthought,noaction.Therearetwoflavorsofthis.Oneisanalysisparalysisinwhich youchurnonyourownthoughts,butdontturnyourthoughtsintoaction.Theotherflavor istoworryandputyourselfintoaworryloop,thatsimplygeneratesanxiety,butdoesnt generateanyresults,besidesputyouintoanineffectivestate.Actionisyourfriendand yourescapehatch. 7. Alltalk,noaction.Actionsspeaklouderthanwords.Letyouractionsgetinthewayof yourwords,nottheotherwayaround.Ifyoufindyourselfstilltalkingaboutthesame problems,thatsagoodsignyourefallingintothetrap.Forbetterorworse,yougetwhat youfocuson.

Some Quotes on Problem Solving to Keep in Mind

Herearesomequotestohelpyoureallyhoneyourabilitytosolveproblems: 1. Aproblemwellstatedisaproblemhalfsolved."JohnDewey 2. "Dontdwellonwhatwentwrong.Instead,focusonwhattodonext.Spendyourenergies onmovingforwardtowardfindingtheanswer."DenisWaitley

3. Focus90%ofyourtimeonsolutionsandonly10%ofyourtimeonproblems.AnthonyJ. DAngelo 4. Foreveryproblemthereisasolutionwhichissimple,cleanandwrong.HenryLouis Mencken 5. "Haveyougotaproblem?Dowhatyoucanwhereyouarewithwhatyouvegot." TheodoreRoosevelt 6. "Howyouthinkaboutaproblemismoreimportantthantheproblemitselfsoalwaysthink positively."NormanVincentPeale 7. "Intimesliketheseitisgoodtorememberthattherehavealwaysbeentimeslikethese." PaulHarvey 8. "Itisnotstressthatkillsus.Itiseffectiveadaptationtostressthatallowsustolive." GeorgeVaillant 9. "ItsnotthatImsosmart,itsjustthatIstaywithproblemslonger."AlbertEinstein 10. Laughatyourproblems;everybodyelsedoes.Anonymous 11. "Leadersareproblemsolversbytalentandtemperament,andbychoice."Harlan Cleveland 12. Manistheonlyanimalforwhomhisownexistenceisaproblemwhichhehastosolve. ErichFromm 13. "Mostpeoplespendmoretimeandenergygoingaroundproblemsthanintryingtosolve them."HenryFord 14. "Nevertrytosolvealltheproblemsatoncemakethemlineupforyouonebyone." RichardSloma 15. "Noproblemcanstandtheassaultofsustainedthinking."Voltaire 16. "Problemsaretothemindwhatexerciseistothemuscles,theytoughenandmakestrong." NormanVincentPeale 17. "Someproblemsaresocomplexthatyouhavetobehighlyintelligentandwellinformedjust tobeundecidedaboutthem."LaurenceJ.Peter 18. "Stoplookingforsolutionstoproblemsandstartlookingfortherightpath."AndyStanley 19. "Themeasureofsuccessisnotwhetheryouhaveatoughproblemtodealwith,butwhether itisthesameproblemyouhadlastyear."JohnFosterDulles 20. "Theproblemisnotthatthereareproblems.Theproblemisexpectingotherwiseand thinkingthathavingproblemsisaproblem."TheodoreRubin 21. Thewayweseetheproblemistheproblem.StephenCovey 22. "Uncertaintycanleadtoparalysis.Andifyoubecomeindecisiveyouredead."JimCitrin 23. Wecantsolveproblemsbyusingthesamekindofthinkingweusedwhenwecreated them.AlbertEinstein 24. "Whenyoucometoaroadblock,takeadetour."MaryKayAsh 25. "Worryislikearockingchairitgivesyousomethingtodobutwontgetyouanywhere." Anonymous 26. Youwontfindasolutionbysayingthereisnoproblem.WilliamRotsler

Additional Ways to Master the Art of Effective Problem Solving

Herearesomeadditionalwaystohelpmakemincemeatoutofyourproblems: 1. Overwhelmyourproblems.Thiscouldmeanthrowingmoretimeormoreenergyatyour problemtogetoverthehump.AsVoltaireteachesus,"Noproblemcanstandtheassault ofsustainedthinking." 2. Expandyourbubbleandexpandyourself.Imaginethatyouareinabubbleandyoubump upagainstyourglassceilingsorthisbubbleyourein,everytimeyouhitaproblem.When yousolveaproblem,youexpandyourcontainer,andyouexpandyourself.Solving problemsishowyougrow. 3. Whatareyoutryingtoaccomplish?Askyourself,Whatareyoutryingtoaccomplish?,not Whatareyoutryingtodo?Itsaverysubtle,butverycriticalchangeinhowyouaskthis question.Whenyoufocusonwhatyouaretryingtoaccomplish,youuplevelit,and immediatelycreatemoreflexiblesolutionstosolvingyourproblem. 4. Whatareyouoptimizing?Youshouldbedeliberateinwhetheryouareoptimizingfor bestorsimplestorfastestorcomplete,etc.Thiswilldramaticallyshapethetypes ofsolutionsyoulookfor,andthetypesofresultsyouwillget. 5. Reframefromproblemtochallenge.Itsasimplestep,butmakeitahabittotreatyour problemasawaytotestyourskillsandtogrowyourselfandexpandyourabilities. 6. Whateverdoesntkillyoumakesyoustronger.MyMomtaughtmethis,andastheysay, "Momalwaysknowsbest. 7. Yourepartoftheproblemorpartofthesolution.Remindyourselfthatyourepartofthe problemorpartofthesolution.Choosetobeapartofthesolution,andstopwhining, complaining,orblaming,andstartdefining,exploring,andsolving. 8. Asktherightperson.Itmightbetoughtoaskforhelp,butifyoufindpeoplethatlike solvingtheproblemyouhave,youcanactuallymakeitawinwinscenario.Letpeoplepit theirskillsagainstyourproblem. 9. Askbetterquestions.Ifyouwantbetteranswers,thenaskbetterquestions.Ifyouwantto makemoreeffectiveprogressonyourproblem,thenaskmoreeffective questions.Questionsarethekeystounlockingsolutions. 10. Sharetheproblemwithskill.Youllfinditeasiertobrokerinhelpifyoucanstateyour problemclearly.Youknowitsclearwhensomebodycanbasicallystarttestingsolutionsto yourproblemortheycanechotheproblembacktoyou,usingtheirownwords. 11. Teamup,pairup,orcocreatethesolution.Findpeoplewhoeatyourproblemfor breakfast.Onepersonsproblem,isanothersplayground. 12. Satisficing.Yoursolutiondoesnthavetobeperfect.Ithastobeeffective.Satisficing isaboutfindingasolutionwithagoodenoughmatchtofityourscenarioorcontext. 13. Respondtothechallenge.Alwaysdrivefromthemindsetthatyouarerespondingtothe challenge,notreactingtotheproblem.AsCoveysays,successiswhentheresponse meetsthechallenge. 14. Aresourcefulstateofmind.Whetherthismeansaskingyourselfabetterquestion,or puttingonyourfavoritehat,orplayingyourfavoritesong,watchingyourfavoritemovie,or sayingyourfavoritequote,getyourselfintoamodewhereyourbrainisready,willing,and abletobrainstormsolutionsinaresourcefulstate.

15. Measureagainsteffectiveness.Whenyouretestingresults,yourultimatemeasureis simplywhetheritiseffective,againstwhatyouwanttoaccomplish,andwhatyouare optimizingfor. 16. Counttheactionsyouvetaken.Actuallywritedown,theactionsyoutook"Ididthis"or "Ididthat",etc.Worstcase,youhavealistofwhatdoesntwork,buteventhatis progress.Behonestwithyourselfandadmitwhetheryouactuallytookanactionorsimply thoughtaboutit.Itstooeasytothinkaboutanaction,tothepointyoufeelyoutook action,butinreality,youdidntdosquat. 17. RemembertheLittleEnginethatCould.Evenwhenyouthinkyoucant,rememberthe LittleEnginethatthoughtitcould.Sometimesyoujusthavetosay,IthinkIcanandthen proveyourselfright.

Your Assignment
1. Pickoneofyourproblemsthatyoudliketosolveandwriteitdownashowto(suchas howtogrowmyblogto10,000subscribers) 2. Findthreeexamplesofpeopleorsolutionsthatyoucanmodelfrom. 3. Pickonesolutiontotestandgetfeedbackasyouapplyit.Usethisfeedbacktohelpyou shapeyoursolutionsorchangeyourapproach.

Day 27 Do Something Great

Bigdreamscreatethemagicthatstirsmenssoulstogreatness.BillMcCartney

Your Outcome
Immerseyourselfinsomethinggreat.Takeyourlifetothenextlevel.Dosomethinggreat thatmattersforyouorsomeoneinyourlife.Goaboveandbeyondyourdailycallofduty.

Welcome to Day 27
Welcometoday27of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybookGettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday26,welearnedhowtosolveproblemswithskill. Today,wedecidetodosomethinggreat.

You Never Know What Youre Capable Of.

Youjustneverknowwhatspossible.Myfirstbookwasdownloadedseveralhundredthousand timeswithinthespanofafewmonths.Itwasunreal.Whatwasevenmoreunrealthoughwas thatIdidntknowwhetherIcouldevenpullitoff.Afterall,Ihadneverwrittenabookbefore. WhenIfirstjoinedthepatterns&practicesteamatMicrosoft,theyknewIcouldwritearticles, buttheyquestionedwhetherIcouldwriteabook.WhentheyaskedmeifIcould,Isaid,I dontknowbutIguessIhavetofigureitoutnowdontIsinceitspartofthejob.Atthat point,Idecidedthatinsteadoffocusingonwritingabook,Iwouldfocusonsolvingsignificant problems.IdecidedtowritetheultimateplaybookforbuildingsecureASP.NETapplications.I decidedIwouldgiveitmyall,assembleateamofrockstars,andtackletheproblemlikeithad neverbeentackledbefore.Isetmyeyesontheprizeand,asYodasays,ThereisDoordo not.Thereisnotry.AsmyMomalwayssaid,wheretheresawilltheresawayandthats howIcreatedtheveryfirstBlueBookforMicrosoft,severalyearsago. Thelessonformewasthatyoujustdontknowwhatyourecapableof,untilyoupushpast yourlimits.

From Ordinary to Extraordinary

Sometimesinlife,youhavetodecideatleastonemoretimetobeTheLittleEngine thatCould,evenwhenyouthinkyoucant.Whenyoudecidetodosomethinggreat,your lifetakesonnewmeaning.Youinstantlychartanewcourse.Yourlifegoesfromordinary toextraordinary.Youdecidethatwhatyoudowillmakeadifference,thatwhatyoudowill

matter,andthatwillgivewhatyoudoallthatyouvegot.And,Ifyouregoingtogodown, thenyourenotgoingdownwithoutafight. Butfailureisntevenanoption.Itsnotevenonyourradar.Inyourmind,youcanseethe prizefrontandcenterandlargerthanlife.Itsthepathandyoureonit.Withallyour might,andmaybeevenalittlemagic,youllmovewhatevermountainstandsinyour way.Itsonwardandupward.Itstimetodosomethinggreat.

3 Steps to Do Something Great

Todosomethinggreat,ithelpstohavearecipe.Feelfreetodepartfromtherecipe,buthereis itasastartingpointtohelpyouprepareandlaunchthesomethinggreatthatyouwilldo: 1. FindYourEyeoftheTiger.IfyouveseenRocky,youknowwhatImean.YourEyeofthe Tigerisyourfireinthebelly.Itsyouatyourfinestanditsyoureadytotakeonthe world.ThesimplestwaytofindthisEyeoftheTigeragainistorememberatimeinyour lifewhenyouhadyourgreatestvictory.Rememberthefeelingyouhad,whenyouwere unstoppable?Grabthatfeelingandholdontothat,anddontletgo.Ifthatsnotworking, thenblastyourfavoritealltimesongyouknow,theonethatalwaysmakesyoudrivetoo fast.Ifyouneedhelphere,readmyguestpostonFindingYourEyeoftheTiger. 2. Decidewhatgreatthingyouwilldo.Dontswatatflies.Getthedynamiteout.Pick somethinggreat.Thisisyourchancetosay,Imgoingforit.Thisisyourchancetofight withallyourmightandmakeithappen.Thisisnotatimetopicksomethingmediocre.Its timetoknocktheballoutofthepark.Itsatimetopicksomethingfantastic.Makeit epic.ItsFrodogettingridofthatstinkingring.ItsRockygettingbackhisEyeofthe Tiger.ItsmakinglikeaDeadPoetSocietyandseizingtheday.ItsEdwardfindingthejoy inhislife,BucketListstyle.ItsRudyagainsttheodds,fulfillinghisdream.ItsDanielson whippingouttheCrankTechniquewithafinalblowwhenhesliterallydownonhislast legIfyourenotcrying,oryourenotfurious,oryourenotelated,oryourejustnot feelingit,thenyouhaventfoundit.Itsnotaboutdoingonemorethingyoucando.Its doingTHEthingyouMUSTdofindingyourcalling,theonethatsherenow,andanswering thedoor. 3. Makeitaproject.Callitaproject.Haveavisionforit.Seetheendinmind.Giveitastart andafinish.Inthiscase,makeitamonth.Boundit.Makingitamonthlongprojectboth givesyouahighchanceforsuccess,butitalsogiveyouagoodchunkoftimetodo somethinggreat.Makingitaprojectgivesitaspecialplaceinyourheartandaspecial placeinyourmind.Itsasimplewaytowakeupyourinnergiantandsay,Hey,thisone reallycounts. Thisisyoupushingandtestingyourlimits.Thisisyoufocusedondoingthegreatthinginyour lifethatyouvehadonhold.Thisisyougettinguptobatwithskillonyoursideandthefire inside.Bestcasescenario,youexceedyourownexpectations.Worstcasescenario,youmoved theneedleinyourlife.

Ideas of Great Things to Do

Whenyoudecidethattodo,ithastobegreatforyou.Itsforyouthatithastomatter.Its yourstory.Itsyourchance.Thatsaid,herearesomeexamplesofvariousthingsthatother peoplehavedonewithinthespanofamonththatchangedthecourseoftheirlives.Useitasa listtodrawfromorinspireyou: 1. Reshapeyourbody. 2. Findyourfire. 3. Writeabook. 4. Writeasong. 5. Makeavideo. 6. Changesomebodyslife. 7. Overwhelmyourgreatesthurdleorbreakthroughabarrieroraceilinginyourlife. 8. Changeahabitorchangethewayyouleadyourlife. 9. Retoolyourselfforyourcurrentjungleoflife. 10. Getanewleaseonlife. 11. Getyourdreamjob. 12. Makeyourdreamjob. 13. Shareyourlessonslearnedwiththeworld. 14. Rekindleanoldspark. 15. Reconnectwithanoldhobby. 16. Createtheultimateknowledgebaseonyourpassion. 17. Learnanewskill. 18. Finishoffapetproject. 19. Dustoffanolddreamormakeyourdestinyhappen. 20. Turntheworstpaininyourlife,intoyourgreatestopportunity. 21. Bethefather,mother,sister,brother,daughter,son,uncleoraunt,cousinorfriendthat youvewantedtobe.

Why Make it a Project?

Todosomethinggreat,makeitaproject.Makingsomethingaprojecthelpsyouthinkaboutit inatangibleway.Giveyourgreatprojectaname.Thisisyourprojectsocallitwhateveryou want.InamedoneofmyprojectsJ.D.2.0,basedonmyYou2.0guide.Givingyourprojecta name,helpscreateastrongholdinyourmind.Foramonth,thisprojectisyourcastle.

Do It For a Month
Makeitamonthlongproject.Startatthestartofthemonth.Endattheendofthe month.Youcanalsodoasecondrun,butfornow,giveyourselfamonth.Thisisntamarathon anditsnotadeathmarchoranendlesspursuit.Justforthismonth,youdoputallyour eggsinthisonebasket.Concentratedeffortamplifiesyourimpact.Becauseitsjustamonth, youcanprioritizeitoverotherthings.Becauseitsjustamonth,andnotforever,youcangive

ityourall.Bymakingityourthemeforthemonth,ithelpsyoufocusandharnessallofyour discretionaryenergy,focus,andtime.Thisisyoursecretrecipefordoinggreatthings.

Do It Daily
Todosomethinggreat,doiteveryday.Carveoutalittletimemoretimeeachday,toinvestin yourgreatthing.Youdontknowwhenyourbreakthroughmighthappen.Serendipityisapart oflifeandoftenapartofsuccessTeeupmorepossibilitiesinyourlife,adayatatime. Eachdayisanotherchance.Doingsomethingeveryday,evenjustalittlebit,getseasierasyou go,andhelpsbuildmomentum.Timeandagain,Ifoundthatdailyaction,evenbabysteps,is howIconsistentlygotoverhumpsorcreatedbreakthroughs.

Your Mental Model

Whilethestrategiesandtacticstomakethingshappenareimportant,themostimportantstep startsinyourmind.Itsthementalpicturesyouhold,itsthebeliefsyouhave,anditstheself talkthatyoutellyourselfthewholewaythrough. Foratleastthismonth,dontfocusonyoursuccess.Focusongivingyourbest.Dontfocuson thescoreboard,focusonthepitch.

Your Tools
Youremakingthingshappenwithskillnow,soletmeremindyouofyourtools: 1. Mindsetsandmetaphors.Youcanswitchyourmindsetsbyswitchinghats.Putonyour explorerhatoryoursolutionhatoryourthinkerhatoryourdoerhat.Usemetaphors thatserveyou.Therightmetaphorcanhelpyoumovemountains. 2. AgileResults.Getthesystemonyourside.Byusingthethreestorieseachday,week,and month,youreconnectingyourewiringyourmind,body,andemotionstoachievegreat things,aswellasdealwiththesetbacks,andbouncebackstrongerandfastereachtime. 3. Storiesandchoices.Byusingstoriesandmakingmindfulchoicestodriveyourday,week, andmonth,youbringtogethereverythingyouvegotinaninspirationwaytowriteyour storyforwardandcarveoutmeaningfulresults. 4. Time.Foronce,timeisreallyonyourside.AgileResultsautomaticallyusestimeasa foundationforbuildingmomentumandgettingresults.Youautomaticallycreatearhythm ofresultsbypinningagainsttimeandridingtheday,week,andmonth,likeawaveorrolling snowball. 5. Action.Takingactioniswhatmakesthingshappen.Actionisyourplaygroundandwhere youtestyourideasagainstreality.Ifyouwantedtojustthinkyourwayintosomething, thenyoumisstheride.Itsfinetobeadreamer.Itsfinetobeadoer.Howaboutbeinga doerwithdreamsoradreamerthatdoes?

6. Reflection.Takethetimetoreflectonyourresults.WithAgileResultsthisisautomatically bakedintoFridayReflection.Youcanalsodesignyourday,tocapeachdaywithsome reflectiontime.Learningandrespondingishowyougetclosertoyourdreams. Thepeoplethatdogreatthings,enjoythejourney,actionandall,theupsanddowns,andthey enjoythedestination.Thesecrethereistodriveyouractionfromwhoyouwanttobeandthe experiencesyouwanttocreate.Driveitfromyourlifestyle.

Everybody has Flaws

HereisalessonfromoneofmymentorsonthepowerofdoinggreatthingsThereareno greatpeople.Therearepeoplethatdogreatthings.Heroesfall.Itsthefeetofclay scenario. Peoplearentheroes,theydoheroicthings.Thepointis,dontmissthegoodbecauseofthe bad,anddontgetcaughtupinputtingpeopleonpedestals.Dontputyourselfonapedestal either.Instead,focusondoingagreatthingandgivingityourbestshot.

You Cant Fail

StephenCovey,RandyPausche,andothersremindusthatnobodyregretsthethingsthey did.Theyregretthethingstheydidntdo. Dontletfearrunyourlife.Especiallyfearoffailure.Whatifyoutryandyoufail?So what.Guesswhat?Ifyouhavetosucceed,thenyoureplayingthegameoflifewrong.Test yourpossibilities.Growfromit.Embracetheexperience.Thatswhatlifeisallabout.Ifyou gaveityourbestshot,you.Yougrewyourselfalittlemore,ormaybealot.butthatyoull giveityourbestshot.

How To Stay on Fire

Dontdependonexternalvalidationtoomuchthatsthebestwaytokillyourmotivationona dailybasis.Dontholdyourbreathforyourmanagersacknowledgment,oryourspouses appreciation,ortheaudiencesapplause.Itsawonderfulbyproduct,butitcantbeyour driver.Firstandforemost,impressyourselffirst.Remembertoconnectittoyourvaluesand yourinternalbaryourinternalrewardsandthenyoubalancewithexternalrewardsand appreciation. Thatshowtomakegreatthingsordogreatthingsandstayonfire.

If You Get Knocked Down, Get Up Again

Givingsomethingyourbestshotiswithinyourcontrol.Theresultsarenot.Thebestyoucan do,isgivethebestyouvegot,testyourdreamswithskill,androllwiththepunches.Andwhen yougetknockeddown,thesinglebestthingyoucandoisgetupagain. Youneverfailunlessyougiveup.

Quotes on Greatness
Hereareafewwordsofwisdomtoaddtoyourmentaltoolboxoflife: 1. Ashumanbeings,ourgreatnessliesnotsomuchinbeingabletoremaketheworldthatis themythoftheatomicageasinbeingabletoremakeourselves.MohandasGandhi 2. Askyourselfwhetherthedreamofheavenandgreatnessshouldbewaitingforusinour gravesorwhetheritshouldbeourshereandnowandonthisearth.AynRand 3. Donotdespisethebottomrungsintheascenttogreatness.PubliliusSyrus 4. Donottrustpeople.Theyarecapableofgreatness.StanislawLem 5. Everyday,peoplesettleforlessthantheydeserve.Theyareonlypartiallylivingoratbest livingapartiallife.Everyhumanbeinghasthepotentialforgreatness.BoBennett 6. Greatheroesneedgreatsorrowsandburdens,orhalftheirgreatnessgoesunnoticed. PeterS.Beagle 7. Greatmenarerare,poetsarerarer,butthegreatmanwhoisapoet,transfiguringhis greatness,istherarestofallevents.JohnDrinkwater 8. Greatnessisaroadleadingtowardstheunknown.CharlesdeGaulle 9. Greatnessisnotmeasuredbywhatamanorwomanaccomplishes,butbytheopposition heorshehasovercometoreachhisgoals.DorothyHeight 10. Greatnesslies,notinbeingstrong,butintherightusingofstrength.HenryWard Beecher 11. IalwaysknewIwasdestinedforgreatness.OprahWinfrey 12. Ifwecannotseethepossibilityofgreatness,howcanwedreamit?LeeStrasberg 13. Illusionsofgrandeurarenotthesameasvisionsofgreatness.EdwinLouisCole 14. Nooneeverachievedgreatnessbyplayingitsafe.HarryGray 15. Thegreatestthingyoucandointhisworldistomakethemostpossibleoutofthestuff youvebeengiven.Thisissuccess,andthereisnoother.OrisonSwettMarden

Todays Assignment
1. FindyourEyeoftheTiger.Findoneoldmemoryoronementalpicturetoholdinyour mindthatgivesyouyourEyeoftheTiger. 2. Picksomethinggreattodonextmonth.Teeyourselfuptostartatthebeginningofthe monthandendattheendofthemonth.Itwillbeyourthemeorfocusforthe month.Makesureitsgreatforyouevenifgreatforyou,meansdoingsomething thatsgreatforsomebodyelse.Putthatfireinyourbellytogooduse.Aboveall, rememberthatgreatisintheeyeofthebeholder,anditsallrelative.

3. Watchyourfavoritemoviethatalwayshasawayoflightingyourfire.

Share Your Stories

Ilikerealstoriesfromrealpeople.Thatswhatlifeisallabout.Ifyouwanttotellmeaboutthe greatthingyouregoingtodonextmonth,youcanemailmeatGettingResultsTeam(at) gmail.com.Betteryet,tellmewhyyouregoingtodoit.Tellmewhyitmattersomuchfor you.Itsnotwhatwedoinlifethatendsupsomeaningful,itswhywedoit.Nothingismore inspirationalthansomebodyswhy. Ivereallyenjoyedtheemailfolkshavebeensendingmesofarabouttheirbreakthroughsand theirturnaroundstoriesandevenhowforsomepeople,justtheirordinarydayshavebecome extraordinary.Imalsowatchingthegoodnessspread.Iseefriendsinspiringotherfriendsand itscontagious.Asonefriendputittome,theirpilotlightislitagain!Iseepeoplelifting eachotherup,andthatshowweallstandontheshouldersofgiants. Getreadytomakenextmonthoneofthemostexcitingchapterinthestoryofyourlife,asyou continuetowriteyourstoryforward.Itwillbeepic.

Day 28 Find Your One Thing

Purposeiswhatgiveslifeameaning.CharlesH.Perkhurst

Your Outcome
Findyouronething.Whetheryoucallityourpassion,yourpurpose,yourmission,your crusade,findingyourWhy,orsimplywhatyouwantyourlifetobeaboutexpressitin words,asamotto,ortagline,orasimpleoneliner.Thiswillbeyourpathandtorch.

IfyouveseenthemovieCitySlickers,thissceneshouldsoundfamiliar: Curly:Youknowwhatthesecretoflifeis? Mitch:No.what? Curly:This.(holdsuphisfinger) Mitch:Yourfinger? Curly:Onething.Justonething.Yousticktothateverythingelsedontmeanshit. Mitch:Thatsgreat,butwhatstheonething? Curly:Thatswhatyouvegottofigureout. Thatsthechallengeinlife,butthekeytoyoursuccessyouhavetofindyouronething.

Welcome to Day 28
Welcometoday28of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybookGettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday27,wesetourselvesuptodosomethinggreatasamonthlongproject. Today,wefindouronething.Wefindourpurposewithskill.

The Story of What Drives Me

MaybeIwatchedtoomanycartoons,butgrowingupIwasadefenderofunderdogs.Somehow Igotthemessage,defendtheweakorunderprivileged.MyMomreenforcedthismakingsure Iknewtoprotectmylittlebrotherandsister(although,mysisterknewhowtowhoopsome arse,andshekilledanyspiderthatthreatenedmypath.) Itsnotjustdefendingpeopleweakerthanyouthough.EarlyonIsawthemovieTrading Places.Irememberhowjustbyswappingpeopleslotinlife,everythingchangesWhat peopleexpectofthemchanges,howpeopletreatthemchanges,andwhatpeopleexpectof otherschangesevenwhatpeopleexpectofthemselveschanges.Itspowerfulstuff.But dontexpectanybodytopickyouupandplopyoudown.Youhavetomakeyourown changes.Imabigbelieverthat

Everybodydeservesachanceattheirbestlife. Ilearnedearlyonthatitsnotyourlotinlife.Itsnotwhatyouvegotinlife.Itswhatyou makeofit.Andtheonethingyouhaveyourwholelifeisyou.Youtakeyou,everywhereyou go.Theonethingyoucaninvestinthatgetsyouexponentialresultsisyouyourbody,your mind,andyourfoundation.Yourfoundationisntthestuffyouhaveitswhoyouare,its yourbeliefs,itsyourvalues,itsyourrules,itsyourmindsetsandyourmetaphors,andits yourstrategiesandtacticsforlifeitsyourtoolkityouusetomakethemostofwhatyouve got.Thatsthestorybehindmyonelinerpurpose Exponentialresultsfortheunderdog. Ileveltheplayingfieldwithsmarts.Andeverybodyisanunderdogatsomepointintheir life.Maybeitsagame,whereyoudontknowtherulesorhowtoplaythegame.Maybeits inasituation,whereyoureinthedark.Maybeitsyoureducationcomparedtosomebody elses.Maybeitsyourmoneycomparedtosomebodyelses.Maybeitsyourstatuscompared tosomebodyelses.Regardless,wereallunderdogsinsomeway,shape,orform,insome situation. Thewaytoleveltheplayingfieldisthroughknowhowandknowledge.IsharethebestskillsI learnformakingthemostofanysituation.Isharethewisdomoftheagesandmodernsages.I drawfrombooks,people,andquotes,aswellaswhatIlearninthetrenchesatMicrosoftand whatIlearnfrommymasterfulmentors.ThatswhatdrivesSourcesofInsight.ThatsmyLittle EngineThatCould.ImakeothersgreatIenhanceyouwithskillIempowerYOUtobe YOURbest. Butenoughaboutmethispostisaboutyou,andfindingyouronelinerpurpose.Ishared minetohelpyoufindyours.Maybeseeingmineinaction,helpsyouconnectyourdotsand lightsabulbandyourahhamomentfiresforyouinawayitsneverfiredbefore.

Do What You Were Born to do or Do What You Love to Do

Forsomepeople,theyfindawaytodowhattheyloveforaliving.Forsomepeople,theyfinda waytofundtheirlifestyle,andinturn,maketimetodomoreofwhattheylove.Eitherway, thisisthehappypath.Fulfillmentispotentiallyabyproduct.Forotherpeople,theydowhat theywereborntodo.Thisisthefulfillmentpath.Happinessmaybeabyproductofthe process,but,whatdrivesthemisgivingtheirbest,wheretheyhavetheirbesttogive. Eitherway,effectivepeoplearefindwaystoanswertheircalling. Wherepeoplefalldowniswhentheyignoretheirpassionortheirlustforlifeortheydont capitalizeonmakingthemostofwhattheyvegot.Bringingyourcallingtothesurface, ordoingmoreofwhatyoulovetodo,eveninasimplewayorasmallway,onaregularbasis, ishowyoulightyourfire,getonyourpath,andmakeaworldofdifference,startingwith you.Itshowyouleadyourlifefromtheinsideout.

 Heresatipalotofpeoplefindtheirinnerstrengthbyfindingsomethingtobetonthats biggerthanthemselves,whetheritsservicetoothers,theircommunity,oranidealintheirlife

What Do You Want Your Life to Be About

Whodoyouwanttobeandwhatexperiencesdoyouwanttocreate.Ifyouwantyourlifeto bemagical,thenspendtimewithmagicians.Explorethenaturalwondersoftheworld.Stay curiousanddreamuppossibilities,andwatchmoreDisney.Ifyouwantyourlifetobea comedy,thengotomorecomedyclubs.WatchILoveLucy.Learntolookatlifethrougha twistedlensthathelpsyouopenupandsay,hah!Findthefunnyinyourlifeandthefunnyin theworld. Youronething,canbecomeanoverarchingthemeforyourlife,thathelpsyoumakemeaning andenjoythejourneyasyougo.Thebeautyis,tomakethechange,allyouhavetodoisstart withthequestion Whodoyouwanttobe?andwhatdoyouwantyourlifetobeabout?andthenstart creatingthoseexperiences. Youretheauthorofyourlife,thearchitect,andthedirectorpointyourcameraatwhatyou wantmoreof. TodaysAssignment 1. Findyourtheme.Distillyourstoryintosomethingsimple.Flipbackthroughyourlifeand findthetheme.Forme,itwashelpingleveltheplayingfieldwithknowhowandhelping underdogsgetexponentialresults. 2. Findyouronething.Whatdoyouwantyourlifetobeabout?Somepeoplemakelifean epicadventure.Somepeoplemakelifeatragedy.Somepeoplespendtheirlifeturning tragedyintotriumph. 3. Createyouronelinerreminder.Letyourproductiveartistcomeouttoplayandturnyour missionintomagic.Youknowyounaileditwhenyousuddenlyfeellikeyousuddenlyhave thestrengthofathousandbullsonyourside,andyouareonyourpath,andyourean unstoppableforceofone. Thesurpriseisthatwhenyoubecomeapowerfulforceofone,youactuallycreateacoalitionof thewillingandyoubecomealighteningrodforthosethatshareyourvalues,helpliftyouup, andspreadyourcauselikewildfire. Whetheryoubecomeafirestarterforyou,yourfamily,yourneighbors,friends,oryour community,theworldbecomesabetterplacewhenitsfilledwithpeoplewithalustforlife.

Day 29 Find Your Arena for Your Best Results

Becarefultheenvironmentyouchooseforitwillshapeyou;becarefulthefriendsyouchoose foryouwillbecomelikethem.W.ClementStone

Your Outcome
Createanenvironmentthathelpsyouthrive.Youcanbeafishoutofwater,oryoucanbein yourelement.

Welcome to Day 29
Welcometoday29of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybookGettingResultstheAgile Way.Inday28,youlearnedhowtofindyouronethingtosimplifyyourlife,makemeaning, andgrowyourlustforlife. Today,wefindourarenaforourbestresults.

Finding YOUR Best Arena

BeforeIjoinedMicrosoft,Imovedjobsalot.Ikeptbecomingabigfishinasmallpond,and thenstagnated.IjoinedMicrosofttobealittleguppyinabigocean.Iwantedtosurround myselfwithexcellenceandpeoplewithapassionformorefromlife.Iwantedtotryandkeep upwithpeoplewhowantedtochangetheworld. Growingup,Ilearnedthatyourcontainermakesabigdifference.Whetheritwassports,or school,Ifoundthatifyouhungwiththerightpeople,yougotbetterfast.WhileIcouldalways improveonmyown,therightenvironmentacceleratedmygrowth.Everytime.Ivetriedto usethispatternoflearningfromthebestofthebest,andputtingmyselfintoenvironmentsor takingonprojectsthatacceleratemysuccess.Igrowmorebychangingmycontainerthanany otherway.Ithinkofthisasfindinganareaformybestresults.WhenImintherightarena,I thrive.WhenImnotIdie.Slowly.InYoungGuns,Ithinkoftheline,Youregrowingordying theresnoinbetween. Ithinkofmyarenainmultiplelayers,butitseverythingthatswrappedaroundmy performance.ItstheworkIdo,itstheindustryImin,itsthepeopleIworkwith,itsthe platformIdoitfrom,etc.Thekeyformeistoalwaysfollowthegrowth,ridethewaves,and makethemostimpactfrommyarena,orchangearenastounleashmybest.Itsmypersonal successplatform. ThelessonIkeeplearningongrowingmysuccessisFillyourheadwithstoriesofsuccess, hangoutwithinspiringpeople,findtheworkthatbreatheslifeintoyourday,andplayYOUR bestgame,inYOURbestarena.

Your Container Limits or Supports You

Yourcontainercanaccelerateyoursuccessorholdyouback.Youcangofromstrugglingto succeeding,orfromsurvivingtothriving.Youmightbelikeadiamondintherough,thatjust needssomepolishingwiththerightpeopleintherightplace.Youramazinganduniquevalue cangoundervaluedorunderappreciatedsimplybecauseyoureinthewrongarena.Seth GodinteachesustoleanintotherightDips,getoutofthewrongDips,andbecomeaLinchpin beindispensibleandremarkableinthejobyoudo.Sometimesyoucandoaremarkablejob, butyouresimplyinthewrongcontainerorstuckinaDip. Sometimesoneofthemostimportantreasonstochangeacontainerisbecauseyouhitglass ceilingsintermsoftheimpactyoucanmake.Sometimesyouneedtochangecontainers becauseofthefinanciallimitsoneindustrymightvalueyourskillswaymorethan another.Oneindustriesprincecanbeanotherspauper.

You cant Be a Preacher in Your Home Town

Oneofthebestsayingsoneofmymentorsremindedmeis,Youcantbeapreacherinyour hometown.Theideaisthatyoumightbeaperfectlygoodpreacher,buteverybodygrowing upremembersyouaslittleJoeydownthestreetandtheycantimagineyouasapreacher.It conflictswiththeirmentalmodel. Sometimes,thebestthingyoucandoisfindanewtown.

5 Ways to Change Your Arena

Herearefivewaysyoucanchangeyourarena: 1. Changeyourmentalmodel.Itstartsrighthere.Ifyoucantseeit,itwonthappen.Have youeverjustknownyoucoulddosomethinglongbeforeyouprovedit?Itsthepictures yougetinyourmind,itsthebeliefsyouholdinyourheart,anditsyourunshakablemind thattellsyouwhatspossible,orwhatsnot,longbeforeyoueventry.Thisiswhythemost importantpersonandwhattheythinkofyou,isyou.Thatswhyrolemodelsandscenesof successaresoimportant.Whatyouholdinyourmind,youcanmakehappen.Itsvery difficulttoworkagainstyourownmentalmodelandbeliefs,especiallylimitingones.They becomeselffulfilling.Ifyouwanttochangeyourarena,startbychangingyourmind. 2. Changehowyouplaythegame.Thiscouldbeassimpleasshiftingtospendingmoretime inyourstrengths.Thiscouldbeassimpleasfindingamentorthatshowyoubetterwaysto playyourgame.Thiscouldalsobeassimpleasshiftingfromgettingyourjobdone,to masteringyourcraft.Thiscouldalsomeanchangingrolesorwhichaspectofthegame thatyouchoosetofocuson.Someactorsbecomedirectors.Someathletesbecome coaches.Theyrestillinthegame,butfromadifferentperch. 3. Changewhoyouplayitwith.Spendmoretimewithcatalystsorpeoplewholiftyouupor peopleyoucanlearnfrom,andlesstimewithpeoplewhodrainyouorbringyou

down.Dontletthepeopleyouspendtimewithbethereasonyourballoonnevergetsoff theground. 4. Changewhereyouplayyourgame.Thiscouldmeanchangingteams,changingcompanies, etc.Thiscouldmeanmoving.Basically,itschangingwhereyouperform,andsometimes thatalonemakesallthedifference.Thekeyistogowhereyouarevalued,youfully engage,andyoufeelyourselfgrow. 5. Changethegameyouplay.Sometimesthebestthingyoucandoischangethegameyou play.OneofourVPsatMicrosoftrealizedhecouldbeamediocredeveloperoragreat ProgramManager.Whenhechangedpaths,heacceleratedhisgrowth. Youknowagoodcontainerorarenawhenyouaregivingyourbest,whereyouhaveyourbest togive,anditsamplifyingyourimpact,andhelpingyougrowinanacceleratedway.

Design Your Workspace to Support You

Imafanofkeepingmyworkspacesimple,clean,andeffective.IreducedistractionsandIkeep acleanspacesoIdonthavetofightthroughmystufftogettowhatImworkingonorbattle forsomeopenarea.Icreatebreathingroom.Fromavisualperspective,itssimple,clean,and unclutteredandsupportive.Fromanauditoryperspective,Iplaymyfavoritemusic,unlessI needtohearmyselfthink,thenIfindawaytogetthequiettimeIneed. Theselittleadjustmentsgoalongwayinhelpingmemakethemostofmyarena.

Rapid Growth
EdwarddeBonosayswecanaccelerateourgrowthbyfindingrapidgrowthfields.Hewrites, Thecomputerindustryisagrowthindustry,andwithinthatindustrysoftwareisagrowth field.Hispointisthatyoucanridethesuccessbandwagonorgetcarriedalongwiththe growth.Forexample,hesaysitseasyforageneraltobecomeasuccessinwarbutrather moredifficultintimesofpeace,andthatthemostlikelywaytomakeagoodlivingoutof creativeimaginationmaybetogointoadvertising.

Find a Stage Where You Feel Strong

Attheendoftheday,thekeyforyouisthatyourarenamakeyoustrongandkeepsyou growingwhereitcounts. Youdonthavetocompletelychangeyourarena,orchangeitallatonce,butifyoufind yourselfkeepgettingstuckornotgrowingyoursuccessthewayyouwant,thenlooktoyour environmentasawaytostructureandaccelerateyoursuccess.

Todays Assignment
1. Fixupyourworkspacetosupportyou.Dowhateveryouneedsothatwhenyougetready toperform,youfeelgoodaboutthespaceyouworkin.Whetheritsaddplants,addmusic, orjustdeclutter,setthestageforyourbestresults. 2. Evaluateyourcontainer.Areyouworkingontherightthings,withtherightpeople,forthe rightmanager,fortherightcompany,makingtherightimpact?Thatsastringofthoughts, buttheyllhelpyoulookatyourcontainerintermsofhowwellitssupportingyougiving yourbest,whereyouhaveyourbesttogive.

Day 30 Take Agile Results to the Next Level

Thetruemeaningoflifeistogiveourlifemeaning.TateT.Weber

Your Outcome
ReviewthebasicsoftheAgileResultssystemandsetthestagetotakeyourlifetothenext levelbyexploringmoreoftheAgileResultsprinciples,patterns,andpractices.

Welcome to Day 30
Iwantedtheendtobeagoodbeginningfortherestofyourlife.Well,hereweare.Itsday 30of30DaysofGettingResults,basedonmybookGettingResultstheAgileWay.Itsbeen30 dayssincewestartedandyoucanbrowseallthelessonsat30DaysofGettingResults.Revisit themwhenyouneedthem,orsharethemwithfriendsandfamilytohelpgivethemtheedge. Ihopeoneofthemostimportantideasthatcameacrossduringourjourneytogetheristhat youareyourultimateinvestment,throughoutyourlife.Investinginyourselfishowyouturn yourworldaroundandhowyouturnotherpeoplesworldaround.Itbreathesspiritintolife anditscontagious. Attheendoftheday,youaretheonethatmakesyourlifehappen.Youaretheonethattakes careofyourbusiness.Whetheryouregettingyourgameonatworkortakingcareofyour businessoflife,IhopethatAgileresultscanhelpyousucceedfarbeyondyourwildest dreams.Itstheretoenhanceyouandhelpyouunleashwhatyourealreadycapable of.Everybodydeservesachanceatthegoodlife,andthisistheultimatetoolkitthatIcan giveyouthatcanhelpyoumakethemostofwhatyouvegot.

Write Your Story Forward A Day at a Time

AsareminderofwhatAgileResultsis,itsasimplesystemformeaningfulresults.Youcanuse ittostepupyourgameandsupportyoufortherestofyourlife,ineverythingyoudo.Itgives youanextremeadvantagebygivingyoustateoftheartpracticesfromavarietyofdisciplines forimprovingyourthinking,feeling,anddoing.IknowmanyparentswhoareusingAgile Resultstohelptheirkidsimprovetheirfocus,theirenergy,theirtimemanagement,andbasic productivity.Iknowcompaniesusingittohelpdrivechangeandtohelpbuildarhythmof resultsfortheirteams.IknowmanypeoplethatareusingAgileResultstogetanewleaseon life. Byusingthreestoriestodriveyourday,yourweek,yourmonth,andyouryear,youtakecharge ofyourlife,andyoulivelifeonyourterms.Ithelpsyoubewhoyouwanttobeandcreate moreoftheexperiencesyouwanttocreate.Byspendingtherighttime,ontherightthings,

therightway,withtherightenergy,youunlockapowerfulcombinationforyourlifethat unleashesyourbestpossibilitiesandhelpsyoumakethemostofwhatyouvegot.The commonthemebehindthesystemisonesimpleidea: Betheauthorofyourlifeandwriteyourstoryforward.

Back to the Basics

Thebasicsworkandtheyllsupportyou.Letsdoaquickrecap: 1. YoucanuseTheRuleof3toavoidgettingoverwhelmed. 2. Youretheauthorofyourlifeandyoucanwriteyourstoryforward,onemomentoroneday atatime 3. Youcanusethreestoriestodriveyourdayandandlightupyourdaybyconnectingtoyour values(DailyOutcomes). 4. OnMondays,youcanusethreestoriestodriveyourweek(MondayVision). 5. OnFridays,youcanuseFridayReflectiontocelebrateyourwinsandfindyourpersonal successpatterns. 6. YoucanmapoutwhatsimportantinyourlifeusingHotSpotstocreateameaningfulmap. 7. Youcanletthingssloughoffwithskillnomorestrawsbreakingthecamelsback. 8. Youcanaddpowerhoursandaddcreativehourstobreathelifeintoyourweekandget moredone,inlesstime,withbetterresults. 9. Youcanusemetaphorstoinspireyourselfwithskillandmakemeaningineverythingyoudo. 10. Youcanachieveapeacefulcalmstateofmind,whereworriesmeltaway,andyourclarity andfocuscometotheforefront. 11. Youcansetupboundariesandbufferstoachieveworklifebalancewithskill. 12. Youcanfeelstrongallweeklong,byplayingtoyourstrengthsandspendinglesstimein weaknessesandthingsthatdrainyou. 13. Youcandosomethinggreatandmakeitamonthlongproject.Greatthingscanhappenin monthlongpackages,anditsawaytorockyourworld,amonthatatime.

Monday Vision, Daily Wins, Friday Reflection is the Backbone

Eachdayoreachweekisanotherwaytogetthesystemonyourside.Allyouhavetodois rememberthissimplepattern: MondayVisionIdentifythreestoriesoroutcomesyouwantfortheweek.Thissetsthe stage. DailyOutcomesEachday,identifythreeoutcomesorstoriesthatyouwanttoachievefor theday. FridayReflectionEachFriday,identifythreethingsgoingwellandthreethingstoimprove. Iwantedasystemthatwaseasytoadoptandimmediatelygetthebenefits,andthatifIfelloff, Iwantedittobeeasytohopbackon.Thesystemissupersimpletogetbackonifyoufall

off.Onanygivenday,simplyaskyourself,whatarethreeoutcomesyouwantfortheday,and yourebackonsaddleagain.

Where to Go from Here

Oh,theplacesyoullgo.Foryourjourneyfortherestofyourlife,takethesystemwithyouand gettheforceonyourside: 1. ReadthebookGettingResultstheAgileWayathttp://GettingResults.com 2. ExploretheGettingResultsKnowledgeBase,andbesuretobrowsethevisuals.Ifindsome picturesarewortha1000words. 3. Forinspiration,readthetestimonialsandsomeofthestoriesofadoptionandrealworld casestudiesatGettingResults.com. 4. IfyouhadachancetogothroughDay27DoSomethingGreat,hopefullyyouhave somethinginmindthatyouareexcitedaboutandreadytotackle.IhavesomethingthatIll beworkingon,andImlookingforwardtocrankingthingsup. Herestoyoursuccessonwardandupward.

Call to Action
1. Share this free eBook with a friend. 2. Explore the full book, Getting Results the Agile Way, for free in HTML on Getting Results.com at http://GettingResults.com 3. Explore the Getting Results Knowledge Base for time management tips and time management strategies at http://gettingresults.com/wiki/Knowledge_Base

Note -- Getting Results the Agile Way is available for purchase as a printed book and on the Kindle at

http://www.amazon.com/GettingResultsAgileWayPersonal/dp/0984548203.