Dr. Rick’s January 2020 Newsletter

“There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it.”

Napoleon Hill

As we begin a new year let’s strive to do things differently. Getting the most out of each day can help us feel satisfied and productive. Becoming more productive can be a difficult transition as we move from a life of “more of the same” to seeing the changes happen before us as we choose to do things differently and see the results. There are various strategies to help us use our time more wisely.

When we think of the phrase “time management” it can seem like an oxymoron, as stated by author John Maxwell, “Time management is an oxymoron. Time is beyond our control, and the clock keeps ticking regardless of how we lead our lives. Priority management is the answer to maximizing the time we have.”  How we use our time is a chief indicator of our values. We will make time for what we believe is important. Time management really becomes more of priority management.  

The way in which changes will take place can only be realized by making “intentional statements” to ourselves: statements that have a conviction to them, and not just another wishful halfhearted attempt to desire change with little to no effort behind our statements. This is the only way we can look forward to doing things differently. This is the year I will become productive. 

Look the following statements and think through how they can help you better manage your priorities and time as we begin 2020.

Top 10 Approaches to a Better Year

· I can prioritize important obligations and decisions.

· I’m making efforts to act on important decisions or duties.

· I’m learning to focus, stay motivated, and persevere.

·I’m not accepting excuses for procrastination and wasted time.

·Even though it’s difficult, I’m becoming more organized.

·I am managing potential interruptions by other people.

·Sticking to my priorities keeps me from getting caught up in a crisis.

· I’m managing how much time I spend on my phone, TV, and other entertainment devices

·I can recognize priorities and make important decisions without procrastinating.

·I’m confident that what I start, I will finish.

As we learn to manage our time we will manage our priorities. As we begin to move through this year, we are no longer spending time thinking about what has to be different; we are making the difference each day. Life cannot be about what we should have done last year. It has to be, because I did not hit my goals I will take different steps to accomplish my desires. It is not how many years we have left, but rather, what we do, and want to do. We must decide that the days ahead in 2020 shall be different because we have made our goals our priority.

Are You “On Purpose”?

Do you love what you do for a living? Do you look forward to going to work every day or do you grudgingly show up in order to pay the bills? Do you work past quitting time because it’s expected or because you’re “into it” and lost track of time?

Many people know their calling in life, their true purpose, and live “on purpose.”

Are you one of them?

Take this True or False Self-Quiz to determine whether you are operating from a place of purpose.

1. When I get up in the morning I look forward to the day ahead, whether it’s a work day or my day off.

2. I love the work I do — any external reward I receive I consider “the icing on the cake.”

3. My work makes me feel rewarded and motivated rather than drained and exhausted.

4. When I have spare time I participate in activities that I’m passionate about, and those activities reflect my purpose.

5. I know what my greatest talents and strengths are, and I apply those attributes to my work in some capacity every day.

6. I know I’m living my true purpose when others notice and compliment me on my abilities.

7. My life, personal and professional, reflects and is in alignment with my core values.

8. I consistently base my decisions on my beliefs, not on the expectations of others, and, overall, I’m happy with the outcomes.

9. If money were not an issue I wouldn’t change much of what I do and how I do it.

10. My work environment is supportive of my personality and talents and allows me to not only show up as my true self, but to perform at my optimal level.

11. When my work environment fails to provide me with opportunities to utilize my unique abilities, I look to make a positive change.

12. The good (and great) days at work far outweigh the occasional “bad” days. 

13. My work is enjoyable and often feels like play.

14. By fulfilling my own dreams and desires, I am making a positive contribution to the world as a whole.

15. Determining one’s life purpose can take a long time, but I’m confident that, even when I question what my purpose is, I know that I have one.

If you answered false to many of these, you may benefit from discovering how to live a life on purpose. Living a purposeful life is as much about how things are done (with love, attention, passion and focus for example) as it is about what is done. It’s also a great way to feel fulfilled regardless of the “job” you may find yourself in.