96 Minutes a Day That Will Change Your Life
96 Minutes a Day That Will Change Your Life
What actions do you choose to take that will lead to better health, success, and greater meaning and fulfillment in your life? Write down some specific intentions so you can review them frequently. For example:
* Take the dog for a brisk morning walk for 30 minutes right after getting out of bed. During the walk, visualize how I want my day to be.
* When I enter my office, take 10 minutes to review my tickler file and clarify the three most important areas of focus for the day. Then spend the next 96 minutes* (8:30-10:06 AM) focusing on those three areas. Do this before checking email. Do not answer the phone during this focus time.
* Leave the office by 6 PM. Do not bring work home.
* Have dinner as a family at least three weeknights each week.
* Be in bed by 10 PM so I get 8 hours of sleep each night.
* Do my weekly planning on Fridays for the coming week. Schedule all of the things mentioned above into my calendar so I have a plan for making them happen.
*Why the odd number of 96 minutes above? Because of the Pareto Principle - the 80/20 rule (see below). Twenty percent of an eight-hour workday is 96 minutes! This is really powerful stuff, so I hope you'll keep reading...
In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent of the population. After Pareto made his observation and created his formula, many others observed similar phenomena in their own areas of expertise.
In the 1940s, Quality Management pioneer, Dr. Joseph Juran, recognized a universal principle which he called the "vital few and trivial many." A lack of precision on Juran's part made it appear that he was applying Pareto's observations about economics to his own observations. As a result, Juran's observation of the "vital few and trivial many" became known as Pareto's Principle - commonly known today as the 80/20 rule.
The 80/20 Rule means that with anything -- time, resources, space, etc. -- a few (20 percent) are vital and many (80 percent) are trivial. In Pareto's case it meant 20 percent of the people owned 80 percent of the wealth. In Juran's initial work, he identified that 20 percent of the defects caused 80 percent of the problems. Here are some examples of how we can apply the 80/20 rule. See if you recognize any that hold true for you.
* 80% of what you file away is never referenced again; the other 20% is what you use regularly.
* 20% of your products account for 80% of product sales.
* 80% of your measurable results will come from 20% of the items on your "to-do" list.
* 20% of your people produce 80% of your results.
* 80% of decisions come from 20% of meeting time.
* 80% of your managerial problems are caused by 20% of your problems.
* 80% of a manager's interruptions come from the same 20% of people.
* 80% of customer complaints are about the same 20% of your products or services.
The value of the Pareto Principle is that it reminds us to focus on what matters. Focus 80% of your time and energy on the 20% of you work that is really important, since only 20% of your activities really matter. Those 20% produce 80% of your results. The key is to identify and focus on those things. If something isn't going to get done, make sure it's not part of the "vital few" activities you are putting on the back burner.
Today we have more responsibilities and choices pulling at us than ever before. Consistent application of this rule will lead to dramatically improved productivity. While the rule is not an absolute, you can use it as a guide and reference point to ask whether or not you are truly focusing on the 20% (the Vital Few), or the 80% (the Trivial Many).
True progress results from a consistent focus on those top 20% of your most critical objectives. I guarantee that if you do these three things, you will break free of past limitations and experience dramatic results in your life:
* Create a list of daily or weekly rituals that will support you in attaining the milestones you want to accomplish over the next twelve months. Commit to forming new habits with these rituals.
* Carve out 96 minutes a day to focus on your most important projects or focus for the day.
* Work with an accountability partner who will support you as you form new habits.ngs first, what's the next action you will take to help you march forth?
96 Minutes a Day That Will Change Your Life - To learn more about this author, visit Kathy Paauw's Website.
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I encourage you to take some time to create a list of daily or weekly rituals that will support you in attaining the milestones you want to accomplish. Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference in the long run. (Read my article: The Ripple Effect: Small Steps Lead to Big Results at http://www.orgcoach.net/newsletter/march2005.html .)
What actions do you choose to take that will lead to better health, success, and greater meaning and fulfillment in your life? Write down some specific intentions so you can review them frequently. For example:
* Take the dog for a brisk morning walk for 30 minutes right after getting out of bed. During the walk, visualize how I want my day to be.
* When I enter my office, take 10 minutes to review my tickler file and clarify the three most important areas of focus for the day. Then spend the next 96 minutes* (8:30-10:06 AM) focusing on those three areas. Do this before checking email. Do not answer the phone during this focus time.
* Leave the office by 6 PM. Do not bring work home.
* Have dinner as a family at least three weeknights each week.
* Be in bed by 10 PM so I get 8 hours of sleep each night.
* Do my weekly planning on Fridays for the coming week. Schedule all of the things mentioned above into my calendar so I have a plan for making them happen.
*Why the odd number of 96 minutes above? Because of the Pareto Principle - the 80/20 rule (see below). Twenty percent of an eight-hour workday is 96 minutes! This is really powerful stuff, so I hope you'll keep reading...
In 1906, Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto created a mathematical formula to describe the unequal distribution of wealth in his country, observing that 80 percent of the land in Italy was owned by 20 percent of the population. After Pareto made his observation and created his formula, many others observed similar phenomena in their own areas of expertise.
In the 1940s, Quality Management pioneer, Dr. Joseph Juran, recognized a universal principle which he called the "vital few and trivial many." A lack of precision on Juran's part made it appear that he was applying Pareto's observations about economics to his own observations. As a result, Juran's observation of the "vital few and trivial many" became known as Pareto's Principle - commonly known today as the 80/20 rule.
The 80/20 Rule means that with anything -- time, resources, space, etc. -- a few (20 percent) are vital and many (80 percent) are trivial. In Pareto's case it meant 20 percent of the people owned 80 percent of the wealth. In Juran's initial work, he identified that 20 percent of the defects caused 80 percent of the problems. Here are some examples of how we can apply the 80/20 rule. See if you recognize any that hold true for you.
* 80% of what you file away is never referenced again; the other 20% is what you use regularly.
* 20% of your products account for 80% of product sales.
* 80% of your measurable results will come from 20% of the items on your "to-do" list.
* 20% of your people produce 80% of your results.
* 80% of decisions come from 20% of meeting time.
* 80% of your managerial problems are caused by 20% of your problems.
* 80% of a manager's interruptions come from the same 20% of people.
* 80% of customer complaints are about the same 20% of your products or services.
The value of the Pareto Principle is that it reminds us to focus on what matters. Focus 80% of your time and energy on the 20% of you work that is really important, since only 20% of your activities really matter. Those 20% produce 80% of your results. The key is to identify and focus on those things. If something isn't going to get done, make sure it's not part of the "vital few" activities you are putting on the back burner.
Today we have more responsibilities and choices pulling at us than ever before. Consistent application of this rule will lead to dramatically improved productivity. While the rule is not an absolute, you can use it as a guide and reference point to ask whether or not you are truly focusing on the 20% (the Vital Few), or the 80% (the Trivial Many).
True progress results from a consistent focus on those top 20% of your most critical objectives. I guarantee that if you do these three things, you will break free of past limitations and experience dramatic results in your life:
* Create a list of daily or weekly rituals that will support you in attaining the milestones you want to accomplish over the next twelve months. Commit to forming new habits with these rituals.
* Carve out 96 minutes a day to focus on your most important projects or focus for the day.
* Work with an accountability partner who will support you as you form new habits.ngs first, what's the next action you will take to help you march forth?
96 Minutes a Day That Will Change Your Life - To learn more about this author, visit Kathy Paauw's Website.
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Cheryl MatthynssensCheryl is a life skills coach, licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor and a 20 year entrepreneur. Cheryl's dedication to achieving a life of balance led to her expanding her teaching from the simple managing of life's daily challenges to adding financial well being as well. A direct marketer with DrinkACT, she is gaining ground in the online community with her concepts of making sure business owners, entreprenuers and employees have well rounded life styles. She opened up a small affiliate site - The Balance Guide- to help others find resources for mental and emotional well being. Visit Cheryl's blog to see more of the diversity beyond business she has began offering online at www.thebalanceguide.blogspot.com - Visit Cheryl Matthynssens's Website |
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Leanne Hoagland-SmithAre your sales where you want them to be? Will you be one of the few who achieves sales or business success or one of the many who have failed to change? Are you tired of being told you are like everyone else? Then you may find my first book on sales of interest. Be the Red Jacket in the Sea of Gray Suits, The Keys to Unlocking Sales available at Amazon or at http://www.processspecialist.com/red-jacket.htm. This book is a reflection of my no-nonsense approach to improving sales to overall business results. If you are truly committed to making sustainable changes, then I can help you secure a positive return on your investment because I focus on executable solutions not telling you the problems you already know you have. From training to corporate (group) coaching to executive one on one coaching, my approach is to assess, create awareness, build a goal driven action plan and then execute. The bottom line question is "Not do you or your employees know it, but do you or they want to do it?" Please call for a free strategy session at 219.759.5601. - Visit Leanne Hoagland-Smith's Website |
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Anne BarrAnne Barr has over 26 years experience in sales and marketing, six years as a franchisee. She has assisted over 367 business owners and purchasers to achieve their goals in career change, transition and exit strategy. She holds the designation of Certified Franchise Executive from the International Franchise Association, Certified Business Intermediary from the International Business Brokers Association and Board Certified Broker from the Texas Association of Business Brokers. Anne is active in professional organizations, networking groups and volunteers for non-profit entities. As owner/operator of four successful businesses, Anne has proven people skills and enjoys helping clients find the right "fit" in business ownership. Visit www.FranchiseOpportunitySpecialist.com for more information about me and my company. - Visit Anne Barr's Website |
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Dave KurlanDave Kurlan is the founder and CEO of Objective Management Group, Inc., the industry leader in sales assessments and sales force evaluations, and the CEO of David Kurlan & Associates, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in sales force development. Dave has been a top rated speaker at Inc. Magazine's Conference on Growing the Company, the Sales & Marketing Management Conference and the Gazelles Sales & Marketing Summit. He has been featured on radio and TV, including World Business Review with General Norman Schwarzkopf, in Inc. Magazine, Selling Power Magazine, Sales & Marketing Management Magazine and Incentive Magazine. He is the author of Mindless Selling and Baseline Selling – How to Become a Sales Superstar by Using What You Already Know about the Game of Baseball. He created and wrote STAR, a proprietary recruiting process for hiring great salespeople, and he writes Understanding the Sales Force, a popular business Blog and is a contributing author to The Death of 20th Century Selling and 101 Great Ways to Improve Your Life, Volume 2. - Visit Dave Kurlan's Website |
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George LudwigGeorge Ludwig is a recognized authority on sales strategy and peak performance psychology. An international speaker, trainer, and corporate consultant, he helps clients like Johnson & Johnson, Abbott Laboratories, Northwestern Mutual, CIGNA, and numerous others improve sales force effectiveness and performance. Though it's George's strategies and processes that help corporations increase productivity and performance, it's his tremendous energy and dynamism that spark the transformation. Again and again, clients remark on his amazing ability to unleash human capacity and inspire men and women to break out of their comfort zones. The result is a whole new type of salesperson. His customized presentations teach achievers to make stunning advances in their lives. From helping salespeople realize cherished dreams to helping corporations exponentially accelerate revenue streams, George Ludwig leaves audiences and individuals empowered, emboldened, and clamoring for more. George is the best-selling author of Power Selling: Seven Strategies for Cracking the Sales Code and Wise Moves: 60 Quick Tips to Improve Your Position in Life & Business. - Visit George Ludwig's Website |
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