Your #1 Priority is YOU!

Whenever I work with people, they almost always ask me, “If you were to make just one suggestion to me, Chuc, what would it be?

My quick answer always is: “Make time for you before you do anything else.” When I say this to my clients and my audiences, they usually give me a very puzzled look because they almost always are thinking about everything except themselves: e-mail, voice mail, text messages, schedule changes, upcoming meetings, deadlines, needs of other people, even their own To-Do list!

You are reading this blog for your own reasons and, since you are here, I’m asking you to please realize that YOU are your #1 Priority.

Please realize that it won’t do you any good to answer e-mail, handle interruptions, make phone calls, and check social networks if you aren’t healthy and sane. I’m sure you’d agree with that. Right?

I want you to be healthy and sane so my suggestion to you right now is that you make certain to diligently schedule time for you – every single day — or you won’t get it. After all, you do deserve health and sanity, don’t you?

Here’s a simple reminder for you. It’s one I invented for myself.

Every time you hear or think of the word  “Time,”  please consider that the word “Time” includes the letters:

• I
• Me

I suggest that these letters will help you remember what your #1 priority is.

Ok, if you haven’t scheduled time for you yet today, please do so now. You do deserve those minutes for yourself, Correct?

Please leave your comments here.

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Steps to help you have a good week of October 18

October is already almost over so:

1) Write down 3 things you want done before the end of this week.
2) What’s one key item you need to finish before Halloween? (Write it down.)
3) Schedule 4 tasks that will help you get the above items done.
4) Make sure any papers or files you need to take care of the above steps are accessible.
5) Stay away from negative people. (Negativity robs your time.)

It’s a good idea to press the “Pause” button.

TiVo’s have “pause” buttons and so do voice recorders. Video cameras have “pause” buttons and so do iPhones and iPods.

You’ve more than likely used a “Pause” button on a recorder and, thus, you know how the “Pause” button helps you halt whatever you’re watching, recording, or hearing so you can take care of something else.

Now, here’s my question for you.

Do you believe you were put on earth to race, be “busy,” and handle all those distractions or interruptions that keep showing up in your days?

If you believe you’re here to handle all that stuff, please feel free to stop reading this now because you’ll probably get distracted in a moment by an email, phone call, text message, movie, TV show, or “friend.”

On the other hand, if you believe that you were put here for a more meaningful purpose, why not use the “Pause” button inside you at different times in your day, so you can reflect on what’s really important to you and so you can be the person you were meant to be: writer, author, speaker, leader, consultant, friend, servant.

Please think with me for a moment.

The magic of having and using a trusted system where you can jot down ideas and to-do’s (a planner book, iPhone, Blackberry, etc.), is that the device frees your thoughts from your head so you can be you. I suggest, therefore, that you get and use such a device if you don’t have one now. Please remember, however, that if you do use such a device, you want it to be a place you can jot down thoughts and ideas — not a device that interrupts you.

Suggestion: If you write your ideas, to-do’s, and schedule in a phone, be sure to set the phone so it won’t ring to interrupt you. You don’t need any more interruptions. Make a note in your phone to check your voice mail messages from time to time and that note will help you remember.

I believe that you and I were born with minds that, when free from distracting thoughts, will gladly provide us with creative ideas, joy, appreciation, and love. You already know this, don’t you? The question is, “Do you stop to use your mind for those magical items?”

Whether you get a new device to write in is not what I’m suggestion here. What I am suggesting is that you “Pause” from time to time to take care of you, and to examine the richness inside you — richness that gets sidetracked when you’re hurrying and when you’re jumping from one item to another.

Here’s my bottom line suggestion: Use the “Pause” button inside you again and again throughout your day. You’ll love the benefits that each “Pause” brings.

Does this make sense? Please leave your comments here.