Self questions: thought-food for a more productive day and life
Devote a few minutes each day to asking yourself these simple questions.
1. What task can I perform today, that will have the greatest positive impact on my production today?
There is always “one” task, duty, or responsibility that when completed will have the largest positive impact on your performance. It is up to you to determine what that task is and then to perform it first and quickly. We seldom do this, because this task is usually more difficult and time-consuming.
The difference between achieving greatness and remaining in mediocrity rests on your ability to determine which responsibilities are the most important and then your drive to get busy doing them.
2. How can I do a better job today?
The question is not “Can I do a better job today?”, because we all know that we can improve daily. It is up to you to determine “how” you can perform better and then “do it”.
If you are having difficulties in discovering how you can do a better job, then ask a colleague, boss or subordinate. Someone will enlighten you.
3. What can I do to motivate and encourage my fellow workers, subordinates or employees?
Is it a smile at the right time? Is it an encouraging word? Is it the offer of help? It is up to you to find the right key for the right individual or situation and then use that key to reveal that person’s potential to them.
Someone is watching you, make it worth their time – be remarkable in all that you do!
4. What special favor can I do for my customers?
People do business with people they like. Do your customers like you? Why? Do you show them that you appreciate their patronage? It is your business, if you expect it to grow, you must fertilize it. Fertilize it with special attention to those who make it a success, your customers/clients.
5. How can I increase my efficiency?
Can I combine two similar tasks? Can I delegate some of my responsibilities? Don’t be busy, be productive.
6. How can I add value to others?
Do I tell others of their worth to me and my organization? Statistics prove that people favor a kind and encouraging word more than increased pay. Employees like to know and be told that their efforts are appreciated. You can never say “thank you” too often. Do you ever get tired of hearing it?
Write these questions down and periodically go over them. Keep a running tally of how you are doing throughout the day. Over time, this process will become a habit that you will be grateful you developed.
7. What can I do today that will make me more valuable?
What will you do to promote your growth and development? Will you read and study some aspect of your business/job? Will you dig in to some completely foreign technology in hopes of diversifying your talents? Will you exercise today?
Answer some of these questions positively everyday and you will grow and develop beyond your wildest imagination!
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Don’t allow procrastination to stop you - “Eat that Frog!”
Procrastination – putting off today what can be done tomorrow or not done at all. Procrastination is the bane of all unsuccessful people. Most people have dreams and ideas. They have plans for translating their dreams and ideas into reality but the lack of a disciplined approach to counterattack the never ending-stream of distractions often stops their progress dead.
The ability to “get things done” when they need to be done or before is one of the key determining factors of your level of success. If you do not have a method of categorizing and prioritizing your daily tasks, then you are just bumbling through your day. I know that sounds harsh, but it is true. At the end of the day, anything that was completed, was an accident because you had no purpose nor plan for the day. So in effect, you are living an “accidental life”. You got lucky.
“EAT THAT FROG!” is a book written by Brian Tracy that addresses procrastination and how to overcome it and live a productive life. It is outstanding! The book is not a long one. It consists of 113 pages that make up 21 chapters plus an introduction and conclusion. The average chapter is less than six pages. You can easily read a chapter a day. That is what I do and I’ve read the book several times already. It has made a huge impact on both the quantity and quality of what I am able to accomplish.
It is the definitive work on eliminating procrastination from your life. Some of his tactics include:
- thinking on paper
- starting now
- prioritizing
- predicting the consequences of doing or not doing a task
- determining your “key” result areas
- developing your ability to focus
- applying a step by step approach
- and much, much more
This book is great. It is written in a logical and easy-to-understand manner that gets the point across. If you are serious about defeating the greatest obstacle to your success, then this is the book you need. In paperback, the cost is minimal.
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