If you could just manage time...

During the day, you have all the things you’d like to do, and some of the things you have to do…And then, the things that actually get done. What are THOSE things?

• How come you always seem to have time to work on a project that is due tomorrow?
• How come you have time to fill up an “almost empty” gas tank?
• How come you have time to pay that extra fee because you missed a payment deadline?

On a scale of 1-10, how busy would you say you are?

• 1: No busy-ness here.
• 5: Waves of stress, but manageable.
• 10: I haven’t had time to sleep, and am pretty much in “anxiety-mode” 24/7

If you know you need to change things up a bit, attend a class I’m teaching on Time Management. You can register for right here.

If you want more time, you've got to sign up for this course.

Start with Who

There’s a lot of press out there about “purpose” being at the core of our productivity and our engagement - in our work, with our life. Lately (and by “lately” I mean for the past 12 years or so) I’ve actually held a contrarian view.

Start with Who

More than two decades ago, I sat next to a girl in a college history class. We chatted about the professor, we shared some notes back and forth, we both passed the class. Now, we’re writing books, running companies, and changing the world. She IS the YIN to my yang.

I write all about it right here.

A better man

A year from now, how good will you be as a MAN? Seriously, add 12 months to your life RIGHT now, and ask yourself, 

“Who do I need to be better for?"

June is the month men will celebrate fatherhood, being a husband, perhaps even watching a child graduate.

It is a month that generally marks the beginning of summer, more time during the day to make a difference in someone’s life. 

And, in June, I’m working with a few good men who want to Be Better.

6 lessons. 4 weeks. One conference (via video class). 

And, a simple promise:

“You’ll learn how to Be Better."

How important is this? Just look at the statistics here...

As you sit down to think through the “presentation” you’ll make...

You’ve been assigned a new project at work, or perhaps you volunteer for a local not-for-profit organization. Either way, you have some important phone calls to make, or you have a meeting coming up, or - maybe - they’ve asked you to lead a workshop next month. As you sit down to think through the “presentation” you’ll make (on the phone, face to face, or from the stage) you find yourself thinking, “Am I ready for this?"

This month at Get Momentum we’ve published the information and activities you need to be a better, more effective presenter.

Be Seen as a Leader

• Do you talk to clients on the phone?
• Do you manage meetings with small groups of people?
• Do you ever “take the stage” and present in front of large groups?

If you have something to share, and an audience to share it with, you need to improve your presentation skills.

In fact, research from Harvard Business School shows that leaders who develop certain mindset-based techniques as they prepare for discussions, meetings or presentations are more likely to be viewed as having “expertise, competence, and commitment” and “someone others want to follow."

It may be vital to your personal and professional success to be able to present your ideas proactively.

People make snap decisions about your quality based on how confident you present yourself.

I have a short quiz that will help you focus on improving your presentations.

Click here to take the quiz.

Whether you’re talking to a someone important on the phone, leading a team meeting, or standing on stage, getting better will have a big impact on your career…and your life.

“Momentum: the impetus gained by a moving object"

I mean, do ever take a few moments to look at what’s been created out there and wonder? Do you ever think, “There’s something more for me to be making…”?

The reason I ask is threefold:

First, I found out last week that a dear friend of mine in Italy lost his father in a terrible work accident. I just can’t imagine. One day his dad is there, the next day…Gone. My thoughts, and prayers go out to him and his family.

Second, I read a quote attributed to Michelangelo recently, “The greater danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we hit it.” Is it time for you to reset what you’re aiming for, and hit a few of those goals?

Third, I’m listening to a book by Stephen King, and there’s a line in there that I’ve had to re-play about a dozen times:

“Stopping a piece of work just because it’s hard is a bad idea. Sometimes you have to go on when you don’t feel like it…"

I’m in NYC this week, racing a triathlon next week, and traveling to Europe and the south of the United States in May. All along, I’m continuing to share this message of #Momentum.

“Momentum: the impetus gained by a moving object"

Someone asked me yesterday if I’m an artist.

I thought about it for just a moment and replied, “My art is in words and action...”

I hope you’ll read, hear and say some words today.

And most of all, I hope you’ll take some action.

 

#CoffeeChat in New York City on Sunday this weekend. Click here to see what that means!

the Network That Will Change Your Future

Do you have the best network?

After you hang up the phone with a friend, read an email from a colleague or text someone you’re meeting later...How do you usually feel?

If you don't energy, enthusiasm and opportunity from at least a few of the conversations you have...

 

Are you hanging out with the right people?

Every month that ticks by marks the passage of time, the one “non-renewable” resource that every entrepreneur wishes they had more of. Maybe it’s time to use your time better, and choose wisely with whom to spend it. Maybe it’s time to cast your vision just a little further out in to the future.

Are you “on purpose” with your focus on success?

A mentor of mine once told me, “The life you have, the friends you can count on, the books you read, and even the restaurants you eat in, will come down to the five people you spend time with this weekend. Choose them wisely, because their recommendations and ideas influence you more than you can imagine.”

There are THREE things to consider as you move in to the future you want to see:

1. First impressions matter.

More than “what you do,” people will walk away talking about “who you are.” The next time you work on how you introduce yourself, consider writing it from their perspective. Write out a few lines (no more than a paragraph) that you’d want someone to remember after their first conversation with you. Practice it five to 10 times, and then edit it for the next five to 10 people you meet.

 

...for the next two tips, click here.

Are you working together...Together?

Good morning from Birmingham, Alabama. Today’s my birthday, and I’m looking forward to sharing gifts today! I want to get one to you, first...

Ok, the secret is out: I’ve been looking forward to this month’s Get Momentum module for a long time now. I said to my wife, Jodi at lunch the other day:

“This is kinda what I’m known for…"

April's Get Momentum module is about Time Management.

But not just how YOU manage time. We’re going to focus on how those around you manage time, too.

Here’s the funny thing about time management trainings that I have observed over the last 16 years:

The people who need time management training the MOST, don’t make time for it.

We’d like to help make your life a little easier, if we can.

When you study the tips and executive behaviors of great time management with your friends, coworkers and even your spouse, you improve your skills faster than if you try to implement these tactics on our own.

We made a PDF called the “Conversation Starter” that you can share with your team. And yes, your spouse can be your “team” even if you don’t work together…

***WARNING: If you introduce this (or anything) to your spouse, frame it as a way of helping YOU get better, not as a criticism of them not doing it right. Just sayin...

By now, you know that I love hearing how you're doing. So visit this page and let me know what happens when you share this PDF.

Cheers from Alabama,

Jason

PS: You can share this PDF with everyone you work with. Because when you fill out the quiz and talk for 5 minutes about it with your co-workers, you’re going to come up with an idea on how to manage your time better.

And, that’s what Get Momentum is all about. Working better together.

PPS: Have you reviewed the Leadership Development curriculum we’re teaching at Get Momentum? Here’s the link...