I was going about my day when a pop-up notification appeared on my laptop.
Like you, I receive calendar notifications every day–messages reminding me about conference calls, client meetings and other work activities.
But this message stopped me in my tracks.
It read: “Olivia’s Graduation.”
In the busyness of the day, I was reminded that my daughter was graduating from high school.
I stared at the screen. My mind flashed back to memories of her starting kindergarten, lugging a backpack twice her size. I was filled with mixed emotions–excitement, sadness, joy, guilt, hope, gratitude–all at the same time.
Such a significant milestone seemed disguised as an ordinary reminder on the calendar in the middle of a workday.
It made me think about how I spend my time.
How you spend your time is how you spend your life.
TRY THIS…
As an interesting exercise, take a look at your own calendar.
Ask yourself these questions:
Are the activities that I’m involved in reflecting my real priorities?
Your priorities can change over the years. They need to be revisited.
What kinds of commitments or activities do I need to ADD that will give me more of what I want in my life and work?
You can likely name something important that’s missing in your life or work.
Write it down.
What kinds of commitments or activities do I need to REMOVE that will give me more of what I want in my life and work?
You know something that you need to stop doing that no longer serves a purpose. Write it down.
Schedule something that you might not do ordinarily.
It could be something that you’ve been putting off or something you’ve been afraid to do.
It must be something very important to you–something significant.
When coaching clients, one of my favorite questions to ask is, “When?”
(Meaning “When will you do that?”)
It’s easy to talk about what you’d like to accomplish.
By stating when you will take action, you’ll be more committed.
As Tony Robbins says:
If you talk about it, it’s a dream.
If you envision it, it’s possible.
If you schedule it, it’s real.
Carve out “white space” to think, reflect and strategize. (You can actually schedule that time.)
Most executives with whom I work are frustrated about not having enough “think time.” Some admit they thrive on activity. They like being busy.
A full calendar doesn’t necessarily mean you’re being most productive or you’re accomplishing what’s most important to you.
You need empty space on your calendar to empty your mind.
You’ll make room for fresh thinking and needed creativity.
With summer approaching, it’s a good time to remind you that it’s okay to do nothing–sometimes–not all the time!
You might be surprised to find that you get better results when you’re not working so hard, that business comes more easily when you’re not selling so hard, that opportunities appear when you’re not thinking so hard about them.
So be strategic about filling your calendar.
What action will you take to achieve something really important to you?
By when?
Put it on your calendar! 
There’s never enough time to do all the nothing you want. ~Bill Watterson
