Friday, May 14, 2010

Focus - Concentrate on one thing at a time.

When you have a lot to do, it’s tempting to multi-task. But you’ll actually get more done if you concentrate on one thing at a time. In this video I explain why focusing your attention is more productive than trying to handle multiple priorities simultaneously. You’ll come to appreciate the wisdom from Norman Vincent Peale: "When every physical and mental resource is focused - one's power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously."



How can you structure your day to eliminate distractions and concentrate on one priority at a time?
“Just say ‘No’ to others and to yourself when you find you are being tempted to deviate from your priorities.” - Chin-Ning Chu, American author

"The effectiveness of work increases according to geometrical progression if there are no interruptions." - André Maurois, French author

"Nothing can add more power to your life than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets." - Nido Qubein, American professional speaker and author

Monday, May 10, 2010

A Sure-Fire Way to Relax Every Day

At the Glazer-Kennedy SuperConference in Dallas last week, I chose, for me, a different kind of break-out session to attend Friday morning. Since the conference focus is marketing, I’m usually focused on absorbing as many ideas as possible on that topic.

But this day I decided to get out of my comfort zone and attend “How to Achieve Maximum Performance by Connecting the MIND & BODY,” led by Krista Hearty of www.BodyBrillianceCoach.com. It was exactly the right program at the right time for me.

Here’s why.

Are you like me…getting into your office and jumping immediately into your work? Not taking breaks throughout the day? Ignoring your posture as you sit at your desk?

If that sounds familiar, what I learned from Krista may help you, too.

A word of caution first. Beware of saying, “I know that” if what I tell you sounds familiar. The question is, are you actually using these techniques in your everyday life?

The magic word for me that morning was BREATHING.

Yes, I do it every day throughout the day. We ALL do. It’s part of our autonomic nervous system, thank goodness. If I had to pay attention to my breath all the time, I’d never get anything done.

Yet I KNOW I’m supposed to pay attention to my breath as a way to meditate and relax, but I confess, I don’t do it often enough.

During Krista’s session, I learned how important it is for balance and health to use my breath to focus on the present moment and reduce stress. It’s amazing what taking five minutes to focus on inhaling and exhaling does for my energy and concentration.

If you tend to get busy and rush through your day, I encourage you to start dedicating just a few minutes each day to sitting quietly and letting your mind focus exclusively on your breathing.

And I recommend that you participate in a free teleclass Krista is offering this Wednesday, May 12th, at 3:00 pm Eastern, called "The #1 Business Resource You’ve Been Ignoring: How To Harness YOUR Most Unique and Powerful Asset." You can register HERE.

I promise you’ll get some practical techniques and exercises that you can start using today to bring more calmness and balance into your day.

“Normally, we do not so much look at things as overlook them.” 
- Alan Watts, American philosopher