Creating the conditions for Service with a HUG to happen naturally
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As a leader, are you always entirely focused upon what is most important to you? If you’re anything like me, you sometimes get distracted from what matters most.
Sometimes we can get to the end of a day and wonder what we actually managed to achieve. It’s often because we were distracted.
What’s going on? Why does this happen?
You might be familiar with the urgent vs important model which is used in time management training courses. In essence, it’s saying that what seems most urgent in the moment isn’t always the most important.
Making time for the important but less urgent.
Easier said than done sometimes. And yet it can be helpful to keep this in mind. For you, where is the sense of urgency coming from? Sometimes it’s external pressure from others. Which begs the question, ‘Who is running our life?’
Sometimes we put off the things that we don’t find enjoyable or are more challenging and we spend time on the things that we find easier or more fun.
A few years ago I wrote a small e-book called ‘Sweet Work‘. The basic idea is that there’s another way to think about how we manage our time – essentially the choices we make.
Fun vs purposeful.
Take a moment to consider all the different ways you spend your time. What if you were to categorise each of those ways, those choices?
- Fun but not purposeful
- Purposeful but not fun
- Both fun and purposeful
- Neither purposeful or fun
What do I mean by purposeful? The things you’ll look back on and feel good about, feel pleased that you chose. Another word for it might be ‘meaningful’.
Regret.
One thing I don’t enjoy is the feeling of regret. In other words, looking back and wishing I had made different choices. Wishing I had prioritised different things.
Many years ago, if you had asked me how important my family were, I would have said, ‘Extremely’. And yet, reflecting on the life I was living when the children were young, I was away from home quite a lot. I was building my business. I was being the provider for my family but I was absent for much of the time.
We can’t turn the clock back. We only have the present moment.
How to start choosing differently.
Start small. Maybe just identify one thing that is meaningful to you and make sure it gets done today. And make a habit of doing one thing every day. It could be anything. You’ll know what it is for you.
Here are some examples:
- Keeping in touch with someone you haven’t spoken to for a while.
- Telling someone how you feel about them (it’s too late when they’re gone).
- Sending someone a card.
- Buying flowers for someone you love.
- Doing something that feels ‘good for the soul’ – a bit of self care.
- Writing down your thoughts in a journal.
- Meditating.
- Tidying your desk.
- Going for a walk in nature.
- Anything that you’ve been saying, ‘When I get time’.
In summary.
The time is now. The present moment is all there is. If not today, when? Don’t get distracted from what matters most.
If you’d like to know more about ‘Sweet Work’ here’s the link: https://www.servicewithahug.com/sweet-work/
That’s it for now. Wishing you a life filled with enjoyment, satisfaction and meaning.
Andy
Visit the blog for past articles:
1. Introduction
5. Agreements
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