Three very good ways to spend your time

Three very good ways to spend your timeThree very good ways to spend your timeAnd youll have to forgive me for this first one1. Saying noThe reason youll have to forgive me is because this isnt necessarily a way to spend time, but a way to SAVE time.Over two years ago I wrote a post which welches, to me, a life changing point in my career. I waxed poetic about saying no - a manifesto of sorts, it took off, and earned me time in front of audiences Id never seen before.Guess what?I am still terrible at saying no.Why? Because void of other meaningful activity, I cling to any work as validation for my existence. (This is a fancy way of saying When Im bored, I do dumb stuff.)Saying no is increasingly more difficult in the United States, I think. If we arent running from task to task, the world says we are lazy.Read that last sentence again. Now question it.If we arent running from task to task, the world says we are lazy.Who really says that? Who assumes we are lazy if we arent working? Has anyone ever told you that? Did Nancy from accounting see you at the bar one evening, then pull you to the side and mutter, Look, guy, people might get the wrong idea here. Why arent you working? Its only 10 P.M.No, instead, we assume we should be busy at all times for two reasonsa) FearIf youre reading this, you likely have a boss who represents you to a big company which determines a large portion of your income. Absent this income, your children do not eat and your bills do not get paid. Probably also your partner will leave you and call you worthless and then you will have to live in a cardboard box.So yes, you are going to pile on meaningless work to appear busy.b) Lack of real visionMany times, when I fall into projects I regret, it is because I welches unclear about what result I really wanted. The feeling I wanted was the feeling of busy, the feeling of productive, the feeling of hustle. I didnt care about the results. Or more accurately, I didnt look to see what results my work would actually bring.In most cases, it was less money, fewer opportunities, and a bitter taste in my mouth.On the flip side, when I have had the bandwidth to say YES to a good thing, it has been life changing.Just for today, have the courage to say no.2. Meeting life-changing peopleConfession - I almost named this bullet point Networking.Shortly after, I realized most of us are unhappy standing in circles with fake smiles plastered on our faces, clutching a handful of geschftsleben cards and trying to remember if the guy you met earlier is named Greg or Craig.Especially if you are an introvert like me, networking meetings are probably the closest imitation of hell you will ever experience.You need people, but it only takes ONE relationship to change your life.What does this mean? It means you dont have to do the business equivalent of speed dating in order to find new people. The internet has eliminated geography. Instead, each one of us has access to interest-based friends hips as opposed location-based friendships. This is likely why your Facebook annoys you while Twitter and Instagram bring you life. Zuckerbergs brainchild was birthed to help you keep up with the people you know. Networks after that were born to connect people, regardless of previous affiliation.Just for today, reach out to a potential friend.3. Becoming elite at what you do$522,406I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw the number.This number - $522,406 - is the dollar amount Amazon is estimating James Pattersons new book will make this month.How does that happen? How can someone make half a million dollars on a book in 29 days?The author is elite.Comment all you like on Pattersons seemingly impossible book release rate. Snark all you like about the ghost writers listed in small font on each title who are likely doing the brunt of the work. Complain about the unfairness of the publishing industry to devote so many resources to this man.No matter how you look at it, Patterson is elit e. He was elite when he graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt. He was elite when he helped write the line I dont want to grow up. Im a Toys R Us kid during his stint at an advertising agency. He became an elite fiction author. Now after 50+ years of work, his status is elite. A lot of benefits accompany elite status. How many other authors do you know who appear on the same cover as a former president?There is something to be said for mastery. As a matter of fact, there is no replacement for mastery. It didnt really take Patterson 29 days to make half a million. It took him 71 years.Now, for some good news There are far few people working at an elite level than you think.Why? Because being elite requires consistent involvement and attention. It demands all of you every day. It is exhausting This is why many CEOs work for 4 years, hop out of a company with their golden parachute, and then disappear to the golf course for the rest of their lives.Most of us believe becoming elite r equires a special connection. We think we need to have wealth or fame or a famous sidekick.In reality, elite performance only takes one characteristicObsession.Obsession - a nasty, dark word. Obsession will cause you to keep going when others quit. It will spur you to experiment when others play it safe.Taken too far, it destroys.Taken in the right measure, it will show you a world you think is impossible.Just for today, be obsessed.Much love as always ??- Todd BInfinite ideasIf I am elite in any area it is because of my ideas, both the quality and the quantity.I finally got my idea-generating process down in an ebook The Ultimate Guide to Infinite Ideas, which Im giving away for the price of an email address.Get your copy here.Thisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.

The 3 powerful steps to develop your daily routine

The 3 powerful steps to develop your daily routineThe 3 powerful steps to develop your daily routineYou need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. Thats the only thing you should be trying to control. - Elizabeth GilbertThe winter solstice recently passed and now, we find ourselves deep in the peak of shortened days, cold weather and lots of time inside with family and relatives. The lack of sun can really damper our moods and take away some of our energy. If we let it. Winter can make it challenging to find inspiration at times. But the days of less sunlight can also lead to great opportunities for solitude, reflection and contemplation.While it may be tough to feel as inspired, I find that wintertime often is great for planning and refocusing our priorities. Some of my best ideas, as well as my most productive planning and acti ons have taken place at this time of the year. In fact, the majority of the writing that I did formy first book, The Value of You, occurred during the wintertime last year. It was a special time Ill never forget.Following the holidays, there are less distractions. And as a result, there are more reasons to find things that inspire andlight the fire insideof our hearts.In this vein, I urge you to develop an inspirational routine each morning. It may come through the power of meditation, prayer, genuine heartfelt interaction with those that you love or from your favorite song. It could be a video that plays back the piano recital you played to perfection that brought the house down.It may be the words of this article or a book you find so profound and hold in such high esteem, you get the chills before opening the pages.Develop your routine. Ill show you what works for me and how you can integrate this into your life.Heres How to Develop YourRoutineGreat are they who see that spiritua l is stronger than any material force?- ?that thoughts rule the world.?- ?Ralph WaldoEmersonMake your routine an every day thing. As Ive climbed the mountain of productivity this year, I realize that I never want to come down. The ascension - the journey - has been a magical ride and it reassures me that all of my progress toward self-actualization, as well as greater harmony and rhythm in living the life of my destiny has been worth the pain and occasional doubts.Dedicate 10 minutes of contemplation time, ideally, at the beginning of each day. This sets the tone for your day and gets you feeling inspired. All you need are 10 minutes of deep, powerful thinking without distraction and with a beginners mind.Use this time alone in solitude, in a quiet place. Focus your thoughts on positive, stimulative thoughts such as romantic love, sexual love for a partner, girlfriend/boyfriend, wife or husband. Also, music, friendship and envisioning yourself attaining success or fame. Theres tre mendous power that comes through dreaming and seeing yourself standing in the winners circle.Get these positive thoughts going and keep them going. Write down these thoughts that come to mind. Keep referring back to them throughout your work day or school day. Think of them when youre out in the social world, during moments of difficulty or times of joy. Look at them again before you go to bed at night and reset your mind. Then rest and get read for the new day with excitement, anticipation and a clear mind for fresh, new thoughts.What has become truer for me by the day is the concept that we control our own destiny through the power of our thoughts. We emotionalize our ideas with the power of love, faith and hope. We take these thoughts and envision ourselves doing what we desire. And we put it into plan and take the action that weve dreamed of. It really is that simple. Do this and you will never be denied.There is no shame in any idea, as long as you believe in it and feel it wil l add value to your life and the lives of others. Dont concern yourself with the ingenuity of your idea. Your race, your cause is the one that speaks to the desires and dreams of your heart. Thats what makes you unique and special.Ive got a long way to go. Chances are, so do you. The way to cultivate and build momentum - which you can then transform into empowered thought and constructive action is through inspiration - the power of fire that lifts your spirit and brings you unbridled enthusiasm. Be inspired everyday.A Story ToTellAny idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.?- ?NapoleonHillThis is a story I know well. Its the story of my best friend, my brother, Kevin. These days my brother is seen on national television five nights each week on ESPN. Hes a broadcast journalist and celebrity in his own right. Everything he has can be attributed to his natural talents, perseverance, desire and faith in himself.Kevin worked hard until he reache d the pinnacle of his profession. He reached the top because he envisioned himself reaching the top. He dreamed big and thought prodigious, stimulative thoughts. He had the mindset of a winner. But keep in mind, Kevins success did not come overnight.Kevin knew when he was in 8th grade what he wanted to do with his life. He started announcing sports scores over the intercom at our middle school. He did the same thing while in high school. Kevin used his basketball-playing ability to earn an athletic scholarship at the college level, where he attended a school with one of the top Radio TV programs in the United States.After graduation, he embarked on what is now over a 20-year career in sports broadcasting. He busted his tail for nine long years at a regional television station making meager money. There were moments of doubt, frustration and at times, loneliness. Kevin dreamed of being on national television or working in a big market. But it seemed so far away.He concentrated on ge tting better each day. He surrounded himself with inspiring thoughts, stories and images of fellow broadcasters who made the big time, as well powerful stories of athletes. He kept going. Kept believing.Finally, his big break came in 2006 when he accepted a job with WCBS radio in New York. Less than one year later, he was working on television for WCBS-TV. And in 2008, he reached the big time he was hired by ESPN. 11 years after graduatingfrom college, with a few lean years in between where he thought about quitting or changing professions, Kevin received an offer to work at the worldwide leader of sports.Your JourneyChances are, you will not find success orpersonal fulfillment in your first job. Few people are blessed with both the talent and foresight toknow precisely what they want to do with their livesright after college. Even less people know and possess this ability at a young age. My brother, Kevin, is one of those precious few lads who did know.We all have unique stories to share with the world. Where are you on your journey? Are you going through thedoldrums of doubt and fear? Do you see the proverbial light at the end of the tunell - the end-vision of your goal? And if you do, are you running into road blocks of creativity? What are your mental challenges? What are your emotional battles?Perhaps your path is as open as the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset in Laguna Beach. Maybe its a Midtown Manhattan traffic jam. Its all a state of mind. We need inspiration to help us create the beautiful landscapes of limitless possibility in our mind that serve as the foundation for our magical journeys.You are the creator of your world. When you are safe in the knowledge that you control your worldly destiny, nothing will ever stop you. Those with a winning mindset are never denied. They inspire themselves to achieve great things.Be inspired. Enjoy this winter season and take some time for yourself to develop a routine that positions you for fulfillment and prod uctivity. As St.Francis of Asisi once wrote,Start by doing whats necessary then do whats possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.This article originally appeared on Medium.

Here are 4 ways to find out what you are good at doing

Here are 4 ways to find out what you are good at doingHere are 4 ways to find out what you are good at doingThe basic self-analysis tools are insightful questions. Doing things daily compounds quickly, so I recommend establishing some self-analysis habits. A few of disciplines you can do1. JournalingJournaling is the most common method of self-analysis among successful people.There are all kinds of journals both in the subject matter and technique of journaling. Handwriting activates your motor memory.I ask myself every morning an insightful question and answer on paper.A few question that will help you to discover your strengthsWhat I do I like to do?Which virtues are my favorites and which I need most?What are my unfair advantages?In which area have I a great memory?What information I register effortlessly?About what do other people ask me for advice/ help?When did I perform significantly better than my peers? Why?For what people praise me?On what can I focus effortlessly?Action It emsStart small.Aim for sustainability pick the method suitable for your lifestyle that will be easy for review.Review your journal regularly platzset a schedule and stick with it.2. MeditationThe biggest advantages of meditation is self-awareness.Meditation has many benefits including increased focus, memory, and productivity.Two main obstacles in starting the meditation practice areUnreasonable disquiet about this activity. (Many successful people attribute a lot of their successes to meditation its effectiveness is confirmed by university research.)Lack of time. (You may start from two minutes and can practice almost in any circumstances.)Action ItemsReserve a couple minutes of your time, preferably in solitude (not obligatory, but very helpful).Sit or lie and relax (not obligatory, but very helpful).Close your eyes (not obligatory, but very helpful).Breathe deeply for two minutes, focusing on the air coming in and out of your nostrils (you can also focus on any of your body parts or sense your body in general) when a thought crosses your mind, acknowledge it and get back to your point of focus.Congratulations. Youve just meditated for the first time in your life repeat this process ten days in a row and you will develop a stable meditation habit.3. Self-analysis surveysThey are not exactly comprehensive or accurate, but they are a good start.For example Personal Strengths Profile DISC self-assessment profile Understand yourself Tony RobbinsFor the price of your e-mail address, you can get to know your values and behaviors. I was amazed at how accurate some of the conclusions were.As you can see any aesthetic endeavors are out of the question for me.4. Direct feedbackThis is what works for Gary Vaynerchuck. He constantly listens to his employees, clients, audience and friends. He is not afraid to ask them about their opinions about himself.Instead of laborious self-analysis, he goes out to the people and listens what do they say. Instead of guessing his t alents he hears about them from others.If you have balls to take constructive criticism, its the fastest route.This article was originally published on Medium.