Herman: John L. Herman Jr., Author

But What's Your Plan?

My morning routine is simple. Head out the side door, open the first set of gates as I walk towards the street to pick up the morning paper, cut across the front of the house to the other driveway and open that set of gates, but rather than just cut back the same way I walk down that side driveway towards the barn, complete the circular driveway back to the side I door I left a minute ago and back inside. Why not take the shorter way back and save about thirty seconds?

Because that thirty seconds is for me to suck up the morning sunshine and think about what I have to do today.

There are five “must complete” things on today’s agenda. I bought some new chrome wheel cleaner last night and almost tried it in the dark but thought better of it. So the car is task number one on the list. Second is another batch of packages that must be completed and taken to the Post Office. There is a load of furniture in my pick-up truck my wife bought at an auction and that needs to be delivered to her store. We are going to California for an eight day vacation so the bills have to be paid before we leave. Oh yeah, and then there is the everyday “work” on emails, this blog, and taking care of my clients needs.

The plan is to do some work first, then something fun like the car and then back to work. Mixing makes each thing get its own focus while breaking up the day into smaller parts that will give me several opportunities to feel good about my accomplishment as each task gets completed. Don’t try to juggle your five balls at the same time. Your stress level will be five times greater than mine. My “plan” formulated while walking the circular driveway around the house gives me a chance to smile five times today. You see, like all men, when I finish a task my wife says that I stand back and stare at it with a look like I just finished an Oreo cookie. She will come outside and catch me standing still seemingly lost in a trance looking at the grass I just cut, or the tree I just trimmed. That little moment of self appreciation feels good. Try it for yourself. If you are a man you already do this, if you are a woman I know you don’t want to look as goofy as we do when we do it, but it sure makes me feel good to see what I planned become what I have accomplished.

• Posted: 11 July 2008
• Comments: 0
• Category: Business success

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