"Unfinished Business"

If you had the chance to reduce your risk of premature death by 50% by doing one thing, would you do it? What's it worth to you to increase the chances of seeing many of your goals and dreams come to fruition? How important is it for you to be around and hear your children say, "You know what... you were right about so many things?" You're working so hard now... don't you want to be able to be around and enjoy the spoils of your labor... or are you content to be one of the "richest people in the graveyard" as my friend Todd Musig says.

The one thing, of course, is exercise-being active. Thirty minutes of aerobic level exercise 3-4 times per week. The cost (other than missing that amazing repeat of a tv show or tearing yourself away from FB for a few moments) are minimal and the benefits beyond just longer life are amazing. If you need an example, check out the benefits of my choice of exercise-running-by reading this article from Runner's World.

Sure, anything could happen. But improving your chances by 50%? I'll take those odds any day.

"A Procrastination Experiment"

Over the past week I have been conducting an experiment related to procrastination. I wanted to see what the negative effects were of waiting until the last minute to undertake a task and then having to rush to meet a deadline. Okay, so I actually wasn't conducting an experiment... I just procrastinated.

As I worked on the project I was reminded of all the things I knew about the benefits of NOT procrastinating:

• Once you start working on it, the task doesn't seem as difficult
• If you set aside an amount of time to work on it, you will normally keep working on it because you get momentum and don't want to stop.
• When you keep putting off the task, thoughts about it hold your mind hostage and limit your ability to focus on other tasks.
• Telling other trusted people that you need to work on the task will cause them to keep you on track to get it done.
• Working under too much pressure can create a result that is "good enough" instead of "done well."
• When you procrastinate and then have to give your full attention to the task at the last minute, you miss other opportunities that occur while you are "cramming." If you work on the task in a more timely manner, you can be more available for those events or activities that may need your attention.

The greatest benefit was the feeling I had once I got the project done! I felt better mentally, emotionally AND physically. Sadly, I could have had this sense of accomplishment days ago and used the energy to tackle other important tasks.

If you are one of those people who frequently procrastinate, you have my empathy. However, as I bask in this moment of accomplishment, you also have my condolences. The pressure, worry and missed opportunities created by frequent procrastination must be tough.

"Watch Every Word"

After making a presentation this week, I was talking with several people from the audience. I noticed that another participant was hanging around in the room, seeming to be waiting for something. Once everyone cleared out and I was gathering my things, he approached me and said, "I want to talk to you about something you said." I wasn't sure how to take his comment as some people like to take issue with some things I say while others want to share a personal story or example.

I was surprised when he held up his phone, showing me the screen, and said, "Did you say this?" At this point I was nervous because I am guilty of making statements or sharing thoughts that pop into my head, and they sometimes make about as much sense as a bad Dr. Seuss rhyme. What he had captured me saying was, One neat way of looking at those things that are heavy to us is to realize they are not negative things, they are just life events. It wasn't exactly what I meant to say, but again, I sometimes engage my mouth before I engage my mind. I sheepishly said, "Yes, I am guilty as charged."

Imagine my surprise when he replied with, "I really needed to hear that today. In fact, I texted it to my wife right after you said it." He went on to describe two very difficult events that were occuring in his family and how he and his wife were really struggling. He said that one comment from me gave him a lift and he just wanted to thank me.

I share that story not because I said the right thing but because I was once again reminded of the tremendous need people have to hear positive, encouraging ideas. I have a friend that has as the signature at the bottom of their email, "Be kinder than necessary today. Everyone you meet is fighting a battle." We just never know when something we say to someone could offer the motivation they need to make a change in attitude or action.

What words could you share today that could make a difference in someone's life. Just remember... it may not be what you planned to say.

What's Your Sign To Change?

While reading through some statistics recently, I came across one that caught my attention. It came from research published in the March edition of the International Journal of Management. The study involved long-haul truckers (those gone multiple nights from home) and their job satisfaction. We are indeed fortunate to have men (and women) who are willing to undertake such a difficult job to insure that goods and products are available to companies and consumers.

The statistics that got my attention were these: 51% of truckers who have been on the job for 15 years or less would not recommend their occupation to a son or daughter. If they had been on the job 16 or more years, the number increased to 72.5%. A 21% increase! The longer they had the job, the more they had regrets about it. One trucker interviewed had a very telling comment: I'm on the road so many days per month that my relationship is basically a phone call. I have 3 grown kids and they have very little to do with me because they don't know me.

Reflecting on their research made me wonder... What's your sign to change course or direction? These truck drivers could have made changes in their career in their early years, but as they kept doing the same thing, the negative circumstances multiplied more quickly. And there was no turning back. They saw the signs, but chose to ignore them-or just had no way out.

What if you established some signs in your path that if seen or realized, represented a need to change? They could be things like:

• If I reach _______ lbs., I will reduce my intake of __________ (insert guilty food pleasure here).
• When I have to be away from home more than _______ nights a week, I will search for a better job.
• When I see that my dream of being self employed has cost me ___________, I will find another way to make a living... at least for awhile.
• When my employees start avoiding me because I'm always "snapping at them" I will reexamine my priorities.
• When I find that my mind is constantly focused on work-even when I am away from work, I may need to consider changing jobs-or at least change the way I look at my job.
• When I find that I'm always saying it's about quality time with my spouse and children and not quantity time, I need to change something in my work or life routine.

Putting some signs in place now might be just the reminder we need as, like these truck drivers, find that life passes by too quickly... from a windshield, cubicle or any other work area.

"The Power of The Personal Touch"

Last week I had the pleasure of working with Interim Healthcare at their National Sales Conference. The conference was for the franchise owners and leaders of the various franchise offices. Interim is a leader in providing home health care services. A main part of their purpose is to "help people live independently in their own way."

What was different about this event was that I actually participated in the two day conference instead of just arriving the night before and providing my programs the next day. Let me tell you, they know how to put on a conference!

While at the event I was reminded of just how much people need the personal touch. Interim is well blessed with leaders who "get it," from Kathleen Gilmartin the CEO to Linda Shaub the VP of marketing and everyone else I met with the organization. They all have incredible talent in their area, but still have the unique ability to connect with people one on one and get their points across in genuine, practical and meaningful ways.

I think Jake Poore, a fantastic speaker on customer service, summed things up well when he said, "In our interactions with other people, we need to enter and exit on the human side." The workplace has become quite impersonal due to the need to get so much done. Even families and friendships are strained because of the hectic pace and use of technology. We are surprised-and very appreciative-when people treat us in a genuine way and not as one more thing to do.

In your work (and life) with other people today, how can you add the personal touch? What can you do to give people one of the things they are most hungry for... knowing they matter and are more than a number.