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How to Deal with “IT” When “IT” Happens on the Road

So, it was 2:15 am, and I was stuck outside my own house pounding on the door because my wife had locked the screen door and I was home early from a brutal three days of travel that felt like three weeks.

Ever had that trip?

Let me start from the beginning.

I had a big meeting in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It was one of those locations where I waffled between driving or flying. I chose to drive.

Not a few minutes into my drive I dealt with on-and-off rain that was just paralyzing. Not the mist that annoys you when you can’t decide if you should manually flip on the wiper every minute, or bear the awful windshield scraping noise because it’s going too frequently.

This was black skies driving into the abyss.

As if the weather wasn’t enough, there were non-stop road repairs.

In Chicago, we have a running joke that we have two seasons: winter and construction.

We were definitely in construction season and now the horrible weather was added.

And then there were the semis driving 66 mph to pass the other semi going 65mph and traffic backs up for a mile. My biggest life pet peeve is someone driving slow in the fast lane or the passing lane.

So, between the weather, construction, and traffic, my three-hour trip took well over five hours.

The meetings were good and I was to fly out of Cedar Rapids Regional Airport to Denver via Dallas.

I was required to fly an airline I don’t normally take because of convience, and it was a good idea until my flight was delayed two hours. You guessed it: weather.

Shockingly, I landed in enough time to make my connection flight although all my connection margin was shot. I was on the ground in Dallas at my gate waiting to get off my plane to make my connection waiting and waiting for almost 30 minutes as I was watching my plane board and take off literally at the gate RIGHT NEXT TO ME!

Who misses their flight, but gets to watch others board and take off without them?!?

Cruel man. Just cruel.

The good news is there was another plane I could take from Dallas with the only catch: it was two and a half hours from now.

Mind you, I have no status with this new airline and the customer service line was longer than bathrooms at a baseball game in the 7th inning at Wrigley Field.

I finally board and the flight took off an hour late.

Of course. Why not, right?

Needless to say, I was supposed to land in Denver at 9:45 pm and landed at a crisp 2:00 am (Chicago time).

My drive to the hotel was 45 minutes which felt like an hour and 45 minutes. Interstates down to one lane due to paving.

I made it to my hotel that was sold out and I didn’t care as long as I had a room, until I was put in a handicap room right next to the elevator. So by 6am I was woken by the elevator ding every five minutes and within a few elevator dings, I was awake and just chose to get up.

The next day I was moved locations only to enter a room that smelled worse than the designated smoking room in an airport where you can cut the air with a knife.

Of course.

I changed rooms, recovered, and looked forward to getting back on track.

I made it to the Denver airport in enough time to leverage my TSA Pre-Check and get to my gate with time to get water, walk a bit, then board.

So I thought.

The North TSA-Security line was closed. Huh? So, I walk to the South TSA-Security line to find out my TSA-Precheck was not on my boarding pass. Huh? It’s been on there every flight for years. And years. And years.

Of course.

Now I’m in line with everyone else strapped for time and just wanting my carry-on so I can run to get to my gate.

As someone who’s not used to a mild strip at security, I was fighting the annoyance and inconvenience but missing my flight was the only thing on my mind.

But now what?

My bag gets flagged and I have to wait for someone, anyone to look through the same bag that always goes through security with zero issues.

And I waited. And waited.

I finally make it to my gate in just enough time to board. Whew, all good, right?

We board, get in my seat and watch dark skies take over what was suppose to be a picturesque sunset over the Rocky Mountains as I fly home to surprise my wife.

Then the lightning happens. Over and over. And the heavens open up. I was wondering if my plane was going to turn into an ark.

Grounded. Everyone. And who knows how long. 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 minutes have gone by and I’m a captive audience.

We’re told all the time that **IT happens. Easy to say but what do you do on business travel when **IT happens to you?

And YOU KNOW what I mean by IT happens…

What did I do when I was challenged with this in the very moment when “IT” is happening to me not just once but this whole week on the road?

Four Responses to Dealing with IT When IT happens on the Road”

1. Roll With IT

Before I acted like I was the only one affected. I would get worked up, find others to join in on my complaining, and build my team against the wrongs done against us.

Do you know what changed? Absolutely nothing.

Except I was miserable. And those who had joined me were all riled up now.

The reality is nothing really improved. In fact, until I started to roll with it, I was even more affected.

Roll With It means “what happens happens” especially on business travel.

Here’s the reality we so quickly forget:

Not much should really surprise us on business travel especially if you’ve been doing it for any length of time.

When IT happens to you on the road, ROLL with it – what happens happens.

 

2. Let IT Go

I found that too often once I would ROLL with IT, the rolling would stop and I would get all worked up again.

Either the roll would lose momentum and just stop or it would be an abrupt pothole!

For example, I finally would “roll with the delayed flight” only to get re-worked up when the flight would be delayed again.

Like I never saw THAT coming, right?

Let IT Go means let IT keep rolling. Don’t pick IT up again

It’s not a one-time decision. You must keep letting it go.

An example would be forgiveness. Just because you forgive someone doesn’t mean you never have those feelings again. When, not if it comes back up again, you need to remind yourself to forgive again.

In this case, let IT go again.

Otherwise, it will own you all over again.

 

3. Learn From IT

Excuse me, did you say learn from IT? I didn’t want IT in the first place?

Welcome to life.

We want the easy, the smooth – but that’s not life, especially road life.

Things will happen even to the most prepared elite road warrior. The key is finding what we can learn from the situation.

My father used to say to me: “Son, you can learn from absolutely anything. Even how NOT to do something.”

With my trip, I was reminded how many things are just out of my control and just how quickly even after all these years of traveling, I can still get sucked back into the frustration and cynicism, and let it own and control me.

I can learn from what has just happened and the best way for me is to journal about it.

One of my daily seven writing prompts is Lessons Learned and this is my time to reflect or “process the thoughts” as I call it under Energy Habit Five – Develop.

Learn from IT is looking BACK to get BETTER

I take just a minute or two and really think through what I learned so I can accept what happened and move on to the last response of dealing with IT when IT happens on the road…

It’s asking:

  • How did I respond to what happened?
  • Could I have avoided it?
  • Did I pick IT back up again?
  • What can or should I do differently?
  • Did you get frustrated with someone that didn’t deserve your entitled wrath?
  • Did you waste time when you were given extra time?

 

4. Make the Best of IT

It really gets down to this 4th response. After you roll with it, let it go, I mean really let it go, then learn from it, you’re forced with a choice.

Will I make the best of IT and what IT just handed me?

Do I reflect on the smell of IT and all the negative or do I learn from IT and just make the best of IT?

Make the Best of IT is Looking FORWARD.

I was given a piece of advice by a mentor who told me when IT happens to me, ask this one question:

What does this now make possible?

Did you catch the power in that very simple six-word question?

As a result of IT, the delayed flight, the canceled meeting, the short night, the (you fill in the blank), what does this now make possible that otherwise might never have happened?

This is a knowledge bomb I’m dropping right now.

It takes maturity and wisdom to get to the point where you begin to learn and make the best of IT especially on the road and can ask such a powerful question.

An Elite Road Warrior takes the IT that happens on the road, washes it off, doesn’t smell like IT, and is actually better for it while others are owned by it.

Choices.

The road has it’s challenges especially when “IT” happens to you on the road. And many times IT’s not an isolated event. IT comes in waves and can hit hard.

If you can walk away and apply even one of the four responses, you’ll bet better for it.

And if you can begin to ask the question “What does this now make possible?” you will regain control of your road life and begin to defeat IT when IT happens on the Road.

So, wherever you are on the road, do something, anything, just not nothing to master the business travel life.

Stop getting by and get better.

 

This post is brought to you by the book, Raise Your Game by Alan Stein, Jr.

Five Reasons Why Personal Development Is A Challenge on the Road

Kevin is always reading. When he’s not working on emails, he’s got his phone out, absorbing content.

The problem is, nothing Kevin is reading is really sharpening his mind. It’s more of an escape.

There’s nothing wrong with that except Kevin has become an escape artist. He’s consuming content, but it is not the right content that will actually help him develop.

He wonders why he’s stuck in his career. Imagine that. He has simply stopped developing in a way that sets him apart. Kevin is missing a huge element, which is the fifth energy habit: develop.

 

 

I’m amazed at how little most business travelers actually read. What? Doesn’t scrolling social media count as reading? C’mon, man. I’m talking about a good old-fashioned book. I’ll even count an educational article or blog post.

The key here is to LEARN.

I can already hear the pushback. When do I have time to read, ESPECIALLY on the road? Let me remind you of the quote from the Elite Road Warrior book:

IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING, YOU’LL FIND A WAY. IF YOU DON’T, YOU’LL FIND AN EXCUSE.

You make time for things that are important to you. I sit by guys on the plane every single flight who waste hours and miss opportunities to develop even for just 30 minutes. Dude, you can get back to binge-watching Game of Thrones or Ballers or ladies, back to This Is Us or Love It or List It.

Five Reasons Why Personal Development is a Challenge

1. Desire

Most people I’ve found simply don’t see the value. They’ve learned what they’ve learned and okay with where they’re at in their life. If they don’t care, personal development is simply not going to happen.

2. Time

This is usually the number one reason I hear is “when could I possibly fit this luxury into my life?” I argue is if you desire to personally develop and value it, you will MAKE the time. If our attitude is “when I find the time”, it will never happen. By the way, I’ve never ever “found time.”

3. Inconsistency

If we have the desire to personally develop and find the time, being inconsistent can be a huge challenge. We start and stop then start again and never gain momentum because we’re just not consistent enough.

4. Random

I have found this one is ultimately the downfall to someone who values personal development. We have SO many interests so we bounce around from one thing to another. Nothing gets completed and although we’re developing personally and growing, it’s limited because we don’t have a plan.

5. All-Consuming

Someone who is “too much” into personal development which can consume all of your time and overwhelm everyone else. Instead of encouraging it becomes over-dominating.

If learning is a priority for you, then you will make, not find, the time. (Seriously, when has anyone FOUND time and if they did, can you let me know where?) Most people don’t like to read because they were scarred in school being forced to read the content they did NOT want to read and didn’t see the relevancy. I’ll give you that, but they’ve kept that mindset decades later.

If you leave your growth to randomness you’ll always live in the land of mediocrity – Brandon Burchard

TWO KEYS TO SHARPEN THE MIND BY READING

1. FIND SOMETHING YOU ENJOY

This is entry-level reading. This could be absolutely anything. It could be an autobiography. It could be a book that also has a movie.

Let me give you an example. I’m a Chicago sports fanatic, so when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, this city became absolutely unglued. The celebration parade in downtown Chicago was the fifth- largest recorded gathering of mankind in history.

So, I wanted to know more about the back-story of the complete rebuild of the team. I found a book called The Plan by Dave Kaplan, and I was absolutely lost in the book. It was a blast to read because I enjoyed the subject.

If you’re just starting out, find something you enjoy to get you INTO the habit of reading. Even when you become an avid reader, finding a book as I found on sports is a good escape, especially before bed. But don’t stop there. There’s a ton of money left on the table if you don’t do the second key…

2. FIND SOMETHING YOU WANT TO LEARN

This is next level, kiddos. It could be for your job/career or to develop a new skill. The topics are endless, and this is where most business professionals wonder why they’re still stuck in their job, like Kevin. Most only read what is required of them instead of reading to get ahead.

Here’s the Key: They Learn for Survival Not Success.

If and when you change your mindset to reading for success, everything changes. You’re automatically ahead of almost everyone since almost no one reads. So, find a subject you want to learn and crack open that book!

HOW DO YOU PULL THIS OFF WHILE ON THE ROAD?

You need to answer these four questions:

1. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO READ?

You need a plan. Find what you enjoy and what you want to learn, as mentioned above, and then dive into the book. Consider it part of your road thing we talked about in downtime back in the rest energy habit.

2. WHERE CAN YOU FIND WHAT TO READ?

I love this question! There are a few ways to acquire this intel:

  • Online Research – go to Amazon or iBooks. Find a genre and start doing some simple research. With the Amazon tracking intelligence, in a matter of moments, you’ll be fed “You May Also Like” recommendations. Due to the vastness of the online market, you can find a number of book possibilities without having to go anywhere.
  • Traditional Bookstore – Go old school. I absolutely enjoy going to Barnes and Noble on the road as a downtime activity in the evening. I’ll take an hour, find my genre favorites (business/psychology/health/nutrition/sports), buy a hot tea (decaffeinated), find a chair, and flip through the pages. I could easily lose an hour and it creates SO much energy for me. Another low- hanging fruit option is an airport bookstore. The selection is limited but you’d be surprised how many new books will catch your interest. I’ll often go into these stores for 5-10 minutes during my walk time before a flight or on my way to the gate. It’s another way to find additional book options. Don’t limit yourself.

3. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN LISTEN TO AUDIBLY?

I’m a HUGE fan of audio, mostly because of the convenience. I’m usually on the move more than I am sitting down, so why not make the movement advantageous for me?

As a result, I’ll find whatever book version I can and listen to the audiobook. Often, I’ll get both the book and the audio. Sounds redundantly redundant, but hang with me.

If I’m traveling, I can often crank through a ton of audio, but I’ll want to go back and grab key concepts. This is where the printed version comes into the picture. I can go back and do a quick review of what I’ve listened to because it’s fresh in my mind, and I can easily find the key concepts I want to record for my notes. Make sense? As the saying goes, “Don’t knock it till you try it!”

There are also some great podcasts that can serve as a learning platform. They work great because of the shorter length, and you can find specific topics that interest you so you can dive right in and learn. If you’re not listening to the Elite Road Warrior Podcast, this is a great place to start! Episodes average around 30 minutes so you can get in and out.

PRO TIP:
Audible (owned by Amazon) is an audiobook library that is absolutely amazing. For a monthly subscription, you can get credits and choose books. They’ll send you a free credit for an audiobook from time to time and they will offer discounts for 3 credits if you’re an Amazon Prime member. This is definitely worth the investment to develop both personally AND professionally on the road.

In fact, the Elite Road Warrior book is available on Audible and has been the #1 way business travelers are reading the book due to the convenience.

4. WHEN CAN YOU MAKE TIME TO READ?

Did you catch that? MAKE time to read. We discussed the strategy of Block and Tackle in the PERFORM action. If you remember, we create time blocks to schedule our day so we can tackle that specific action.

Let me give you an example. I have at least two reading times each day: first thing in the morning during my energy hour; then, if I’m flying that day, I use the flight time, usually the first 30 minutes, as my second reading time. If it’s not a flight day, I’ll carve a second reading time block in my day where I know I need to conserve energy and a reading block will be a good break for me to develop.

Another reading time was referenced in the last point with audiobooks. As road warriors, usually, our schedules are rather predictable. Let me give you my predictable audio times to develop:

  • In my car driving to the airport.
  • Walking to security and to my gate.
  • Walking around before I board since I prefer NOT to sit down but to a MOVE action item.
  • If I rent a car, I’ll choose something audio to learn rather than getting lost in sports or talk radio, which is SO easy for me to do.

Many road warriors have a territory and do a ton of driving. They often drive between to cities (I often fly into Cincinnati, then drive to Columbus, then to Cleveland). This is a perfect time to knock out an entire audiobook. This type of road warrior can seriously leverage their windshield time with a mobile classroom.

Standing in line is a short but great opportunity to catch a few paragraphs. I’ve knocked out chapters of a book just waiting. I have the Kindle app and sometimes will choose certain books JUST for such times. I can quickly pull up the book on an app and be reading in seconds. Note: this also dramatically helps my impatience during these times when I sadly analyze the inefficiency that is causing the wait!

James Clear has a perfect article called “Seven Ways to Retain More of Every Book You Read,” which I highly suggest checking out HERE.

BABY STEP TO SHARPEN THE MIND

I realize you’re more likely to go to bed early or eat Brussels sprouts than you are to pick up a book. So, if that’s the case, simply find something you like to read and start there. The fact that you are reading this book is huge, so you’re at least on your way. Now, keep the momentum going and create a plan.

Speaking of a plan, I have a bonus for you that’s yours for free! It’s called the Personal Development Plan (PDP for short) and you can download it for free by going to www.EliteRoadWarrior.com/Book.

THREE-POINTERS

1. Find something to read that you enjoy and want to learn.
2. Determine when you will make time to read and what you can listen to audibly.
3. Download the free Personal Development Plan (PDP) at www. EliteRoadWarrior.com/Book and complete it.

022 – How to Be Productive in the Margins on the Road with Mirdu Parikh

 

 

Welcome to the Elite Road Warrior Podcast Episode 022 show notes! This week we talk with productivity expert Mirdu Parikh on productivity and margins while on the road.

What You Will Learn In This Episode:

1:20 – Mirdu Parikh Introduction

3:45 – What is the framework of your book on productivity?

6:45 – A.C.T

6:55 – A = Avoid Distractions

Put that phone on "Do Not Disturb". Even a momentary disruption can get you out of your flow! Share on X

7:25 – How can we handle distraction on the road when it’s time to work?

14:20 – Pomodoro Method

You can get so much more done than you think when you are FOCUSED! Share on X

16:50 – C = Commit to Your Priorities

20:30 – Gotta do list!

Taking 60 seconds to write down your "gotta do" list can increase your productivity by 40% Share on X

25:10 – How do we choose our priorities?

If it's not on your calendar, it's ALL on your calendar. Share on X

28:30 – What are you suggestions on maximizing our meetings?

30:00 – T = Time blocking

34:25 – Elite Road Warrior Book and Assessment Promo

36:00 – Wrap Up

Links and Resources:
Road Warrior Assessment

Elite Road Warrior Book

Mirdu Parikh

 

Why Doing This One Thing Has Saved Over a Hundred Travel Hours

I am in an airport as often as some people go to the grocery store. It’s just the nature and reality of my job.

Any given day an airport can be busy at the oddest times and for the strangest reasons. And of course it’s ALWAYS when I’m running behind and in a hurry.

But there was this one lane that always went quicker than the other. I’ve found this line “just knows” when I’m running behind for whatever reason and I’m at its mercy. I personally don’t prefer the stress of possibly missing a flight. Not a good or suggested feeling.

Each person that went through this “special line” I disliked, no despised every single last person with this special privilege. And the entire time I promised and swore to myself I would be one of those coveted and privileged people.

Then I arrived at my trip and forgot all about it until I arrived at the airport again. And more of these privileged people snubbed their noses at me as they raced right by me. They knew exactly what they were doing and you know who you are…

Then I arrived home and didn’t have a passing thought about the airport until…

I almost missed a flight due to airport security and this was going to change. Finally, I had enough. You know, sometimes you just need to have enough. I was so there.

But I really didn’t understand the process that was involved and had I realized just how quick and easy it was to get this magic Fast Pass like at Disney World that would allow you to go to the front of the line, I would’ve done it a long time ago.

So, what is it?

 TSA Pre-Check – TSA stands for Transportation Security Administration

My simple goal of this post is to let you know of this easy process and convince you to join the other side. Now, my motives are out there.

Here are some details about the program directly from their website:

Why should you join TSA Pre✓®?

  • TSA Pre✓® provides trusted travelers with expedited security screening for a better travel experience.
  • Plan your travel with confidence and enjoy a more predictable experience.
  • It’s a convenient, more efficient security screening process.
  • It’s available at more than 150 airports with 12 participating airlines.

The following airlines offer TSA Pre✓®:

Air Canada / Alaska Airlines / Allegiant Airlines / American Airlines / Delta / Hawaiian Airlines / Jet Blue / One Jet / Southwest / SunCountry / United / Virgin / WestJet

No need to remove:

  • Shoes
  • Laptops
  • 3-1-1 liquids
  • Belts
  • Light jackets

Personally, I absolutely love not having to untie my shoes and walk on that nasty floor in my socks, whip off my belt, yank out my toiletries bag, and pull my MacBook Pro out of the work bag.

If you’re eligible and approved for the TSA Pre✓® program you will be given a known traveler number “KTN” to use when making flight reservations. Participating airlines will print an indicator on your boarding pass. When you arrive at the airport, look for signs for the lanes.

You can find a list of the Frequently Asked Questions for TSA Pre✓® by clicking HERE.

So, I chose to pay $85, which gave me the ability for TSA Pre for five years. Can you say absolutely no brainer?

Here’s the catch: it takes some initial planning and work on your part but SO minimal compared to the return on the time and effort. And this post is designed to let you know exactly what to expect and how little effort is actually required.

Here was my five-step process:

  1. I filled out the online application HERE
  2. I chose to find a local Application Center to complete my process by entering my zip code HERE. You do have the option of a walk-in at any participating airport but I found I just never had the time for the airport process and always prefer a scheduled time.
  3. Since I chose the Application Center, I was given a specific date / time. I was literally in and out in ten minutes.
  4. In less than ten business days, I received my Known Traveler Number in the mail
  5. I called each major airline I use on any consistent basis to have them enter my Known Traveler Number into my profile so I didn’t have to think about it when I need to change airlines

Note: you can go through this process at the airport but it’s based on a first come / first serve basis. I found myself at the airport when the line was too long or most of the time the office was closed.

I truly wish I could get a commission for each person I tell about TSA Pre because it has paid for itself almost every single trip. If you fly often, I HIGHLY suggest you take the time and effort using my five-step process to getting TSA Pre.

 

Closing Challenge…

Did it work? Have I convinced you of the benefits of this program? Now the real test is if this is something you’ve considered and not done yet, will you actually do it…?

As a traveling professional, we need to find the small things to change that will yield big investments back to us and this is definitely one. Even if I only traveled a few times a year, I would still pay the $85 a year and the program lasts for five years. Serious no brainer.

You now know the benefits, the cost of the program, and the process with the links. I can only take you this far.

I challenge you to take the few minutes today to work through the five step process. It will be worth your time. Either way, I can promise you one thing: you will think of this post the next time you’re in line at airport security. And you will either thank me or be the old me…

 

Closing Question…

So what is stopping you from taking a few minutes today to sign-up for TSA Pre-Check?

Five Half-Day Evaluation Questions That Could Turn Your Day Around

todays_category_professionally_better

 

 

Five Half-Day Evaluation Questions That Could Turn Your Day Around

 

How many times have you just plowed through your day and never look back? The only thing that is important is the next thing. And then the next thing even if the last thing wasn’t completed. And on and on and on…

 

Few people plan their day and I mean really plan their day. Not scratch down a few “to dos” for the day ahead, but strategically create an organized plan in how best to maximize the coming day.

But even fewer people come up for air and check their progress before getting to the end of the day or even the next morning to evaluate what exactly happened throughout the day.

I went through the following progression:

  • No plan and react my way through the day
  • To Do List plan for the day
  • Plan for the day that was usually ignored (but had great excuses!)
  • Plan for the day that was implemented most of the time

But I found that often times I didn’t realize until the end of the day I had misused my time and it was too late to go back and make a mid-course correction.

This led me to the Half-Day Evaluation Process.

Usually after lunch, I will take just five minutes and do a pulse check on my day. This is an opportunity to review and adjust. I review my morning (looking back) and adjust my afternoon (looking forward) on the review.

 

Here are the five questions I ask during the five-minute half-day evaluation process:

 

1. Have I Completed My Most Important Task of the Day Yet?

Your response to this question is PRIORITY.

I start my day whenever possible working on my most important task of my day. This means no matter how my day goes, I’ve at least accomplished the most important task that moves the needle in my world.

So, if the most important task is complete, I move on. If it’s not complete, then it becomes my sole focus to begin my afternoon.

 

2. What Has Been ADDED This Morning That Needs My FOCUS This Afternoon?

Your response to this question is FLEXIBILITY.

Life happens that didn’t make it on our morning plan or calendar. Imagine that. As a result, asking this question will allow me to re-adjust my afternoon and re-prioritize where I need to spend my time.

This means for me I need to change the afternoon plan to make room for this addition. And it may mean moving something planned for today to tomorrow or another day.

 

3. What Do I Need to FINISH That I Started That Is STILL Important?

Your response to this question is PROGRESS.

Often we start a task or project and for some reason do not complete it. But it may be important for a win for the day. This question allows me to review what is worth going back to complete and move forward today.

It may also be a simple task (email or phone call) that needs a response today. Or I may decide to reschedule another time to work on the task or project. The point is making progress on an incomplete task.

 

4. What Can I MOVE Off Today’s List That Can and Should Be Done Another Day?

Your response to this question is MARGIN.

Once you get into your day, priorities shift sometimes and others are added. I try and create margin within my day to focus on what really needs to get done. And moving things around gives me more space to focus on what is really important today.

Sometimes a task needs to wait on a response from someone else or simply drops in priority. Halfway through the day I can tell if that time is still committed or needs to be rescheduled to another day. And if so, it frees up time today to work on the next most important task. And margin is a breath of fresh air in the second half of the day.

 

5. What Is REALISTIC for Me to Complete or Move Forward to Make Today a Success?

Your response to this question is PERSPECTIVE.

If you’re like me, I’m rarely short on ideas to fill the time but also rarely allow enough time to complete everything! (It’s the gift that keeps on giving)

Perspective is to look at your afternoon and determine what is realistic to complete in that period of time.

You want to leave the day feeling like it was a success, not feeling like you left so many things incomplete and feeling overwhelmed the next morning.

 

Here are some suggested Planning Posts:

4 Simple and Productive Steps to Begin Planning Your Day

How Planning Can Bring the Future Into the Present

Why the Strategy of Time Blocks Will Dramatically Change Your Productivity

Six Steps to Guaranteeing Your Biggest Win of the Day

 

Closing Challenge…

Half-Day Evaluations allow you to REVIEW and ADJUST to finish your day strong.

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The five minute investment of time into the five questions can provide exponential results if applied. You may choose to take 10 or 15 minutes.

I had to choose to take the FIRST five minutes after lunch to implement my Half-Day Evaluation. If I didn’t do it right after lunch, I rarely circled back to the exercise.

You may choose to use my five questions or some of them. The point is to take five minutes to review the morning and adjust the afternoon.

After half of the day is in the books, I have a fresh perspective on my afternoon win and what I need to accomplish to finish strong.

I challenge you to try it for just one week and see the results. You may be amazed at just how much return you get on this small yet powerful five minutes.

 

Closing Question…

When and how will you implement the Half-Day Evaluation?