To Choose or not to Choose

I'm sure you can recall a certain time when you have regretted an outcome that has occurred as a consequence of your actions or your slightest involvement in the event. And I'm sure you would love to turn back the hands of time and change a few of those end results. Well what if I tell you you could stop a lot of these bad outcomes happening to you. I always remember a TV show called 'Yesterdays News' or something to that effect and was in awe of the power that gift could give you. Now I'm pretty sure you will never get magical powers to see events before they happen but I do think you can control events that happen to you.

The reasoning behind this thinking may not sit comfortably with you at this moment in time but I would be a very happy man if in 6 months or a years time you could see what I am getting at. Because if that is the case you will have made the choice to grow, develop and change your mindset in some degree and taken total responsibility for the direction and outcomes that occur in your life.

You can start by altering your thoughts and instead of thinking in terms of your way or no way. Choice needs to become a huge part of your life. Everyone you speak to acknowledges that life is full of choices but if you seriously sat down and looked at the situation you find yourself in at the moment ask this question. Are you completely satisfied with the way your life is heading at this point in time? The answer to this question will vary but I can guarantee if you are completely honest with yourself there will be some part of your existence that could be more satisfying or rewarding for you.

Here is the most fundamental and most important choice you will ever make. Do you stay the same and accept the consequences of this choice or do you take the courageous option and choose to implement changes that will take you towards a more desirable existence in your opinion. I say courageous because this choice will make you feel like you are losing control which is a very uncomfortable feeling. Something us as humans don't like is being out of control.

If this process is something you would like to start sooner than later then take these steps.

1. Choose to Analyse: As stated above making this fundamental change is the hardest yet most vital step in the process of personal growth and development. Developing a sense of self awareness and analysing yourself is not an easy process to undertake.
2. Choose to Change: Actually putting steps into play to implement change is also an uncomfortable and courageous step. You will need help and assistance so reach out and seek it. It will appear if you want it enough.
3. Choose to take Responsibility: As soon as you make a promise to yourself that you are responsible for every outcome that happens in your life you become a more valuable individual and a leader. You proactively seek positive outcomes and learning from negative outcomes as you see your actions as the reason for one or the other occurring. This is where I think you can almost predict tomorrows news in your life because by proactively taking responsibility you unknowingly stop negative occurrences from ever getting off the ground.

What do you choose, better health, better relationships or an improved relationship with your children or to find a more rewarding job or career. You really do have a choice even if you don't believe me right now hopefully in the future you will agree with me.

Sleeping and Working can have similarities if you wish!

Finding similarities between your working day and your sleeping patterns can be difficult. But I love a challenge and in fact I think there is a glaring similarity between the two. However after speaking to different people I know now why this isn't glaringly obvious to the majority and I possibly should rephrase my last statement to sound more like, I think there could be an obvious link between your sleep patterns and your work.

Apart from the smart cracks of my work sends me to sleep which I quickly reply, get another job. If you look at your sleeping patterns a little closer you will find that you slip in and out of different phases of sleep. They usually run in periods of around 90 minutes in duration and then another phase will start. Here is where I feel the similarity should occur. Our work day would become a lot more productive if we worked in periods or waves of time but more importantly, energy. Instead of working solidly from start to lunch, eat on the run and then work non stop till whenever the work is done, you are flat lining. You would be better served to think of waves in the ocean and base your working times on that. Work hard till you start to lose concentration or motivation and have a break then repeat this throughout the day.

Granted it works well in theory and we can't all just stop and have breaks whenever the mind starts to wonder but if you can do this in some way your productivity may just increase more than you thought possible in less actual working time. Interested? try these steps and see how your performances go. Even as a mum this is applicable so don't think when you hear the word performance this isn't for you. It applies even more so to you.

1. Become aware - Spend a day or two analysing your current methods. See how long you go without a break, how your moods alter, does concentration suffer, how much work really gets done and how much time is wasted. This may take one day or you may need a week but it will make you completely aware of how you currently operate and determine your baseline.
2. Map your day - As best as possible predict how your day will run as per usual. As a general rule try putting a marker in at every 90 minutes (just like your sleeping patterns). Then precede to organise your work tasks into those periods and if possible have a different task for each period.
3. Increase intensity - Go hard for the time you are working and get your task done. Create a sense of urgency and stick to your deadline. Usually most people by creating deadlines make sure they meet it. You will be no different. And yes you will make mistakes but that's life and you will survive and learn from them.
4. Increase enjoyment - Now at the 90 minutes or 120 minutes switch off completely. Take 20 minutes to participate in a completely non related work task. Things that spring to mind are read the paper, walk the stairs, eat, cafe, shoe shine, table tennis, walk the block, ring someone and talk about stuff. You get the picture but it's best to make it fun and non work related so at the end of the release you are ready to go hard again and churn out some great work.

End result; you can expect a more enjoyable and productive work day/life, more energy at work and after work because you have replenished your energy stores all throughout the day. It sounds great doesn't it. It is different to the norm but hell who wants to be normal.