Fewer Choices - Breathing Space Blog

How do we each whittle down the number of choices we face? 

If you have too few choices in life, if you’re socially or economically disadvantaged, at any given time you tend to feel stressed and anxious. You don't have a lot of control.

If you have too many choices, too many places to go, too many people to meet, and it's like this all the time, paradoxically, you also feel stressed and anxious. You get to the point where too many choices leads to a condition that Alvin Toffler called "future shock." So, in a work setting:

* In any given field, if you have 12 trade magazines, you want to immediately narrow down the field to maybe 2 to 4 and form a smaller subscriptions list. It's possible for you to not only stay on top, but to also feel more comfortable.

* Who are the best and brightest in your industry or your company? What are they reading? What have they selected and why? That's usually a pretty good indicator that those publications are highly viable information sources.

* When the number of choices starts to climb, your quest is to narrow the field to a manageable few.

Leaving a Voice Mail Messages - Breathing Space Blog

Many times you'll need to leave a voice mail message for someone. During the boring "instructions on leaving a message," think about what you want to say. If it helps, write down three or four key words on a scrap of paper so that once you actually deliver your message, you can come right to the point.

Speak slowly but leave a succinct message of about 25 to 45 seconds. This might not seem like a lot of time, but actually allows for three to six sentences. There is no need to race, particularly when leaving your phone number. Say it slowly and carefully, as if you were writing it yourself. That's the Breathing Space way to leave a message.

Overcome Procrastination - Breathing Space Blog

Here are eight tips on overcoming procrastination in the new year, derived from my internationally acclaimed book, The 60 Second Self-Starter, published by Adams Media:

1. Realize that wanting to start on a task is different than deciding to.

2. Relate the underlying meaning of your task to something larger.

3. Don't wait until you're "in the mood." True professionals never do.

4. Recognize that unpleasant tasks are not likely to get more pleasant as time passes.

5. Expect some level of breakdown or backsliding. Progress is not always even; two steps forward and one step back is more often the rule than the exception.

6. Choose someone who can serve as a trailblazer and help you get started.

7. Have somebody waiting for your work.

8. Be forthright with yourself and acknowledge when you're procrastinating, and you'll be that much closer to taking action.

Farewell to Simplicity? - Breathing Space Blog

Too true:
In our complex modern world, nothing is simple anymore, not even dying.
Lori Watt

Mastery of Information Overload - Breathing Space Blog

What does "mastery" of information overload look and feel like for me? As author of Breathing Space, people ask me.

* Keeping my desk clear, because clear spaces are an invitation for me to create.

* Having my email inbox periodically at zero because I've allocated everything.

* Maintaining a few key subscriptions via mail and a few online services.

* Focusing on the handful of key indicators that tell me how I'm doing.

* Staying in touch with knowledgeable peers, people who can share with me

* Forsaking megalomania – developing the ability to let go, not be on so many lists, not receive so many subscriptions, not have handle to much information.

My Vision for Everyone - Breathing Space Blog

A vision for us all: we have a house on or near a lake or large body of water. We're in a low traffic area with lots of fields and trails. There are travel clubs and groups around that want to take trips, particularly theme trips such as couples, or parent-children. There is sunshine, water, fresh air, great scenery.

Whenever we leave home, we have an easy exit, light packing, low stress, easy travel, early rising, lots of naps, in a child-friendly environment. Our activities are free or low cost. We explore cities and densely packed areas with ease. Thrice annually we cruise to exotic places, have a great time, intimacy, and breathing space. We accomplish "nothing." We are rested, trim, relaxed and happy. This repeats over and over.

Key Reflection for All Time - Breathing Space Blog

A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams. 
  -- John Barrymore