Tag Archives: Organizational Development

5 Changes That Will Make a Dramatic Difference

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This article discusses five changes that can make a dramatic impact on your life:  And, the good thing about them is that you don’t need to wait for someone else to start realizing the benefits.  Your future is in your own hands.

The first change we must make has to do with our health.  We must make it a priority, do our own research, and take care of our bodies. 

The second change has to do with taking care of others.   Is there someone in your life that requires your support and nurturing now?

The third change is to begin preparing for your next job right now.  With the lightening  speed of change, who knows when opportunity will knock.   You’ve got to be ready and poised to make a move.  So make sure that you take advantage of educational offerings and stay at the top of your game.  While others may be pensive and fearful, you must remain positive, focused, and productive.

The fourth change has to do with interpersonal skills.  People who get along with others tend to have longevity in organizations.  Be sure to appreciate and work well with diverse people.  Be a leader and set small goals to learn more about the diversity in your organization.  Don’t wait until a specific national emphasis month; instead incorporate learning about others into your daily routine.

The fifth change is to prepare for the future.  Start putting into place backup plans for your retirement and future well-being.  Are you learning to live within your means and spending less and saving more?   With all the fear in the air, it’s easy to get paralyzed, confused, and apathetic.  But, for leaders and winners, change implies, taking charge.  And, those that take charge are noticed and rewarded! We have a choice; we can be swept up by change or we can learn to face it, embrace it, and manage it.  We must be firm, yet flexible at the same time.  Spencer Johnson’s #1 bestseller, Who Moved My Cheese tackles this subject with humor and insight.  If you haven’t read it already, you’ll want to read it. It inspires great thought and offers a wonderful perspective on how to deal with change.  In it he uses four characters, Sniff and Scurry and Hem and Haw to represent the search for cheese in the maze of life.

Continue Reading Part 2: Handling Change   http://wp.me/ppImQ-d5

Barbara Talley is a Poet, Author, Publisher, and Keynote speaker who speaks on Time Management, Goal Setting, Empowerment, Communications, Diversity, Leadership, and Women’s Issues. To book Barbara for an event, phone 301.428.4831, email her at barbara@thepoetspeaks.com or visit her website www.thepoetspeaks.com.

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Give Yourself a Priceless Gift in 2012

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So while you’re running around shopping taking advantage of those After Christmas sales, don’t forget about yourself.  What meaningful gift can you give yourself?  I’m not talking about giving yourself more stuff; I’m suggesting that you give yourself something much more precious… time.   Yes, time.  Take out your 2012 calendar right now and mark off some time in it for yourself (in ink) to take care of yourself before it’s filled up with requests, demands, and promises of others.  Treat that time as sacred and consider it as a promise to yourself which you will not break!

Your Health and Sanity Is A Big Rock

Steven Covey talks about the importance of taking care of the most important first.  He uses the analogy of filling a jar with rocks and things and equates that to filling up our lives with things (some important, others not so important).  The big rocks represent the most important things in our lives that give us meaning, joy, and purpose. The small rocks, sand, and water represent the day-to-day duties, distractions, and things we spend our time on.  He suggests that if you first fill the jar up with sand, water, and small stones, then it will be hard if not impossible to get the big rocks in later.

Put the Big Rocks in First

But, if you put the big rocks in first, then the pebbles, then the sand, then the water, you’ll be able to get a lot more in the jar.  We all lead busy complicated lives and we’ve got to decide what our big rocks, pebbles, sand, and water are.  One thing is for sure, your health is a big rock.  Put it in first.  In my life management system, I discuss 10 big rocks.   They are discussed in my ‘On Track, On Fire, and On Purpose‘ book (see home page.)

Mark Off Time For Yourself Right Now!

Be proactive and take control.  Don’t wait and don’t procrastinate.  Mark off at least one day for yourself for each month.  You need at least that amount of time to rest, reflect, and recharge yourself.  Why not do it right now?  Give yourself the gift of a day to relax, plan, read, pray, meditate, walk, hike, sing, dance, visit friends, get a massage, get a pedicure, or to just play.  Relaxation and reflection are good for the mind, body, and soul.  Out of 365 days, don’t you think you deserve at least  twelve for yourself?  This gift doesn’t cost you anything but does  show how much you value yourself!  And when you are refreshed and feel valued, you are happier, make better decisions, and are more productive.

Block of 1 Hour a Day

Now, if you really love yourself, set some goals for prayer, meditation, exercising, transforming your health, developing your talents and hobbies, and for a restful vacation.  Still have your calendar out?  Well, mark off a 3-hour block each week for planning and one hour each day for reflection.    Consider your scheduled time as a promise and honor it.

You Can’t Live on Purpose by Accident

So now you’re on a roll.  Schedule some meaningful time with your family or significant other and share the joy.  We all want lives of meaning and purpose, but you can’t live on purpose by accident.  You’ve got to plan for it. Once you get in the habit of planning, you’ll want to make sure you’ve put in the big rocks in for your mind, body, soul, service to others, career, money, home, family, hobbies, and  relationships.  And when you begin to see the importance of all of these, you’ll have no time to waste on insignificant things.  Self awareness, self control, and self actualization, now that would be priceless!

I’m Barbara Talley, The Poet who speaks and inspires.   To find more about me, check out my promo sheet or visit  my website.

Tip#5: Plan Your Work And Work Your Plan

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plan

Would You Start A Business Without A Plan?

Would you have a wedding without a plan?  Would you take a trip without a plan?  Would you start a business without a plan?    Well, why would you expect to live your most fulfilled life without a plan?   Why would expect to garner the perfect job, business, family, home, or partner without a plan.  Without a plan, how would you know when you’ve reached your goal?  How would you know the best ways to proceed?

A Plan Is Not a Luxury; It Is Essential!

You’ve heard these wise quotes on planning before, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”  And, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” Plan thoroughly and review daily if you want to stay on track.  There are far too many distractions in this world to keep us from doing what we want to do.  A plan is not a luxury; it is essential!

A Plan Is Just A Written Itinerary of Your Intentions

The human mind needs focus in order to be the most productive.  It needs a program to follow and a place to direct your energies, otherwise it is bored, scattered, or confused.  A plan is just the written itinerary of your intentions.   As I’ve said before, “You can’t live on purpose by accident!”   Everyone wants to lead a purposeful, meaningful life, don’t they?  But, we’ve got to be an active participant in making that happen.  What you see is what you get.  If you don’t see where you’re going, how do you expect to ever get there?

A Plan Gives The Conscious Mind Direction and Focus

The word plan is both a verb and a noun and answers the questions, What? and How? As a noun, the plan is the written document of your intentions.   A plan gives the conscious mind direction and focus.   Without focus it will be difficult to achieve any real goals or meaningful results.  A well defined plan answers  the questions.  Where are you going in life?  What do you want out of this life? Why do you want what you want? How do you plan to get it?  And, when do you want it by?  Verbs imply action.  As a verb, planning means to prepare, map out, or state your intentions.  That means you have to act!  You have to do something.  Even with the best plan, you have to make it happen.

Your Results Will Only Be As Good As Your Plans

Planning requires time to think, reflect, and strategize.  Your results will only be as good as your plan.  Your plan will be only as good as your reflections.   Spend some time on your plan.  Your plan will be your marching orders, your blueprint, and clarifies your vision and intentions.   Some people like to graphically depict their plans as vision boards.  Some write them as small written affirmations.  Others create detailed charts, goals, and task lists.   A plan is like a map and clearly defines where you are going and how you intend to get there.  So, what are you waiting for?  Pull out your map and get going.  If you don’t have a map, a plan, or a strategy for living your best life, get one.

Barbara Talley is a Poet, Author, Publisher, and Keynote speaker who speaks on Time Management, Goal Setting, Empowerment, Communications, Diversity, Leadership, and Women’s Issue. To book Barbara for an event, phone 301.428.4831, email her at barbara@thepoetspeaks.com or visit her website at www.thepoetspeaks.com.

Tip#4: Clarify Your Vision Before You Aim and Fire!

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On Track On Fire and On Purpose Cover2 Ready, Fire, Aim or Ready, Aim, Fire?

Before you start sprinting to the finish line, first know where you are going.  Planning your time before you have planned your life is like firing an arrow before you have aimed it.  Sure it will fly, but to where?  Aiming is clarifying and focusing on your vision before you fire.

In my book, On Track, On Fire, On Purpose, I define vision as:  “the masterpiece of  imagination, the blueprint of destiny, and a sneak preview of coming attractions.”

What do you see for your future?  What possibilities have you imagined?  What dreams have you pondered?

Your Vision Is A Gift

Did you know that your vision is a supernatural gift?  It allows you to see with your mind’s eye the future before you see it with your physical eyes.  Your vision is the blueprint of your destiny.  Destiny is preordained and is yours for the claiming.  Your vision is real.  It shows you the possibilities for your future.   Think of it as a sneak preview of coming attractions.

Believing Is Seeing!

“Seeing isn’t believing; believing is seeing.”  My ten year old daughter heard this quote once on television, and couldn’t wait to share it with me.  She said, “Mom, this sounds like something you’d like.”  I agreed.  I loved it.  It stated something more profound than the obvious.  Seeing isn’t believing. It doesn’t take much faith to believe what you see.  But, to believe something that you can’t see with your eyes yet, now that’s faith.

Your Vision Is What You Choose to See for Your Future

Believing allows us to see with our mind’s eye, long before we see it with our physical eyes.  When we believe that’s when we begin to see.  Because, even though your vision previews the future, you must still acknowledge it.   Vision is what you choose to see for your future.

Your Plan Should Capture Your Vision

Your plan should capture your vision.  The bible says that, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.”   Now, that’s on pretty good authority that we must have a vision.  To perish means to die.   Visionless people waste time, have a hard time seeing where they fit in, and may also become bored, depressed, and lifeless.  Having a meaningful goal engenders life.   A vision gives us direction, purpose, and passion.  People with vision know where they are going and are excited by what they see.  People with vision are energized.  People with a clear vision, thrive!  So, what’s your vision?  What do you see?  What do you believe?  Now that you see it, Get Ready, Aim, Fire!     Continue to Tip#5: Plan Your Work And Work Your Plan

Barbara Talley is a Poet, Author, Publisher, and Keynote speaker who speaks on Time Management, Goal Setting, Empowerment, Communications, Diversity, Leadership, and Women’s Issue. To book Barbara for an event, phone 301.428.4831, email her at barbara@thepoetspeaks.com or visit her website at www.thepoetspeaks.com.

Time Tip#2: Monitor Your Energy Levels

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Eclockvery day like clockwork, each of us gets the same daily allotment of 24 hours to use as we choose.  Some are able to accomplish a lot each day, others however are  unable to complete the tasks that bring meaning, joy, and fulfillment to their lives.  In my Time Management and  Superwoman Doesn’t Live Here Anymore workshops,  I discuss the G+E+T formula for goal achievement.  The G stands for Goals and the T stands for Time.  The E stands for energy and is just as critical as having goals and time.   We may get the same amount of time, but it is the difference in energy levels that largely affects our results.  And, managing our energy is something that we have control over.

When We Run Out of Energy, We Stop!

We are not the energizer bunny, who keeps going and going.  When we run out of energy, we stop doing the things on our lists.  So before you fill in all the available time slots on your calendar, consider your energy level.  Unless you take really good care of yourself by eating nutritious foods, getting the appropriate amount of sleep and exercise, and by getting enough fresh air, water, and sunshine, you’ll probably run out of energy long before you run out of time.

Rethink How You View Requests for Your Time

When I said to “throw away your To-Do list,” in Time Tip#1,  many of you probably cringed.  Actually I’m only talking semantics.  I’m asking you you to re-think how you view requests for your time.  Instead of an automatic debit of your time, think of each To-Do item as a request for your energy.   You must guard your energy.  You are not a machine and your body has its limitations.  It  can’t just keep “going and going” like the Energizer Bunny.  It can get run-down and then there are serious health consequences.   Don’t commit all of your time to tasks, save some for yourself.  Your body needs time to rest and rejuvenate.

Each Request Is Requesting Your Energy

If you only consider your calendar’s open slots when you receive a request, you’ll find that there is usually ample space to write in yet another task.   But, lines on a planner do not necessarily map equally with the energy you have to perform the task.  When you are being asked to do something,  you need to be clear about what is being asked of you.  Most people think that people are asking for their time, and since we get more time each day, we commit without much thought.  But let’s be very clear, they not only requesting your time, but also your energy.

More Energy Means More Accomplishments

Most of us will run out of energy long before we run out of time.  That’s why it’s critically important to take care of your health.  Instead of trying to find more time (which you won’t), instead commit to finding more energy.   More energy means more accomplishments.  So before you say yes to that next request, think about how much energy you have left in your energy reserves.  If you are chronically fatigued, sick, or feel run-down, accepting more tasks will only increase your stress.  Instead, take care of yourself, get your energy back, and then tackle that list of tasks.    Continue to Time Tip #3: Write Yourself into Your Calendar In Ink

Barbara Talley teaches time management, goal setting, leadership, effective communications, and diversity.  Check out her website at http://www.thepoetspeaks.com. To book Barbara for an event, phone 301.428.4831, email her at barbara@thepoetspeaks.com or visit her website at www.thepoetspeaks.com.