Another day and another brand new start is ahead. I remember a long time ago getting up one morning at about 7am and getting into my car to go to work. A commercial came on the radio – I couldn’t tell you what was being advertised, but one thing stood out – the message. The announcer comes on and says “Congratulations you’ve just been granted a brand new day! What are you going to do with it?” This is a loaded question isn’t it? What thoughts are in my head as I wake up. Yesterday I woke up with a lot of noise. Today it is quiet. I petitioned the universe for this – I asked for the knowledge of what to do, why things are happening the way they are and how I could gather the courage to do my part. It came out in pieces throughout the day yesterday – first I was exhausted and short on patience. Then the idea came – just be quiet today. Listen to people, don’t talk too much – less is more. In AA we have a quote – become as open minded and willing to listen as only the dying can be. What does this mean in “normal” people’s terms? Well if I am dying and instructions are being given out as far as how I can save myself, then I am going to listen REALLY well. I am going to really pay attention. Well now imagine applying this principle when my needs are less dire. The results are actually very interesting. I had less conflict yesterday and trust me when I tell you that was no easy task. The client I saw yesterday has a tendency to put me on the defensive. While I sat there listening to him I had the opportunity to hear him tell me that when he says “something is wrong” he is not blaming me, he is just identifying the issue(s) he wants me to address. I never heard that from him before. Maybe he never said it before, or maybe I wasn’t REALLY listening. I don’t know for sure.
Later on in the day I had my weekly therapy session. I’ve been doing this for 10 years and I highly recommend it to everyone – even if you don’t think you have any “problems”. Just having someone to bounce things off of, knowing it’s all confidential and cannot possibly travel in your circle of friends or colleagues – you tend to hold less (if anything) back. All of it spilled out of me yesterday – exactly what I needed to do. I’m spending too much time on activities that are fun, but not producing financial results. So it’s back to basics. Need to stop for the day at 6pm so I can get some rest and get away from the computer. I’ve been tired and a little burnt out. I’ve taught this to people – you are much more productive when you are well rested – putting in lots of hours bares the illusion that you are getting more done. You are less efficient. Go watch Tim Ferris on YouTube. He tells us we are on overwhelm in terms of information. He uses a great example – I laughed because I’ve done this – I do this – hitting Send/Receive like a lab rat trying to get that next cocaine pellet from the dispenser. Give me something – I need something. Some kind of reaction – anything. A comment, a reply, an e-mail telling me how great that video I posted was. I have to ask myself – where am I not getting the attention I desperately seek that I find myself doing anything to get it on the internet? From people who on the whole I don’t know all that well. I can only know so much about you when I am not face to face. I can’t see your expressions and your reactions. It’s time to get back to basics. Work on face to face relationships. Focus on current clients who are willing to pay me for my time, and who want to pay me for my time because I have truly done a great job for them over the past few years. Since 2003!
I woke up feeling refreshed this morning. Ready for a new start.
Congratulations! You’ve just been granted a brand new day. What are you going to do with it?
Seth David
