Right now, take out a pen and a sticky note and write down the top three things (in order) that are most important to you.  Now post it at your desk or in a place where you will see it every day.

The next time you are feeling stressed out from attempting to juggle too many things at once, take a look at that sticky note.  Now ask yourself if those three things are still playing a significant role in your life?  If not, you need to rebalance.  Once you find your balance, success will follow.

• What are your top three priorities?
• What activities are you currently engaged in that further those priorities?
• Which activities do not?
• Do you currently have any white space planned into each week?
• What two activities can you eliminate or delegate in order to create some (or some more) white space?

Leaders lead lives of significance because they align their activities with their top priorities.  Narrow your priorities and pick your top three.  Then make sure that you are spending your precious time only on those activities that matter most.  Finally, plan white space into each week for some much needed rest, relaxation, rejuvenation and to address those pesky “emergencies” that tend to derail your over-scheduled life.

That one extra task, whatever it may be, can throw off your whole schedule!  Whatever that one thing is, it is not as important as being on time!  Five minutes may seem small in the grand scheme of things, but being even a few minutes late to a scheduled appointment shows others that you disrespect their time.

The next time you find yourself looking at the clock trying to determine if you can complete one more task in the minutes that remain, decide instead to head immediately to your appointment.   If you arrive early, all the better!  Use that time to mentally prepare yourself for the task at hand.  By doing this, you will find that you are more present, less stressed and perform at a higher level than you would have otherwise.

Every airline flight attendant will tell you that you must adjust your own oxygen mask before assisting others.  There’s a good reason for this – if you don’t, you will be of no help to anyone.  Allowing yourself to get caught up with everyone else’s needs at the detriment of your own will ultimately make you ineffective or even downright useless.

Leaders understand that they cannot lead effectively if they do not make time to ensure that their own needs are met.  So consider what you are currently doing on a regular basis just for you.  Are you taking that break you need during the workday to regroup and recharge?  Are you making the time to do the extra-curricular activities that lead you to be more creative, energized or fulfilled?  Are you placing your goal of running a marathon, getting an advanced degree or starting your own business at the top of your priority list and consistently working towards it?

In order to truly take care of those you lead, you must first ensure that you are taking care of you.

Today I picked up the book, flipped to a random page and found the following quote:

“The happiest people seem to be those who have no particular reason for being so except that they are so.”

- William Ralph Inge

I have to say that I needed that reminder today.  Whatever happens in life, your mood, your state of being, is defined not by the event but by how you react to it.  You can let work or life get you down – or, you can choose to be happy with who you are despite life’s sometimes challenging circumstances.

Leaders are optimistic people.  Even in the midst of turmoil and chaos, their mental attitude can help them to rise above and persevere.

Thank you to my little book for reminding me of that today.

In 1989 I volunteered to be on a Fire and Safety Fair committee in Gainesville, FL.  The person in charge referred to himself as “facilitator,” not “chairperson.”  He said each meeting would last one hour and would start and finish on time.  He always had a printed agenda and stayed on task.  If conversations strayed from the agenda, he invited those folks to meet with each other after our meeting.  Our time was never wasted.  Everyone left knowing what would be expected of them at the next meeting.  It was amazing to me to witness such order, progress and enthusiastic teamwork.

I am often asked to facilitate/lead meetings and mentor those who have difficulties with their own meetings.  It is because I had the wonderful opportunity so long ago to learn from Louis Kalivoda, who is now at Santa Fe College in Gainesville, FL.  I also learned so much about being involved in my community outside of work and the importance of volunteering.  And I even met my future husband – another volunteer!

Debbie C. Thomas
Administrative Services Mgr. & Public Information Officer
Court Administration – Fifth Judicial Circuit

Wisdom from one of my mentors, Peter DiGiammarino:  “The plan that will work is the plan that we ALL agree to make work.”   I have found this to be so true. 80% of the game is getting people aligned around a common goal.

Kitty Nix, SPHR
Director, Strategic Development
Helios HR

I am very grateful for the leadership shown by my SAIC division manager, Douglas Ray.  He exemplifies the ability to stay calm in a firestorm, listen before he forms or expresses an opinion, navigate emotional situations calmly and provide a balanced level of support that assures me I’m not fighting my battles alone, while at the same time not undermining my ability to decide my own path forward.  Managers like this make work a safe and rewarding place to be and provide an example to be followed.

Jan Denny, PMP
Project Manager / Sr. Business Process Analyst
Science Applications International Corporation

Great role-models and mentors are truly a gift to us all!

Wishing you and yours a happy, healthy holiday,

The Lead Star Team

As Mayor of my small town (Tom Bean) and also still being employed at Raytheon, I of course, have to make the most of my time at both places.  Delegation and empowerment have been two large components that have allowed me to more effectively manage my responsibilities.

At the city, I have put each department in charge of their own fiscal budgeting efforts, allowing me to weigh in with the final say so in the details.  By doing this, each department now has true ownership and they are held accountable throughout the year to maintain the budget lines that they created.  This gives them a chance to truly experience their success, knowing that I will be overseeing the budget to ensure that everyone is on track throughout the year.

Sherry E. Howard
CCA PDE
RWN MEMBERSHIP OFFICER
NCS TX ESS Producibility
Network Centric Systems
Raytheon Company

I make the most of my time by scheduling time on my calendar!  I do this for my prep meetings, family commitments etc.  I do a weekly review each Friday of the next week’s calendar to make sure it has the right stuff on there!  I do slip on few items here and there, but by far, I can get the most out of my day, as long as I schedule it.

Shubha Ramaswamy
eBusiness IT Project Manager
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

Time is the great equalizer.  We all have only 24 hours in a day.  In order to be personally effective, we all need to make the most of the time that we have.  Thank you Sherry and Shubha for your great time management tips!

Any one else have best-practices for managing their limited time?  We would love to hear them!

In the midst of professional or personal low points, it is hard to keep perspective.  You may be dealing with a painful personnel issue, riding out a negative media storm with which you are associated, or struggling with a personal/family crisis during a critical time at work.  This is where the good leadership habits you previously established make all the difference.

Self talk can help, such as:

“This too shall pass.”
“It is what it is…”
“This is one of those experiences that money can’t buy, but I wouldn’t give a dime to go it through again!”

Also, calling colleagues who have had to deal with similar situations can be beneficial.

Whatever you do, you must keep your confidence level up as internal and external pressures can lead to self-questioning that is both non-productive and likely has no basis in fact.  Second guessing oneself for not being perfect is truly counterproductive.

It is important to learn from these types of situations ways that you can improve in your role.  This is both productive and brings meaning to these challenges.

When the stress gets so intense that it begins to change who you are as a person, it’s time to seek out professional help.  Not only will it help you keep perspective in the midst of the storm, it will protect those essential qualities in your being that those you love and who love you most cherish.

- Anonymous

• If I tell people ”I’m not a morning person,” they will excuse my bad attitude
• I’m going to be about 15 minutes late - Linda won’t mind
• Last week Mike sent his report late, so it’s okay if I send my project in late to him
• People don’t seem to mind working extra hours around here
• If I don’t refill the coffee pot, no one will care
• It’s okay if I leave the microwave messy – Tina likes to clean the break room

However, if you were on the receiving end of any of these false assumptions or behaviors, chances are that you would be quite annoyed.

As you work to influence and inspire, you cannot let yourself off the hook.  Do not excuse your poor behavior – be accountable to it.  You lead others best when you are considerate of other’s needs, strive for top performance, and mindful of the impact that you have on others.

If you are currently living inside your comfort zone, if you are letting your days be filled with the status quo, in the back of your mind you are likely yearning for more.  What is it that you are yearning for?  Perhaps you crave more success.  Maybe you desire more happiness, more money or more fulfillment on the job.  Whatever your more is, you will not find it living inside of your comfort zone.

The more that you seek is attainable.  But it requires that you get focused, take charge and then take action.  Begin by understanding what is holding you back.  Is it:

• The uncomfortable feeling that you get when you do the unfamiliar? Leaders embrace challenge knowing that their success will bring with it renewed confidence.
• The fear of making a mistake – or of failing altogether? Leaders are decisive and take action because they know that a well-reasoned decision today is better than the mere hope of the perfect decision days, weeks or months down the line.  Leaders understand that they cannot and will not be perfect.  And they permit themselves to fail once-in-a-while because they realize that mistakes breed increased opportunities for learning.
• The excuse that you don’t have the time to learn or take on something new? Leaders know that in order to succeed, they need to grow and improve daily.  While understanding that time is the great equalizer, leaders make self-improvement a priority.

Don’t sell yourself short.  Take on a new goal and impress yourself with your success.   Lead yourself out of your comfort zone and start living the life that you desire.