I was walking out of a recent business
networking meeting last week, I looked outside and reflected
on the gorgeous morning.
Spring in Central Oregon was in full bloom.
More cars were driving on the road, the
deer had returned to the region, and the stores were brimming
with fresh daffodils (the only deer-proof flower in this
region!)
You could actually FEEL the rush of excitement
about the new season.
Yet sometimes, as I have learned, slowing
down is the best way to energize your business. In this
issue, marketing genius Ted Nicholas (tednicholas.com)
shares his proven formula for accomplishing great things...by
slowing down.
I have applied steps 1, 3, 4, and 6 from Ted's article.
His methods have worked wonders for me. Enjoy his words
of wisdom and send me your comments.
--Lisa Nirell http://www.energizegrowth.com
"Increase
Your Success Margin By How You Start Your Day"
- Ted Nicholas
(855 words, Read time:
7 minutes)
The way you start your morning is by far the most important
part of the day.
In my view, most
people start their day in a hurry. They are engaged in a
flurry of activity. The goal is to get more done. But just
the opposite occurs.
The result of the typical morning is lack
of focused energy. And enormous tension, stress and frustration.
This can take a severe toll on health, relationships, and
satisfaction with life.
The secret to achieving a completely opposite
and desirable result is this. Creating a period of morning
quiet time for yourself. And using it in a certain way.
Today I'll share my techniques. The result
on your effectiveness will astonish you. You will be more
creative and less stressed all day. Plus, you will become
far more productive and successful. Best of all, your level
of happiness and contentment with life will increase.
I know you are busy. So are most productive
people. Undoubtedly there are constant demands on your time
from your business, clients, employees, suppliers, as well
as from loved ones, including children. But a quiet time
period of 30 minutes to an hour in the morning is so important
it will change your life. It may seem at first as though
quiet time is wasted time.
But I promise you that your productivity
will vastly increase.
To free up the quiet time, you will have
to make some adjustments.
You may need to go to sleep one-half hour
to an hour earlier or watch an hour less T.V.
Many people, including friends and clients,
are amazed at my productivity level. They express astonishment
that I can get so much done and still seem calm and relaxed.
For example, every single day I write
several thousand words of copy. I also answer numerous e-mails,
consult with clients, prepare seminar material, interact
with numerous partners, look after a large investment portfolio.
And I still find time to play tennis and exercise.
(Frankly, I'm not particularly impressed
with my own daily accomplishments. I think everyone, including
myself, can be more productive by a factor of at least 10.
But by comparison with other successful people, there is
a huge difference between us. I must admit this significant
gap in output prompted me to scribble these words.)
My productivity level is largely a result
of my quiet time daily ritual.
** How do I spend my quiet time? **
This is my daily procedure:
1. I just cut off the phone and go to
a quiet spot.
2. I meditate for 20 minutes. The best
way I've found to learn meditation is either:
-- Take a course in Transcendental Meditation
taught in most cities of the world.
-- Get Herb Benson's classic book, The
Relaxation Response.
(You can order with this amazon
link)
Either way you learn, meditation is equally
effective. Plus, you'll be delighted with other benefits
such as the measurable physical differences resulting in
lower heart rate and lower blood pressure. There are other
psychological effects as well, including greater ability
to concentrate and focus. (Incidentally, for your information,
I wrote a book years ago on meditation myself entitled Anthrocentric
Meditation but it has long been out of print.)
3. I keep a journal (unedited - just for
my own use) in which I answer two questions every day.
A. What am I feeling?
B. What do I want? This helps me stay in touch with my emotional
side. (It is far too easy for me to separate myself from
my feelings and become completely disowned, which is an
all too common state-- especially for men--in which I spent
many years.)
Tip: Don't put any more than 7 items on
your "to do" list. It's unrealistic to list more
as you won't complete them anyway.
Tip: Make the toughest task on your list
your number one priority. And do it first. This is crucial
for you. Most people do the toughest thing last. This wastes
energy and time.
I find from experience that during the
quiet time the best ideas, answers, and solutions to challenges
arise from my subconscious as if by magic.
Of course, your list of tasks may be similar
to mine or completely different. But I assure you, the quiet
time result in your life will dramatically boost your success.
I'd be pleased to learn of your experience with quiet time
and what it has done for you.
Your correspondent,
Ted Nicholas
www.tednicholas.com
Learn
more about out clients at EnergizeGrowth.com
