Posts Tagged self improvement tips

Do Your Actions Support Your Intentions?

Posted by Scott Cofer in Goal Achievement, Personal Development on March 8, 2010

While discussing the topic of time management and goal achievement with a close friend of mine recently, he asked me a question that got me quite frustrated :

“Do your actions support your intentions?”

The reason this question frustrated me so much was that I had never asked it of myself before.  It seems so obvious, doesn’t it?

So, I decided to review my ‘to do’ lists in my day planner from the previous month and determine for myself if, in fact, my actions were supporting my intentions.  I was shocked at what I found.

Like many people, I am very adept at setting well-defined and meaningful goals.  And I do a fairly good job of breaking those goals down to smaller pieces that I can schedule into my planner.

However …

The constant distractions of the digital age we are in frequently knock me off course throughout the day.  Therefore, many of my actions each day were not directly supporting my intentions (goals).

It was time for a quick adjustment, and it has made a tremendous difference in my output, accomplishments – and sanity. :-)

I now have my 3 main goals for 2010 placed at the top of each day’s to-do list, and I make sure that I schedule and complete at least one action each day that directly applies to the accomplishment of each goal.  Time permitting, I move on to other ‘I’d like to get to these’ tasks.

It is working well for me .. try it out and let me know if this strategy helps your goal achievement!

To Success,
- Scott

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Self Improvement Plan – Week 3

Posted by Scott Cofer in Personal Development, Productivity on March 3, 2010

Here we are at week 3 already of our 13-week self improvement plan.  How is your progress going?  I think Mr. Franklin would be proud of us. :-)

I noticed a big difference after our week 1 focus on temperance.  I’ve already lost a few pounds and feel much better and more energetic.  And week 2 led to a more positive mind-state and better relationships with my family and business associates.

I guess this plan works!

So moving along, our topic for week 3 is:  Order

Ben Franklin defined order as, “Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.”

This is a HUGE one for me!

I must admit to be being a bit compulsive when it comes to tidiness … much to my family’s chagrin.  However, I believe strongly that when things are put back where they belong it leads to much more ‘order’ and far less chaos – which of course leads to a greater sense of peace.  There’s nothing worse than living in an environment that is filled with clutter and disarray, which inevitably leads to the mounting stress caused by looking for things that you need 5 minutes (or less) before you actually need them!

The second portion of Franklin’s definition of order – in my view – falls into the category of time management, which is one of the core self improvement principles I cover here on this blog.  (if you haven’t already, take a few moments to read my time management post)

For me, time management is really the starting point for personal development and productivity, so I’m glad it is part of our ongoing plan here at week 3.

So then, we have our weekly focus – order.  Let’s get organized and productive this week!

To Success,
- Scott

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Self Improvement Plan – Week 2

Posted by Scott Cofer in Improve Your Wellness, Personal Development on February 23, 2010

In keeping with the schedule I laid out in my last post, we will now move on to week two of our 13-week self improvement plan.

But first, how did week one go for you? I did fairly well, although I was on vacation with the family so I must admit to indulging once or twice. :-)

So moving on, our focus in Week 2 is:  Silence

Ben Franklin defined silence as, “Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself and avoid trifling conversation.”

This is such an important concept.  I am a firm believer in constant positive reinforcement through the words we say to ourselves.  We have TOTAL control over this, and our “self-talk” has the ability to empower and invigorate us.  Unfortunately, it also has the power to tear us down from within and destroy our enjoyment of life and our ability to reach our full potential.

Words are extremely powerful — make a conscious effort to choose them wisely!

And just as words have the ability to uplift our destroy our own lives, they also have the ability to do the same to others.  Think about it – how many people do you know that are living lives of internal and external turmoil because of the negative words spoken to them throughout their lives?  Worse yet, these negative comments in many cases were uttered years ago, but still have power over the recipient today … heart breaking.

So be a blessing to others, and only speak words of love and encouragement … you’ll make the world a better place and you’ll feel better by doing so.

And avoid “trifling conversation” and gossip.  It is pointless and ultimately tears you down as well – in mind and in stature.

Onward we go – have a great week!
- Scott

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