Monthly Archives: January 2013

#161 – This message is Important but not Urgent

One of my esteemed readers who responded to last week’s Minute on patience reminded me about Stephen R. Covey’s Time Management Matrix, outlined in his best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Covey was one of the pioneers in the leadership development field, and contributed greatly to our understanding of how we can improve our personal effectiveness. His premise is that personal effectiveness is the essential foundation for good leadership.

Food for Thought ~

Covey identified the two factors that define how we choose to spend our time ~ urgency and importance. The most effective people spend their time on activities that are important but not urgent. Some examples include: identifying opportunities, relationship building, capacity development, prevention, and planning. Recreation is also included in this category because it’s important to “re-create” yourself, whether it’s with a mid-day walk, a weekend without your smart phone, or spending quality time with loved ones.

Question for the day ~

What percentage of your time do you spend on activities that are important but not urgent?

In Closing ~

“Leadership is different from management; it’s more of an art, based on a philosophy. You have to ask the ultimate questions of life when you’re dealing with personal leadership issues.” Stephen R. Covey

With kind regards,

Mary

#160 – Something most of us need

Leadership, like life itself, is full of dichotomies. Opposites can both be true. In this instance, I am considering the case for patience in a fast-paced world where change is necessary and technology has contributed mightily to our constant sense of urgency. I see leaders faced with an ever moving landscape of circumstances and issues, necessitating a continuous reassessment of priorities. This predicament has prompted my call for patience.

Food for Thought ~

As a point of reference, here is the third definition of the word patience as cited in my Oxford Dictionary: “patience: the capacity for calm self-possessed waiting”
I love the mental image that definition conjures up! Even though the pressure of events and circumstances often conspires to induce reactive behaviors, there are many situations and i
ssues that must not be sacrificed to the tyranny of a rush to judgment. The wise leader is one who can make the distinction between what is truly urgent and what is not, and has the fortitude to invoke patience when it’s needed, both in themselves and others. For example, there are times when more information is needed; the path forward is unclear; factors must be allowed to season or evolve; or people need time to make a mental/emotional transition. The willingness and capacity to wait – patiently, in a calm and self-possessed manner – is one of the hallmarks of a mature leader.

Question for the day ~

What is your capacity for patience? What current issues or situations in your life, or your organization, call for patience?

In Closing ~

“Our patience will achieve more than our force.” Edmund Burke

With kind regards,

Mary

#159 – Inspiring Dedications for 2013

Last week I introduced a new idea that came to me when I was thinking about the usual annual cycle of setting goals and making resolutions. I called it a Dedication. It has a somewhat different purpose and approach that could work well for many people. It’s created by asking: What one thing is particularly meaningful to you at this time? Your answer becomes the essence of your Dedication. This clarity then serves as a powerful honing device to guide your thoughts and behaviors throughout the year. One reader wrote: “I love this concept! It’s focusing and centering without getting complicated.”

Food for Thought ~

Readers were invited to share their Dedications, and the response was warm and wonderful. I hope you enjoy reading these Dedications made for 2013.

  • Keep my passions alive by dedicating time to them
  • Finish an important task (writing a book)
  • Joy
  • Delegation
  • Team-Building
  • Inspiration/Creativity – being called to a purposeful life
  • Proactively nurture my friendships
  • My creativity
  • Connection to the Earth
  • Slowing down, noticing the moment
  • Empathy
  • Positivity
  • Question for the day ~

    If you haven’t yet created your own Dedication, here’s a second opportunity: What do you choose to dedicate yourself to this year?

    In Closing ~

    Thank you very much to my readers who sent their Dedications! Sharing our Dedications inspires all of us. With the simple act of reading them we acknowledge and support one another’s commitments and intentions.

    Mary

    #158 – Dedication for 2013

    Now that we have “welcomed the new year, full of things that have never been,” as inspired by Rainer Marie Rilke, let’s expand our vision of the potential offered by a new year. Typically we think of setting goals and making resolutions. Here’s a different approach you might enjoy.

    Food for Thought ~

    How about an annual Dedication? Of course, the essential first step is reflection and self-awareness, identifying something that’s very important to you. What one thing is particularly meaningful to you at this time? It will most often be something intangible, such as a quality, attribute, mindset, or attitude. It will likely be something that inspires you to be your best self, something that “pulls” you toward it like a magnet. Once you have identified the one thing that calls to you most strongly right now, then make a conscious declaration and dedicate yourself to it for the coming year. Some examples include: listening, kindness, creativity, honesty, empathy, simplicity, etc. Here are some additional examples in the organizational leadership context: delegation, clarity, team building, communication, excellence, etc. The possibilities are abundant! I like this approach because it generally benefits others as well as ourselves. An annual Dedication is a deceptively simple, yet powerful honing device that helps us focus on what matters most.

    Question for the day ~

    What do you choose to dedicate yourself to this year?

    In Closing ~

    If you are so inclined and wish to send me your Dedications for 2013, I will compile a list for my next blog or newsletter – anonymous, of course! I think it might be very inspiring for all of us to share (I repeat, anonymously) our dedications.

    Mary

    #157 – New Year Reflections

    What an auspicious day to begin another year of Tuesday Minutes! This marks the start of my fourth year of writing and producing these mini missives. Since so many of you keep telling me you read and value them, I will keep writing them – every Tuesday – rain or shine, sleet or snow, holiday or no! Here’s my traditional favorite New Year’s quotation, from the German author and poet, Rainer Marie Rilke, who said:
    “Now let us welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”

    Food for Thought ~

    What a wonderful way to think of the coming year – full of new experiences, ideas, activities and insights. I invite you to take a moment right now to reflect on what you want your year to be. (If you don’t do it right now, schedule a specific time in your calendar.) Taking time for reflection is one of the most important things a leader can do maximize effectiveness and personal work/life satisfaction. Ironically, it also happens to be one of the most neglected, probably because it’s not a matter of urgency. Remember, what’s urgent may not be important, and what’s important may not be urgent. A fine, simple, yet profound resolution for the coming year would be to “pay attention to what’s truly important.”

    Question for the day ~

    In the coming year, what goals and aspirations do you have for yourself as a leader, for your organization? What’s important to you?

    In Closing ~

    Your feedback is genuinely valued. Knowing that you are reading these Minutes means a lot to me, and inspires me to keep writing. So please let me know when you especially enjoy or find something particularly meaningful. I may not be able to answer every message, but I absolutely do read, appreciate, and gain insight from them, so thank you!

    With my very best wishes for the coming year,

    Mary