When you look at your calendar, what is the first emotion that surges through your body?
Go ahead, take a minute and open your calendar. As you look at it what are you thinking? What are you feeling? Are you excited? Are you nervous? Are you thinking “how in the world am I going to get all this done?” What do you think and feel?
For most people it is probably something like frustration, overwhelm, panic attack or “not again!”
Your calendar is Powerful. If you’re like most of us, it truly does control your daily activities. You don’t go long without checking it, measuring your progress against it, trying to keep up with it and following it wherever it takes you. No wonder many people consider themselves to be a “slave” to it!
But what if you could convert that power and use it to propel you forward faster? How cool would that be?
What if your calendar created energy, provided you a boost, invigorated your soul and made you a better person? Is it possible?
I believe it is!
Look, we all get to DECIDE what we do with our calendars. We can either be passive and submissive or we can take control and be the one in charge. I’m not sure about you, but I have NEVER found enjoyment in being a “slave” to my calendar. But when I’m passive, that’s exactly what happens.
Here’s how it goes with most people – you only put things on your calendar when an event, meeting or activity is confirmed and urgent. Otherwise, your calendar is left empty. Is that true for you? Here’s a test for you. Flip your calendar open to September of this year. Compare your September calendar with your May calendar. Is your May calendar full and your September calendar empty? I’ll bet that’s exactly what you’re looking at.
So WHY? Why is your September calendar not full already?
Here’s my guess – because you’re using your calendar as a tool to record What You Need to Get Done!
Am I right? When you look at your calendar for the past month, is it full of activities that reflect you “getting work done”? Probably so.
But what if you approached your calendar in a more POWERFUL way? What if you used your calendar not to record What You Need to Get Done, but instead filled it with activities related to Who You Want to Become?
That’s right – a more powerful way to use your calendar is to use it primarily as a tool to help you Become the Person You Want to Become! So just how would you do that? Here are a few quick ideas:
- Block Time on your calendar EACH DAY for Exercise.
- Block Time on your calendar EACH WEEK for a Date with your Spouse.
- Block Time on your calendar EACH DAY for Reading something Inspirational or New Learning.
- Block Time on your calendar EACH WEEK to meet 1-2-1 with those who report directly to you – your key team members.
- Block Time on your calendar EACH MONTH to work on your Business Strategy.
- Block Time on your calendar EACH QUARTER to meet with your Board of Advisors.
- Block Time on your calendar EACH QUARTER to Celebrate your Wins.
- Block Time on your calendar TWICE A YEAR to give performance feedback to your team members.
- Block Time on your calendar TWICE A YEAR to update your budget, plan and forecast.
- Block Time on your calendar for your Family Vacations.
I could probably add another 5-10 things that I would suggest you put into your calendar BEFORE you start adding those things that relate to just “Getting Work Done”. The problem most people have is that the “Getting Work Done” items go in first and by the time they stop to think about it, there’s no room left for the stuff that matters most – the things that relate to You Becoming the Person You Want to Become!
Don’t fall for this trap. Don’t be passive. Your calendar is a POWERFUL tool but like anything powerful, it can be used against you if you don’t control it.
Take time RIGHT NOW to fill in your calendar for the rest of the year. Do it TODAY – before the months of August, September, October, November and December get filled with “get stuff done” items. Block time to do the things that will make you a better leader, a better spouse, a better parent, a healthier person.
Once you get in the habit of doing this, you’ll never go back to being a slave to your calendar. Those around you will notice and they will LIKE it! And, best of all, YOU’LL like it – and like who you are more – as you begin to transform into the Person You Always Wanted to Be – right in front of your own eyes!
Good Luck with this!
Ride Hard!
