People Matter ∴ Do Good

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Author: andrewnicol.net

Stress Free Weekend

I started the week feeling completely overwhelmed!

27 September 2024 /

On Monday, I started the week feeling completely overwhelmed!

And it was all my own doing 🤦🏻‍♂️

Which somewhat ironic, because I literally teach people the CODE to reduce stress and improve their productivity. But being the human I am I completely ignored my own rules, processes and hacks and fell into bad habits.

I had skipped a weekly review two weeks ago, then missed the next one and started this week feeling behind, lacking clarity and overwhelmed. And that was after an awesome weekend away with friends!

It’s now 4:15 on a Friday and I’m clear of the clutter, significantly more relaxed and ready for the weekend AND next week.

How?

Here’s 5 things I did…

  • I recognised the problem | Once I acknowledge the problem I realised I needed to make space to get back on top of it all.
  • I did my Weekly Preview | Normally I do this on a Friday, but as I missed it I did it first thing on Monday. A weekly preview is looking ahead at the week and know what is important (not urgent) and understanding where I will fit it all in. This week my preview included a commitment to do a weekly review. I also decided to train to Auckland instead of drive to get productive time back.
  • I did a full weekly review | I fully cleared the deck, inbox zero, capture locations sorted, tasks captured, and then did my weekly preview for next week, so I know my plan.
  • I updated my projects | Often when we are flying by the seat of the pants, we are tasking rather than batching work to do with projects. I got clarity on what’s next in the right places.
  • I directed work to others | Because I had done the above, I knew what I needed to do and what needed to be directed others. And then I handed off a bunch of work that will now happen without me.

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One of the biggest challenges I see in people when they get overwhelmed, is they don’t make the space to self-correct and to do that quickly. If you are ending the week overwhelmed, maybe you need to cancel some meetings and make space to breath.

Is it time to explore new ways to perceive energy, moving beyond the 'leaky bucket' metaphor?

Energy Redefined: Beyond the Leaky Bucket

17 January 2024 /

As the new year unfolds, it’s an opportune time to reflect on how we perceive energy. Often, we liken our energy to a leaky bucket, something that depletes and needs constant refilling. But this perspective might be limiting us.

What if we reimagined energy through different metaphors?

For me, I relate to energy like the wind or a breeze. The wind is always there – sometimes subtle, other times forceful. Understanding the direction of life’s winds is crucial. For instance, my aging father is nearing the end of his life, a situation requiring me to travel weekly in an already busy schedule. I could resist it, fight against it and feel drained by it or I accept it, recognizing that this is where the wind is currently taking me and look for ways for it to energise me.

Of course plenty of potential metaphors for personal energy.

Imagine energy as wind, guiding us like a sailboat on its course.

Or as ocean waves, where we learn to ride the highs and lows.

Perhaps, think of it as a flowing river, carrying us effortlessly forward.

These metaphors aren’t just poetic; they offer new ways to understand and harness our energy.

∴

When we think about energy incorrectly we run the risk of viewing things as de-energising when in fact they are just this season of life.

By exploring these varied metaphors, we open ourselves to more fluid, dynamic ways of managing and experiencing our energy, transforming not just how we feel, but how we engage with life itself.

So what is your metaphor for personal energy?

A word for the year? Choosing one keystone word can inspire and shape a transformative year of growth.

The Keystone Word: Shaping Your Year Ahead

10 January 2024 /

Have you ever tried to encapsulate an entire year into just one word?

It sounds daunting, right?

For years, I’ve been summing up my years with a single, defining word. But the real game-changer was when a friend suggested selecting a word for the year ahead, and I’ve found it incredibly empowering.

I’ve found it incredibly helpful as the year progresses to keep me focused on what is really important to the holistic me. The word is less about work goals and more about how I want  grow and lead and be.

As we dive into the new year, what’s one word you’d want to define it?

Imagine a word that truly defines your dreams for the year. Like a beacon for your year, this word could capture your aspirations, objectives, and those areas ripe for growth.

∴

For me, “Ascend” is the word of the year. The goal is to sharpen my focus as I lead my team toward our goals, improves some of my habits, and inspires my personal quests, including climbing actual mountains.

So, what’s your word?

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