Today’s Pearl
In this message, Earl quotes from Dr. Ari Kiev, a clinical associate professor of psychiatry. “In my practice as a psychiatrist, I have found that helping people to develop personal goals has proven to be the most effective way to help them cope with problems.”
Dr. Kiev offers some specific steps from his book, A Strategy for Daily Living, on just how to go about setting goals.
- Take 30 minutes a day for the next 30 days to list all possible goals.
- After 30 days, select the one goal that seems most important.
- Carefully describe specifically what you want.
- Record your most important goal on an index card and carry it.
- Think about this goal throughout your day and picture its attainment.
The PM Takeaway
As property managers, we attempt to complete as much as possible. Our days are filled with the best intentions to focus on what’s important. But we often come to the end of it to find we never came through on what we set out to do when the day got started.
I’ve been guilty of that for years. I remember a day when it was all I could do to just keep up with the onslaught of emails and their implied priority.
We’re plagued with a non-stop barrage of tasks that must be managed. And for the most part, we do a pretty good job. But that’s 99% reactive.
Brendon Burchard once said, “Your inbox is nothing but a convenient organizing system for other people’s agendas.” Think about that for a moment.
I believe we’re all a little scared of missing the latest email from our client who needs something quickly. Tick tock. Maybe that’s why we’re constantly checking in.
Brendon also reminds us to “Set your agenda each day or the world will do it for you.”
That reminder helped me the most. As I’m getting ready in the morning, I list my top three priorities for the day on a notepad in my bathroom.
When I get to the office, I transfer it to my Day-Timer. I call it “Gip’s Big 3.” At the end of the day, I know my time has been well spent when I accomplish these three action priorities. And many times I do.
But just as many times I don’t.
Life shows up in so many ways from so many directions it becomes hard to maintain or regain focus.
So the key is to define your primary goal for the day. Of my Big 3 priorities, there has to be a #1—always. And whether it’s personal or professional, your number one goal is a must before you go home.
It’s the centerpiece of your game plan. It’s the one thing that, if all else fails, you will prevail to get this one handled.
5 Minutes to Win It
First, think about your ultimate outcome for tomorrow. Imagine at the day’s end, you’ve been able to either complete or make serious progress toward your primary goal for the day. Think about how that sense of accomplishment makes you feel.
Next, describe in one clear statement that outcome and the benefits you and/or others receive once it’s done. Write this primary goal in your planner or wherever you’ll see it throughout the day tomorrow. This is now your #1 priority.
Then, look at your calendar for tomorrow. Take notice of the space between meetings and commitments. Is it tight (e.g. back-to-back with no bio breaks) or reasonable (e.g. blocks of 30-90 minutes without a planned event)?
This will allow you to insert some reasonability into your day. If, for example, your #1 priority is to create a master business plan and you’ve only got a spare 30 minutes between meetings, you should break it down to perhaps creating an outline first.
That way, you’ve maximized your time and still made major progress toward your goal that you might not have done if you didn’t have it as your primary goal.
BONUS: To really get some power behind this effort, find an Accountability Partner (AP). Your partner should be like-minded and goal-oriented. Share your Big 3 goals for your day and highlight your #1 priority that you will carry out no matter what.
I’ve exchanged my daily goals with my AP for five years now. It’s been an amazing boost to our productivity that comes from sharing what we’ve achieved and are now setting our sights on. And it only takes 5 minutes.
Feedback
If you experienced something beneficial, however briefly it may have been, please let me know. I’d love for you to share your thoughts, suggestions and struggles with me. I read every email I receive.
And, if you liked that positive change in your state of mind, then you might be interested in seeing what immersion can do for you. Consider pre-registering for Change Course as your next training goal.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day. Thanks to Earl for inspiring me to pass this message onto you.
To your perpetual success,
P.S. What’s the one thing you need that you’re not getting in the self-management of your career as a property manager? Hit “reply” and share your thoughts right now. I read every email and will get back with you directly.
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Earl’s Pearls
Dubbed the Dean of Personal Development, Earl Nightingale recorded over 7,000 radio programs and 250 audio programs. I’ve listened to hundreds of his recorded Insight messages since the mid-80s.
I’ve gone through his most popular program Lead The Field a dozen times or more. And I’ve given away numerous copies to people I care about as the pearls of wisdom are timeless and priceless.
So I’ve decided to capture these pearls and translate them into every day ‘property manager speak’ so you can apply them in your life immediately. My reference book for this series is his written compendium of life lessons entitled The Essence of Success.
