Are you a Good Kisser?

Are you a Good Kisser?Have you ever felt like you are running yourself ragged?  I learned a very important lesson this year.  I was spread too thin! I had taken on so many projects and commitments that I never felt relaxed or truly productive.  I was jumping from one thing to the next and  when I wasn't actually working on something, my mind was taking constant inventory of all the upcoming tasks I needed to do.  What I came to realize was all this busyness was interfering with my most important priorities.  The question became, what to do about it?

I was reminded of the KISS principle I learned from my father-in-law.  For those of you who don't already know, KISS in this case stands for Keep It Simple Stupid.  Life can getting pretty complex when you are running a business and have any kind of life, especially if that life includes those gorgeous, demanding little creatures we call children.  We have about a million tasks and roles to manage from keeping up with business emails to coaching soccer to buying the one hundred or so end-of-year teacher gifts.  Then, of course, there is working out, planning meals, your book club, your kid's book club, designing a new logo, reading that new Facebook marketing book…  The list could be endless.  However, if you do not get control you will probably continue to feel tired, distracted and discontent.  Here are a few tips to help you be a better kisser:

1.  Get very clear about your priorities and I don't mean your top 10 priorities, I mean like your top 3-5.  Anything that is not directly associated with your top five should be cut out or severly diminished.

2.  End the love affair with multitasking.  There have been several studies out recently that prove multitasking is actually less efficient than single focused effort.  This is especially hard for women.

3.  Get comfortable saying "no."  Again, sorry fellas, women are very inclined to want to be helpful or at least be seen as being helpful.  It can be very difficult at first to turn down a request for help, but the more you do, the easier it gets. 

4.  Take the word "should" out of your decision making process when choosing what stays and what goes in your life.  You think you "should" go to ladies night out so you won't seem unfriendly.  If your main priority is your health and you need to get up at 5am to go to the gym in the morning, going to ladies night is not the best choice.

5. Learn to delegate what you do not need to do.  There are lots of things we do that do not actually need our hands on attention.  Make a list of what you can give to someone else to do.  For example, do you really need to be the one who attends every meeting or can someone else go and fill you in later.  Do you always have to be the one to pack the school lunches, or can you take turns with your spouse?

One last thing, pay attention to the way you feel.  How does it make you feel to be involved with what you are doing?  Do you feel happy about your job, your volunteer work, you family responsibilities, or do you have a feeling of reluctance, dread, or low energy?  Personally, I have followed all of these tips in the past several months and things have changed a lot for me.  I can honestly say I am now a better kisser!

Healthy Body, Healthy Brand

Healthy Body, Healthy BrandThe other day I sat down to do some work.  I had actually scheduled this time a week earlier and reserved a private room at the library so I wouldn't be disturbed.  I had assessed my priorities days before and already knew exactly on what I was going to work.  I was really excited and proud to have planned, prepared and followed through with my goal.  However, about twenty minutes after I started to work, I completely lost steam.  I lost my energy and concentration and the ideas and words just stopped flowing.  I was so frustrated I finally packed it in and left.

The problem was I was TIRED and HUNGRY. Time is such a precious resource when you are an entrepreneur with a family  and to have wasted this opportunity was infuriating.   We had had a very busy weekend with lots of commitments and in the mix of things, I had failed to take care of my number one business asset, my body.  Without the proper sleep and nutrition I could not do my job.  

Fortunately for me, this was an isolated incident.  I know how important a healthy body is so I make it a priority to take care of myself.  As an entrepreneur YOU are the business, YOU are your brand.  If you are not in tip top condition your business suffers.  You do not have the energy to go that extra mile, your creativity suffers, your looks suffer and your mood plummets.  Not exactly a formula for success. 

Between the myriad tasks of running a business and the unending demands of family life it can be easy to put your needs last.  This is a huge mistake.  If your well is empty you have nothing to give.  You must make your health your number one priority.  However, it is not enough to just say your health is your priority, you must also take ACTION.  Here a few tips:

1.  PLAN and SCHEDULE your workouts for the weekon the weekend.  Be as specific as possible.  What time will you workout?  How long will  you workout?  What exercises will you do?  Cardio, how long?  Weights, how many reps?  The more specific you can be in planning, the easier it will be to follow-through.

2. PLAN what you will eat.  If you know what you are going to eat ahead of time it takes the stress out of making healthy choices, plus it forces you to actually buy the things you want so they are there when you are hungry.

3.  PLAN to get enough rest and go to bed around the same time each night.  Set your watch or phone alarm or set a reminder on your computer if you work at night to a time 1/2 hour before your bedtime to promt you to start winding down.

4.  PLAN and SCHEDULE some down time for your brain every day.  As entrepreneurs we are constantly thinking of the next thing that needs to get done or the trying to come up with the next great idea.  If you do not give your brain a chance to relax and recharge you will actually be less productive and creative.  Read a non-business book, meditate, people watch, even stare off into space. Just stop thinking.

I'm sure you notice a pattern here.  Good health does not happen as an after thought.  You must plan and prepare for it, commit to it and take action. If that seems hard for you, think of it as a business investment because it will truly pay off.