In an unstable economy, it is natural for people to be concerned with how much money they make and also their job security. What they may not realize is that both their personal profitability and their professional longevity depend in large part on their ability to focus.

In many of the discussions that I’ve had with my coaching clients throughout the year, one thing has remained constant. Those who focus on their Most Valuable Activities (MVAs) are the ones who are the most stable financially and professionally. Those who over-diversify themselves and do not minimize switchtasking are always playing a catch up game both with their time and with their finances.

Begin being more focused with your time by determining your Most Valuable Activities. Here are a few steps that should help you get on track with your activities and be more focused:

1. Make a list of all the different jobs you perform in an average work day. (Options may include sales, filing, managing employees, or filling out paperwork. Make sure you include work activities that may not be related to your primary job. (For instance, if you have a hobby profession or a side business, you must include those other activities.) After you’ve completed this list, take a look at how many different types activities you have. If you have more than five or six, that is a good sign that you are spreading yourself too thin.

2. Highlight or circle the two activities that are most valuable. By most valuable, I mean most difficult to replace; if you are not doing these activities, you would need to pay someone else too much money to do them in your stead. A synonym for “valuable” is usually irreplaceability. The more difficult it is to replace you in a particular work activity, the more profitable the activity is for you. Typically, these are areas in which you are gifted or highly experienced and highly trained.

3. Determine how much time you are spending in those Most Valuable Activities. Do this by writing down the number of hours you work in an average work week; include travel time to and from work, and time spent working at home. Add up the estimated number of hours that you spend in your Most Valuable Activities. Divide those hours by the number of hours you work, and you will have the percent of time spent in your Most Valuable Activities. (If your number is less than 60%, you may want to strongly consider a TimeGym Boot Camp.)

4. Finally, budget time in your calendar for your most profitable activities. Start by increasing the time you spend in those activities by 25%. Schedule that increase into your workweek and make a commitment to follow through on your improved schedule. Making yourself accountable to someone for this revised schedule will greatly improve your likelihood of success. ]]> http://www.marioflagmaker.com/focus-and-personal-profitability.html/feed 0 http://www.marioflagmaker.com/8-simple-ways-to-finding-your-grateful-heart.html http://www.marioflagmaker.com/8-simple-ways-to-finding-your-grateful-heart.html#comments Thu, 14 Jan 2010 20:50:05 +0000 salsabilahanun http://www.marioflagmaker.com/?p=9784 3. Find a quiet place to spend time with God. Again, be consistent – go to the same place every day. Some place where you can be alone. Examples: A living room chair, your kitchen table or your favorite room.) Read your Bible or daily affirmations/meditations. After/during your alone time with God make sure to note in your gratitude journal anything and everything that came to your heart.

Nothing is too small to be grateful for. We need to remember to be grateful for everything. Not just the big stuff or the stuff that we specifically asked for but everything.

4. Take “Spiritual Shower” as you take a natural one. Stay in an attitude of gratitude! Be grateful for the hot clean water etc. Think this way: you are cleaning yourself spiritually as well as physically. Confess and praise. Then once again – Write any thing that you are grateful for – during your shower time in your gratitude journal.

5. While Cleaning – Pray and bless everything in your home. Remember to focus on gratitude and love. (This can be difficult while cleaning) Focus on keeping a Spirit of working for the Lord. When you are done cleaning, quickly jot down the things that came into your heart that you are grateful for. Again, it doesn’t matter how small.

6. While Driving, walking, gardening (anytime you are outdoors) – Turn your eyes to nature. Look for the beauty. Some of God’s most beautiful art work is found in nature. Look with in others. Look for the good in everyone. Speak well about others. Praise and encourage one another always. Not just in your business with family and friends – everyone. Examples: The cashier at the store. The gas attendant etc…

7. Right before you dose off – read all the things you are grateful for. Add any that were left out. This fills your heart with “right thinking” and “right attitude” while you sleep and encourages good and peaceful dreams!

8. Prayer time then… sleep.

If we continue in this attitude of gratitude for 90 days, our hearts and attitudes will change and we will see and feel gratitude “automatically”. We will have successfully changed our mindset. Let’s give it a try and watch what happens in our lives and our business.

Kindness is contagious! Have you even been driving and when you come to a tool booth, the attendant has said, “You’re all set. The gentleman in the car before you paid the toll for you.”? Well, I have and it felt so good that I in turn, paid for the vehicle behind me! Who knows how long the attendee had been asked to pass the paid fee back to the next car coming or how long it continued forward!

Smiles are also something that are easily passed on to others. Try smiling at everyone you see on your next trip to the mall or grocery store. I am sure you will find that most people DO smile back. I bet you’ll even notice that many people needed your smile and that you have helped to brighten the day of many!