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07718 326 765 deborah@deborahlabbate.com

Tag Archive for: Decisions

Are you paying attention?

Are you paying attention?

ARE YOU PAYING ATTENTION? 

Well, something came to mind today and do you know what?

It was exactly what I needed to hear.

But hang on a minute I’ve heard this before, haven’t I?

Thinking about it I’ve read about it too. And didn’t I …?

How many times does this happen?

You must have experienced it too?

The feather, the brick and the truck is what I’m writing about.

31438847 - listen closely words on a ripped newspaper headline and other news alerts like take notice, vital info, importance of being a good listener and pay attention

 

This is something I share with clients and they usually say “Ahh, I get it now!”

If you’ve not come across the concept of ‘The Feather, the Brick and the Truck’ before let me explain.

 

 

The universe has a way of constantly sending us messages in one guise or another to help us on our journey through life and to help make life easier (well, easier … ish).

The thing is sometimes we notice and acknowledge these messages straight away, other times they have to give us a nudge and sometimes a real loud Hello! type of wake up call.

Let me explain a little further …

The feather is the first message we get.  It’s like a bit like a gentle reminder.  A nudge, if you like.  Or a push in a particular direction.

It could be someone mentions something to you and then another person tells you about the same thing and then another or you notice something else related.

You think you should pay attention, but you don’t actually do anything about it.

It could be anything that keeps attracting your attention.  You get the idea?

This message comes to you as the feather.

So what sometimes happens when we don’t ‘listen’ to that feather?

We get the brick.

As you might imagine not quite so gentle as the feather.

An example of the brick might be significant changes in your business, your job, a relationship or your health.

You ignored the ‘feather’ type message and now you’re getting the ‘brick’ messages . . . are you getting this gist of all this?

Sound familiar?

listen-ignore

Now, if you’re still not paying attention to the brick then that’s when you get the truck.

The ‘truck’ is the massive shift to your life – perhaps something really significant.

Loss of a major client or even your business, loss a job, a relationship, loss of a loved one … and all of a sudden you find yourself forced to make massive changes and take big decisions.

 

So the moral of the story is to listen to the messages you get from the universe.

Especially listen to the feathers then you won’t get hit by the brick or, more importantly, the truck!

 

If you’ve listened to your feather, brick or even your truck and need to make some changes or take a big decision you may want some help.

Over the years I’ve had to make some significant decisions of my own including the ones that led to successfully exiting from two business and finding a way forward after a major fire.

I’ve worked with a broad range of clients who have had to make changes and take some big decisions too and I know it can sometimes feel ‘lonely at the top’ when you’re in that position.

Seeking out an impartial sounding board, a confident if you like, or critical friend could be what you need.

It could be just the thing to help you go further, faster in 2017.

 

If you think I can help get in touch for a no obligation chat.

It’s time to talk 

Best wishes

Deborah 

 

Time Audit

Time Audit

Star Timer

Time is often equated with money, and just as we often find ourselves short of cash, we also find ourselves with short of time.

To understand where your time goes, it is important to assess how you actually spend it.

This is where a ‘time audit’ can prove to be invaluable.

A time audit can help you carefully track your time over the course of a week.

This detailed picture of what you’re doing each day can help you determine if you’re spending your time on the tasks and activities you want and need to be doing.

This exercise will give you an indication of where time may be being wasted without you even realising it.

A simple exercise that packs a powerful punch!

It will help you identify

  • patterns in your behaviour
  • distractions
  • interruptions

Contact me for your Time Audit Tracking Chart

Below highlights 4 areas where I frequently see time wasted.

Look at the list and identify areas where you feel you waste most time.

1. Your Inner self

  • Fear of Failure
  • Low self esteem
  • Fear of making the wrong decision
  • Lack of urgency
  • Unable to say No

2. Lack of planning

  • Lack of written goals
  • Quick decisions
  • Taking on too much / making time estimates unrealistically low
  • Failure to break priorities into manageable parts
  • Lack of plan / priorities

3. Lack of self-management 

  • Biting off more than you can chew
  • Lack of delegation (wanting to do everything yourself)
  • Perfectionism
  • Haste or impatience
  • Failure to listen or take notes

4. Lack of control over the work environment

  • Telephone interruptions
  • Drop-in visitors
  • Too much paperwork
  • Too many meetings
  • Confused responsibility and authority

No an exhaustive list, but some very common points.

Think about your own situation and environment.

What are the causes behind wasting time you can see?

I share some more thoughts on Time and 10 tips which you may find useful in my book ‘The One Big Mistake People Unwittingly Make When It Comes To Time Management and HOW To Avoid It’.  You can access your free copy here  by completing the sign up box at the top of my home page or send me a request and I will email you a copy or you can also view here 

 

If you would like a copy of my Time Audit Tracking Chart contact me and I will send you a copy with my compliments.

 

WANT TO KNOW HOW THIS LITTLE GADGET CAN HELP YOU GET MORE DONE AND KEEP ON TRACK?

Just ask! or You can read more here 

Star Timer

 

 

1:1 Time Audit sessions available ~ more details here 

In-house Time Audit and Time Management programmes, training and workshops also available.

Contact me to discuss your individual requirements