PEBBLE
Lead with strategy, and execute with passion!
-Abi Misra, written and shared by Abi in Mississauga, ON
BOULDER
The strategy required to find a great opportunity (lots of saying yes and exploring widely) is different from the strategy required to make the most of a great opportunity (lots of saying no and remaining focused).
~James Clear, shared by John in Memphis, TN
PONDER
A busy college student recently asked me to share my best time management tips. It only took me a couple of minutes to capture a description of the basic tools I use, but it was a little harder to summarize the many strategies and opportunities that have played an important role in helping me develop these tools.
Part of the process of learning how to artfully utilize calendars and to-do lists in my life is asking myself questions about what I most wanted to accomplish and what was most important to me in terms of how I lived my daily life. And then hundreds and probably even thousands of tiny and huge opportunities over the past few decades…trying things and learning things…failing and succeeding over and over again.
Developing (and occasionally refining/redefining) a clear sense of my values and goals allows me to effectively strategize how to move toward them. This clarity has helped me determine when to embrace opportunities that pop up, and which ones are better declined.
If you’ve lately been wanting to up your game in work, school, or life, begin by getting more curious about how strategies and opportunities might give you a boost. Do you need to set aside some time to ponder your values and goals a little more, or is it time to take more consistent action? Would saying YES a little more help you expand your options, or might saying NO a little more help you focus your time and energy? Maybe a little of both?
Peace,
Paul
