Now it’s time to put The Tigger Trigger into action.
Guys and gals- we’re gonna have a contest and see whose gonna do this one better.
- I have a feeling all you gals have the advantage here as us guys have a tendency to pooh-pooh (no pun intended) strategies like this and gloss right over them, thereby depriving ourselves of the growth that they could have triggered for us.
So we’ll all rock n roll with the Action Plan today and see who does it better.
And remember, everyone, the whole point of our 10-Day Turnaround is we are conducting “Experiments” - we are trying new strategies, implementing new ideas, adopting new mindsets - there is no “right” or “wrong” and there is no one way to do any of this stuff.
The one thing we do know for sure is that if we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’re gonna keep getting what we’ve already got. So if we want different results, we have to try some new things -
“There is no one right answer. But there is an answer that is right for YOU.”
And that’s what our 10 days of Experiments are designed to do - give you the opportunity to test out new ideas and strategies in a supportive, risk-free environment so you can finally discover what works for YOU and what doesn’t. Which will be very different from what works for me- or any of your fellow members of The 10-Day Turnaround.
But the only way to REALLY know that for SURE is to implement each idea FULLY.
Otherwise, you might be missing out on its power and never even know it, never having done it fully, or having only done it half-heartedly, which usually gets us about 1% of the results a strategy is otherwise capable of generating for us.
Your Lifestyle Creation Experiment (LCE) for today is to give yourself permission to be a kid for a day (or even for an hour). Do something totally “kid-like” and take note of what it does for your mindset afterward, how it stimulates your creativity and how it affects your energy level and ability to focus next time you go back to business stuff.
So what are you gonna do for your LCE? You could…
- Go play on a playground,
- Swing on a swing,
- Do Tigger hops (literally),
- Roll in the mud,
- Play kickball,
- Ride a bike,
- Make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and cut it into cool shapes before you eat it…
- Build a fort and sleep in it - with your kids- or your spouse
- Have a water fight (or a food fight)
- Chew gum and blow bubbles
- Or whatever else you come up with.
The point is: HAVE FUN!
- We are often so caught up in our serious business stuff that we forget what it’s really all about- LIVING - and life is about having fun - putting more living in our life - so that’s what we are giving ourselves permission to do today.
And if you’re really a serious curmudgeon- hey, you can go back to being grumpy TOMORROW… after you have experienced having some fun today.
Your Business Creation Experiment for today is… to not do any business today. Give yourself permission to take one day off and truly LIVE, truly enjoy yourself, do something that is deeply satisfying or inherently fun today - and watch your energy, your focus, and your productivity SOAR tomorrow.
This is Part Two of that Paradox Of Pleasure I mentioned earlier today. Paradoxically, when we take some time off and recharge our batteries, we are more productive, more focused and get more done when we come back to our businesss than if we just work, work, work every day.
Two analogies to crystallize this point:
- 1. If you were a runner and you went at an all-out 100% sprint non-stop, how far do you think you’d go at 100% before your performance started dropping off big time? How far before you’d keel over exhausted?
The same is true in business.
Yes, there are times when we need to sprint. But we can’t - and don’t need to- sprint all the time. If you’ve been sprinting too long, the most productive thing you can do is take a break, have some fun, and come back refreshed.
It’s the difference between sprinting constantly - which makes you so worn out you are really going at about 10% of your maximum speed even though it feels exhausting… vs. sprint/rest/sprint/rest/sprint/rest - so each of your sprints is truly at 100%.
- 2. We run on human batteries just like your cell phone runs on its battery. If you talked on your cell phone non-stop and never recharged its battery, how long would it last before it quit working? How long will it last - and how much more productive of a tool will it be- if you regularly recharge its battery?
So…
Remember The Tigger Trigger…
Have some fun… stop the sprinting for a day… recharge your batteries… and trigger new business growth by doing so.
- Share what activity you choose for YOUR Lifestyle Creation Experiment for The Tigger Trigger by posting a comment below.
(And tomorrow, we’ll be back at it with another Insight laser-focused on money and your ability to earn more of it so enjoy your rest today as we’ll back in business mode tomorrow)
September 28th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Thanks for the day off, Jeff
” One of the Most Obvious Facts About Grownups,
to a Child, is That They Have Forgotten
What it is Like to Be a Child…”
Free Quote a Day
http://www.gainuniquewisdom.com
September 28th, 2008 at 8:30 am
My Grandchildren will be on holiday for 2 weeks starting tomorrow. They have been asking me to do things with them, so this is my chance to spend some silly time with them and just stop working for a day.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
This couldn’t have happened on a better day. Today is my 39th birthday. I will go to church, with my family, come home and eat lunch, party, open presents, and watch football.
My four year old son is more excited about my birthday than I am. Children are so fun and very easy to please. They just want someone to play with and have fun all day. They don’t think about money or how you obtain money. They like toys but when it comes right down to it, they are satisfied playing with mom and dad or other kids.
I don’t think I’ll be getting much done today.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:31 am
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. No progress.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:13 am
I work a full day at my place of work and then come home and try to learn how to start my business and to learn all that I need to make it pay.
You are right, I know this is what I need to do, but this is the bit I am going to find most difficult.
You see I don’t or can’t stop. Even when I go to bed, my mind is whirring, about my job and what I need to do for the next day, and my business, and what I need to learn.
My brain does not want to switch off, or change direction.
Even on my days off, it keeps reminding me of some future event that I need to plan for.
I will not physically have an oportunity to have the day off until next wekend.
I do though, jump into puddles, and throw snowballs, and swing on the swing in the park when I get the opportunity. and it does make you feel great, full of energy.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
It looks like a day for recharging the batteries is in store and overdue.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
It’s good to take some time and fully recognize what life is all about and enjoy time. That’s why we work - so we can enjoy free time. It is a way of rejuvenating the mind so that everything flows more smoothly. The only problem is that we very often don’t take time or effort for true living and enjoying life.
Thanks for your insight.
JoAnn
September 28th, 2008 at 4:23 pm
I’m going to blow bubbles (not gum - the soap kind) and get on the floor with my 9 month old grandson.
How refreshing to have a day off. That’s why I wanted to start a home based business in the first place - for MORE free time, not less!
September 28th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
The whole purpose, for me, of starting my own business and making it successful is so I can control my own time. I want the time to do the things I enjoy doing, and that, for the most part, is not working. Unless of course the work I’m doing has a good solid element of fun in it. I love to travel, hunt, fish, go to pro sports events and concerts etc.. All of which do cost money in one way or the other. So I work to make money to pay for the things I like to do but right now don’t have the time to do….. I’ll get there.
September 28th, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I chose to visit that National Park I have been planning to visit almost two years now.
This has been a good idea. Thanks, Jeff.
September 28th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
I admit that today was unfortunately a day where I was unable to unplug and experience the beauty of life as a child would stare in wonderment at a Christmas Tree. However, I totally get the point. Saturday was my birthday and I opted to take a breather. While I did not do anything special, I did make a concerted effort to put work on the back burner. For the most part I was successful. I can absolutely relate to Jacqui’s comment above. 99% of the time, my mind refuses to shut down. Even lying in bed at night, it is constantly reminding me of action items that need to be cared for. It is very clear to me, especially after today’s insights, that in order to be perform at my peak, I must force myself to take time for me to stop and smell the roses. Thank you Jeff, once again, for a solid gold nugget.
September 28th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
I really need to do this exercise.I am an artist and I haven’t painted for three weeks while every spare moment I’m on the computer. Today I am going to paint!!
My husband has a small staff and the moral is always high. They love coming to work. Every day he shares a couple of jokes by email with them. Some serious business friends pooh pooh:) the idea , saying it’s unproductive. I say keep the jokes coming, and Jeff, you’ve just confirmed why.
Thank You,
September 28th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
Hi! It’s too late to ‘take a day off’ today, ie Sunday, as I’ve not read your email/action plan before left home at 7.45 Sunday morning. However I still had fun learning at the Product Academy Meeting I’ve attended with friends. Other enjoyments are visiting gardens, stately homes, churches, etc. Also like to play cards and scrabble with my Sister who is nearly 10 yrs younger. Like to keep the ‘little grey cells’ exercised! Thanks for reminding us to play.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Today I took time out to watch a lot of old videos that I haven\’t had time to
view. It really feels good not to be thinking of work.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Happy Birthday james!
September 29th, 2008 at 1:44 am
Hi Jeff,
It’s a little bit of a short notice to take one day off, but I’ll do my best.
Lars
September 29th, 2008 at 8:33 am
Did not get to this till Monday am but did plan a day to go to the zoo on Sunday… could not do it on Sunday as I spent 2 hours with my college kid planning his future so he is focused… not an easy task as his goal is to become a pro golfer… gave him inspirational words and an out of the box action plan…. what fun to help such a young brain and watch the wheels turn!
Sunita
September 29th, 2008 at 11:06 am
Jeff,
You seem to be writing to me and I’m doing what you say, before I get your message.
Yesterday was day 6 and I didn’t turn my computer on - I took a day off. I went out blackberrying, getting purple fingers and scratched arms, just like I used to as a kid. Most of the bushes were on the edge of steep slopes, one false move and you’d be up to the neck in brambles. Funny really, if I’d gone further along the walk or to our usual place, I could have picked them in comfort. I just enjoyed being reminded of how it felt when I was a child.
Perhaps I don’t need the emails etc., perhaps you could just send me messages through the mind.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I act like a kid every day with my own kids. They love it! I have been meaning to visit my old neighborhood and really take a trip down memory lane, and share them with my children. Maybe I’ll make time and go tomorrow.
September 29th, 2008 at 11:22 am
I watch children play very often. I mostly watch the younger kids that have not hit school age. Sometimes I join in their fun but for the most part I observe them with great pleasure. On many of my calls and in my coaching I talk about and share all you can learn from children. Doing this regularly comes easy to me as I see the world through the eyes of a child. Life is amazing and very fun.
September 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
I played softball. Boy am I soar today, but we had a great time. I am very self concious about be “good”, but I let my guard down and had a log of fun. I also went to the park and actually helped my son learn to swing by himself. Then later I watched as a little 6 year old boy taught my 4 year old to ride a bike without training wheels. It was great.
September 29th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Practically was not suppose to have a day off, but to follow the insight and feel how it works took some time off and I went to the park started just walking about aimlessly focusing on what I can do to behave like a kid, suddenly had a question to myself - am I that old not to think of anything to behave like a Kid? within a minute I noticed some kids on the swing then I went like - I can do that, honestly I enjoyed myself on the swing more than the kids. I realised I had never had such a good feeling for a very long time. Busines is Business but I agree with you Jeff we need some breaks here and there to refresh our minds.
http://www.trueweightlosstips.com/ogeetntw/true/
September 29th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Wow this hit home big time! I had watched a video that Joshua Shafran sent me. His challenge in that video was to set a party (thirty days out) to celebrate my success or new business. I had set it for last Sunday, the last day of Summer (literally). It had to be postponed due to illnesses. I had it this past Sunday (the first Sunday of Autumn!) Sunday is supposed to be a day of rest–no work and a time for family activities. I try to honor myself and my family by not working. (Yes, it is hard). I was so overwhelmed with everyone thanking me and having so much fun! The weather was great,a nd we even had a small bond fire after the cookout.
(it is working, by the way!)
Another thing I have done is spend time playing ‘babies’ with my four-year old grand daughter’s many dolls.
September 29th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
Happy birthday to James. I think he got a lot done-it’s a matter of perspective!
Happy birthday to Sharon too! You found the 1%!
September 30th, 2008 at 5:30 am
WHEN I WAS YOUNG, I COULD HARDLY WAIT TO BECOME AN ADULT, NOW THAT I’ M AN A ADULT I REMEMBER THE GREAT TIMES I HAD IN MY CHILDHOOD AND SOME DAY’S YEARN TO TOUCH THOSE GREAT DAYS AGAIN. THE REALITY IS ‘YOU CAN’T CHANGE THE PAST BUT YOU CAN LIVE FOR TODAY AND PLAN FOR TOMOROW’ GERRY R.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
I love this lesson - and your insight that incomes don’t grow, income earners do hit me smack between the eyes.
I’ve been focusing on becoming the person I envisage at the level I want to be, and out of the blue ended up with triple my workload at my day job. I thought it was to remind me why I wanted to build my independence and walk away, but you’ve just rung a bell and given me the clearest lesson - I’m being stretched here to get to where I need to be!
I already love looking at life throught the eyes of a child - I’ve long said that it’s the best way to be, and I’m absolutely addicted to learning, pushing myself outside comfort zones & the like. I thank you for pointing out another opportunity to grow I was about to miss entirely!
Crystal
September 30th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
not sure who will read this since, as usual, I’m a few days late getting to this lesson. (I work weekends). However, I wanted to share that I learned the value of the “break” several years ago when I was working full-time and completing my Master’s degree. I trained for my first marathon by squeezing 30 minutes, then 35 minutes, etc between work and homework. I chose new routes, parks, etc. to keep it interesting and to be more of a treat than “another have-to” in my life. I learned from that experience those “stolen” minutes provided the energy and fresh perspective that kept me creative and interested in the tasks ahead. Fast forward to today and I still find it difficult to devote an entire day to such pursuits, but still value those “stolen moments”.I consider myself blessed to be within a few minutes of a beach, so even if it means listening to an educational tape for part of my journey, I make a point of strolling on the beach, looking for shark’s teeth, watching the waves and wildlife (including the human kind) at least 3 times per week. I’ve been known to break into a happy dance along the way as well.
October 1st, 2008 at 9:41 pm
I hope everyone goes fishing today. Thanks again. TO: {dstgn}
October 1st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
I get so focused on work and achieving my work goals that most of the time I feel guilty when I am not working and taking time off. My challenge is to take time off and feel that I deserve it and that it is actually a necessary part of refreshing and rejuvenating my body and mind. Thank you for the reminder. I live in a vibrant part of the city centre surrounded by art galleries, museums and lots of things to do. I love artwork and love to paint and draw. I am going to make a point of taking time off to visit more of the wonderful galleries in the area.
As far as being a kid, it’s something that seems to come naturally to me, especially doing silly things with my kids. I don’t think I will ever grow up totally. I think I got that from my Dad who is still a young 84 years old, who always has a smile for everyone, loves people and is one of the kindest people I know. He still loves to party and dance with the rest of us. I hope I am still as young as he is when I am his age. I just need to be a kid more often.
October 7th, 2008 at 10:00 am
My kids always tell me I need to work less and play with them more. Inherintly they know more than I do sometimes.
I will have some fun with them today when they get home from school.