Phone a friend. Help someone cross the street. Help lift a baby carriage or pram. Fill a car with petrol. Give a compliment. Send them a message or write them a card. Send flowers.
It doesn’t need to cost anything or much but it could mean the world to that person. Practice kindness every day.
Many people will say different things. Hear them. Weigh their words. But what is the sense in your gut? Many people get things wrong, even if they are experts. You must question and get second or third opinions.
Keep it simple. It doesn’t have to cost much. Go to the park to fly a kite, swim in a lake or watch the birds. A local walk, some comedy on tv, or a chat with your favourite person could all be lots of fun. Enjoy it while you can!
We tell people what is important for us about the other person. We do not describe the other person in an unbiased way. We describe them based on our bias and what we want to convey.
So when news reports come out, be sceptical about why the reporter is using those words and in that order. What picture are they painting and why?
When a friend describes another friend, where are they positioning them in your mind?
If you liked Margaret Thatcher, you might describe her as a strong woman, the Iron Lady, who rose from humble beginnings, with a common background, to the halls of power. If you were less of a fan you might just say she was anti-union and destroyed coal mining in the UK.
Both are descriptions that people could use about the same person. So we don’t simply describe the other person, we describe the characteristics that we want to highlight about the other person. So why did we choose those specific highlights?
Have you got anything outstanding? Is there an invoice you should have sent? Or perhaps some taxes that are due to be filed? Maybe you have an insurance claim or credit cards to attend to.
Whatever it is, it will take longer than you think to do and won’t get done until you sit there for several hours and sort it out. Don’t let it keep drifting along. Complete the work today!
Something we all could do a little more is appreciate people. Not just a passing thanks but a stop-and-feel-the-moment kind of appreciation.
Whether it’s a birthday, a win, closing a deal at work or an anniversary with your spouse, make sure you really celebrate for it.
Time flies. Life is short. Moments go by so fast. When you have the opportunity to show your appreciation, make sure you do. It can mean the world to someone and it is so easy to do. Make it a habit of a lifetime.
Keep your targets in your sites. Stay focused. Be relentless. Every minute counts.
Write out your timed plan for the day ahead. Allow 30 min in the morning and 30 min in the afternoon to accommodate overruns and unexpected calls and diversions.
Otherwise, stick to your daily plan. You may have to say no a lot and work quicker, but don’t let things slide.
