Zachary Aldwin Milkshake in the Boardroom
Sometime back someone had the idea of compartmentalising the rise and setting of the sun into little convenient bundles by which we can measure the passing of time. Whoever it was had to be extremely philosophical, unsatisfied with the idea of wake with the birdsong and sleep when it dark, and possible a have an inkling that charging by smaller pieces of time could net you more money than charging by the day (perhaps they were a lawyer).
Today we call these partitions hours. There are 8 hours in a workday for normal people. There are 10 hours for people who love work, and there are 16 to 18 hours available to do “things that matter” for people who are obsessed with what they are doing.
Let’s be conservative and look at 8 hours. 8 hours is a lot of time to get things done and to connect the appreciation dots between people that you enjoy working with.
In 8 hours, mountains can be moved even if it’s slightly. Doing things that matter must get your blood pumping. It makes the resting times more restful and the entertaining times way more entertaining.
‘What did you do today?’
‘I wrote a letter and got quotes on a function.’
‘Good. What else?’
There’s a blank stare (read between the lines ‘three hours on Facebook, another two on You tube and a couple of games of candy crush’).
What did you create in 8 hours today? Are you putting off things till tomorrow that could be done today?
Procrastination is an easy. It becomes so easy to make up the excuses not to do anything at all. You can get influenced to do nothing productive as the energy seeps out of you into the couch.
The cure: do something with your time, today! Success at an activity energises you and propels you forward to do more. Did you lose your passion? That happens periodically too. If so, track it down and sew it onto your shadow so that it never leaves.
Do whatever it takes to bring it back, reminisce about the vision you had at start, plan something epic that kindles your fire. Doodle ideas on a white board. Read a book that motivates you.
Watch an inspiring movie that makes you actually feel emotion rather than just enjoying popcorn.
Treat your passion like it is a relationship with your wife; it needs care, attention and the regular date to keep the fire burning.
Let’s go back. Writing a letter could be as boring as “Dear Boldridge, we are writing this because . . . and we would like to commend you for . . . And we are taking time to write this because . . . ” No mountains moved.
Nothing – just a letter that will not inspire the person reading it. Here’s a way to write a letter that moves a mountain.
Start with a blank piece of art paper. Think of the person who you want to send the letter to.
Where are they? Why do they hate life right now and why do they love it?
How many things do they read in a day and why will they want to read yours?
Write down interesting words, images and phrases that could shine brightly on the page (or email). This process should take an hour.
Now you have 7 hours left to crush the rest of the day.
Write a script. Create a new presentation for the next 10 new clients that you’ll be meeting.
Hold a 20 minute creative training session with your top leaders and buy them coffee.
Dip strawberries in chocolate, freeze them and send them over to someone that you might have let down (include 2 Appletisers).
Send a thoughtful SMS to a client and tell them how much they mean to your business. Seriously, do something that matters right now.
E-mail:boardmilkshake@gmail.com