Leadership in business – Leaders take care of themselves

By Jerry Bellune

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An early failing was my relentless focus on action.

The more I did, the more there seemed to be waiting.

I thought nothing of 60-hour weeks.

Work was a passion. I went at it passionately.

I missed a lot of opportunities to be with my family.

They stuck with me, bless ‘em.

But that family time can never be recovered.

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Pablo Picasso, one of our greatest artists, said:

“It is your work in life that is the ultimate seduction.”

Now I work hard to make more time for those I love.

The rest of the work will be there when I get back.

You probably have felt this way, too, from time to time.

Here are critical questions for you:

1. What if you could add two hours a day to the clock?

2. What would you want to do with those two hours?

How could you use that time to:

•  Achieve your most productive goals?

• Help your team to improve the world?

• Spend more time with those you love?

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What resource do all of us have in equal measure?

Time itself. All of us have 24 hours each day.

How we use that time separates success from failure.

Most of us struggle with managing our time.

Time isn’t the problem. I’s ourselves.

We most work on self-management and self-discipline.

That’s the course to a happier life.

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This week, try these steps:

1. Take 15 minutes to plan all you must do this week.

2. Set priorities. First things must come first.

3. Check the projects off as you complete them.

4. Reschedule those left undone for later in the week.

5. Leave some time for the unexpected. It will come.

Do this and you’ll feel less stress and be happier.

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Recommended reading

Would you like more leadership strategies like this?

Contact me for my latest leadership book.

It’s called “What It Costs to Be the Boss.”

You’ll discover the secrets of great leaders.

Your people’s productivity will reach new heights.

Just email me at [email protected]

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Next: Leaders become the bosses of choice.

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Want to share this with a friend? Be my guest.

We only ask that you tell them where it came from.

Invite them to send me their email address.

They can reach me at [email protected]

I’ll email this strategy letter to them each week.

©2015 The Bellune Company, Inc.

Neither MidlandsBiz.com nor The Bellune Company, Inc. makes any warranty as to the results that may be achieved from using this information. ©2015 The Bellune Company, Inc. All rights reserved. Requests for permission to reprint or circulate may be obtained by emailing [email protected]