EARLYISMS

Taking care of self…

As I slowly finish out my 30s, I find myself reflecting a lot on life and trying to make sense of myself and my surroundings. Many things which used to be unclear to me are now more clear and some things that I thought were clear before have lost their sense of clarity.

One area of life that has become increasly more clear to me is our reponsibility to take care of ourselves. I am speaking physically, mentally, and spiritually. Most of us know exactly what we need to do to remain effective in each of these areas, but we don’t always do it.

One personal example would be that although I am active and in pretty good general health, I sometimes neglect my stretching routine in the gym. As a result, as I type this, my back is in tremendous pain. I have not doubt that if I had only stretched properly before and after my strength workout, my back would be fine.

My point is…these “little things” can quickly become HUGE challenges if we are not mindful of them and diligent in taking care of them.

So, my friends, my challenge to all of us is to increase our efforts to take better care of ourselves physically, mentally, and spiritially! Both we and our loved ones deserve it!

Yours in the Journey,

Tracy Early

Purpose

I am a firm believer in the fact that one of the most fundamental questions that each of us needs to answer in life is, “What is my purpose?” Everyone was placed here on this earth with a very specific purpose. Unfortunately, many people just wander through life and never really discover their TRUE PURPOSE. How sad! Here’s and exercise I was given a few years ago that helped clarify my purpose. I am suggesting that you complete it for yourself so that you can begin to live your life ON PURPOSE:

1. List two of your unique personal qualities(ex. enthusiasm, creativity, etc.)

2. List two ways you enjoy expressing these qualities when interacting with others.

3. Assume the world is perfect right now. What does it look like? How are people interacting in it? What does it feel like for you?

4. Take some time to combine the 3 components from above and you will have your Purpose Statement.

This has been another Earlyism to get you moving in your PURPOSE!

Know your personnel

I had a youth basketball coach who used to shout “Know your personnel, Early!”after I made an errant pass to a player who fumbled the ball. Although it was initially very frustrating to hear those words from coach, I have come to understand it over the years. Life is often about having the right people on your team and leveraging all of the talents and abilities. It’s about having the right people in the right position to “score” at whatever they do well; which ultimately means success for the team. So, who’s on your team? More importantly are you passing them the ball at the right time when they are position to “score.”

Belief

Below is a poem I like to share with young people in my audiences, usually near the end of my speech or workshop. These words have changed my life and allowed me to get back on track many times. My son has it posted on the wall in his bedroom. He loves it, too. Please share this with anyone you think could use it, which in my opinion is most of us, as we will all go through time in which we lose belief in ourselves:

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

Believe in yourself and your dream

Though impossible it may seem

Someday, somehow you will get through

To that goal that you have in view

 

Mountains may fall and seas may divide

Before the one who in his stride

Takes the hard road day by day

Sweeping all obstacles away

 

Believe in yourself and your plan

Say not I cannot-but say I CAN

The prizes of life we fail to win

Because we doubt the power within.

 

        -Author Unknown

Distractions

Today I am feeling a sense of reconnection to my purpose. I had a life changing experience at the Diversity Leadership Program in New York this past weekend. It was busy,fun, inspirational, high energy, and affirming. I felt reconnected to my purpose of motivating and inspiring the next generation of leaders and Big Dreamers! I also reconnected with other like-minded speakers/entrepreneurs. I was reminded of how I have allowed distractions to disconnect me from my purpose. That must not happen!

Systems make it simple

Hey, this is Tracy and I want to share something I have been discovering over the last several years. That is, the importance of systems. I know you’re saying, “What is he talking about…systems.” Well, I have come to understand that in any endeavor, project, team, company, etc.- things just tend to work better when there is a system for doing things.

Let’s think about it…Imagine if McDonald’s restaurants had no system for producing and delivering fast meals. I mean…what if they had their employees show up everyday and just do things the way they wanted to do them? The guy on fries just fried and delivered the fries his way. The people making burgers and sandwhiches just did things their own way. The front line folks just did things their way. Are you started to get the sense of how chaotic this would be?

Now, that’s just McDonald’s, as I could mention many examples of systems designed to make things more efficient. But what about our own individual, personal lives? How many of us have an efficient system for working towards our most important goals in life?

You don’t have to answer me, but I can almost guarantee one thing…if you don’t have a system, you are not being as efficient as you could be and your dreams and goals are at risk. Below are five things that systems do for us:

1. Keep us on track.

2. Eliminate bad stress.

3. Help us get things done faster and more efficiently.

4. Reduce conflict on teams.

5. Build confidence.

So, my final thought is that as you evaluate your life/family/business, ask yourself the question, “What system could I develop an implement that would enhance this area of my life.”

Yours in the journey,

Tracy Early