Do Your Work Habits Enslave You or Serve You?

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October 17, 2006

It has been noted that man becomes a slave to his constantly repeated acts: What he chooses in the beginning, eventually compels him. So what are you choosing? How much thought do you put into your choices? What we repeatedly do by choice ultimately becomes a compulsion, so we must make good choices, especially in the things we do often.

 

You see, habits can enslave us or serve us. It is our choice. What are your work habits? How quickly do you respond to email or phone messages? I am not saying that you should always respond immediately; but the question is, “what is your habit?” Do you have an effective, habitual way of managing the flow of incoming demands for your attention? What are your other work habits? Based on what you know of yourself and your work habits, would you hire you?

 

Because habits are formed by the actions we repeatedly choose, it is very important to understand how we make choices. We can make choices by default, which is how most habits are formed or we can be deliberate and make choices that line up with the vision we have for our life. Unless you have a clear vision, you will not be able to make good choices. Solomon said that “without a vision, people cast off restraint”. In other words, without vision, people lack the discipline to establish good habits.

 

If you’re not too impressed with your habits, maybe it’s time to examine the vision you have for your life.

Comments (6) - Post a Comment
Good word... and timely as I get ready to start my business plan for 2007. I now that I have not accomplished a lot of what I had desired for 2006, AND that it is due in large part from not consistently puting into place the daily activities that I had identified. My coaching company refers to it as being in the drivers seat or the passenger seat. Are you in control of your day, or do you react to the crisis of the moment...even if it is an email. Does it need to be read or responded to immediately? or could it be blocked into a time slot? Thanks for the confirmation...
Larry Morris at 7:10am EDT - October 18, 2006
Larry: Thanks for the support. A lot of people have missed the mark on their goals. It's good that you had goals and at least knew what you were shooting for. I have just completed a new series which we will be releasing by the end of the month, called 7 Wealth Secrets of the Rainforest. The 3rd CD (The Photosynthesis of Ideas) deals exclusively with this topic while the 2nd CD talks about how to set up a \"no-pest\" zone. We will soon have a full page description of the series on the website, but for now, you might want to take a look at http://www.sellingamongwolves.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=52 Hope this helps, Michael
Michael Q. Pink at 11:39am EDT - October 18, 2006
What is the no pest zone? I work with a lot of very reactive people. Some have very poor habits. How do we work our plan when we are influenced by the reactive/poor habit fokes that may have a stake in your business?
Len at 12:34pm EDT - October 18, 2006
Len; In the rainforest while visiting the Smithsonian Institute's world headquarters for tropical research in the Panama Canal region. It was there while trapesing through the jungle that one of their scientists explained that only two things can threaten the viability of the rainforest (acts of God and man's chainsaws excluded) and those two things were pests and pathogens. A study was done one Barro Colorado Island in the lake which forms part of the canal system where 35 pairs of young shrubs were planted. Half of them were protected with a fine mesh to keep out pests and the others were not protected. Twenty months later, the protected plants were 5 1/2 times bigger and growing at 10 times the rate! Plants do have 7 natural defenses to pests and in our 7 Wealth Secrets of the Rainforest series, we examine just how we can increase our productivity and effectiveness by borrowing strategies and learning lessons from the created order. The premise being that God has embedded some of His wisdom in the things He has made. The \"no-pest zone\" it all about strategy to spend more time in the highest productivity activity possible.
Michael Q. Pink at 6:51am EDT - October 19, 2006
Mr.Pink, thank you for allowing God to operate in your life in such a great way. I am only 23 years old and this recent email has been my holdup. All through my life, I have been overwhelmed with developing successful habits that line with what I see God has gor my life. Please pray for that my life will be overhwelmed with successful habits that are in line with my destiny.
Demonte at 6:30am EDT - October 23, 2006
Hi Demonte... I am praying for you as I write this email and my prayer is that you spend time with the Father to see more of His vision for your life. As you get clear on that, the habits necessary to fulfill that vision will be easier to implement.
Michael Pink at 12:42pm EDT - October 24, 2006


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