Tagged--again!

I knew she'd get me back sooner or later. Chris Owen from Pink Apple Connections has tapped me in a new game of blog tag. (I tagged her a while ago.)

This one was started by Aaron Potts (and BTW, finding his blog, which I'd never read before, is an added bonus definitely worth being tagged for). Aaron started an "interactive research project" called Simply Successful Secrets. The idea is for people to share a list of things they do every day that helps them be successful.

And, since it's a game of tag, after revealing your keys to success, you're supposed to tag some of your bloggy friends to get them to join in and tag THEIR bloggy friends.

Well, I'm kind of curious to see what sort of stuff successful people are up to from one day to the next, so this sounds like a fun game. Here goes:

1. I go to bed late and get up early. I know, it doesn't sound like that would be very successful, but it works for me.

2. I try to spend at least 15-30 minutes each morning in Remembrance, which is a Sufi spiritual practice.  It helps me get centered in my heart before I jump into the day. Lately I've been listening to Adam Kayce's Inner Audio Series, which is based on Remembrance.

3. Each morning, I write out on an index card a short list of things I want to accomplish and list of things I'd like God's help with. Then at the end of the day I write down all the things I'm grateful for on the back of the card. Going through the cards at the end of the week is amazing. Things just seem to work out brilliantly when I pay attention in this way. 

4. I DON'T let Outlook automatically check for messages for me. I manually retrieve my messages from the server. This has been a HUGE help -- instead of being constantly distracted by new mail popping up unexpectedly, I feel like I actually have control over my inbox.

5. I DO empty my Junk folder every time I check for messages. Keeping an empty Junk folder makes it easier to rescue legitimate emails that mysteriously get flagged as spam.

6. I spend at least an hour on market research every day (i.e., surfing, reading blogs, contributing in forums where my clients hang out, etc.). In fact, I'm waaaaay more consistent with my market research than I am about getting outside for a walk! (I think I'm developing carpal surfer's butt)

7. I make a point of taking a break when my son gets home from school just to connect and chat with him. Well, maybe 'chat' is too strong. He's seventeen, so sometimes we just mumble, stretch and scratch. Quality time w/mom!

8. Before each client call, I take just a moment to get centered and do a little Remembrance. Sometimes during a coaching call I do this, too. It's like turning the knob on the radio to get better reception!

9. I listen to music while I work -- everything from Mozart to the Blind Boys from Alabama to Pink.

10. I make a point of taking a break to watch either Oprah or Judge Judy (usually not both on the same day!). Oprah to remind myself to dream big and dig deep; Judge Judy to keep me humble.

OK, so those are the keys to my success. Now I would like to hear from:

• Mona Grayson - Question The Mind
• Michele Corey - Knee Deep
• Patricia Klingler - ReMarkable Women Speak

(I just realized that there are a whole slew of folks I'd like to add to the list -- but none of them have a blog! Hmmmm...)

Comments

[Chris Owen]

Hey Kathy
These are great ones. Some I connect with others get me tempted but at least I don't feel inadequate reading yours!!
Well done for picking up the ball and running with it. I couldn't agree more about Aaron's blog too!

[Kathy Mallary]

Thanks, Chris!

[Karen Wallace]

Hi Kathy,
I'm a first time visitor here, doing some research before I accept Chris' tag - (some call it procrastination...) and I like your list.

I see we have 17 year old sons in common - and love your comment 'mumble, stretch and scratch!' You get a Mumble???

I'm off to read some more of your blog. err.. do some more research :)

[Aaron M. Potts]

Kathy,

I don't know what to be more grateful for - your comments (and you, too, Chris) about my blog, or about the laugh I got out of having carpal surfer's butt! I don't even want to think about the physical therapy for that... ;)

Thank you so much for participating in the Simply Successful Secrets project, Kathy!

You have some great stuff on your list, and as the teens in my house are on spring break right now, there is a lot of mumbling, scratching and stretching going on!

On that note, however, I also practice the art of making a note of what I am grateful for at the end of each day, and the teenagers are usually in that list. :)

Also, your practices of centering are SO powerful. In one of my blog posts I called it "CCSS" - being calm, centered, still, and strong. It's amazing how helpful it is, even from one moment to the next.

Thanks again, Kathy!

[Adam Kayce : Monk At Work]

Hi Kathy,

Thanks for mentioning my Inner Audio Series — I'm so glad you're getting such benefit from it.

And I just wanted to let you know that I just completed a website redesign (it's now blog-centric!), and so that link isn't going to be live for much longer...

The new link is http://www.monkatwork.com/products/inner-audio-series

Thanks again,
Adam

[Kathy Mallary]

Adam -

You're welcome -- and thanks for letting me know about the link. I've updated my blog post accordingly.

Your new site looks great! Are you Blonk-at-work now? =^)