Last week I shared with you a list of things that make me tick. I got several lists from readers sharing their tick list and I enjoyed reading them. I hope you did the exercise I recommended to generate your own list. This week, I want to share the 'what stops my clock' list or those things that do not make me tick. it's as important, perhaps more important to know what is on this list, for while the tick list can energize you, the what-stops-your-clock list will seize your energy and creativity like a bandit and never give any of it back. The stop-your-clock list of things is a collection of cut-throat bandits for sure. Here is my list. What's yours?
- Bureaucracy
- Authoritarian leadership
- Traditions that don't make sense but carry the weight of law
- Hospital visitation
- Boring meetings
- Boring meetings that I have to attend where I can't help make them interesting
- Things that are already ordered where I cannot bring chaos
- People who don't ask me how I'm doing after I ask them
- Stingy people
- Lack of progress on a project
- Nepotism
- Bureaucracy (Oh, I already used that one, but it should count twice since I hate it so much)
- A class taught by a bad or poorly prepared teacher
- Losing a game
- Self-absorbed leadership
As I study that list, I see that most of those things involve people in one way or another, and some of them involve poor leadership. This shows me that I have to be careful when I work with people, so as not to allow them to take away my energy. This list also shows me what my values should be, for if the things on that list demotivate me, then I should work to make sure I am not guilty of any of them so as not to de-motivate others.
So there you have my stop-my-clock list. Now, take 10 minutes and create yours. Don't spend a lot of time agonizing over it, but then once you have it, study it to see what it reveals to you. Are you willing to build your life around the things that make you tick and minimize your encounter with the cut-throats? I hope you are. As you face your clock list, I hope you have a great week free from all those things that are out to steal the very essence of who you are.
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KENYA UPDATE: We heard from Pastor Francis about Mary this week and how much her new school has helped her. Please read the update and then do what you can to help little Mary and others like her have the chances at life that you and I take for granted. Once you read, you can give through my website or by sending a tax-deductible check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you and little Mary thanks you, too.
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