Hoping for change, but continuing to do things the way you’ve always done them, doesn’t work. “Blue Jolts” are potent tidbits intended to give your brain the necessary jolt (and excuse) to “jump the tracks,” challenge what you’re doing and find better ways to make great things happen.

Nothing so conclusively proves a man’s ability to lead others as what he does from day to day to lead himself.

1. What are some personal “day-to-day” habits you have observed in great leaders?
2. Which ones are most important?
3. Which day-to-day personal leadership habits do you need to work on most? (remember, if you’re not working on moving forward, you’re likely going backward).

Be jolted…

Picture: www.aussifinder.com.au

If you’ve been tracking with me the last two weeks, I’ve talked about the classic “resolution trap” (February 20, 2013) and described what I think is a better way (February 27, 2013). Today I want to help make all this actionable by breaking it down into 4 practical steps:

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This post is “part 2” of a discussion on effective new year’s resolutions (“part 1” was published last week and was entitled “Are Your New Year’s Resolutions Doomed?”) 

So, last week we discussed the main “resolution trap” and its consequences – what’s a better way?

FROM THEMES TO ACTION

In short, start with the “big picture” and work your way back to action. Abandon the long list of resolutions and decide on 3-5 “life-changing themes” that you really want to see happen. As we noted previously, they are typically broad areas of improvement that affect multiple areas of your life (this often takes “bedrock” soul-searching & vision – be deliberate, take your time). Once the themes are identified, let them guide you to the most important activities needed to move them forward during the year. Even though you are still getting things done “one task at a time,” your loyalty is now to the 3-5 “life-changing themes” that give you direction, motivation and flexibility to make progress wherever they apply. In other words, you stay true to making a big difference in your life versus just completing a random list of tasks.

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