What Do You Do?

When I go out and talk to business people, I hear them talking about all the things they do from day to day. They talk about the problems they have and their frustrations with a whole variety of things they do. Invariably I find myself thinking: why do they do these things in the first place. As an extreme example, if you had your hand in a flame and it was burning, you would move it wouldn't you? So why not do something about the things that cause you stress and frustrate you?

What do you actually do for a living? How do you or your organization actually make money? What are you core skills? These are questions all of us should be asking ourselves all the time. I'd like to make a friendly bet with you. I'd like you to stop right now and make a quick list of your core skills. Now make a second list of the ways you actually make money or gain benefit. Please just take a quick 5 minutes and do this. When you are done, take a few more minutes and make a list of the things you actually do during your working day. Now comes the bet. I bet if you compare the lists you will easily find several things you do regularly that have nothing to do with your core skills.

Did I win the bet?

The point to this exercise is to make you aware that you do a lot of things every day that you are not well suited to and that don't actually earn you money. Just about now you are probably saying "yes but these things need to be done". That is probably true. I say probably because I'm pretty sure you will find something on your list that really isn't all that important. Something you keep doing out of habit that you have just stopped thinking about it.

There are so many things we spend time on that are neither enjoyable, necessary or revenue generating! You will be amazed when you stop and analyze your activities, at how much of your time and energy is spent on these tasks. Now is probably a good time to break these tasks down into categories. Look back at your list and sort them into things that don't need to be done, things that are questionable and finally, jobs that need to be done but are not your core skills. Interesting exercise isn't it?

Half the battle is just being aware of the things you do. When you are aware of them you have a fighting chance of eliminating or reorganizing the real time wasters. The other half is figuring out the best way to get the other tasks done. The ones that you are not suited to, the jobs that frustrate you, the jobs you dislike and that depress you and cause stress.

Let me ask you to do another little exercise. How much money do you want to earn? Now, how much is that by the hour? Finally, let's have a look at our lists and think about whether someone would pay you your hourly rate to do these jobs for them. Sort out the list again into jobs that are worth your hourly rate and ones that are not. You should be starting to see which things are at least financially sensible for you to do yourself and which ones are obviously not.

Life is not all about money. Now that you have a reasonable idea about which of your frustrating little jobs are worth your hourly rate, let's look at it from another perspective. There are some things that cause us so much stress that they are generally counter productive. You hate doing those jobs and they foul up your day. They ruin your mood and frustrate you. Does this sound like a good space to be in? Do you think you are operating at your best when you feel like this? Unless you have a lot more discipline than the average person, the answer is pretty likely to be no.

A friend of mine that I talk things through with occasionally frequently straightens me out with one simple approach. When he catches me complaining about something I hate doing, he asks me if I feel good. Of course I say no. Then he says to me that it's okay to carry on if I like feeling bad but if I don't like feeling bad I might consider stopping. At this point I usually laugh and stop complaining or I feel pretty stupid. I mean, he's right isn't he? All I have to do to improve my mood and perhaps even my life is stop doing the things that upset me.

It's amazing how simple it is. We just have to be aware of what we do and make some conscious decisions about whether it makes us happy or is sensible for us to do. I think most of us are such creatures of habit that we forget that we actually have the ability to change the things that bother and frustrate us.

Here is a specific example I'm going to use because it is such an important issue. One of the big things people take on that tends to be really time consuming, frustrating and potentially devastating, is looking after their own computer equipment, software and all the related jobs it entails. It also happens to be one of the jobs that almost none of us are properly trained for and consequently we are just not good enough at it. Computer technology has become incredibly complex. Increasingly these days, technology is so important to our method of earning a living that we simply must get it right to succeed. So you really should be asking yourself if it makes any sense to be doing it yourself, shouldn't you? Why would you want to take on something so important to your success when it is pretty likely not on your list of core competences? This happens to be an example where the fact that it costs you more than your own hourly rate to get it done, might not even matter

So let's summarize. There are many things we do that have such a negative effect on us that they are simply not worth doing. There are even some things that we should not be doing simply because they are just too important to us and we are not really competent to do them. If we get someone better suited to the job, to do it for us, we will probably discover that we are enjoying what we do to make a living again and perhaps even improve our lives in general. We may even find out what we have been missing!

One last thing I'd like to cover is the mental arguments that inevitably arise whenever this subject is raised. Here are a few examples;

• "I can't afford to get someone else to do it",

• "I know I hate doing it but I don't trust anyone else to look after this",

• "I've always done it this way".

I'm sure there are plenty more you can add to this list. It is essential that you address these thoughts and not just accept them. Otherwise nothing will change. The things that are having a negative effect on you will keep on holding you back.

This article is all about being aware. I am not trying to tell you to re-create your whole new universe with a big bang. I am however, suggesting that you can get great results by occasionally reviewing the things you do.

Ron Hughes is CEO of Adapt Information Technology, one of the longest standing Internet businesses in the world. He is also a public speaker and frequent contributor of articles on a variety of subjects. Ron welcomes your comments at ron@wowgroups.com.

Visit http://www.wowdesk.com for information on how to have your own secure, personal office on the Internet.

The Hughes Boys - http://www.getexperts.com

More Resources

A Look In The Mirror
That's all it takes to change the world. Take a long hard look in the mirror and really notice who you are.
Make the Eat and Earn Connection
If you've ever thought about wanting to increase your physical energy and wouldn't mind increasing your financial as well, you have to read this right now!Focus #1 - Name Your Hunger/Want/Desire/Achievement? You know what you want to change better than anyone else. It is that nagging voice in the back of your head that speaks to you every time you go against it (i.
Achieving Your Definite Major Purpose
(Excerpts From The Book)Successercising"The Science Of Success Achievement Course"The Equivalent To A PhD In Success From The University Of Hard KnocksIn his all time best selling book, Think And Grow Rich, Napoleon Hill mentions in his first chapter that throughout the book he will be referring many times to "The Carnegie Secret." He said he would not tell you what that secret is, but when you are ready, it will jump off the page and into your brain.
Quick Tips On Becoming The Best In Your Field
Want to be the best in your field?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and TV show host, who specializes in quick tips on how to move your life ahead even faster, offers the following advice.
Digging To The Root Of Your Problem
Most people have some aspects of themselves that they would like to change. But how often do you dig deeply to find the root of the problem?You have to address the issues that need to be changed.
The Power of Desire- Part 2
Let's continue where we left off in Part 1..
The Revolution Begins When YOU take Control
I'd like to share a story with you about two interesting people that we ALL know.Ms.
Communication Quiz: Are You a Great Communicator?
Communication, which occupies approximately 70% of our waking hours, is what many leaders find the most frustrating. The fact is most of us were never taught how to communicate in a way that produces desired results, so we continue to experience frustration, resistance, conflicts, or breakdowns.
Whats in a Name ?
What's In a Name?How often have you thought about the name that you were given? Do you know what your name means? Have you lived up to the wonderful meaning of your name?I haven't given much thought to my name in a long time until recently. For several reasons, my name is giving me a lot of respect in this community that I've joined.
How to Develop the Genius within You
Inside each one of us there's a seed of greatness, a seed of genius. You are a special and complete human being and so is everyone else.
A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence
Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed. The rain pelted down on them.
Courage to Change
This is a story about a woman we will call Anne, a thirty-five-year-old woman who concluded that she could never find a man. She determined that loneliness was her fate and thus went as far as accepting it as fact.
The Three Pillars of Life
We all have the power to change our lives. What differentiates between those who take the action to change and those who just sit on the sidelines are three basic human endowments.
A Life of Adventure?
In a conversation recently, a friend remarked to me: "Every man dies, but not every man lives." If you think about it, that is profoundly true and rather disturbing.
The Way of Attraction - Walking the Path
"Slowly, slowly, walk the pathand you might never stumble or fall.Slowly, slowly walk the path and you might never fall in love at all.
Complete Self Acceptance
One of the most important parts of Personal Mastery is 'Self Acceptance'. This is much more than the usual 'self esteem' issues that we hear about, although that's a part of it.
The Manifestations Of Self
A man is captive within himself. He dwells in a freedom which is confirmed to bounds, he breathes in an ambience ensnared to limits, he nurtures a shriveled valiance with the quaint promises of trepidation, he is infinite to his content and eternal only to his perception.
Will You Be Part of the Bigger Picture?
With all the media attention you've probably become aware that there is something huge going on in the world, but are you part of this bigger picture?Day-to-day you'll be busy contributing to your household: cleaning tidying, earning money and taking care of your partner's and your children's needs as best you can. On a home front you've probably got it sorted.
Living Life to the Full: 20 Steps
1. Emotion: We are emotional creatures and as in all things avoid excess.
The Path of Appreciation
Without appreciation, any success you have will be in vain and worthless. Yes, you would have accomplished your goals but it would be an empty win.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

The Friend Crush: Is This Love Or Friendship
He's your good friend. She's your best confidant.
Social Skills Training Can Positively Impact Your Life
Millions of people become anxious and insecure when speaking in public, starting a conversation, or mingling with others in a social setting.There are a large number of individuals who are extremely successful in their professional lives, but tend to shy away from meeting new people, attending social functions, and interpersonal communication.
How to Create a Thriving Prosperous Life
You only have to look around you at your friends, family and colleagues to see that there is an abundance of people who have talents, yet many are held back by a mortgage, a family, lack of confidence or some other reason.Deep inside us we all have a dream of living a thriving, prosperous life, but often we're unsure of how to navigate our way through the issues that come our way, and too many people, too often, give up and start making excuses to themselves about success being for others.
Increasing Money by Conquering Personal Fear and Greed
One of the first lessons that "Rich Dad, Poor Dad" teaches is about understanding and controlling fear and greed. Many people go to work and work hard not to learn more and to grow, but out of fear that they won't have enough money to pay their bills.
Charm Is Good Business
What's most astounding is that the vast majority of business people don't automatically understand the concept of charm. You'd think it would be a reflex, a conditioned response in business to "turn on the charm" when dealing with customers, clients, associates, employees, competitors, or potential clients.
Live Your Own Life
Are you living your life, the way you want to live?If your reply is in affirmative then you must be a very successful and powerful person in full command of your life and the circumstances. However, if your reply is in negative, then I am sorry to say that you are like millions of other people who are living the life being dictated by others.
My Other Life is Exciting, is Yours?
Everyone dreams of a more exciting life or a life that is different to the one they are living now.As you dream about your other life, you know the one, where you're slimmer or fatter or the one where you meet your perfect partner and live happily ever after or you have a million dollars or you pass the exam and go to the top of the class, the dreams go on and on and we all have them.
Do You Have Your Best Life?
For many years I had a good life. My illness was reasonably under control, I had a nice relationship with my husband, I did work I didn't hate.
What is the Universal Law of Attraction?
Most of the time, we attract by 'default' rather than by deliberate choice. We just sort of go through our day, focusing on problems that need to be solved or on things that did not feel good nor seem right.
Character or Reputation
Character or Reputation. When we see these two words together, we often mistakenly believe that you cannot have one without the other.
Maximizing Your Potential - How To Optimize Your Off-Peak Performance?
We human beings naturally have two kinds of state that exist in us at any given time: peak state and off-peak state. Peak performance can be defined as "performing at your most optimal best at this time".
Seeing What You Never Saw Before
Have you ever bought a new car and then afterwards you started to see the same car everywhere? You were seeing what you never saw before.Let me explain.
Demanding Miracles
Have you ever had an overwhelming problem or issue? Was there some circumstance in your life that seemed beyond your ability to handle it? Have you ever called out to God, Buddha, guardian angels, The Force, your higher self, Mohammed, Mother Earth, whatever name you give that spirit? To find an all-encompassing name without prejudice towards any one belief system, I'll just hereby use the word 'god' to refer to whatever or whoever it is that you pray to for assistance and guidance. Have you cried out to your god for help and guidance with some crisis in your life? Did you get an answer? Did you get help?When we get the help and assistance we've just asked for, we assume all is well in the heavens.
The Art of Manifestation
We should strive to attain a desireless state. As long as we have desire, we lack.
Letting Go Of Wanting Your Own Approval
Ever had a time in your life when those closest to youdisapproved of your behavior? It is very uncomfortable is it not?In a moment, peace of mind can vanish in a puff of smoke and youcrave approval more than anything else. This time in thewilderness seems to last forever and when it is finally over thenewly earned approval of your peers feels just great.
Creating Your Own Destiny
If you don't know where you are going, you won't know how to get there. How can you get a sense of purpose or meaning in life unless you have dreams or visions of what you want to achieve? Goals are dreams with deadlines, which propel you on your journey of self-discovery and self-achievement.
We Are All Literally Two-Faced
"Your face is my map to your life." - Houdini, magicianWe are all literally and unwittingly two-faced.
The Self Appreciation Enhancer
Very often when you are talking to people what you really want deep down is to feel significant, liked and important. Consequently you watch what you are saying and are careful not tosay the wrong thing.
The Edge of the Moon
Hello, Moon.There you hang, a thin white sliver that cradles a large dark ball.
Wanderers
How a few people become the worst victims of life's game, or to call it their own fate. How they are compelled to analyze life, wasting most of their time meant to prove themselves in the real world.