Hugh Ballou on February 16th, 2010

Life is defined by lack of attention,
whether it be to cleaning windows
or trying to write a masterpiece.
- Nadia Boulanger
In his post, The Art of Balance, the Art of Leadership, Don Frederiksen commented, “I have always thought that my music background brought creativity, dimension and balance to my thinking and work.” Wow, that really resonates with me [...]

Continue reading about Remember Your Past

Hugh Ballou on February 16th, 2010

Things are going to get a lot worse
before they get worse.
- Lily Tomlin
How bad does it need to get before you do something about it (“IT” is the processes and systems in your organization)
In reading a post by Guy Kawasaki on the American Express OPEN Forum site, I found this comment, “Act like a prospective [...]

Continue reading about Check on How You are “Really Doing”

Hugh Ballou on October 13th, 2009

Life is a promise; fulfill it. – Mother Teresa
In previous posts, I have encouraged you to plan your day by planning your work. In order to accomplish the most, it is important to put everything into logical order, however, do not get so focused on the order of your day that you don’t notice the [...]

Continue reading about Balancing Life’s Critical Aspects

Hugh Ballou on August 24th, 2009

We can be sure 
that the greatest hope 
for maintaining equilibrium 
in the face of any situation 
rests within ourselves. 

 – Francis J. Braceland

Plan your work, and then work your plan. It might be a commonly repeated statement. It’s repeated because it is true.

Plan your work. Plan your planning and study time. Plan your recreation time. Plan ahead.

TIP: Plan tomorrow’s activities today. If you wait until tomorrow – the planning time will escape more times than not.

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Hugh Ballou on August 24th, 2009

Your goal should be out of reach 
but not out of sight. – Anita DeFrantz
Your foundation is first your values, then your goals. Goals are crucial to success. Goals in your mind are not goals, but only dreams.
Write your goal. Print out the goal. Punch the goal sheet. Put it into your planning notebook. Read your goal daily.
Develop a positive affirmation that will focus on the BENEFIT of accomplishing your goal.
TIP: The specificity of your goal is important. Write your goal describing the future accomplishment in present tense.

Continue reading about Foundations

Hugh Ballou on May 24th, 2009

We can be sure 
that the greatest hope 
for maintaining equilibrium 
in the face of any situation 
rests within ourselves. 

 – Francis J. Braceland
Patience is the companion of wisdom. – Saint Augustine
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. 

 – Ovid

Continue reading about BALANCE: Value the Rests