Clarity precedes mastery. So much of our daily performance is driven by the tyranny of the urgent.  And, because time is a limited commodity, we can’t afford to waste it. 

Most of us don’t have time for long goal-setting sessions. Give yourself 15 minutes to do a little brainstorming. 

Take 5 minutes and write down your personal outcomes for today. Take 5 minutes and write down your professional outcomes for today. Then take 5 minutes and highlight the top 3 things from both lists. Congratulations, you now have a game-plan for where you should invest your time today. You’ll be amazed at what you can achieve with a bit of focus and the power of clarity. 

2. Gratitude List

First, think about the good in your life today. It’s just a short mental list of what you have to be grateful for in your life. Write down what you’re thankful for personally and professionally. Then, read the list silently 5 times and aloud 5 times. Make this a regular daily practice and within a week you’ll start noticing you feel a lot lighter and more peaceful. Words have power. Gratitude frees you from the grip of self. 

3. Feedforward 

Take a trusted friend or colleague out to coffee or lunch this week and ask them 4 simple questions:

• What’s something I’m great at?
• What’s something I need to improve?
• How do you recommend I do it?
• How can I serve you?

Thank them and think about what they shared with you. Put it into practice within the next 48 hours. Critique can be painful, but you will never grow unless you’re faced with an outside perspective.