Seasons

   Good Morning, Friends!  I overheard someone this week say it's amazing how beautiful fall is because the colors in the trees are actually produced by the leaves dying.  What a strange paradox.  We often think of beauty as growth, renewal, springtime, and newness, but arguably, one of the most beautiful times of year is actually a dying and letting go process for the trees.  

    I think our lives are a lot like this also.  We go through seasons.  Sometimes we are in the easy, lazy summer-like days, where we don't have a care in the world.  Sometimes, we are in the throws of something new, and we feel the life and energy of spring coursing through us.  There are times when we are in the barren, difficult, cold season of winter and struggle.  And then there are the times when we must let go, move on, and choose to get rid of things.  These can be difficult times, but they can also be beautiful if we let them.  

    I've heard it said somewhere that "the enemy of great is good."  How true this is in our lives.  When we are in winter, we can't wait to get over the struggle and get back to spring and growth, but when we are in summer, enjoying a good time, it can be so hard to realize it's time to start letting go and moving towards something else.  

    There is a children's story called "little tree" by Loren Long.  In this story, little tree decides it is better to hold on to the leaves it has, rather than to let them go.  Have you been there?  Perhaps you knew you needed to move forward, but the thought of surrendering what you currently had just seemed too painful, so you kept desperately clinging to the old dead leaves in your life.  

    Sadly, little tree discovers, that by holding on to the leaves it had, it misses the opportunity to grow new leaves in the spring time.  Are there opportunities you are missing because you won't let go of the once green leaves which now are hanging dead and preventing you from moving on?  If we want to be truly fruitful and productive and live our best lives, we must learn to embrace the seasons.  We must be willing to let go sometimes, knowing that in the letting go, we may have to move through a hard winter season, but the beauty of new growth awaits us on the other side.  

    Don't let the beauty of the season you are in pass you by while trying to hold on to the season you were in before.  Be willing to let things end.  The beauty of fall and even winter is the promise of spring and summer ahead.  No matter which season you find yourself in, choose to enjoy it, and realize that all seasons do pass.  We are not meant to stay stagnant.  Keep moving, and find the colors in every season.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W. 

Ink It

     Hey Friends!  Can you believe we are halfway through October?  The year is nearing the end, and for many of us, those New Year's resolutions we made back in January may be just a distant memory.  You may have forgotten them weeks, days, or even hours after saying them.  Even if you wrote them all down, they may be shoved in a drawer some where, or you might have tossed them in the garbage mid way through the year and decided to start over next year.  

    Well, the good news is, you don't have to wait until next year.  You can start right now to set your intentions and go after them.  And I want to strongly encourage you to write down your goals, not just so you don't forget what they were, but so you can look at them regularly and keep them in the forefront of your mind.  This is one of the most important steps you can take on the journey to reaching your goals. And here are three types of goals you should have written down if you want to take your life to the next level.  Are you ready?

1.  Long term goals (5 years or more)

    Ask yourself, what do I want my life to look like 5 years from now.  And then start writing.  Write down things like how you will look, who you hang out with, what you drive, where you live, what vacations you take, and what impact you are having on the world.  Sometimes we think our big goals aren't attainable because we can't accomplish them in a month or a year, but we have to keep our eye on the long-term game if we want to truly become all that we are called to be.  Don't let another five years pass without stretching to a new level.  

2.  Yearly goals

    Ok, so a lot of us probably set New Year's resolutions.  But we have to write those resolutions down and look at them on a consistent basis if we want to actually move towards accomplishing them over the course of 365 days.  Begin now to think about what you want to take action to achieve over the next year.   Set goals for the major areas of your life, health, wealth, spiritual, relationships, mental, and career.  Remember, you won't get better by accident.  You have to aim for the things you want.

3.  Monthly goals

    Even if you set yearly goals, that is still a large chunk of time to not lose focus.  So set yourself monthly goals that are in line with your bigger goals.  If you plan to read twelve books this year, then set yourself a goal to read one book this month.  If you want to save $1000 this year, then set yourself a goal to save $85 this month.  Having monthly goals helps you recalibrate on a frequent basis and makes sure you stay on track with your larger goals.  

    I encourage you to take some time today and really begin thinking about these three types of goals.  Start with your five year image and get it down on paper.  Take what you hope to become and break it into concrete goals.  "I have $5000 in savings."  Or, "I am at my ideal weight of ___"  Then decide what you want to strive for in the next year.  Break down those bigger long range goals into smaller chunks.  And lastly, get focused by setting your monthly goals as stepping stones to where you want to be.  You can accomplish so much, but it all starts with writing it down.  

    Habakkuk 2:2 says, "Write the vision and make it plain"

    Start today and write it down!  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.

Are We There Yet?

     Hello, Friends!  Fall is here, and with it, the holiday festivities are beginning.  Halloween decorations are going up, and Christmas items are already for sale at stores across the country. Holidays can be great because they are filled with joy and excitement, but what if we could live with joy and excitement all year long?  What if you could truly create a life you love living? 

    For many of us, when we think of our ideal life, we might think of white sandy beaches and crystal clear ocean waters.  Or maybe of mountain retreats or luxurious food and drinks.  But while many of us think having more and doing more is the secret to a fulfilling life, we miss the fact that the true joy is in the journey, not just in the destination.  

    Getting away to the ocean is one of my favorite things, and there is nothing I love more than taking friends and family with me to spend time with enjoying food, conversation, and activities.  But someone once said, "Create a life you don't need to escape from."  What a powerful statement.  This isn't to say you won't still want to go on vacation, but that vacations and trips are just the cherry on top of a very rewarding ice cream life. 

    So how do you create your ideal life even if you don't wake up tomorrow as a multimillionaire?  It starts with assessing what you truly want.  What is is about your imaginary ideal life that truly has meaning?  Is it more free time?  Doing certain activities you love?  Spending time with people you admire?  Whatever it is that has meaning to you, that is the first thing you should start to aim for as you create a life worth living.  If family time is the most important thing for you, then plan your life around that.  Make your family time sacred, and cater your job and other priorities to that.  Maybe you have a passion or feel called to create something, then make that your focus. Write out what is most important to you, and you will start to see what you should invest in. When you have your priorities in line, you can direct your time, money, and energy towards what matters most to you, and this in and of itself creates a shift towards a very fulfilling life. 

    Secondly, begin to develop routines that fit your life goals.  When you envision your perfect life, how do you envision yourself?  Are you in peak physical shape?  Do you have lots of friends?  Are you a great conversationalist?  Whatever you envision yourself as, start building routines into your life that will help you fit the idea you have created in your head.  If you envision yourself as healthy, then start choosing healthier routines in your daily life.  If you picture yourself surrounded by friends, then start making more friends.  Join a club or group where you can meet new people.  As you create routines that fit your ideal vision of who you want to become, you will find that your days are enjoyable because you are becoming more and more like the person you want to be. 

    Lastly, determine what elements of your picturesque ideal life you can incorporate easily into your life right now.  Maybe you enjoy daily walks on the beach when you are on vacation.  Can you incorporate an outdoor walk into your life now?  Perhaps it's going out to eat, or sharing a meal with family that brings you joy.  Can you find ways to make this happen in your everyday life?  You don't have to save those special moments for the few times a year when you are on vacation or holiday break.  Find ways to incorporate the elements you love throughout your regular life.  

    As you start to focus your life around the things you truly care about, create routines which help you become who you want to be, and incorporate special elements throughout your day and week, you will find that your life becomes a beautiful journey, rather than constantly asking yourself, "Are we there yet?"  Don't spend your life saying, "I'll be happy when..." (vacation comes, I retire, the kids move out, I get a raise, ect...).  Find ways to be filled with joy now, and make everyday a day you are excited about.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W. 

    

Finish Strong

    Hey Friends!  Fall is here, and we are 92 days away from the end of 2020.  Can you believe it?  If you're like me, this year has probably looked and felt a lot different than you expected, and you may have had to change your goals and expectations multiple times during this ever shifting year.  I hope you have used this year to re-evaluate, figure out what truly matters, and pursue your passions more than ever before.  But the year isn't over, and if you had a rough go of it, you can still make this year count.  

    Many people give up and check out by this point in the year. After all, school has started, the holidays will soon be upon us, and at this point you mind as well wait until New Year's and start fresh, right?  Wrong!  There is so much potential in the end of the year.  Now is the time to attack new habits and to finish 2020 strong.  Now is the time to establish new and stronger habits so that when you set those New Year's intentions, you are going into 2021 with momentum.  

    If you're fired up and ready to crush the end of this year, or maybe you still need a little convincing,  here are a few habits/challenges I participate in, and you can too to finish this year with a bang.  

1.  Last 90 Days with Rachel Hollis

    Ok, so this is a new one for me this year, but it's a challenge I'm really excited about.  Rachel Hollis is a life coach/author/all around motivator, and she offers a FREE last 90 days challenge.  If you haven't gotten in on this, SIGN UP!  Here's the link: Last90Days

If you are looking to really kick it up a notch for the end of the year, and also be motivated and inspired by a community of people and free teaching, then you won't want to miss this. 

2.  Planksgiving

    Ok, so this one might sound a bit corny, but Planksgiving is no joke.  I participate every year, and it is a challenge.  If you google Planksgiving, you will come up with any number of routines you can follow.  Here's the one I have been doing every November for years:  Planksgiving Challenge

See if you can complete the whole challenge, and feel free to post your progress on my social media page. @KLWhiteHartman.  Nothing like coming out of Turkey Day with stronger abs.

3.  Declutter Challenge

    This is something I like to do at the end of the year because it helps get the house in order before Christmas  comes and my child comes home with a massive haul of new toys that we have to find space for.  It's also a great way to start the year with a clean home and fresh space.  You can find any number of decluttering challenges online.  You can go by room or by number of items to get rid of per day.  

I like the idea of getting rid of the number of items that coincide with the day... for example, on day 1 you get rid of 1 item, on day 15 you get rid of 15 items, ect...  This can be a simple and quick way to help you clear out all that extra clutter.  If you need ideas, just type "declutter challenge" into Google.  

    No matter if you choose all three of these challenges, or pick some of your own, I encourage you to not waste the end of this year.  How you finish this year sets you up for how you start the New Year.  Finish strong and begin 2021 with your motivation high.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W. 

Three Books On How to Eat an Elephant

     Hey There!  You know the old expression, "How do you eat an elephant?  One bite at a time." Ever think the little things in life don't really matter?  It's easy to feel like our small daily decisions don't really make that much of a difference. After all, we don't usually see the results of one day of working out or one healthy meal.  But it's the effect of these habits over time which can make a huge difference in our lives.  

    Maybe you're like me.  I spent a lot of my life saying, "Tomorrow I'll be perfect."  Guess what?  There is no perfect tomorrow.  We have to move ahead one step at a time.  We don't just wake up one day having arrived at success.  

    About 7 years ago, someone introduced me to a book called, The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson.  If you haven't read this book, I'm going to recommend you get a copy immediately.  Why?  Because it literally changed my life and my thinking, and I believe it can do the same for you.  In fact, this book has had so much of an influence on me that I reread it every year!  The Slight Edge taught me that our success comes from things that are "easy to do", like taking a few extra steps a day or choosing a salad over a hamburger.  But our failure comes from those same habits which are "easy not to do."  You don't notice the effects of these choices right away, only over time.  Jeff says that time will either expose you or promote you.  I realized then and there that I wanted my choices to compound for success, not for failure.  

    And speaking of compounding, if you want to really kick start and streamline your habits, The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy is the next book you should pick up.  This book takes the principles from The Slight Edge and kicks it up a notch with real world examples and practical steps you can use to fine tune those small daily choices.  Remember, success is a mindset and a journey, not a one stop shop.  

    Ok, so you've discovered that success comes in small steps taken consistently over time, and you've been practicing and tracking your habits like a pro.  Now what?  Is that it?  Is there any room left for improvement?  I want to introduce you to the king of all books on habits.  Atomic Habits by James Clear.  If your already a habits master, this book is for you. Atomic Habits breaks down the science of habits and shows you how to get more and better results out of everything you do.  If you're looking to squeeze every bit of goodness out of everything you do, this book will give you the inside scoop.  I've been a dedicated habits person for 7 years, and this book took what I knew to a whole new level.  

    What am I saying?  If you are wondering how your life got to be where it is, or why you aren't getting the results you hoped for, these books can help you set the record straight.  You have to stop waiting for some big event to change your life.  You change your life by small steps compounded daily. "The slightest adjustments to your daily routines can dramatically alter the outcomes in your life." -Darren Hardy, The Compound Effect. No more waiting, wishing, and hoping.  Take the first step toward the life you want today.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.

Purpose?

     Have you ever asked yourself the questions, "Why am I here?  What am I supposed to be doing with my life?"  These are some of the big, pressing questions in life that we all wrestle with, and while I can't answer these questions for you, I do believe that each and every person was put here with a unique purpose that only he/she can fulfill.  Your purpose may be broad, like to love others so well that the ripple effect impacts generations down the line.  Or your purpose may be very narrow and focused, like designing a cure for a specific disease.  If you're still scratching your head and trying to figure it out though, here are a few things I believe will help.

1.  Get to know the One who gave you your purpose.

    Ephesians 2:10 assures us, "We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them."  This should bring us comfort in the fact that we didn't get left out or passed over.  God created you with a unique to-do list.  If you don't know for sure what's on that list yet, it's ok.  Start spending time getting to know God, and He will start to put ideas in your heart.  

2.  Learn and Grow

    Proverbs 4:5a tells us to "Get wisdom." And to "Get understanding."  Once we have an inkling of what we are called to do, we must learn as much as we can so that we can excel at our calling. And even if you aren't sure what your purpose is yet, you can still begin to grow yourself.  As you grow personally, you will open doors to opportunities in your life, and you may just find that one of those doors holds the answers you are looking for.

3.  Take Action

    John 17:4 records Jesus as He is praying, and He tells God, "I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do."  We cannot complete the work we were put here for unless we take action.  Just thinking about, studying, or knowing our purpose does nothing unless we begin to act on it.  You may not know all the steps yet or how you will get it done, but can you figure out the next step and take it?  Life is a journey.  We are meant to make progress.  Don't stay stuck in one spot.

    This year has caused many of us to take a step back and question the way we do work, school, relationships, and life in general.  If you are taking the time to think about your life and your priorities, take some time to get to know God and what His purpose is for you.  Invest in learning and growing towards your purpose, and take action so you can live fulfilled and be all that you were made to be.  You were put on this earth with a unique purpose.  I can't wait to see you find it and succeed!

~K.L.W.

Chaos or Character

   "Discrepancies between values and practices create chaos in a person's life." John C. Maxwell says this in his book, Today Matters. Reading this struck a chord with me. You see, I am a person of strong values.  I hold to my values like a dog to a bone, and those who know me best know that I am not afraid to leave a job or an organization if my values are not in alignment.  However, our values are not just tested by these large, rare, major life decision moments. Although, that is where they are demonstrated most noticeably.  Our values, however, are reinforced and come in to question most with our actions every day.  Our values are not just the final destination, they are the lamppost, lighting the way for us to take each step. 

    Our core values must be lived out daily, or we risk creating chaos in our souls.  And in fact, many of our internal struggles could be eliminated if we learned to live true to what's most important. Our core values must shine through in our habits if we are to truly be at peace with ourselves.  Too often we are impatient and angry and we place the blame on those around us, when in reality, the ones to blame are ourselves.  Let me explain... perhaps one of your core values is commitment, and you may be excellent at keeping your commitment to your job, your local community organizations, and your spouse.  But are you keeping your commitments to yourself?  What about the decision you made to work out three times a week?  Or to stay on track with your budget?  If you are letting yourself down in the commitment department, you are failing to hold to your values, and you are creating inner turmoil which will manifest itself in all sorts of negative ways.  

Here are three ways to make sure you are minimizing chaos by staying in alignment with what matters most to you.  

1.  Know what you value

    If someone asked you what your core values were, could you list them out?  I hope that you could name at least a few without even thinking about it, and if you can't, I encourage you to think hard about what's important to you and put it down on paper.  Then, start using those values to guide your actions daily.  Not knowing your core values is like trying to take a trip without knowing where you are headed.  Figure out your coordinates and move in that direction.

2.  Don't forget the small things

    Reaffirming our values through small daily actions is how we can most clearly demonstrate what is important to us.  For example, let's say you value your health.  It may be logical for you then to avoid smoking cigarettes or taking illegal drugs, but those are the major decisions.  What about holding to your values by eating healthfully and exercising? If you are not choosing those small daily health practices, you are creating discord in your life.  You say you value being healthy, but you are not taking the steps to do so.  This causes you to be frustrated with yourself for not living in alignment with what is important to you.  Make a decision to get yourself in agreement with the small daily habits that confirm your values. 

3.  Don't compromise

    Holding to your values when others are watching is usually pretty easy.  After all, if there are witnesses, you probably aren't likely to steal from someone or to do something questionable.  But what about when no one is watching, when no one will know except you?  Do you hold to your values then?  If you choose to disregard your values when there is no audience, you will create guilt, shame, and fear which will hold you captive and keep you from living freely.  Make the choice to stick to your values, even when no one will know but you.  

    Living your values is a decision that must be made daily.  Choose today what your values are.  Then make a commitment to those values even in the small things, and hold to your commitment when no one knows but you.  This will help you to live in harmony with yourself and to be at peace with your life.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.

Back to School

   Hi Friends, it's that time of year again.  The time when our morning commute is now made longer by school busses, our evenings are cluttered with homework assignments (if you have kids or are in college), and our routines are shaken up by change.  Whether you're going back to school yourself, have a child going back to school, or are in the blissful childfree years, fall can be a great time to evaluate your routines, see what works and what doesn't, and build new habits that suit your life and propel you forward.  

  I have a particular love for seasons, because I love fresh starts.  I love being able to clean out my wardrobe, change up my day, and celebrate a new holiday.  And as we go through seasons in life, we have to keep this perspective if we hope to transition smoothly.  If you are starting a new phase, or if you hope to soon, here are three tips for making the switch.

1.  Dress for Success - Sometimes it's easy to get stuck in a routine, with what we wear, what we eat, where we go, who we talk to, and while routines can be great, if you're feeling stuck, it may be time for an outfit change.  Maybe literally, or just mentally.  Have you heard the expression that you should dress for the job you want, not the job you have?  It comes from the idea that you should always dress and carry yourself with excellence, even if you aren't the CEO yet.  If you are feeling stuck, try evaluating your routines.  Would the person you hope to become eat that for lunch?  Would he/she hang out with that crowd after work?  What would the better version of you read, listen to, or wear?  Asking yourself these questions can help you to start behaving like the best version of yourself.  James Clear says in Atomic Habits, "Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become." What type of person are you becoming today?

2.  Maximize your Efficiency - Have you ever tried to start a new habit, and you just couldn't make it work?  Sometimes our problem isn't with doing the habit itself, but with finding the smoothest way to include the habit in our lives.  Play around with your schedule and find the best times to accomplish things.  Maybe you need to move your workout to the evening, or read that book on your lunch break.  Perhaps you know you don't accomplish anything after work (ahem... me) so you need to get up early to get everything done.  Just because someone else does their habits in a certain way at a certain time doesn't mean you have to.  It's your life, design it the way you want.  

3.  Celebrate - I don't know about you, but I get a palpable feeling of joy when I think of fall and the holidays:  Halloween (pumpkin carving, apple cider), Thanksgiving (visits with family, so much food), or Christmas (gifts, time off work) and New Year's (new beginnings, champagne).  But we can also find that holiday feeling when we build habits and routines we love.  I look forward each morning to my cup of coffee and reading.  There's nothing better than my afternoon chocolate cookie dough keto bar at work.  And the peacefulness of doing my yoga practice after the stress of getting my kid off to school is a reward in itself.  While you're changing things up and finding what works for you, remember to build a life you love.  You only get one after all.  

  Whatever you find yourself doing this fall, I hope you take the time to give yourself a refresh, find the best routines for you, and celebrate the little things each day.  Back to school or just back to usual, make the most of this time.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.L.W.

Know Your Sheep

 Good Morning,

I want to talk to you today about a few verses I came across this morning in my reading:  

Proverbs 27:23-27

"Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.  When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field.  You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls."  (NIV)

At first glance this doesn't appear to have much practical application for us today.  Most of us aren't sheep farmers.  But in ancient Israel, this had a very literal meaning.  Most of them were sheep herders, and they understood that tending their flock would ensure they could provide food and clothing for themselves and their families no matter what the economic climate.  

From a modern perspective, I would suggest that our sheep are no longer literal sheep, but rather the special skills and character we build within ourselves.  Have you ever heard a wealthy business owner state that even if he lost it all and was reduced to zero, he could build it all back again?  That's because he knows the condition of his sheep.  He has taken time to develop himself and his skill set, and he knows that if he loses a job, or a company, or his money, he can earn it back again with the knowledge, habits, and character he possesses.  

Today we tend our sheep by spending time studying our field and also growing ourselves.  Learning people skills, time management, positive attitude, and creating good habits is the modern day equivalent of caring for your herd.  When you develop yourself you can thrive no matter what life throws at you.  Your job is downsized?  No problem.  You can use what you know to get another or build your own company to provide for your family.  An investment goes south?  With what you have developed in yourself, you can learn from the setback and come back stronger.  

Take the time today to start growing your flock.  Make reading and personal growth a daily habit, study in your field of expertise to get better, learn from mentors, and develop positive habits.  When things start to fall apart, you will have confidence because you have been caring for your sheep.  Pay careful attention to the condition of your flock.  I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.W. 

The Main Thing

   Have you ever had a big life goal, something you want to move toward, but you just can't seem to get the traction you want?  It can feel like everyone else is moving forward, and there you are just stuck in the mud spinning your wheels.  There are usually three reasons why people get bogged down and don't move forward.  One is that they don't have a clear goal.  If you don't know where you are going, it's hard to get there.  Imagine a being stuck in a large mud pit in a truck, but instead of driving straight through, you turn your wheels left and gun it for a few minutes, then put it in reverse, then turn right, and so on and so forth.  Essentially, you are just going to dig yourself a deeper hole and never get closer to getting out, because you aren't consistently moving forward.  To get where you are going, you have to first have a clear goal and direction.  

    Secondly, once you know where you are headed, you have to push the gas.  Many of us know what we want in life, and we may have even written out our goals, but it does no good to put them on paper and just sit down and stare at them.  We have to get the wheels moving.  With no action, we get no closer to our goals.  In the mud pit situation, we cannot just put the truck in park.  We have to consistently apply pressure to the gas peddle to make the wheels turn and pull ourselves forward toward where we are heading.  

    Lastly, if we want to accomplish our dreams and goals, we have to stay focused.  We need to keep the main thing the main thing.  There are so many things we can spend our time on, and we can easily trick ourselves into thinking that because we are busy we are making progress.  But busy does not equal productive.  We have to put our time and energy into the things that matter most when it comes to reaching our goals.  In our mud pit scenario, busyness is akin to cleaning the outside of the truck.  After you have been spinning your tires for a period, you notice that you now have mud all over the outside of your truck.  So you get out, go get a bucket and some soap, and you stand in the mud, washing the truck off.  Now, in theory what you are doing is good, right?  Having a clean vehicle is important.  But in relationship to your goal of getting out of the mud, cleaning your truck is not helpful.  Similarly, we get ourselves off track in all kinds of ways by doing those little tasks or projects that aren't the most important.  

    If you're feeling a little stuck today, take some time to get clear on the direction you're headed, then start taking action, and stay focused on the most important tasks.  Repeat this daily, and you will soon find yourself climbing out of the mud and onto the highway again.  Learn to prioritize and get yourself moving forward.  I can't wait to see you succeed!  

~K.W. 

Your Most Valuable Asset

   Good Morning, Friends!  Ever wonder what your most valuable asset is?  Is it your home?  You car?  Your furniture?  How about something more personal, like your family, your dog, or your grandmother's jewelry?  I would argue that all of these answers would be wrong, and I don't need an appraiser to tell you this.  Why?  Because your most valuable asset is your TIME!  

    I read a quote this week from Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Guard well your spare moments.  They are like uncut diamonds.  Discard them and their value will never be known.  Improve them and they will become the brightest gems in a useful life."  Are you making the most of the uncut gems in your life?  Or are you tossing them away, always wondering why you aren't getting closer to your dreams and goals?  If you're sick of wasting this valuable resource,  and you're ready to start making the most of your time, then here are three simple hacks that you can use to be more productive.  

    1.  Put yourself first.  

        What do I mean by this?  I mean, schedule the things that matter to you first thing in the day.  Give yourself and your dreams peak priority.  If working out is important to you, quit trying to do it after work when you are already exhausted.  Make a commitment to give the best hours to yourself, not to your job or any other entity.  When you utilize your time to focus on your goals and priorities first thing, you will find you have more energy and enthusiasm to pour into your job, your family, and every other area of your life.  

    2.  Use phone apps.

        Now, at first this might seem like counter productive advice.  After all, our phones can be huge distractions and time wasters with social media access and entertainment right at our fingertips. But if you're like most people, your phone is probably the one item you always have with you, and this means you can use those apps to be productive when you're stuck in standstill traffic, waiting to pick up your kid from practice, at the dentist office; virtually anywhere where you have a few minutes to spare, phone apps can be extremely helpful.  Here's the types I recommend.  A reading app (Like Kindle).  Use this to read on subjects that you want to learn more about, finance, relationships, health, etc.  Whenever you have  few free minutes, pull out your phone and learn.  An organizing app, (Like Microsoft To Do).  Always know what you are doing when.  Store important dates and details, your grocery list, and everything else you can think of.  Save yourself the valuable time of losing dates or important items by having them all organized in your phone.  A podcast app (take your pick.)  Podcasts are a great way to increase your knowledge on any subject and learn from experts.  They are also a great way to compound your time, and remember, time is your most valuable asset.  You can listen while exercising, driving, cooking dinner, or getting ready for your day.  Thus doubling up on two important activities at once.  

3.  Keep your priorities in front of you.

    If you know what is most important, then you know what to spend your time on, and what you don't need to waste time on.  Writing down your specific goals and keeping them visible is one of the best ways to make the most of your time.  If you know, for example that your goal is to read 10 pages of a book a day, than you are reminded to spend your time on reading, rather than surfing the web before bed.  Knowing your "MUST do" list will help you use your time to do those things that matter most.  So, before each week begins, take some time to get clear about exactly what you want to accomplish that week.  Then, write it down and follow through (see point 1...schedule your must do list first, and point 2...keep it in front of you by putting it on your phone screen or setting reminders.)

    Friends, I don't believe any of you would take your money and crumple it in a ball and throw it away.  That would be foolish.  But if you wouldn't throw your money away, you shouldn't throw your time away either, because time is the one asset you can't get back.  You can make more money, but you cannot make more time.  Start seeing time as your most valuable asset and using it accordingly.  Your future self will thank you. Make the most of the time you have. I can't wait to see you succeed!

~K.W.