Dear coaches and folks interested in positive processes,

I’ve begun another book, and it is about happiness and well-being. The chapter I’m currently working on seems to need some stories and so I offer you the opportunity, and ask for your help in creating stories of a time when you knew you were especially happy. The length of the story might be anywhere from a paragraph to a page, your choice. If you are interested, please post your stories below as response to this blog entry. No pressure. Do this only if it makes you happy! I will credit you in the book if I use the story, or use a pseudonym if you prefer.

Here are some thought starters:

Describe a time when you knew you were especially happy…

What was going on (describe the scene as best you can)…

Who was involved (were you alone or with someone else)…

Has this scene or occasion of happiness ever been repeated (is this something you do regularly, or more than once, like mountain climbing or your work)…

What are the elements of the time you are describing that particularly contribute to your happiness (family, achievement, new sox)…

Thanks for your willingness to read this, and perhaps to play.

What does time management have to do with positive processes? Well, I can tell you that I, for one, feel a lot more positively about my life when I’m not stepping over piles in my office and when my bills are paid on time. I have found David Allen’s book Getting Things Done particulary helpful in seeing the big picture of organizing my time and my stuff. He writes that there are five stages of mastering workflow.

• 1. Collect things that command your attention
  • a. Capture in containers (folders, notes on your planner, email alerts, voicemail reminders)
  • b. Use as few as you can get away with
  • c. Empty them frequently
• 2. Process what they mean and what to do with them
  • a. What is actionable
  • b. If not actionable, trash, delegate, keep as reference
  • c. What is the next action
  • • i. Do it
  • • ii. Delegate it
  • • iii. Defer it
• 3. Organize the results
  • a. Calendars, list of projects
  • b. Reminders of next steps
  • c. Reminders of things you’re waiting for
• 4. Review as options for what we choose to do
  • a. Weekly review
• 5. DO
  • a. Criteria by which to decide what to do
  • • i. Context- what you can do in the moment
  • • ii. Time available
  • • iii. Energy available
  • • iv. Priority

Hope these are helpful in your work, your studies and your life. Allen’s book, available in paperback, is well worth your valuable time.