Twelve years ago, I had stacks of paper all over my office along with books and magazine articles I was saving to read ‘later.’ When I complained to a good friend and business partner at the time, Dr. Ross Stewart, he asked me when I would like to get rid of my clutter? My first thought was, “I know this is completely impossible.” But I answered, ‘NOW!’

He came over to my office and checked it out. Then he asked how much time it would take to eliminate the stacks. I went straight to overwhelm! I told him, “It will take me forever.” He looked amazed and mumbled ‘forever’. I jumped in with, “Maybe not forever, but it would take a really long time.” He asked if I could do it in a month. I thought, “If I worked on it all day every day it surely wouldn’t take a month.”

He persisted that I give him a time frame. Well, I answered it would probably take three days if I worked morning until night. He asked me how soon I could set aside three days.

I committed and took a Friday and a weekend and tossed, filed, and scanned documents and articles. I put the books I needed in a new cabinet and gave the others away. It was wonderful!! It was marvelous!! I could see the tops of everything. I polished and shined my beautiful desk and my oak library table. I couldn’t wait to tell Ross how great it was.

When I called him to report on my success, he asked me how much it was worth to me to keep it that way. I said that I knew it was worth a lot to me, but I was so busy I didn’t know if I had the time to keep it so spiffy. He asked if it was worth twenty minutes a day. Only twenty minutes a day!! – Really? (I asked skeptically.)

He said if you file and straighten before you leave the office EVERY day, twenty minutes is probably more than enough time. He thought I could probably do it fifteen minutes. So I had an epiphany - I had a neat and organized office that I had the time to maintain.

It has become my standard to straighten my office each day before I leave. The payoff is that I smile every morning when I walk into my office and keep fresh flowers as a celebration for creating a beautiful working environment.

Resource: David Allen, Getting Things Done

Sign Up Now by fax. Click here for the pdf form that can be printed, completed, and faxed with your credit card information to 214-342-1147, a secure fax line.

Credentialing Fast-Track Program

Efficiently optimize your preparation for an ICF credential

According to the ICF Global Coaching Study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers, 52 percent of coaches report that their coaching clients expect the coach they hire to be credentialed. In this economy, it is important to eliminate all barriers for being hired as a coach. An increasing number of corporations and organizations require an ICF credential for their internal and external coaches.

If you have accumulated the coaching hours required (or are nearing that mark) this group will give you the opportunity to join with two MCC coaches and coaching peers in this fast-paced, substantive, practical group experience. It will give you the support to ensure that you will follow through on your credentialing quest with the tools and confidence you need to successfully complete this credentialing quest. This program directly relates to the ICF Core Competencies. Participants will receive Continuing Coach Education Units (CEUs): 6