Ideal work week - What NOT to do is as important as the To-Do list

Recently, I blogged about what my 'ideal work week' would look like. One of the comments that came back to me from a friend challenged me to think about what NOT to do for the ideal work week and what did that list look like...Great challenge...So, I sat down and thought about it.

Here is what I came up with:

1) I will NOT worry about things I cannot control

2) I will NOT worry about others who don't take action for themselves

3) I will NOT allow 'Why me' (in terms of opportunities) to keep me from reaching higher

4) I will NOT allow others to plan my time for me.

My NOT to-do items tend to be inwardly focused and based upon worry. In today's economy, worry, can be the ultimate time 'vampire', sucking the energy right out of you. Easier said than done, but CHOOSE to NOT worry about the things outside of your control. I could use a dose of my own medicine on this one.

So, what are the things on your 'NOT to-do' list that you are doing and you need to stop doing to get to the important things?

Leadership Lessons from St. Patrick

Every year for the past 30 years or so, the Gallagher's have hosted friends & family for a St. Patrick's day party. This year was no different as over 100 of our friends gathered together in Follansbee, WV for fellowship and cheer.

What may get lost in the fun times are the reason for the celebration each year. St. Patrick was quite the leader. I found a cool article recently that chatted about how his forgiving spirit forged relationships in Ireland that brought many people to understand his faith and how he impacted an entire nation.

Click here to read the article.

Pocket Change - Leadership Development

Pocket Change - "Find someone with the ability and willingness to learn, and then invest a lot of time in their lives." - John C. Maxwell

Pocket Change - "Don't bankrupt your leadership" - by John C Maxwell - http://ping.fm/aKRiy

UPDATE - Expensive laundry - There has to be a better way!

Recently, I blogged about my Staples certificates going through the laundry. I promised an update and I am pleasantly surprised:

Dear John,
We have reissued your rewards. Please allow 7-10 business days to receive the new rewards in the mail.
Rewards can be used like cash at Staples - in store, online, or over the phone. Rewards do expire. Expired rewards cannot be reissued. Staples is not responsible for lost or misdirected postal mail.
If you have any additional questions, please contact us at StaplesRewards@Staples.com or by calling 1-800-793-3320 Monday through Friday, 8:30AM-8:00PM EST.
Thank you,
Richard Conway
Staples Rewards Premier

Kudos to Staples for reissuing the certificates. When I replied to the email with a 'Thank you', this was the auto response I got:
Thank you for contacting Staples Rewards.
We are currently experiencing high contact volume; please expect a delay in our response.

The dangers of auto reply emails!! Oh well, now I can get that file cabinet in 7 to 10 days! I won't even bore you with my recent Dell service experience...It was good, but again, 7 to 10 business days before i get my laptop back!

Have any good customer service experiences you want to share?