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Consultant Substitutes Leisure For Labour

By alik levin

February 26th, 2009 | Consulting


Time to slack. Seriously. It is time to get yourself together, recharge the batteries, step back, look around. Get prepared for another fight. When was the last time you attended a training? When was the last time you went to a convention to snoop around for new directions? Slacker Consultant 
by tanakawho

When was the last time you attended a session of like-minded to share experiences? You have not done it lately, eh? No good… no good. Although you were winning lately you might be easily defeated next. Why? Because you ignore another winning stratagem - Substitute leisure for labour:

The idea is to have your troops well-prepared for battle, in the same time that the enemy is rushing to fight against you. - Wikipedia


Personal Power To The Max

I adopted Jim Loehr’s and Tony Schwartz’s approach for personal power described in their book - The Power of Full Engagement. The essence of the approach is controlling 4 “dimensions” which are:

  • Physically energized.
  • Emotionally connected.
  • Mentally focused.
  • Spiritually aligned.

If you are able to control these four you will be able to maximize your personal power.

Beware Of High Voltage Personal Power

High personal performance is good , but what’s not desired is a flat liner. Loehr and Schwartz  say it kills. Avoid being at high voltage or low voltage for extended periods. Avoid flat liner.

When you maintain high voltage personal power for a long time - allow yourself some slack. When you feel down, test each one of the four personal power dimensions (I call them personal power reservoirs). Understand which one of them needs to be refilled.

  • If you are drained emotionally - spend time with your closest friends, family, kids, parents. Go see a good movie, do something creative. Connect.
  • If you drained physically - have a goooooood sleep. Take a walk each evening. Stretch your muscles.
  • If you are drained intellectually - go solve a toughest problem on your plate. Seriously, I know you have a few. Go solve it! But solve it elegantly.
  • If you are drained spiritually - this one is the most important. If this reservoir is leaking it seems you are living someone’s else life. Review your values, decide what you value the most and start acting accordingly.

Recharged? Good! You are ready for another fight. You are ready for another win.

“If you have a difficult task, give it to a lazy person - they will find an easier way to do it”

Practice This - Get Results

  • Allocate time for slack - review your personal power reservoirs. 
  • Identify the most drained reservoir of your personal power - emotional, physical, intellectual, spiritual - refill it.
  • The spiritual reservoir is the most important - never let it leak. This one is hardest to refill.

My Related Posts

Editor in chief – Jimmy May



16 comments ↓

#1 Liara Covert on 02.26.09 at 9:27 pm

Alik, you inspire readers with a holistic approach to problem-solving. Rather than assume one reason for a sense of imbalance, you encourage readers to examine different energy levels and perspectives. You recognize the power of interdependence and invite readers to explore their own connections between the physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual sides. It also makes sense not to assume these are the only levels. Nonetheless, they are fantastic starting points.

#2 Melissa Donovan on 02.27.09 at 12:50 am

We definitely have to recharge every once in a while to stay productive. Thanks for the reminder! I’m hoping later tonight I can kick back with some fiction. That’s a real respite for me.

#3 alik levin on 02.27.09 at 9:34 am

Liara,
I recognize the interdependence of these four and it definitely much easier for me to handle tough situations in my life

Melissa,
Will check on your work later on your blog, you are going to share it there, right? ;)

#4 J.D. Meier on 02.27.09 at 5:32 pm

I like the point on getting back to values.

It’s also a good point to check where the energy leaks are. It’s not always where we expect it. Assuming you took care of the basics (eating, sleeping, working out) then there’s a good chance there’s a passion or values issue.

#5 Sheila Atwood on 02.27.09 at 8:01 pm

“If you have a difficult task, give it to a lazy person - they will find an easier way to do it”

Now that is one that I will have to think about. I just can’t see how that would work.

#6 alik levin on 02.27.09 at 9:23 pm

JD,
Energy leakage… yeah - this is good metaphor to keep in mind. I liked it.

Sheila,
I think i know what confused you…
I have very specific vision for a lazy guy - the one that works smart, not hard ;). I know it’s not what “lazy” usually means…

#7 star on 02.28.09 at 11:54 am

Hi Friend.. Interesting post.. Nice cool blog with exciting stuffs.. Keep up the good work.. Do visit my blog and post your comments.. Take care mate.. Cheers!!!

#8 alik levin on 02.28.09 at 12:25 pm

star,
Good to hear you liked it

#9 Giovanna Garcia on 02.28.09 at 5:11 pm

What I got out this is to stay balance :-) You are a wise man.

Thank you,
Giovanna Garcia
Imperfect Action is better than No Action

#10 alik levin on 02.28.09 at 7:33 pm

Giovanna,
Thanks, you are too kind!
I think it is zero sum game, the important thing is to avoid flat liners. You must stretch you emotional, physical, intellectual, and spiritual muscles. That way you get your personal power to the max.

#11 Jannie Funster on 03.01.09 at 3:23 am

Ooo, I’m totally in love with the concept of keeping those 4 in in line and happy with each other. Just a simple but wonderful concept. THANKS!

Currently I’d say sleep is a top priority.

Good night.

#12 alik levin on 03.01.09 at 5:16 am

Jannie,
Good to hear you liked it!
Indeed, it is simple to practice and it gets results too.
Good night ;)

#13 Consultant Loots A Burning House — Practice This on 03.05.09 at 12:36 pm

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#14 Amol Ravande on 03.08.09 at 12:19 pm

Alik, this is a fantastic article. I personally face such a situation few times and this article presents a great split down way on how to get away and refocus, re-energize ourselves.

Thanks again for this.

#15 alik levin on 03.08.09 at 8:44 pm

Amol, partner!
Thanks for good words.
Great to hear it resonated w/you.
If you liked it consider reading this short post too:
http://practicethis.com/2008/03/06/4-dimensions-of-personal-power/

You might want to read the book too - it is available in our library, I’ve got it from there :)

#16 9 Downturn Lessons Toyota Can Teach A Consultant — Practice This on 03.16.09 at 7:36 pm

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