The idea, of course, is that when we are trying to decide what to do and what not to do (something most of us fret over an inordinate amount of time), then this can be our measure.  When you are examining an invitation, an opportunity, a project, what is your gut response?  Hell, yes!  Well then go for it.  If it’s not a ‘Hell, yes’ response, then just walk away.

What would change today if you did that?  Let’s see what everyone says.  Just comment below. 

1. Some failures are huge disappointments.  Generally, if your marriage “fails,” you feel some disappointment. You went into the relationship with some sense of expectation; when it doesn’t work out the way you were hoping and planning, then it’s incredibly disappointing.  Not earning tenure at your university MAY be a huge disappointment or it may be the best thing that every happened to you because you find another position at a different university – and you thrive there.   

Be sure to continue with tomorrow’s post and learn more about ways to view failure – and between now and then, you may want to access one of these tools (free): 

**Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com)

**Articles for Professors (http://www.ArticlesforProfessors.com)

(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., “The Ph.D. of Productivity”(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

Get it into your head before you ever sit down to work on your email that you are a decision maker! If you aren’t ready to make decisions then don’t even get started. Because decision-making is a major aspect of being sane and sensible in your email practices, trying to work on email when you are emotionally and intellectually exhausted is not wise and in fact, is ridiculous.

Know this: It takes a certain amount of energy to make decisions, doesn’t it? And often, professionals don’t think of email as an area of their work that involves MANY decisions. If you’re not up to making decisions, then don’t open your email because all you will do is dink around (a technical phrase) in there and leave a lot of clutter. Remember, as Barbara Hemphill says, “Clutter is postponed decisions.(R)”

So, be decisive. When you sit down to process email, decide to decide. Be decisive. It’s

• Yes,
• No,
• Keep,
• Save,
• Answer,
• Ignore, and
• So forth.

There really are a limited number of decisions – but you really do have to make one of them (at least!) for each email in your in-box. You can decide to delete, to defer, to do (what a concept!), or to delegate it to someone else. Make decisions. That’s what leaders do.

Get it?  Decide to decide.  If you have the energy, go to our email right now and see how many clear decisions you can make in 10 minutes.  Make that your habit. 

And if you would like additional ways of getting and staying productive, then please join others (worldwide) who receive Meggin’s weekly emails (and see what is available for download at no cost at the following websites):

**Top Ten Productivity Tips (http://www.TopTenProductivityTips.com)

**Keys to Keeping Chaos at Bay (http://www.KeepingChaosatBay.com)

(c) 2009 by Meggin McIntosh, Ph.D., “The Ph.D. of Productivity”(tm). Through her company, Emphasis on Excellence, Inc., Meggin McIntosh changes what people know, feel, dream, and do. Sound interesting? It is!

1. What do you want?
2. What are you willing to do or go through to get there?
3. What will you have to give up?
4. What will you gain?
5. Is your life the way you imagined it or the way you wanted it?
6. How far off is it?

I titled this post, “Essential Questions – If You Can Answer These, You Have a Choice.”  So what’s the choice? 

Well, now you can do something about your life…or not.  Depends on your answers, doesn’t it?