Before anyone leaves the house, my grandpa tells us, "Remember, nothing good happens after midnight." As a teenager, that quip meant I had to get home way before the party was over and I didn't like it. I mean, midnight? Really?
Paying that piece of wisdom a little attention now, though, proves once again that my grandpa is a pretty smart guy. (Rule of thumb, yours probably is too. Pay the guy a visit). The pay off on that advice is 3:1, let's unpack some of that brand and personal value. Here are 3 less cliched lessons from my grandpa's warning.
1) Set deadlines
If you have to be home by midnight, your day can't start at 11:30 pm. By setting a deadline for when work will end, you realize how precious your time is and begin to find ways to streamline your life to make all of it count. When we value time appropriately, we become more present in each moment and make wiser choices on where we spend our minutes. Dale Carnegie advocated the power of deadlines to minimize the time we spend worrying and maximize the time we spend living by encouraging readers to meet life in day-tight compartments. Set a deadline, you'll be happier for it.
2) Start early
We've heard enough about the bird and the worm (although that's another cliche seeped in wisdom), but there is plenty to be said for getting an early start on that project coming down the pipeline, signing up for a gym membership, or making time for coffee and great conversations. Instead of looking to others for an idea for the pace your life should move, how about listening to that nagging pit in your stomach. You know better than anyone else what needs to happen today to get life into balance. An early start gives time to course correct and anticipate changes rather than reacting to them. Also, see above. If you've got to be in the house by 12, an early morning is your best friend.
3) Rest when you need it
The plan after midnight is to get to bed. To bring our best self to each day, we've got to recuperate. Recuperation doesn't have to happen after midnight either. By setting deadlines and starting early, there's time to recharge throughout the day. The birds are chirping, the grass is green on your side of the fence, and your great big, beautiful tomorrow can start today!
Take a little time to unpack some of those old cliches. Your personal brand and company's performance might be better for it. To start just remember, nothing good happens after midnight.
