Getting Past Maintenance

I've been a bit restless for the past couple of weeks. Oh, I've been busy, and I've met most (all, I hope) of my commitments. But something hasn't quite been right. I could blame it on the cold that I had, or the lingering winter, but neither of these would be accurate, nor would blaming be very productive anyway.

A brief conversation with my sister-in-law Kara yesterday put it perfectly. She sad, "I've just been in maintenance for the past couple of weeks." That is exactly where I have been - maintenance. I'm getting the things done that have to get done - but not much extra is happening.

It is like maintaining a house. If we are in maintenance mode things don't fall into disrepair, but you are doing any remodelling or landscaping either. Maintenance requires some energy, but seldom creates any new energy. And that is where I have been.

As I think about it, I think this is where many people spend their whole lives. They don't set any goals, they don't stretch themselves. They simply stay in maintenance mode. A fifty year old house that has been maintained will have out dated bathrooms, paint and appliances - it may be functional, but it won't be highly attractive.

I don't know about you, but I want to be attractive. I want to be vibrant, alive and full of energy. Perhaps it it ok to be in a maintenance mode for a bit (I know that the extra sleep I've gotten to allow my body to recover from the cold was smart and healing). Here is what I am doing to move past maintenance. I believe these same things can help you or your team/organization do the same thing.

1. Review my goals. Whenever I review my goals it brings me renewed purpose and energy. When was the last time you or your team reviewed your goals?

2. Review the benefits my goals will bring me. Reviewing our goals is great - reminding ourselves of why they are so important is even more powerful. Don't just pull out your goals. Take time to reflect on why they matter. Your energy and motivation will be replenished, guaranteed. Do you (and everyone on your team) know why your goals matter?

3. Take action. My energy today is higher than it has been in days. Having a plan and taking action fuels that energy. What is your action plan for today or this week?

4. Remove distractions. For me recently that includes a home office that is too messy. Last week before traveling I began to clean it up and today that continues. My other distraction? college basketball. I love college basketball and this time of year is the best time to be a fan. I can make some time for it without allowing it to suck all of my time attention. What are your current distractions du jour?

These four steps are helping me get past maintenance and on to achieving my bigger and more exciting goals for this year. If you find yourself in maintenance mode, get those tasks done and get on to building your future!