"I learned that we can do anything, but we can't do everything...at least not at the same time. So think of your priorities not in terms of what activities you do, but when you do them. Timing is everything."
--- Dan Millman
How often we are called away from the main thing to address a trifle thing. We all do it and while doing it, we believe we are making a significant difference in our day of business. We see these little fires that need dousing as priorities when in fact we are creating more pressure and urgency on the "main thing."
Getting past these obstacles is not easy. The only way for some of us to release the temptation to swat at these small gnats is to have a plan of action to follow --- a system for handling our daily activities.
"Money isn't the most important thing in life, but it's reasonably close to oxygen on the "gotta have it" scale."
--- Zig Ziglar
During major catastrophes such as hurricanes, terrorist attacks, tornadoes, and war confrontations, rescue workers use a system known as S.T.A.R.T. which stands for Simple Triage, Rapid Treatment, a system that rescuers follow in mass casualty incidents to determine which victims receive immediate treatment and care and which ones are labeled as deceased.
The system helps to take all emotions out of determining who lives and who is left as dead. It uses colors like red for immediate care, yellow for delayed care, green as walking wounded, and black as dead.
"Don't be a time manager, be a priority manager. Cut your major goals into bite-sized pieces. Each small priority or requirement on the way to the ultimate goal becomes a mini goal in itself."
--- Dennis Waitley
We can also apply a system like S.T.A.R.T. to help us prioritize our day. Such a system will help us to take all emotion out of play and allow us to see tasks as those that need our attention right now (red) , those that can wait (green and yellow), and those that we don't need to fool with, (black).
The system we choose to use is really up to us. It makes no difference what system we use as long as it is one that we follow and one that keeps us on track to get the important tasks completed first without regard to who is yelling the loudest or to what is on fire.
"You can't move so fast that you try to change the mores faster than people can accept it. That doesn't mean you do nothing, but it means that you do the things that need to be done according to priority."
--- Eleanor Roosevelt
If we were to analyze our day, we will probably find that we are spending way too much time on trying to resuscitate the dead and little time on helping those who have a chance to live. Whether it is the Franklin/Covey system, or a Daytimer system, be sure to implement one today. You can address the issue of tweaking it as you go, but the idea is to start now so that you can get the things done that propel your business forward without being interrupted with items that impede your progress.
"The heavens themselves, the planets and this centre observe degree, priority and place."
--- William Shakespeare
Prioritize your day before the day begins. Some successful business people prioritize the day or night before so that they have a roadmap to follow the next day. Use a similar system to help you to focus on your priorities of the day.
Maximizing Digital: Print-and-Cut Heat Transfers
By Josh Ellsworth
Digital means many things to different decorators. As a term in our industry, it is commonly associated with the boom in either wide-format digital print imaging or with direct-on-garment printing. Either way, digital is leading-edge and contains many technologies. One key technology with multiple uses is the digital print-and-cut process for fabric embellishment.
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New Model Sign Code for Municipalities Created by the United States Sign Council
By Rick Crawford
The USSC Model Sign Code represents the culmination of over 14 years of research on the design characteristics of On-Premise Signs to help municipalities incorporate sound and tested principles into practical Sign Ordinances.
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Advertiser - American Sign Museum
Sign Museum Auction Goes On-Line April 1st
By going on-line, the entire sign and imaging industry can now participate.
Bidding starts at 12 midnight Eastern Standard Time on April 1, 2011 and continues for 30 days and nights, ending on Saturday, April 30 at 3:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. Those attending the ISA SIGN EXPO show in Las Vegas, can get in their last-minute bids on-site at the museum’s booth (#3317). Don’t wait for the show, but make sure you mark your calendar. Visit:
http://www.biddingforgood.com/americansignmuseum
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At an Optometrist's Office:
"If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place"
As seen in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada:
"All of those who hate speeding tickets, raise your right foot"
Sign on the back of another Septic Tank Truck:
"Caution - This Truck is full of Political Promises"
We know those funny signs are out there. Take a moment and send them in to us and we'll share them with the world. Send all hysterical observations to: info@signindustry.com.