Who do you spend time with: firefighters or fire starters at businesses?

Who do you spend time with? Too many times we find ourselves caught up in discussions or courses trying -and I stress trying- to learn how to manage our time.

We cannot manage our time, we can only manage our life.

Our days are like identical suitcases. Although they are all the same size, some people can pack more than others. The reason? They know what to pack.

We should all spend time with those who are involved in the process.

We must always unite energy with energy. We should always be fueling a fire instead of trying to start a fire. Feeding a fire is working with someone in your group who is properly involved in the process. Trying to start a fire is trying to push, motivate and/or inspire someone who is a wet log and not involved in the process. Leave the log wet and pour gas on the fire.

Are you dating firefighters or fire starters?

John Maxwell in his work “Talent is never enough” talks about firefighters in front of lighters. Firefighters pour cold water on you and your dreams and plans; lighters fuel your fire with enthusiasm and support. Do you want a smoky, moldy, stinky fire or a fire?

It’s scary guys, but your income is probably 5-15% of those you hang out with. I suggest for the New Year to make two lists:

1) Those who are firefighters and with whom you need to eliminate contact. If you absolutely cannot remove the contact, then minimize the contact. I sent some emails towards the end of 2009 “divorcing” myself from some of my relationships with firefighters.

2) Those igniters you want to increase contact with and schedule monthly phone calls or lunches so you can be around them more often.

So, aside from hanging out with the lighters, who do you let near your fire on an ongoing basis? Do you see inspiring true stories like “Rudy”, “Blind Side” and “Mircle on Ice”? Do you read amazing books to fuel your fire like “We Can Too Win” and “The Moses Code” and other books we have on our recommended reading list (found under Distributor Resources on the left hand side).

The good thing is that YOU HAVE TO DECIDE!

It’s also important to remember: criticism is cheap advice. You’ve heard me talk about “cheap tips” in almost every training we do. The Greek philosopher Aristotle said, “Criticism is something you can easily avoid: say nothing, do nothing, and be nothing.” However, it is not an option for anyone who wants to be a successful leader. See John Maxwell’s “Leadership Gold” in Chapter 4 for his process for helping all leaders deal with criticism.

Think HUGE.