Have you ever used an old vacuum cleaner and found that it didn't suck very well? That sucked didn't it? I was talking the other day about my son and his struggles to focus his energy.
I began comparing him to a vacuum cleaner...
with leaks in his "hose" which lessened his ability to focus on any one task at a time.
Because the apple rarely falls too far from the tree, I took a hard look at myself and discovered that the same thing applied to me and my energy and focus.
I too have mental (and physical) leaks in my hose, which lessen my ability to be productive.
As a result of my wandering down Analogy Ave.
, here are "lessons from my vacuum cleaner.
" Your hose should be free of leaks.
Leaking of air diminishes how effectively the vacuum can do its primary task...
picking up dirt.
Even tiny, seemingly insignificant holes can have an enormous effect on its overall performance.
o Do you have tiny leaks? o Where are your leaks? time? energy? money? worry? poor health? o What could you do if you recaptured that "air pressure" and patched those leaks? Trying to suck up too much at a time can cause clogs.
It amazes me how I will run my vacuum cleaner over something that I know is too big to be picked up.
Then, as a result, I have to spend 15 minutes taking the vacuum apart to remove that which I knew would not fit in the first place.
Not my brightest moment.
You have to make sure that the vacuum matches the task at hand.
o What are you trying to pick up in your life that you know you are not fully equipped to handle.
o Why do you think you are trying to do this? o What kind of equipment do you need if you are determined to suck that big thing up? Maintenance is a must.
Anything that gets used often to tackle big jobs must be properly maintained.
This I've learned firsthand (cars need oil, computers need service, vacuums need new belts.
) Proper maintenance actually insures a much longer life and higher performance.
o What kind of maintenance plan do you have for yourself and your business? o When do you take yourself in for service...
when your "maintenance light" comes on or before you have problems? o What kind of maintenance do you need right now? A tune up? An overhaul or a full upgrade? So, as I look to the vacuum cleaner I guess that I am saying...
"A business that sucks can also clean up!!