I really was a model! But not like you might be thinking! Oh, I did model a suit way back in high school but that’s not exactly what I am talking about today. There’s a saying from NLP (neurolinguistic programming) that says “If one person can do something, others can too. That’s the modeling I am talking about.

My good friend David Gordon teaches people how to do what another does. He is one of the early practitioners of NLP and is quite well known in the field. He was teaching a multi-day course on modeling in Chicago which I was fortunate enough to be enrolled in. My fellow classmates picked four from the course who they all felt had a sense of humor and I was one of the one picked. Imagine that!
Here’s what happened… they put each of us in a corner of the room and asked us several questions to elicit what and how we thought about being funny. (there’s actually a book about all this and this very case study)

When the groups were finished asking each of the four of us (separately each in his/her own corner remember) several questions they charted our answers on separate pieces of flip chart paper and hung them on the wall. The results were spooky to say the least. With very few exceptions, the charts were the same!

So what does this mean to us today? I know for sure, I’ve seen it, I’ve done it! If someone is exceptional, good or proficient at performing their job… it can be modeled and then taught to others! It’s a process that works!

It amazes me how, when a person has too, they can handle multiple priorities at seemingly one time. There is a danger in that though… if you don’t have a way to track the projects you have and are committed to blocking specific times to work on each… you’re doomed!

I know from first hand experience that if the two, tracking methodology and time blocking, are missing… it’s a rough way to go. Thankfully, my good friend Scott Manning, known for getting “a ton of c*@p done” has taught me some of his magic. I’ll share it with you in just a minute.

When you go to a great restaurant do you tell your friends about it? Do you recommend it to your friends and associates? I know I do and although I shouldn’t take it personally when a person doesn’t go to taste and see for themselves… but I do! I am working on that, but I’m just not there yet. You might be wondering, “Did you forget what you were talking about Jack?” The answer is a simple “NO.” You see I have recommended Scott to many of you and although he’s not a restaurant, he does provide nourishment! Nourishment for your wallet and well being that is!

Here are just 2 of the many things Scott taught me… 1.) Block time for the things you need to do. More than that… block enough time for each thing. I wasn’t doing that so consequently, many “things” would be about half cooked and I would jump to something else. 2.) Tie the list of things you have to do to the money they’re worth to you. The priorities quickly rise to the top. Something else I wasn’t doing.

In the remaining 33 days of 2011, make your list. Tie money to the items and then block enough time to get the things done!

We all have many things and reasons to be thankful and because we all have so much it’s easy to forget or just as easy to take for granted what we have.

There have been times when I wished for more, more money, more time, more patience, you might be somewhat similar. There’s one thing I know for sure, I don’t remember the times when I reflected on the things I am truly thankful for in my life.

I think it might be true for most of us too, that we don’t take time to just be thankful. My mentor Tommy Richardson always has an attitude of gratitude and I admire that very much. This week, in your journal, (you do have a journal don’t you?) make a list between you and you of all the things that you’re thankful for. More than just the “things” list the non-things too. Things like; awareness, sense of humor, creativity, you know… the non-things in your life. Those things that God gave you and you have developed or that you are still developing.

Then, when you have those times when things don’t go exactly as planned and you begin to fret… read the list. It’s awfully difficult to be angry, mad or depressed when you’re thinking of all the things that you’re thankful for.

I want to let you know about one seemingly little thing that I am really thankful for and it’s all the comments I get about this weekly e-mail. You have no idea how much it means when someone I admire and/or respect tells me “Jack, you’re a really good writer.” Writing is something I never thought I would be thankful for but now I am!

Thank you for reading this weekly note and know that I send wishes for the Happiest of Thanksgiving’s to you!