The Domino Effect

Gain valuable insights into establishing good working habits to break through your “natural ceiling” and achieve more than you ever thought possible.

The Domino Effect and Time Management

Posted: July 6, 2021
Physics proves that one domino can bring down a domino that is 50% larger. Apply this to your work life and you'll end up being more productive with your tasks.

Talking Points:

  • Think of your tasks as dominoes. If you focus on handling the most important domino first, it will knock down the larger ones, creating the “domino effect”.
  • Start by establishing your deeper purpose at work. Getting clarity on your “why” will help you answer the practical questions that lead to true productivity.
  • Establish your list of priorities or strategic objectives. Try to come up with 3-5 main priorities for yourself or your team.
  • Answer the focusing question: “What’s the one thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary?” Ask this question daily, weekly, and more.
Discussion Questions:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What are some of the big things in your life that take up a lot of time? What are some smaller things that still seem to suck time from your day? What changes might you need to make?
  3. What are some habits you have or have had that you have seen affect you more and more as time went on?
  4. What do you want to have as your main priorities in life? What do you need to adjust to make this true?
  5. What is one habit you can establish to help you be more productive?
  6. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

Adapted from The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

How to Break Through Your Natural Ceiling of Achievement

Posted: April 14, 2022
You can break through your default ceiling of achievement, but only if you work purposefully toward new habits that don’t come naturally.

Talking Points:

  • The “Entrepreneurial” Approach: this approach involves relying on what you’ve always relied on to achieve success. But true success requires adaptation.
  • The “Purposeful” Approach: this approach involves stepping out of your comfort zone to do what is necessary to achieve success. To be purposeful, look at others who have succeeded in your field and apply their strategies to your work.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Why do you think it’s so hard for people to break through their natural ceiling of achievement?
  3. Which of these approaches do you find yourself taking more often? Why do you think that is?
  4. What habits will you change in order to break through your natural ceiling of achievement?
  5. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results by Gary Keller

The Cycle of Accountability

Posted: April 14, 2022
Life is going to happen to every leader. The question is whether they experience it as a victim or a victor.

Talking Points:

  • No matter who you are, life happens. Tough things can happen at work, home, or school. When tough things happen, there are two ways to approach them. 
  • The Accountable person will acknowledge the issues, own their part and work toward solutions.
  • The Victim doesn’t face reality, denies problems and looks to blame everyone else for the failures.
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Identify people in your life who are like the accountable person. Identify the Victims in your life. What type of impact do these people make on those around them?
  3. Which cycle do you fall into more often? Why do you think that is?
  4. What other qualities does an accountable person have?
  5. What are some practical steps you can take to become an accountable person?
  6. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?

Adapted from the book by Gary Keller The ONE Thing: The Surprisingly Simple Truth Behind Extraordinary Results.