written by
Matthew Rensberry, MD MBA
on 2015-02-17
What I Choose to Value:
- Other [people] - I want to be an Active Listener to value others
- [Quality] - I want to enjoy Good Things
- [Knowledge/Experience] - I want to be an avid Reader
- [Organization] - I want to maintain order in my surroundings along with a hint of chaos (to encourage creativity)
- [Curiosity] - I want to Do things for the Joy (because I can)
- [Time] - I want to Appreciate Life
My Personal Goals:
- Stop snoozing - I want to improve the quality of my sleep time
- Sign my name - avoid usernames - "If you believe in something, you sign your name to it" (Ron Swanson, Parks and Rec, S6Ep14)
- Leave my social media presence behind - Social Media is becoming dangerousand unsafe
- Use uplifting language only (Eph 4:29)
- No texting and driving - I love my Agent App
- Stop biting fingers (almost beat that this every year for the past 3 years)
- Use better posture
Goal Daily Routine:
- Exercise
- Sleep7-8 hrs a night
- Maintain a clean and orderly workspace at home and work
- Make 3 priorities every morning for the day
- Use only 10 min for email using Inbox-0 (Action, Hold, Archive) (Do, Wait, Save)
- Keep meetings to short
- Arrive early (10 min)
- Debrief/relaxation after the day (Self-reflection)
- Review a medical journal
Send 5 emails:
- HAPPINESS
Every morning send a friend, family member or co-worker an email to say thanks for something.
- JOB
At the end of the week, send your boss an email and sum up what you’ve accomplished.
They probably have no idea what you’re doing with your time. They’re busy. They have their own problems.
- GROWTH
Once a week email a potential mentor.
Doesn’t have to be related to your job. Who do you admire that you could learn from?
- FRIENDSHIP
Email a good friend and make plans.
Research shows the best use of electronic communication is to facilitate face-to-face interaction:
The results were unequivocal. “The greater the proportion of face-to-face interactions, the less lonely you are,” he says. “The greater the proportion of online interactions, the lonelier you are.”
- CAREER
Send an email to someone you know (but don’t know very well) and check in.
Money Principles:
Desired style:
- Dog (Peaches)
- Motorcycle (Vulcan 2000)
- Clean/modern style small home
- Classical guitar
- Handkerchief
- Good pen
- Promptness
- Knowing when to say nothing
- Loyalty
- Safety razor
- Tactical flashlight
- Live an interesting life
- Go for walks without purpose
Words to live by:
- Exemplify excellence. (Do it; Do it right; Do it right now)
- Live here, now; Be free, let loose
- Choose 2: Good, Fast, Cheap
- Time and distance => shield
- Done > Perfect
- Life is all about perspective
- A clever person solves problems; A wise person avoids problems
- Do not define you life by your career; Have a career compliment your life
Lifestyle Tips:
- Do not live through your inbox - that is allowing others to set your agenda
- Stay on the highest floor possible in hotels - usually more quiet and reserved for individual travelers
- Order meat medium without sauce
- Note the details
- Keep emails short and to the point - 5 Sentences
- Be curious
- Do not order chicken - except sometimes
- Take the stairs
- Drink a small coffee.
- Dress the part
- Be moderately overconfident - See note at end of post
- Do not be constantly using your phone
- Speak clearly and make eye contact
- Don’t chew gum in public
- Be positive and focus on the good
- Tell stories
- Take risks (even small ones) - Take advantage of experiences life has to offer (Black swans)
- Travel
My Hobbies:
- Running
- Reading
- Photography
- [Roller Derby Referee]{style="text-decoration: line-through;"} - I am no longer an active referee
- Riding (motorcycle/fixie)
- SUP
- Dancing (Salsa/Bachata/Zumba)
- Cooking (Blue Apron)
- Music (Classical Guitar)
Previously Stated Personal Goals:
- Bring back my Spanish
- Start playing classical guitar again
- Unplug from the phone in social contexts
Note: People love confidence so much that we sometimes prefer those who talk a good game over those who produce quantifiable results. So be moderately overconfident. See the world accurately but have belief in your abilities.
This dynamic list began in 2011 and edited every New Year