Musings from the CU Suite

Written by Anthony Demangone

A day is a day, right?  Well, some folks seem to squeeze more out of their 24 hours than others.

That's why I like to learn about successful people.  They might have found a way to be a bit more efficient. Perhaps they uncovered a trick that allowed them to be more successful.

With that in mind, please read The Ten Habits of Passionate People.  In the post, the author outlines 10 common habits shared by passionate people.  Here are a few...

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1. Wake Up Early:

The sun has not caught me in bed in fifty years.  ~Thomas Jefferson

Passionate people are usually early risers. There is something magical in rising early, and preferably at dawn. This peaceful period before the rest of the world wake up can be the most productive period of your day.

When I started the habit of waking up early at 4:30 am everyday, I felt like I was not living before. The amount of progress, inner peace, and joy that I experienced all the day made me regret the years in which the sun always caught me in bed!

3. Simplify

The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak.  ~Hans Hofmann

Simplify everything is your work and life. Start by eliminating the unnecessary. Everything that has nothing to do with your passion and purpose should be eliminated. They shouldn’t occupy any space in your daily life, because they are just a waste of time, energy and money.

When you have less needs, and you learn to enjoy more with less, you’ll increase your financial independence too.

5. Workout

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.  ~Plato

Those who think they have not time for bodily exercise will sooner or later have to find time for illness.  ~Edward Stanley

Health care is very important. So many people follow their passion with great enthusiasm, but they put too much pressure on their body and ignore their overall health and well being. They think they are supposed to work really hard to fulfill their purpose and grow their passion.

These are good intentions, but you should be aware that if you don’t take care of your body, it will soon collapse and this will not serve your passion well.

Health care should be on top of your priorities to maintain a good, prosperous and passionate lifestyle.

One of the best books I’ve read on the topic of health and well-being is 8 Weeks To Optimum Health by Dr. Weil.

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You may be saying...OK, I knew this stuff already.  Sure.  But lists like this are always a good nudge in the right direction.  As my pal John Spence says, what you focus on and who you spend time with, greatly determine where you'll be in a decade.   

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For those considering attending our annual conference in Nashville, I thought that I'd highlight the management/leadership aspects to the conference.

1. We'll have Stephen Dubner, author of Freakonomics, giving a key-note.  His goal is to get you to use economics to show you how to look at your credit union in a new way.
2. Tim Harrington will talk about leadership and Dwight D. Eisenhower.  Mr. Harrington has just authored a book on the subject, and all attendees will receive a copy.
3. There is an executive track, which includes a CEOs forum, and a Senior Management Forum. 

I hope to see you there!