I recently listened to a well-known and respected motivational speaker.

 

I was surprised to hear him say we must not use the word ‘Problem’.

 

He advised, instead of saying ‘Problem’ we should say ‘Challenge’.

 

For at least 2 good reasons, I think this is bad advice:

1. The word ‘Problem’ is not the problem with problems. The problem with problems is the reaction we have when they visit us. Motivational speakers, including the one I just listened to, know this. They make it clear we must adjust our reaction to problems…which many of them prefer to call – challenges. And, they give advice on how we can adjust our reactions. Regardless, many of them say the use of the word ‘Problem’ is a part of the problem with problems. If their thinking is accurate and the use of the word ‘Problem’ contributes to the problem of problems then…soon…after we all are accustomed to using the word ‘Challenge’ in place of the ‘P-word’…soon…the word ‘Challenge’ will become part of the challenge of challenges. We will have gone through a full word circle to get to the same place we are now.
    
   At the risk of flogging a dead horse: the word ‘Problem’ has evolved from the Greek word ‘problema’… "a problem, a question"…literally "a thing put forward". So, a word that started as a thing put forward has become such a problem of a word we need to change it to challenge. If we do this then sooner or later we will also end up having to change the word challenge… some new word.
    
2. I do not believe we can trick the subconscious mind into believing those things called Problems somehow are eased by changing their names to Challenges. Maybe, they would be eased over generations…but, that wouldn’t solve this matter because #1 [above] would happen at a similar pace.

While listening to audio book 'The Now Habit At Work’, it occurred to me the words time management may be stalling people.

 

I mean, most people can not manage time nor would they even try to manage time. Time is a concept. Time is a concept most people either take for granted or don’t think about. Time is a concept most people don’t want to dwell on let alone manage.

 

When we use the words 'time management' we are not speaking accurately.

 

And, we may be stalling people, which, of course, is the exact opposite of our goal.

 

I am not saying people may be consciously aware we are stalling them.

 

I am saying, when other people experience us using that word combination – time management – maybe we are setting off a subconscious reaction that causes them to stall.

 

Regardless, I think that word combination is just plain wrong. Few human beings have the ability to manage time. Maybe some monks or yogis probably can manage time? Perhaps Albert Einstein could manage time? [He knew a lot more about time than most of us.] We hear stories about people who face extreme danger and, somehow, their subconscious mind slows time for them. Or, at least, they manage to cram a huge amount of indelible perception into a small amount of time. Maybe those are some examples of time management? There are other examples like that...if they are examples of time management then time management is rare.

 

So, for most people the words 'time management' set a confusing ‘bar’. Maybe that bar is set too high or maybe that bar doesn’t make sense at all. I think it is the latter.

 

So, we need to use other words when we want people to ‘manage their time’.

 

We could use self-management but that is not ideal because that’s a broad topic that goes beyond the ‘management of time’.

 

From now on, I intend to use the words ‘action management’. That’s what we want to do and that’s what we want other people to do. We want to manage our actions.

 

Back to that audio book, 'The Now Habit At Work’…

 

It mentions 'strategic cramming', i.e., leaving some things to the last minute. I like that strategy because it is a way to Procrastinate For Success. I believe you can build 'action strength' by using methods like strategic cramming. You can - and at least some of the time you should - intentionally refrain from doing tasks until the very last minute. Then, when you [finally] do the task you should concentrate, focus, and expedite your action. Build this strength. It is a valuable strength.

 

Teach yourself you can do it – teach yourself you can handle last-minute crunches.

 

This is a sample of Procrastinate For Success.  Methods like strategic cramming help you gain skill (concentration) and it help you gain something more important - confidence. When we Procrastinate For Success that skill and the benefits it provides snowball...the more you do it the better you get at it.
Maybe your skill will become so great you will want to leave everything to the last minute?

 

Maybe you will be a Master of Procrastinate For Success?

 

That’s when success can not fill the ‘wanting’ that drives entrepreneurs to carry on.

 

Much has been written about how special people connections can generate amazing success stories. As one example, I would recommend ‘Click’ by Ori & Rom Brafman.

 

Dedicate time to understanding what it means to click.

 

To succeed as an entrepreneur you must click with other people.