If you have been on my mailing list for longer than a few months, you will already know that I am a huge fan of Michael Hyatt's work. Michael first came to my attention a few years ago as I was starting my new business as a coach. I downloaded one of his gifts that offered 10 tools to help me become more productive as an entrepreneur. Because I had only been in business a few months, I found that gift to be of great value. And I became a devoted fan.

Since then, I have listened to his podcast (which is currently on hiatus), read and promoted his books including Platform and Living Forward. (If you are interested in either book, click on the titles and order from here.)

So why am I such a fan? Well, for one thing, I know he offers high-quality content, and I always learn from his wisdom and insights.

You see, I believe that he knows what he's talking about. As a former CEO of a publishing company, I know that he has run a successful business, but I relate to him now as an entrepreneur. He started his current business after leaving the publishing company and starting a new business that grew out of his personal blog.

Now, Michael is running another successful business. It is focused on helping people like me--and you--figure out this whole living life on purpose business.

I don't know if Michael would agree with that characterization or not, but for me, that's what his work is about.

Michael has learned the hard way about how harmful it is to put work above everything else. When we do that, life gets out of balance.

Let's face it. We live in a hyper-stimulating environment. We are constantly checking our phones and are therefore constantly responding to outside stimuli. Whether it is an email from a friend or family member or a post on Facebook or Twitter, our brains are constantly lit up with activity.

Unless you make a conscious effort to create balance in your life, you can suddenly find yourself seriously out of balance, and that can lead to serious problems...relationship issues, health issues, even spiritual issues.

Michael has worked hard in recent months to come up with a systemised way for us to be more productive but that doesn't mean doing more work. It means getting more out of our lives and keeping things in balance and perspective.

If you didn't get a chance to take the quiz that reveals your own productivity level, it might not be too late. You can click here to access it: https://teachersintransition.com/freetofocus.

Then based on your results, you may be able to make some adjustments in how you approach your life.

For example, my results reveal that I am a "solo supervisor." What does that mean? Here is the summary:

"You’re a highly responsible person, but delegation is a challenge. You don’t feel like you have anybody else you can count on to get the job done right. You care deeply about processes, outcomes, and overall success. In fact, you’re so hands-on and connected that it’s difficult to unplug during your off hours. You tell yourself it’ll only be this way for NOW… but the busy seasons don’t ever seem to end. With the world on your shoulders, you embrace the stress even while acknowledging that there has to be a better way. Fortunately, there IS! You have more options than you think."

All I can say to all of that is, "Amen, brother." I am definitely a business of one, and frankly, the idea of hiring someone to help me with my business is terrifying. If would feel like handing my newborn baby over to a complete stranger. No thank you.

But now that I have this insight about myself based on the assessment, Michael offered, I might be ready to take a deeper look at what the fear of asking for help means. It might help me to develop some deeper insights about my relationship to my business.

And the "Solo Supervisor" is only one of a variety of characterizations that Michael talks about in his program.

If you haven't yet taken the assessment, I urge you to give it a try. It only takes a few minutes. Click on this link to access it now: https://teachersintransition.com/freetofocus.

I highly recommend this assessment. Whether you are looking to be more productive at work or just to enjoy your life more, you may find the insights from your results useful moving forward.

Until next time.