Let's talk about prioritizing glass balls...

Time Needed: 5m Read, or jump to Monday Hour 1 below

Outcome: Gain discernment on your priorities

Hey Reader,

Happy Monday! ☕️

Do I enjoy a good euphemism. Why, yes, yes I do! Can't take ourselves too seriously.

Scroll down to your weekly Monday Hour 1 kick start, or start off with my thoughts on prioritizing your balls.

Seriously though, the topic of glass balls and rubber balls stuck with me after a powerful coaching conversation with a client last week.

The session began with a focus on overwhelm when life gives you a curve-ball and suddenly there is simply too much going on. My client wanted tactical ways to have more space to adapt without sacrificing her own well being across work and life.

After some discussion, I shared the concept of glass balls and rubber balls. I've used this metaphor for years, but finally researched* the origins.

When I worked at The Pentagon, I was working with an Exec Officer that gave me some really good advice... When juggling tasks, not all tasks are the same. Some are “glass” balls that, when dropped, will be unrecoverable and have unintended consequences. Some are “rubber” balls that, when dropped, are recoverable. - Daniel Scott

a desktop plaque with the words "is this a glass ball task or a rubber ball task? Choose wisely! and a glass ball and an orange rubber ball. — image with unclear origins from the internet

Balance this concept with some grace, alignment to your personal values, and flexibility. My client and I were immediately able to delegate rubber balls to her direct reports, reschedule a large time/effort conflict in a few weeks and also ensure she has space for the unexpected by adding "buffer time" to her calendar (more on "buffer time" next week for those who need a refresher!)

For me, my family is THE glass ball. I've realized a tad late that my health and wellbeing needs to be a glass ball too, on the daily. My personal value of equity and fairness is pretty much glass, as when that gets smashed a LOT gets out of harmony and my OCD** gets put on high alert.

Anyways, food for thought on your Monday! Let me know what you think by simply replying or connecting on Linkedin.

Monday Hour 1

Here's your weekly invitation to prioritize impact, while allowing more space for what is truly important to YOU.

Monday Hour 1

What’s the most impactful thing you can accomplish this week?
What bigger goal does this help you nudge towards?
What is precious right now (your 2-3 glass balls)?
What can you drop that will bounce or roll off into the distance (your rubber balls)?
Where can you celebrate a small win?

That’s it! You did it. And if you didn't read my intro on types of balls... good luck! hehe.

Want an accountabili-buddy? Reply with your answers and I’ll check in with you on Friday. Yes, fo’reals.

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You got this.

Thanks for reading & leading. Your Coach,

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*I spent 15 minutes and a couple ChatGPT prompts to see if I could get to the true roots and etymology of the concept and here's what I found! Authors Nora Roberts, James Patterson and others are also cited with similar concepts, so for sure reply if you know more than I do! I decided proper sourcing was a rubber ball. 🏀

** clinical OCD, not an exaggeration or expression. 💕