Live in The Moment. Offer Undivided Attention.

I have been out of the loop for the last few weeks...in addition to taking a maternity leave, I decided to take some time off to spend with my son before the new baby arrives. The time we've had together over the last few weeks has been amazing! Stuff like this you can't put a dollar amount on - it truly is "priceless". You really do have to live in the moment when you get a chance.

I knew that this was the last time in my life I'd have the chance to be with just my son. I wanted to give him my undivided attention. I'm a working mom, and I'm a better mom because I'm a working mom because I LOVE my work. But, this means less time with my children. So I have had to learn that at work I give 100% and at home I give a 100%. I have to TRULY be in the moment - no matter where I am. It's about quality, not quantity. You have to offer your undivided attention whenever possible. Make them feel special, make them feel important, make them feel loved.

Several years ago, I attended a seminar on effective communication. I thought I'd share my main take-away which is all about undivided attention. Put this to work in your business and personal life - I think you'll notice a positive change!

1. If you have an open door policy, when someone comes in your office to chat you have two choices:         

a. Stop everything you're doing and give them you're undivided attention.

b. Tell them you are right in the middle of something, that they're important to you so you want to offer them you're undivided attention and ask them to come back in 15 minutes (or however long you need to finish your task)...then of course follow through on this.

Nothing is more disrespectful than when someone is talking to you and you are typing an email, or working on something else and not focusing on the person who is directly infront of you. Make eye contact. Listen. Resolve.

Do this when someone calls you on the phone. If you can't really talk to them, then don't answer the call!!! If you do answer the call, let them know you're in the middle of something and will call them right back. If you decide to talk, turn away from your computer or whatever you're doing to give them your attention.

We've ALL done this "uh huh, uh huh, okay, sure, okay, uh huh, WHAT?" Sound like any calls you've been on lately?

You must stop trying to "multi-task" and be one place at a time. Productivity will increase - trust me!

People appreciate feeling important, needed, respected and most importantly listened to. You can put this to work at work and at home. You'll feel better about your daily conversations and your relationships will improve.

I'm guessing most of you who read my blogs also struggle with work-life balance. There will never be balance - you have to make work-life choices. I have made some great choices that have allowed me to have the best of all worlds. I hope you make the choice to live in the moment - your relationships with collegues, friends and most importantly family are what will stick with you 20 years from now.

I'm checking out for most of the summer. I'll have a new baby by Tuesday...I can't WAIT to meet this little bundle. We don't know if it's a boy or a girl...one of lifes last great surprises.

I'll be back soon!! Take care and have a happy summer leading and selling!