The Power of A Rooster

A few weeks ago Donald Miller posted an article titled Tips on Writing: Use a Kitchen Timer, I took from that post the challenge I face with deliberate practice, focus, discipline and distractions when it comes to tasks I’m not to motivated to get done. 

So last week, we (@BlueprintEd) took the concept (thanks @donmilleris) of the kitchen timer and introduced it to our leadership team during our Spring retreat.  We gave each director a classic (and perhaps cliché) rooster kitchen timer, explained the idea and hoped it stuck as they manage their very busy days, weeks and months to come. 

Although the concept was meant as an individual accountability tool, someone on our team asked why not use the timer throughout the retreat.  What a fabulous suggestion.  We were deliberate with our approach and agreed how much time was given to each presenter, what it meant when the bell rang (admittedly at first, we did add extra time when startled by the bell), stayed focused, disciplined and most of all reduced the number of distractions that can occur during a leadership retreat. 

What transpired was a laser focused plan heading into our next fiscal year that concentrated on:

• Purpose of our schools
• The essence of our plan to get there
• What specifically we want to accomplish in terms of time and degree
• What specific actions we will take to accomplish our objectives

I’m not saying if you go out and buy a rooster all good things will come, but holding yourself accountable, staying deliberate, focused, disciplined and less distracted by a simple rooster never felt so good.