This. Time.

Mardra Sikora In Print
Nov 1 · 4 min read

Autumn arrived. This is the season I’m elbow deep in the next year’s targets and plans and grading this year’s intentions against reality. Plus, the holidays are quickly coming, as the stores are anxious to remind and sell, and with it the stresses that should not be heeded and the joys that should not be diminished, yet we do…

In “making time,” “taking time,” and “investing time,” the advice focused on using our time now as part of building a better future. Today, let’s talk about today. This time. The moment you live in right now.

Celebrate the Now

I am frequently guilty of tunnel vision. What’s next? To-do, to-do, to-do! Fortunately, we have a tradition where my husband will choose an evening in the fall to help me see and breathe during my favorite season. He will pick me up from work, drive to a point just out of town where the view of the autumn foliage and rolling fields catch the sun and sky in a tapestry of color. We breathe. We quietly notice and celebrate the view, the colors, the change, this moment in time.

“Life is not made up of minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, or years, but of moments. You must experience each one before you can appreciate it.” Sarah Ban Breathnach

Photo by Alex Geerts on Unsplash

When I center myself into a moment, the next emotion is inevitably gratitude.

Gratitude and Productivity

I think we can all agree that having a “good attitude” equals more productive days and more restful nights. Worry and “brain spins” (as we call it in our house) not only wear down your immune system but also can make getting things done, even simple tasks, harder. The first step to the right attitude is gratitude. (Even cheesy sentiments can be true!)

I bet you’re especially thankful for your team. I know I am. I’m thankful for the managers who stay to help catch, or cut, or glue, or box, or whatever necessary, so that the customer’s product ships out on-time. I’m thankful for the press operators who pull a job because “It doesn’t look right.” I’m thankful for the way no one has a “That’s not my job” attitude and will fill in, or learn how to, any position or task.

It’s important to share your gratitude with your team.

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

There are many ways to say: “Thank You.” Expressing specific and concrete gratitude to those you work with, whether employees, colleagues, customers, community members, and/or vendors may start as task-like but end up a way of living that enforces the powerful dynamic of strong relationships, commitment, and trust. It builds upon itself. In fact, a culture of gratitude, positive reinforcement, and appreciation are excellent catalysts to increased productivity.

“Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for.” — Zig Ziglar

One policy we have to get to know a little about our employee’s preferences upon hire is to ask key questions as part of their new hire paperwork. Things like: What’s your favorite lunch restaurant? Dinner restaurant? What’s your favorite vending snack? What charity or causes do you support? DO you have a favorite sports team?

This allows me (and other managers) to be very specific when we share appreciation at varied levels. For example, when a new hire tackled a big project and successfully took on the task, a kind note with her favorite snack appeared on her desk during the afternoon lull. When one of my staff showed great initiative to improve the quality standards in his department, a card with a gift card to his favorite dinner restaurant was in order.

I’m also thankful for my customers, vendors, and other business partners. I’m thankful for the opportunity to connect and reach out to other print owners. I’m thankful for the opportunity to become partners on so many cool projects! I’m thankful for the chance to grow our businesses together.

I’m not perfect on the timing and consistency of showing gratitude. (Just like I’m not perfect on any of the tips I continue to share. Don’t tell.) We are all learning and improving together. However, it’s important to remember to stop, just for this moment, take in a deep breath, and center myself with these truths which are filled with gratitude.

This time is really the only time there is. As Anne Lamott poetically and perfectly put it:

“There is really only today, although luckily that is also the eternal now.” — Anne Lamott

Photo by Eric Muhr on Unsplash
Mardra Sikora In Print

Written by

Proud printer and leader of a team of professionals who embrace technology and strive to impress. This is my print-life. Other life at @mardrasikora

Speaking Of Time

A publication about time management, tips, and reminders for leaders, entrepreneurs, and other humans.

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