Filter is a verb meaning to pass (a liquid, gas, light or sound) through a device to remove unwanted material.
In our latest book, Folding Time, filtering means removing unwanted activities and tasks so you can focus on the highest–return activities and results.
Synonym: verb: strain, percolate, filtrate, infiltrate, and leach.
I like the word percolate. Often we just jump into our day, jump into a meeting, jump into a conversation without allowing ideas to percolate. When was the last time you percolated?
There is nothing like good Italian coffee. Even if you don’t drink a lot of coffee, just one well-made coffee each day using a fabulously flash Italian coffee machine is delicious. As a coffee snob, unfortunately, I can’t take my coffee machine on vacation with us; my honey often packs our little Italian percolator to make real coffee on the stovetop. It is a slow old process and we can only make one cup of coffee at a time, but it sure does taste good. It is worth the wait.
Where do you need to percolate your ideas?
Choice is the act of selecting or making a decision when faced with two or more options. When considering filter (or choice) for folding time it is the act of deciding what is the best use of your time, attention and energy – right now!
Be clear and be the pioneer: knowing what you want and where you want to be.
Coco Chanel said, “A woman with good shoes is never ugly.” She became known for her beige and black shoes – it was a flattering and yet practical design. She was clear about what she wanted for women. She was a fashion pioneer who used jersey fabric in the 1920’s for women’s clothing (unheard of at the time) because she wanted to create something that was comfortable (also unheard of at the time).
Throughout history there have been many pioneers, including United States’ President Barack Obama who became the first African American president in 2008. In June 2010, Julia Gillard became the first female Australian Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher was the first prime minister in the United Kingdom in 1979. These pioneers were very clear about what they wanted and how they were going to achieve it.
When we are clear about what is important to us, what we want to be known for, and what we want to be remembered for it makes it easier to filter our choices and decide how we are going to invest our time.
What are your ideas on how you can be more clear… how can you filter your decisions more? Share your ideas with us here on our blog
PS. Have you seen our latest book called Folding Time? Get your copy here!
PPS. If you want more ideas on how to increase your productivity – check out other blogs here and several eBooks you can share with your team.
