Your schedule doesn't lie - so it's time to shape up

There's an old phrase that says : "What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you are saying."

You can say that your primary value involves putting your family first but if time with your family is not all over your schedule, well then the truth of the matter is that your family life isn't your priority.

You can say that being in world-class physical condition is another top value, but if I don't see five or six big-time workouts etched into your weekly schedule, then the reality to be confronted is that your health just isn't as important as you profess it to be.

You can argue that self-development is an essential pursuit to you because the better you are, the more effective you'll be.

Show me your schedule and I'll discover the truth.

Because your schedule doesn't lie.

There can be no authentic success and lasting happiness if your daily schedule is misaligned with your deepest values.

That's a big idea that has been so helpful to so many of the executive clients that I coach.

If there is a gap between what you do and who you are, you are out of integrity.

You are not walking your talk. Your life can't work.

Your schedule is the best barometer for what your truly value and believe to be important. Too many people talk a good talk. But talk is cheap. Show me your schedule and I'll show you what your priorities are.

I used to be a lawyer. Witnesses in the courtroom could say what they wanted to. But the evidence never lied.

By Robin Sharma, leadership expert and best-selling author of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari.

(The Article is taken from 'The Standard', Monday, May 11, 2009)