Leaping Back In

Okay, okay. I know I disappeared for quite awhile but honestly, there was a good reason for it. Here I was writing and talking about life balance and time management while my own life was spinning faster and faster. In good conscience, I had to step back.I would have felt out of integrity with you to try and carry on.

After all, how could I write about taking time for self, keeping life in balance and all that other important "coach stuff " if I was trying to cram 36 hours of effort into 24. (Less if I wanted to eat and sleep.)

When I looked at what I wanted to accomplish last autumn, I knew I had drop some of the things I was up to but I did it with an eye to returning with some valuable things to share. I knew there would be some exciting and interesting changes during that time and I wasn't disappointed.  

SO – thank you to everyone who wrote or spoke to me to let me know how much you missed hearing from me. I appreciated your concern and apologize for the long silence. Thanks for the patience.

It was a deliberate choice but not an easy one.

One thing I learned is that the world doesn't fall apart when you let a few balls drop, even when you love juggling. I missed the introspection that my writing allows me. I missed hearing from my readers. I missed the discipline and creativity of blogging. The hardest choices are always between the good and the good. If it's between good and bad – no brainer. (Well, maybe not if I have to choose between brussel sprouts and chocolate… but you know what I mean.)

When was the last time you gave yourself permission to drop all but one ball and really pay attention to what was in your hand at that very moment? If you can't remember, maybe it's time. You can't create a bold life living in a distracted state. Success in life requires your presence and your attention.

But for now, I really just want to say "Hi" and let you know I'm back. I've got lots to share about the soul of success, living boldly and the power of paying it forward.

WHAT I KNOW…

Sometimes you have to take a few steps back to create momentum for your big leap forward.

 

Your Choice

Just heard a great new term on CBC Radio this afternoon as I was driving home. The woman who spoke is a childhood educator and she was talking about the "rushed infant" culture that has sprung up – wanting baby to be the next Einstein. (More about Einstein tomorrow.)

The speaker used the phrase 'manic compression'.

Because I've been writing and thinking about time management these days – what it is and what it isn't,that phrase really caught my attention. I knew exactly what she was talking about because many  of us experience  'manic compression' in our everyday lives. (No wonder it's filtering down to our kids.)

We usually call it by another term – 'multi-tasking'.

When did it become a virtue to juggle three tasks at once? More than that – when did it become expected of us? Think about times when you found yourself answering the phone and email while trying to eat your lunch. What were you feeling? Would the words stress, anxiety, resentment or fear apply? I'll bet 'relaxed' wasn't one of your answers. 

Whatever happened to doing one thing and paying attention to what's in front of us? Too many of us have accepted the idea of multi-tasking as desirable – even laudable – without ever asking if it's right thing to do. Just because we can doesn't always mean we should.

There's more at stake here than getting through your To-do list. Stress and anxiety cause imbalance.  Stress is the trigger for many diseases. Balance heals. Relaxation restores.

It's your choice. And if you believe your time is out of your control, then maybe it's time to make a change.

 

Habits Of Action

By Karen Leland and Keith Bailey

You know what you need to do. You know why you need to do it. You even know
what steps you must take to get it done. But there’s one small problem: you
can’t seem to get moving. It’s a common problem. Maybe it’s chronic
procrastination or maybe you’re just so overwhelmed that you feel paralyzed.
Either way, the task you must complete is just sitting there, gathering
metaphorical (or perhaps literal) dust, and growing more ominous by the day.

A recent study by the Families and Work Institute found that a full third of
Americans are overworked; more than 50 percent of those surveyed said they are
either handling too many tasks at the same time or are frequently interrupted
during the workday – or both. In short, we are overloaded. Is it any wonder,
then, that we have trouble getting jobs started, keeping them going, or
finishing them up?

As a consultant and coach over the past twenty five years I’ve observed that
smart and savvy business women use three habits to get themselves to take
action, even in tough times. These habits act as an inoculation against
procrastination and feeling overwhelmed so that these busy women are ultimately
able to press through and get things done.

Habit #1: Chunking Down: Focus on the Trees Not the Forest

In the computer world, chunking means to break things into bits. To chunk down
is to move from a whole to its parts; to chunk up is to move from parts to a
whole, or from the specific to the general. Chunking your projects and goals
down into smaller pieces will help you take action more quickly and easily,
while at the same time helping to combat the feeling of too much to do.

Habit #2: Take Energetic Credit for Completion

When we have a big goal or task to work on, many of us wait – unnecessarily and
sometimes to our detriment – until the entire project is finished before we
experience any sense of completion, satisfaction, or accomplishment.

Often, even though we’re achieving pieces of our projects and goals all the
time, we don’t fully acknowledge them. The most productive people we know are
in the habit of enthusiastically taking energetic credit for any action they
complete, no matter how seemingly small or insignificant. These people know not
to wait until the big item is 100 percent done before experiencing closure.
Rather, they generate energy all along the way by recognizing each item they
complete.

Habit #3: Time-Planning: Put a Stop to Putting It Off

Smart people are in the habit of using a time-plan to get beyond
procrastination. A time-plan is a method of assigning blocks of time to those
items you want to get done (but not a minute-by-minute description of your
day!) To harvest the power of planning and create your own time-plan, follow
these two easy steps:

Step #1: Identify your power times for different types of activities.
Everyone has high and low periods of energy, attention, and focus. By knowing
and understanding your own energy patterns you can create a time-plan that
takes advantage of your personal rhythms. Reflect on your own energy patterns.
When are your power times? Use your power times to take on your most difficult
items. Use your down time for more routine items and errands.

Step #2: Set aside blocks of time for getting certain things done.
Keeping in mind your power times, go through your calendar and schedule a
specific day and period of time when you will work on an item. Time periods
ranging from 15 minutes to 2 hours are most effective. Every hour or so,
schedule a ten minute break from your task; this will both keep your brain from
getting tired and give it a chance to process any information, so that you can
return to your project refreshed.

Lastly, don’t just plan your time in your head – write it down! Whether you use
a PDA, a calendar contact program, or a plain old date book, keeping a written
record of your time-plan is key.

Buy a copy of Time Management In An Instant the week of July 20th and
receive a free  license to view the Essential Email online course. To buy the
book and claim your bonus, or just to buy the book go to: http://www.quality-service.com/timemanagementinaninstant

Karen Leland and Keith
Bailey are the bestselling authors of six books including Time Management In An
Instant: 60 Ways to Make the Most of Your Day. They are the co-founders of
Sterling Consulting Group, which helps organizations and individuals learn how
to fight distraction and find their focus in a wired world. For more
information please contact: kleland@scgtraining.com

 

Give Yourself Permission

Let me introduce guest blogger Jennifer Hazlett. Her newsletter recently featured this great article and I wanted to share it with you.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Ever find yourself saying something like, "When this is done, then I'll [fill in leisure activity here]". But you repeat this until you're too exhausted to do that leisure activity? Does being organized really give you the freedom you're looking for? When your list of to-do's is unending and you feel you have to do them all, then the answer is 'no'.

Now, I'm all for being highly organized. It makes up a good portion of who I am and what I do. It's an asset that helps me keep things straight in my own business and life and allows me, as a VA, to keep track of my clients and keep all their activities in their respective businesses flowing smoothly.

But are you like me? Do you sometimes feel you're caught up in all the details of the never-ending to-do list?

Give Yourself PermissionI think this is why my mom, the wise woman that she is, gave me this plaque that reads "Give Yourself Permission to Leave Some Things Undone". It was so timely, around the birth of my first child, when I felt I had to still do everything I'd always done and look after a new baby. I keep it as a reminder & look at it every day.

Our lives and our businesses are a work in progress. Know that there will always be something else on your list and to enjoy the process! It's not just about life balance it's also about life acceptance.

Here are some tips that will allow you to enjoy being the organized person that you are by nature without the guilt and nagging persistence of the yet undone:

1. Do less.

You can work all day rushing from one task to the next, but little quality work will get completed. Instead, focus on a couple of important tasks and invest the time to do them right from start to finish. For example, got an idea for an article? Write down your outline, let the ideas flow then put the pieces together. Voila! Now you have a properly completed article for your ezine, blog or an article submission piece that will all have a positive effect on your business. Rushing through several bits & pieces of various tasks in a frenzy throughout your day, will get you nowhere but frustrated.

2. Take a break.

Get up from your desk and away from your office. If there are issues you are struggling with, clearing your head with a 15 minute walk or a step outside for a breath of fresh air, will provide some clarity on these issues. Studies have shown that frequent short breaks or less frequent longer breaks will refresh your mind and body, reduce discomfort and fatigue and increase accuracy and productivity!

3. Give yourself permission to leave some things undone.

It is important to recognize and accept that you will never clear your list; there will always be undone items. Pick the top 2 to 3 items each day that absolutely must get done. Do these first and if you get to something else on your list, consider it a bonus. When you allow yourself to focus your time on fewer tasks you enjoy the process more and avoid mistakes.

4. Celebrate the victories.

You set yourself up for success with the above approach, accomplishing great things while spending your time joyfully. Take a few moments to reflect on your accomplishment when you finish an assignment before you tackle the next item.
Remember, the goal here is to be more effective. Focus your time on fewer tasks and do them well. Avoid the overwhelm of having to 'get it all done'. Doing less but doing it better allows you to enjoy the lasting results of real achievement.

Meet Jennifer Hazlett, Virtual Assistant

Since opening her business in 2006, Jennifer has provided her
clients with the expertise they need to grow their business and generate more revenue.  Utilizing her skills, knowledge and the
latest technologies, she promotes and enhances the success of
the small business owners that call her their “right hand”.

Jennifer understands the needs and challenges of a diverse mix of
clientele, particularly Coaches and Consultants along with other creative and talented
entrepreneurs.

You can visit her website at www.AltAdmin.ca and subscribe to her newsletter which recently featured this article. 

 

You Can’t Really Waste Time…

I know a lot of you will want to disagree with me on this. "Of course we can waste time", you say. "I do it all the time."

Not really. At least not the way you think you do. Looking for lost keys and misplaced glasses may qualify as wasted time but usually what you are doing is assigning a relative worth to an activity, valuing it against something else you might have done in its place. And that worth is dependent on a lot of factors.

• The Bite Test

I like to use the "Bite Test" to help me prioritize my activities. As
in 'What's going to bite me first if I don't get it done?"

I recently had a deadline of July 10 to complete a writing assignment. If I had chosen to look for my passport for a trip in September it's obvious what's going to hurt first.

What's often true in a case like this is fear of forgetting so simply write down a reminder to yourself. Your brain can let it go, knowing that it's looked after.

• Attitude

Your attitude towards an activity also values or devalues it. An evening spent at the ballet might be labeled a huge waste of time if you prefer line dancing but it certainly doesn't negate the ballet. It's only an indication of your own preferences and perspective.

• Balance

Balance is often where we, as businesspeople and entrepreneurs really fall out of whack and is often the source of our frustrations. Most of us don’t give enough weight to social activities, seeing them as ‘less valuable’ than business because they don’t directly generate dollars. (Read my previous blog on valuating your activities.)

If you "can't afford" to take care of yourself and your relationships while they're healthy what is the price you'll pay if they fail? That's the value you need to give them while you still have a choice.

 

The Myth of Time Management

I recently conducted a one-day retreat here at my home on Time Management. Or rather, the myth of it because the truth is we don't manage time at all. It just is. It exists and we can't argue with it or force it into any other shape than the one it already has.

What we can manage are activities and the value we place on those activities. That logic also says we can't waste time either. We are simply putting a relative worth on an activity and saying "I could have been doing A rather than B and A had more value."

However, we seldom question the scale we use to value the activities of our lives. Most of us use dollars as our only criteria to decide if something is worth our attention or a 'waste' of time. However there are 2 other valuations that we must apply or our lives will always be out of balance. 

First, what is the 'Zing' of an activity? Does it fulfill something in you? Does it create satisfaction or excitement? Zing will be different for everyone but it should never be overlooked or discounted. In fact, I believe it's the most important criteria and should carry the greatest weight because a fulfilled life is impossible without Zing.

The third criteria is 'Leverage'. Does Activity A need to be accomplished before Activity B can happen? Then Activity A has leverage value because it moves you forward. 

What would change in your life if you added Zing and Leverage to your scales of valuation? Where would you invest more time? What could you do less of or even stop altogether? 

Answer those questions and you're on the way to balance.

 

Missed Connections

I love gadgets. Just ask my husband. He calls me the Geek Goddess because I love playing with this stuff and taking advantage of something that promises efficiency. It's music to my organized little heart.

Ah, but there's the rub. What do we actually DO with the time we save? I don't know about you but if I'm not paying attention I simply fill it with more work, more chores, more should's and ought's. Those of you with a 'real job' (AKA a boss who wants you available 24/7) have a whole other set of expectations to deal with.

I once consulted for a company that insisted it's executives take their laptops, pagers and cell phones on family vacations! I'd shake my head as those poor souls trudged off to enjoy their 'down time'. Just last February, I watched a father walking through DisneyWorld with his kids who were desperately trying to have fun with their dad. Instead, he grew irritated with them because he was on the phone with his office.

What lesson do you think those kids learned?

And if you think you're more balanced than that, what happened the last time you tried to reach a friend or family member whose cell phone was turned off?   If you found yourself saying something like "Why are you going to carry one, if you're not going to turn it on?" you may need to examine your own beliefs about boundaries and personal space.

It's time to push back a little, to unplug ourselves. I'm not suggesting you get rid of it all. That's not realistic either. But you can declare some Technology-Free Zones in your life. Personally, I've stopped bringing my laptop home from my office in the evenings. (A side benefit – I'm sleeping better because I'm not stimulating my brain right up until lights out.)

I've stopped giving out my cell number except for specific instances, such as meeting a client for the first time and wanting to be sure we connect.

And the time I save when I do use my gadgets? I'm taking back some of it just for me. This week I sat on my deck with my morning coffee and journal. I gave myself full permission to enjoy the springtime. 

Want to join me on my deck and bring some sanity back into your own schedule? You can, you know. Just join me on July 10 for "The Time of Your Life." Click here to find out more.

And if you say you don't have time – well, think about what you just said…

 

Time

It's been a week since I posted! Like many of you, time slips away on me when other priorities step in and push aside my regular schedule. Last week I was traveling and simply had to let go of some of my expectations to be present to the moment.

I find I live 'in the future' much too often. I'm always planning, scheduling, putting together programs and other such tasks. Perhaps it's my training and years as a project manager but I don't think so. Not as I talk to many of you out there. There is something about our culture that flings us always forward and we don't get to enjoy the here and now. 

When I got in the car with my husband my laptop was on the backseat, ready for me to open and start designing the web pages I needed for a new program series I have coming up. And I almost did that until I realized what a beautiful spring day it was and that it would never happen again. The laptop stayed where it was and I sat back to enjoy our journey.

One of my priorities is to pay attention to the beauty around me. Nature feeds my soul and keeps me connected to Something Bigger than me.

If you've been to one of my Life Time workshops or heard me speak on the subject you know I stress priorities over tasks, even the urgent ones. Want to enjoy your own spring day? Here's what I recommend.

1. Get clear on what's important, truly important to you. These should be broad definitions such as "relationships".

2) List 2-3 things in those areas that you want to accomplish. Maybe in the area of relationships you'd like to spend more time with your partner.

3) Now choose one of those items on your list and put it in your calendar. In my example it might look like "Movie Date" on Tuesday evening.

These are just broad guidelines. If you`d really like help to identify your priorities and make them a part of everything you do then register for my `Time of Your Life` workshop on July 10. Not only will you get a chance to learn my secrets but you`ll get a day by the lake AND 30 minutes of private coaching with me.

To find out more more visit my website at www.aprillejanes.com/lifetime.htm

 

Declutter Your Schedule, Part 2

In my last post I shared two tips for creating space in your busy day. Here are the next two.

1. Don't overload your schedule.

 

Many of us think we're Bionic and capable of charging through the world's longest to-do list. Rather, take a step back, sniff the roses and re-assess. Do you really need to do it all? Give yourself a reasonable amount of time for work, to do the things all responsible adults must do and then give yourself time to play. Without guilt.

 

2. If you add something, you must subtract something.

 

If you make this a rule it could revolutionize your life. Just like budgeting your income, you need to realise there is only so much time to spend.

 

I recommend reviewing your schedule at least yearly. However, if you're like me, quarterly is not too often. I suspect you'll be pleased with the results of decluttering your schedule on a regular basis

 

Practice awareness and see what shifts in your life.

 

Declutter Your Schedule

Not sure how to find some quiet time in your day? Try this method to focus your time.

 

1. Track your time.

You need to know where your time is being spent before you can make any changes. You may think you already know but tracking always yields a few surprises. Don't worry about changing anything while you're doing this. Your only job is to track and record. Write on your calendar or make a list.

2. Cut the fat.

With your list, review each item and ask yourself it this activity is moving you closer to your goals or distracting you. Do you really need to watch another episode of CSI? Could the dishes wait for another hour? Can you enlist help with chores? Could you drop this item altogether?

Hang on to your list. Next post I'll give you two more tips on how to declutter your schedule.