Time Management Tip – #3

Here’s a great time management tip or time management activity that can really save you time!

Overwhelmed by a large project? Having a hard time getting motivated? Finding yourself procrastinating?

Ever heard the expression or question, “how do you eat an elephant? “ The answer? – one bite at a time.  Well that same principle applies when you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, procrastinating, or having a hard time getting motivated.  You’ve got to break it down into small manageable action steps.

Usually looking at, focusing on one step and one step only allows emotional space for you to become motivated and see the light of getting something done. Once you write out actionable, reasonable steps your emotions become diffused and your brain begins saying…”hey, I can do that.”

In fact something additionally I employ is something called, “the one minute challenge.”  I challenge myself to work on one little thing, task, etc. for only one minute.  I even use a kitchen timer.

The result?…I get focused on the “thing” enough to generate motivation to keep going.  If it’s not enough, I say, “ok…just one more minute.”  It’s like tricking yourself into gaining motivation in a fun way!

Coaching Tip: Break it down, focus on the first small step and give yourself the one minute challenge!

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TIME MANAGEMENT MIND-SET- #2

It’s All about Execution…with as little stress as possible

In all the many time management seminars and how to get more organized workshops I’ve conducted over the years, one of the key points I’ve made is this… “I not a fan of being organized or using a time management principle just for the sake of it.  If you have something that’s working for you, keep doing it! Additionally, look at the real reason or outcome you want on a deeper level.”

The ultimate goal of the use of these principles and how-tos is to operate in your life with as little stress as possible and to get things done when you need to.  It’s just that simple.

For example: you my want to clean out your closet not necessarily for the sake of it, but because it will help you save time when you are getting dressed in the morning. The deeper result and benefit – a calmer morning!

You may want to use a certain time management tool because it matches the way you think – again reduced stress when trying to achieve an outcome.

So when I share a tip or principle it’s in the spirit of execution and execution is about getting things done when they need to get done with as little negative stress as possible.

Why is this an important distinction? I’ve seen, related to these topics, an almost enslavement or “end all” attitude that really is not useful.  It’s where instead of the principle serving them, they serve the principle and ironically, that adds stress!

So, think of using a time management tip, organizational strategies, prioritizing techniques all in the spirit of getting the right things done at the right time with as little negative stress as possible.  The result?…a happier, calmer, more competent you!

Do You Plan Too Much? A time management issue worth considering…

If you’re reading this post at all it’s probably because you have the personality type that is a natural planner…which of course is all well and good.  Hey but too much of a strength can be done in excess and planners can sometimes plan too much.  They want to figure it all out before they get started. 

The purpose of this post is to suggest that in some cases planning too much can be counterproductive and actually cause the very stress and time wasting that is trying to be avoided.

Consider the following possibilities:

Planning too much…

–doesn’t leave an opening for the unexpected because we think we’ve considered all the options

–subtly suggests that we can’t be flexible – that we have to do exactly as planned…after all, we spent all that time making the plan!  Inflexibility can cause stress.

–may not allow us to be open to other possibilities for getting to the same goal and in a team environment, we become less collaborative.

In reality, planning too much can be a subtle deception to think we are in control, feeding our need to be in control and perhaps our need to not want to make a mistake.

If this describes you in anyway, the first tip is to recognize it!

Secondly, decide to only plan the first few steps and allow taking those steps to reveal to you the appropriate next steps in real time.  Hey a bit of the unknown my service, but consider it an adventure!  Decide to live life on the edge…whew!!  (Alright, that’s probably a bit too much, but you know what I mean.)

In truth, most planning gets tweaked as you move forward.  Action brings clarity and that’s why over planning many times is really A WASTE of time.  Oh the irony!