When I get good information I like to pay if forward. Lucky you, because this
week’s newsletter comes from my good friend, Kelly Scotti, Certified
Holistic Health Counselor. You
can find out more about her by logging on to www.flyingdragonwellness.com and the Institute of Integrative Nutrition (www.integrativenutrition.com).
Make Time to Enjoy!
Time Management
Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why
is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others
feel that time constantly eludes them? The secret to managing your time
well isn’t working more hours. The secret is working smarter, not
harder. It is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use
the time you have more efficiently and effectively.
Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the
way before we relax, while others of us play first and work later. It is
important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is
allowing you to have the life you really want. Maybe you are
super-organized at work, but burned out because you don’t know how to
make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who
knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren’t
fulfilling your goals and dreams.
Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up,
realize that time management is an area of your life that you can
strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it
stronger. To help you get started, here are some steps to streamline your
days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at
you:
- Allocate time for planning
and organizing.
- Create to-do lists that are
realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
- Under-schedule your time:
leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. When you estimate
how long something will take, add on 1/3 of that time.
- Schedule your time in a way
that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity.
- Practice the art of
intelligent neglect: eliminate trivial tasks.
- Prioritize what is most
important and do that first.
- Consider your biological
prime time: at what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most
important work at that time.
- If you say yes to
everything that comes your way, learn to say NO.
- Ask for help and
delegate.
- In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so
it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a
clear head and a clean desk.
- Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have
accomplished.
Also take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using
time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually
procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large, too complex, or
when we feel we won’t be able to handle it. When you get that
“deer in the headlights” feeling, try “chunking”:
break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps, and start
with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time
inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged, and uninspired. The most
effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned
with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need
to ask the larger questions, “Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing
something meaningful to me?”
As
you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting
organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being
a chore, good time management can be your ticket to more fun, greater
satisfaction, and a vibrant, exciting life.
Have
a Wonderful Week,
Beth
Aldrich
