Full Plate

De-Clutter Your Full Plate

noreply@MyPath.com — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:11:51 GMT

Clutter is the excess stuff in your life that takes up space on your table and countertops, in your closets, attics, basements, drawers, and filing cabinets, your hard drive, inbox and your to-do list. You expend energy moving it, rearranging it, cleaning around it, re-organizing it, and simply thinking about it. Clutter is a burden on your mind because you know it’s there and oftentimes you speak negatively to yourself because it’s there.

De-cluttering involves simplifying your home and office and surrounding yourself with only the things you love, need and want—eliminate everything else! Make a commitment to start eliminating clutter from your life and you'll see an immediate difference in the way you think and feel. Removing clutter allows for more space in your life, both in time and freedom. De-cluttering is an incredibly freeing experience because you're getting rid of all the things you don't need or want and don't have time for anyway.

Conquering clutter is an ongoing battle for most busy people. With life being so busy, piles accumulate, files seem to multiply, toys are overflowing from the toy box, and clothes are bursting from drawers and closets. Here are a few ideas to help you start eliminating clutter:

· Sort through what you have and divide it into categories or piles.

· Go through your (electronic and paper) files and discard old memos, reports, and articles that you've been saving “just in case.”

· Make it a habit (for you and everyone else) to always put things back where they belong.

· Do not bring junk mail into your home or office; get removed from as many mailing lists as possible. (Note: you can contact the American Direct Marketing Association, www.dmaconsumers.org/offmailinglist.html, to have them remove you from their lists for a nominal fee; you can contact the sender directly; and indicate that you don't want to be included on their mailing lists; or, you can indicate your preference for exclusion from future mailings when ordering a product/service, or filling out a warranty card, or making a donation)

· Clip out and file the articles from magazines that interest you and recycle or discard the rest of the magazine.

· Give away or sell unwanted toys and other items you (or your kids) are no longer interested in. (You know what they say about one person's trash being someone else's treasure!)

· Load up a bag of clothes that don't fit, are out of style, or are just plain unflattering and take them to a local charity, shelter, or rummage sale.

· Get rid of the little things, like clothes, furniture, and books, and it will be easier to get rid of the bigger things, such as an unfulfilling job or a relationship that really isn't right for you.

· Assign a home to the things that remain.

· Use bins, baskets or boxes and labels to store items and make them easily accessible.

· If it seems like an overwhelming job to de-clutter, break it down into manageable parts. Do a room a day for a few days. Start with a hall closet. Start on the top shelf and do one shelf at a time so if you get interrupted and have to stop, you haven't made too big of a mess. Do a file drawer. Tackle your in-box. Just keep going one step at a time.

· Once you've eliminated the clutter, prevent more from coming in.

You pay a high price for living with clutter in your life because it makes it hard for you to function at 100%; it keeps you stuck and keeps you busy looking for things rather than getting things done. Creating space contributes to feeling better physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Once you cut clutter you will feel lighter, think more clearly, be more organized and have more energy. You'll feel like there's less on your plate!

Conquer clutter by spending a half-hour to an hour each day for a week (or weekend) just clearing out stuff you no longer want or need. If possible, enlist the help and support of your family and work colleagues in this goal. Start small with one shelf or one closet and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment as you begin creating space in your life. Gain momentum and keep it going by preventing yourself from getting overwhelmed or quitting before you experience the results. Then, move on to the next area until you've gone through every room and space in your home and at work. By eliminating things you no longer need, you will spend remarkably less time looking for things and you will have the opportunity to reach your full potential. By organizing your space you will free up your creative energy and channel it into your work. You cannot be effective when your desk is piled high with papers, when your filing cabinets are hard to manage, and when you cannot find what you need.

One of my favorite techniques for clearing physical clutter is to start with boxes labeled: sell, give away, throw away, recycle/reuse, and keep. Quickly go through a filing cabinet, closet, or drawer and place items in the appropriate boxes. If you're really uncertain and afraid of discarding—create another box labeled with the contents and date. If items are not used within a year from the date indicated, reconsider discarding at that time. It's essential to shift your attitude to "it's okay to throw away" in order to conquer clutter.

Adapt to Succeed

noreply@MyPath.com — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 14:41:19 GMT

I have a client I've been working with in a 1-1 coaching relationship who is a physician. At the end of last year, she started her own private practice. Regardless of what profession you're in, starting your own business is a big endeavor. In many cases, there's a large financial outlay initially and there are a lot of systems, processes and new routines that need to be established as the foundation of your success. This client was very successful working within the structure as an employee. There were clearly defined job duties and responsibilities and work hours as well as a team of resources to help handle other tasks in the office. On her own, she often feels overwhelmed at the growing list of tasks and responsibilities that fall on her plate. She expressed feelings of frustration at not being able to handle all of her work and personal/family responsibilities on her own.

Working together, we reviewed her strengths and strategies that have worked successfully for her in the past. We used these as a baseline to create a system that will function more effectively for her today. Starting from optimizing the tools she already has accessible, we began exploring and discovering techniques she could adapt in this new work environment to get more done with less. The key that we're focusing on is to minimize the mental clutter so that as much as possible happens on a routine basis without having to think about it. We’re eliminating procrastination and perfectionism, as well. For example, bill paying had fallen behind because incoming bills had gotten lost in the increasing piles in her home office. By adapting the same technique she was using at her office to keep incoming bills in a manila envelope and take care of paying them on a weekly basis, she was easily able to create a structured routine. In my case, I have made it a habit to pay my bills on the first and the fifteenth of each month to avoid the possibility of late payments, overdue fees, penalties, etc. When I’m traveling, I prepare them either before I go or immediately when I return in order to keep the rhythm going for this routine task.

The point is that there isn't just one right way to manage anything in your work or office and the more you can establish as part of your regular routine, the easier it becomes to manage everything on your plate. By leveraging your strengths and past successful behaviors, you can adapt to new situations with less difficulty.

Things will continue changing at work—you'll possibly get new work assigned, a new boss, a relocation, different responsibilities, a promotion, a new position, etc.—so, if you re-establish the routines, habits, systems and processes that work for you each time there is a change, you'll be in a better place of managing your full plate with grace, balance and success!

Managing Change and Uncertainty

noreply@MyPath.com — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:04:11 GMT

Change is inevitable – after all, nothing really stays the same. But in today’s challenging times, it seems like we’re on “uncertainty” overload, never knowing what will happen from one moment to the next. Here today, gone tomorrow – or, at the least, very different tomorrow.

Uncertainty bring stress and confusion, and while most of us would be quick to say that we want less stress and more certainty in our lives, what we really want is less of a stress reaction to what life is throwing our way.

We can’t choose what happens to us – but we can choose our responses to the situations we encounter. Let’s take a look at five different responses that people have to stressful situations. As you read through these five responses, you may want to think of a recent stressful event or news that you may have received, and see what your reaction to that event can teach you about how you habitually respond. You may have one type of response at work, and another at home, or you may react differently depending on who else is involved.

The first, and unfortunately all too common response to stressful events is to suffer and be a victim to it. People who respond this way don’t take action. Things happen TO them – and though they may complain and be generally miserable about it, they don’t take any steps to do anything. They allow life to control them, instead of the other way around. This way of responding is certainly not recommended, and eventually, it will take its toll on one’s physical and mental health.

The second type of response is to accept it the situation, and to get some perspective on it. Someone with this response may say “so what,” or perhaps get some perspective on the situation by asking if it will it matter in a year – or a week – or even in a day.

The third way to respond is to actually take steps to change the situation – taking action to bring it to resolution (or at least move toward resolution). This is a very powerful response, and one that many effective leaders employ.

The fourth way to respond is to avoid the situation. People responding this way make a decision not to get involved in a situation that they don’t see as concerning them, or upon which they can’t make an impact. For example, someone may choose not to get involved in a dispute going on within their office if it doesn’t directly involve them.

The fifth and final way that people generally respond to stress is to alter the experience of the situation. When we look at a situation differently, the experience itself changes. Changing perceptions is probably the most challenging of the responses, because we tend to be stuck in our own interpretations and assumptions about what’s happening, but it is also perhaps the most powerful of all.

It’s your world, and you can create it as you wish. Remember, what one person sees as stressful, another person barely notices, or sees as exciting and full of opportunity. How are you going to choose today?

Coping with a Job you Hate

noreply@MyPath.com — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:35:16 GMT

I have a few clients who absolutely hate their current jobs but feel stuck where they are because they believe that there isn't anything else out there. Unfortunately, few people have the luxury in today's economy to leave a job without having something definite already lined up and the job dissatisfaction rate continues to climb. Having a job you hate is not an easy thing to deal with so here are some ways to make your situation easier to handle:

1. Maintain perspective: Know what’s motivating you to stay at a job you hate; it’s important to know why. Is your current job the only one in your area that fits your skills? Or do you need it to keep your children fed and clothed? What attracted you to the job in the first place? Does that reason still exist? Whatever the reason, remembering what it is and keeping it at the forefront of your consciousness makes working a difficult job easier. When you do this, you end up working not for the job itself, but for whatever the motivation is behind your being there. The job becomes more than a job— it becomes a way to fulfill whatever desire moved you to take it in the first place.

2. Know what you really want: Often, a terrible job will help you be clearer about what you would want in a better job because you know for sure what you don’t want. Identify the things you desire in your job. It may help to focus on what you don’t like and note the opposite. It may also be helpful to note the things you dream about in your ideal job. For example, are your coworkers too competitive? Then, you may prefer a more team-based environment. Is your boss always second-guessing or changing your decisions? Then perhaps you would like a job where employees are trusted and tasks are truly delegated. Would you prefer a job that requires a lot of problem-solving instead of a set group of tasks? Would you rather work for yourself? Have you always dreamed of teaching for a living? Be sure to create a physical list that contains what you really want in a job. Explore how many of these things you can create in your current job situation or somewhere else in the company.

3. Make a conscious choice: Being in ‘choice’ is very powerful.Therefore after identifying your key motivation for staying at the job you hate, if it’s compelling enough to keep you there, than consciously choose to stay. If you’re unsure about it, evaluate it further. Maybe you took this job several years ago because you wanted a job close to home beings you had small children and didn’t want to spend an excessive time commuting. Now that the kids are older, is this still important criterion? Or perhaps you took this position because there seemed to be an aggressive career path to a higher level position but it never materialized. Or maybe you realize that you qualify for lots of different jobs of the same type that you're working now, and you realize that a different work environment might make things much more tolerable. Whatever your motivation, consider carefully whether it's enough motivation to stay at the job or if you’d be better off transferring to another department or Division if you’re at a large enough company, or leaving entirely if there aren’t any feasible options within your current work environment.

4. Set weekly goals for yourself: If you really want to leave your job, set weekly goals to help you find the golden opportunity for you. One week you might research the industry, another week you might arrange three informational interviews, send out five resumes or attend a networking event. Having these goals will help you transition to something better. Doing something daily towards a new job will help give you a sense of accomplishment and keep you progressing toward a new job.

5. Re-engage your commitment whenever you feel negatively toward your job: When feelings of frustration, hopelessness, anger, or sadness about your current situation re-surface, review your choice again. Realize that even after you have chosen to stay, there may still be parts of your job that you dislike. Let go of the negative emotions and re-focus on the positive motivations for staying. Allow your conscious choice to stay to become the habit and motivator to continue doing a good job and contributing daily.

6. Honor your needs: Allow yourself to acknowledge whatever emotions come up for you. Don't try to hide it inside, or it will just blow out later. If you need to take a walk, or go to the restroom, take a day off, or even write it out in your private journal, do that. Letting things build up until they might explode is never a good idea. And, in the midst of your feelings, reflect back on your motivation for choosing to stay. Control your stress by respecting your needs.

7. Be realistic: If you really hate your job, don't expect to love your job some day soon. Instead, expect that you won't like it. Expect that the things that have frustrated you since the first day will still frustrate you now and will probably continue to do so as long as you stay at the job. If you expect that, the job will never sink below your expectations. However, at this point, you know that you are more than the job. You don't expect all of your satisfaction to come from that, because there are more areas in your life than just that.

8. Enjoy the Perks: Some jobs are terrible, but still have some great perks. Almost every job has at least one good perk such as a good salary, tuition reimbursement, health benefits, gym discounts, stock options, or opportunities to travel. Take advantage of whatever perks are available because even focusing on some of these more positive things may make things easier, at least in the interim until you find something else.

9. Increase your Self-Care: Going into a job you hate will be worse if you get to the office feeling rushed, stressed and frazzled and lack self-care. Set aside some moments of solitude each morning. Develop some positive daily rituals such as treating yourself to a latte, listening to upbeat music, going for a walk outside at lunchtime, getting up early enough to hit the gym before you go to the office, or connecting with friends for fun diversions. Add some humor to your day buy posting a “joke of the day” calendar near your work space. Enjoy an activity regularly that helps you unwind and get rid of tension. Be willing to treat yourself to simple pleasures to help you feel better inside. By focusing on you, your well-being, health and happiness your present situation will be more tolerable.

10. Maintain your job performance. Although you’re dissatisfied at work, it’s important to continue to do your work and do it well. Hating your job doesn't mean you can't learn new skills or be a good performer at work. Use your time to make yourself a better candidate down the road. If your company offers training courses, take advantage of them. Use downtime to learn something new on your computer. Pick up a management development book and read it (or listen to it) at lunch. Turn your job into an opportunity for self-improvement. Set personal performance goals that you’ll be able to highlight as accomplishments in future job interviews. Be sure to avoid burning any bridges at your company because you are unhappy. Instead, maintain positive relationships and grow your network.

Right now, it might seem like you will be stuck in this job forever. Keep your chin up and remind yourself that you are in charge of your destiny. Search internal postings for new positions. Start your search for a new job externally. Realize that this too shall pass!

Increase the prospects for job satisfaction

noreply@MyPath.com — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:51:05 GMT

In my last BLOG, I shared some reports about the drastic decline in employee job satisfaction. In this BLOG post I will share some observations and strategies for increasing the prospect of job satisfaction, even in a doom economy.

In my experiences working with people both employed and unemployed, I’ve found that many people have not taken responsibility for their own career growth. When I worked for years in the corporate world, over two decades ago, we were told that the company was no longer responsible for our career growth but rather we were responsible for creating our own. Many employees had a difficult time adapting to this new way of thinking because they were used to earlier times when they created a career plan and followed it within one company.

Strategy: Own your career! Seek out the right opportunities for your interest and abilities both inside and outside the company. Have a career plan.

I’ve also seen people get complacent. They stopped taking continuing training and development and looking for opportunities to expand their skills and network of contacts. They didn’t have an up-to-date resume and couldn’t remember the last time they had a job interview. Often, with training budgets being cut, employees blamed the lack of funding for their discontinuance of learning and professional development.

Strategy: Keep learning & growing. If there’s a skill you want to develop, look for opportunities, to build and demonstrate that skill, even if it’s outside of the workplace. Having new skills in diverse areas may help distinguish you while increasing your job satisfaction. Enroll in classes. Meet new people. Challenge yourself!

Often, people dissatisfied at work are also unhappy at home. People allow their work grind to follow them home. It is possible to improve your life even if you can't improve your work.

Strategy: Instead of letting your work displeasures to invade your home, invest in your private life and create a happiness that can make work more palatable. Consciously create fond family memories, indulge in a hobby, 'date' your spouse or partner, take classes, or enrich your life in other ways! Make laughter a part of your every day life.

Lastly, people feel stuck at their dissatisfying job. They don’t believe they have an out so they don’t look for other opportunities. Unfortunately, whatever you believe becomes true for you based on your thoughts and actions. In this case, it would be the inaction of looking for other career prospects.

Strategy: Seek out alternative job opportunities while you are still gainfully employed. You are more likely to ask the right questions and not take something out of desperation or fear. Also, in the meantime, find ways to change your current job even if your actual job description or boss can’t change. Your perception and your attitude can change and that by itself can make a world of difference with your job satisfaction.

Want to be more satisfied at work? Then, create more happiness and satisfaction!

Rising Job Dissatisfaction, especially in IT

noreply@MyPath.com — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 02:09:41 GMT

A report released this week based on a survey of 5,000 US households conducted for The Conference Board by TNS reported that only 45 percent of those surveyed say that are satisfied with their job. This number is down from 61.1 percent in 1987, the first year the survey was conducted. Unfortunately, there has been a consistent downward trend for a couple of decades now.

Similarly, the recession and its accompanying reorganizations, layoffs and corporate turns to outsourcing have been caustic to IT employee job satisfaction, as reported in a mid-2009 job satisfaction survey by the Corporate Executive Board, a Washington-based advisory firm. The firm surveys 150,000 workers each quarter, asking a battery of behavioral questions about their jobs. About 10,000 of those surveyed work in IT jobs, according to board officials. Job satisfaction has plummeted to its lowest levels in the ten years since this survey began.

In the past, prior to the Great Depression, people generally worked because they had to. Happiness was rarely considered or even necessary. However, since the 90's, when the economy was good and people had more choices about their work, job satisfaction was important and even measured, sometimes annually, using tools such as employee satisfaction surveys administered by employers and independent outside firms.

Today, with unemployment at its highest, more hard-earning wages going toward health insurance and other benefits, minimal pay raises (if any), and a lean workforce people are making many concessions to stay employed. The bottom-line is ruling rather than the growth or satisfaction of employees. So, no wonder people reported feeling more dissatisfied with their work!

These figures are frightening! Employee dissatisfaction is costly to American companies because it results in multiple workplace ills, including declines in employee engagement, productivity and retention. As the economy starts heading in a more positive direction, many valuable employees will leave.

Pace Yourself

noreply@MyPath.com — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:37:04 GMT

Picture yourself walking through the buffet line with an abundance of choices to put on your plate. As my audiences have shared during my "There's Too Much on your Plate" program, there are many different ways to fill your plate. Some begin with the end in mind and start with dessert. Others take a little bit of everything so that they can sample whatever's available. While still others fill their plate very carefully ensuring their foods aren't touching and being sure to gather their favorites early in the meal.

How do you fill your plate?

Chances are that however you fill your plate while walking through a buffet line may be the same way you fill your plate with activities, tasks and responsibilities.

There will always be more that you can add to your plate so it's important to pace yourself whether you're eating a meal or managing the day-to-day responsibilities.

This morning I awoke to a beautiful snow fall. As I walked my dog, I delighted in the beauty of the new day and reflected on the year past as well as the year ahead. When we arrived back at home, we trounced around playing in the snow. With that burst of energy and joy I decided to shovel our front walkway. The snow was light and fluffy so the the task felt rather effortless. I looked up my long almost 450 feet of driveway and wondered if I could shovel the whole thing. I paced myself by completing a section at a time. When I was about 75% done, my son came out with a shovel and joined me, questioning why I was shoveling when it didn't seem that necessary. I responded that I was enjoying the fresh air, exercise and feeling of steady accomplishment. In the end, it took about three hours to shovel the entire driveway and walkway. I didn't know what time it was nor how much time had passed. I knew that I didn't have to finish but I could choose to continue if I felt so inclined.

To look at the long driveway, or any large project or goal for that matter, as a whole may seem daunting and unachievable. However, by breaking it down and pacing myself, I enjoyed the feeling of completion.

What can you complete a piece of today to help bring you closer to completing a task?

It's not necessarily all or nothing. Pace yourself and get the momentum going. You may be surprised with the results!!

For the Sleep Deprived...

noreply@MyPath.com — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:51:05 GMT

We are sleep deprived as a Nation! When I polled a recent audience during a presentation about “Taming Stress in your Over-committed Life”, less than 60% indicated that they get 7-8 hours of sleep each evening. The remaining 40% reported getting significantly less! One woman admitted to 2-3 hours of sleep each night on average.

So, what’s wrong with us? Why don’t we get the sleep we need?Many people argue that they don’t need as much sleep as others. Some defend their sleep patterns with the excuse of being “too busy”.

Here are some good sleep habits, I’ve adapted from a presentation I delivered for CIGNA Behavioral Healthcare that received rave reviews. Incorporate them into your life as soon as possible!

Avoid caffeine within 6–8 hours of bedtime.

Avoid nicotine close to bedtime or during the night.

Refrain from using the bedroom for any activities other than sleep and sex.

Don’t drink alcoholic beverages within 2–4 hours before bedtime. It may relax you and help you fall asleep but will result in a poorer quality of sleep, and more nighttime waking.

Abstain from eating large meals or greasy, spicy, or gas-producing foods too close to bedtime. Select a light snack composed mainly of carbohydrates instead if you’re hungry because it can help promote more sound sleep.

Exercise regularly but don’t do it within 2 hours before bedtime.

Minimize light, noise, and extremes in temperature in the bedroom.

Establish relaxing pre-sleep rituals, such as a warm bath, reading, imagery, repetitious techniques (e.g., deep breathing, counting sheep), or progressive relaxation.

If you are unable to fall asleep within 15–20 minutes after lights out, leave the bedroom and do a non-stimulating activity such as those above.

Awaken at about the same time daily – a regular rising time is even more important than a regular bedtime. In other words, don’t sleep in just because you can.

Go to bed only when you are sleepy – again, bedtime is less important than rising time.

Avoid napping late in the afternoon or evening. If you choose to nap, do so early in the afternoon and limit it to 30 minutes or so.

Choose a time during the day to think about your worries or concerns and make plans for handling them, so that you can avoid dwelling on them in bed.

Sleeping pills are intended as a last resort and for short-term use only. Sleeping pills have many side effects, and can cause drowsiness into the next day. Their long-term use can actually lead to “rebound insomnia.” If you have been using sleeping pills for more than a few months, consult with your doctor about how to stop them.

Here’s to a better night’s sleep! Getting adequate sleep will help you function at your best by enhancing productivity, performance and your attitude towards life.

Put in What Matters!

noreply@MyPath.com — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 19:59:54 GMT

Inspiration for your SuperBusy day....

Last week I had the exciting opportunity to travel to Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Orlando, FL to watch my daughter and her cheer team compete in the Pop Warner National Cheer Championships. Her team had gone from a very weak start in August to coming from .002 points away from the first place team at the Eastern Regional competition. No one would have anticipated that this squad of 33 girls from 5th through 8th grade would be competing at the National level.

It took discipline, commitment and dedication not only on the part of the girls but their parents, coaches and most of all, the instructors. Unlike many of the teams competing at this level, we did not have professional choreographers but local HS seniors who wrote and taught the show, then tweaked it following each competition based on the judges’ feedback.

The girls worked together but most of all, to the (sometimes) frustration of the coaches and instructors, they had fun. One of the coaches, Coach Patty, always had an inspirational message. By the end of the season, each and every girl could quote the 2-3 she used most often. The one that stuck with me is “What you put into it is what you’ll get out of it.”

How often is this true in our lives as well? Sometimes we do things half-way or incomplete; often times we don’t put our heart into what we’re doing but instead go through the routine motions to complete the task-at-hand. The cheerleaders were constantly being told to refine their movements, sharpen their jumps, hold their stunts and articulate more loudly and clearly. Then, when they hit the competition floor each time, it all came together with precision and pride. Although they goofed off at practice, when it mattered they always pulled it together. My saying from my competition days as a baton twirler was, “ Practice like you will perform”. This was rarely taken to heart but when they did, it brought tears to our eyes.

In the end, when the announcer said, FIRST PLACE, the Hillsborough Dukes, we knew that what they put into it is what they got out of it. They gained friendships, skills, sportsmanship along the way to being National Champions. The focus was on performing at their absolute best and that’s what they did!

So, what will you focus on so that you can give it your all? When you put your best effort into the task-at-hand, what rewards will you reap??

Loosen the Technology Addiction

noreply@MyPath.com — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:08:07 GMT

Those who are tied to their technology so that they can respond immediately to anyone reaching out to them need to better understand what this behavior is costing them...

Are you someone who almost always immediately replies to every phone call, text message or email so that you can demonstrate just how committed you are to your work and family? Do you often provide an immediate response for work-related items while getting around to family, friends and personal matters when you have the chance? Or, do you respond immediately to your family while putting off work-related contacts?

Having the habit of responding immediately, whether for everyone or for just work or personal matters, is unhealthy. Many are fooled to believe that when they respond immediately to work-related matters they are demonstrating their commitment to their job. However, are they? And, does this level of availability really measure true commitment?

Commitment is not synonymous with being constantly available! Operating as if it is contributes to higher stress levels and lower life satisfaction levels.

The advances in modern technology have created a common distorted view of expectations. Commitment to your job in too many cases has become equated with being constantly available. However, just because you can be constantly accessible and responsive doesn’t necessarily mean you should be available 24/7.

Also, you must be willing to turn away from all the available technology if you really want a break from work. With today's technology, many of you carry beepers, cell phones, laptops, BlackBerry® etc. so that you can constantly be in touch with the office. You are never "off" work. As a result, work is non-stop. Even when you are home with your family, you are still closely connected to work if you never shut off the available technology and fully focus on your family.

Working too many hours jeopardizes you health and well-being, family life and relationships with others. It can also effect the quality of your work. You will continue suffering from overwork unless you are willing to make a firm decision to stop.

Are you addicted to your technology?

Does being available and ‘needed’ help you feel important?

If so, take responsibility for your life. Stop sacrificing the quality of your life. And, stop putting such high demands on yourself. When your body breaks down because you're pushing too hard, everything will come to a crashing halt. Take control now; don't wait for an emergency or disaster to occur. Learn more!

Put Gratitude on Your Plate

noreply@MyPath.com — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:30:53 GMT

Be thankful for what you have rather than focusing on what you don’t have! We all have much in our lives to be grateful for regardless of our personal or professional situation. By focusing on the positives, we come from a place of optimism and hope and allow that to expand. However, when focused on the negative, we see ourselves out of control of situations in our life; we are victims; there is no hope; and, unfortunately, this stays our truth or reality.

Adapting the attitude of gratitude will help you get by even on the roughest days. Living in gratitude helps you focus on what you have to be thankful for.

Back in 2001, following 9-1-1, my husband's job was significantly more stressful. All of the vital equipment that enabled his employer to operate was located in Tower 1. As the Director of Information Technology, it became his responsibility to get the data feeds and connections operational as soon as possible. With his average day being 15-20 hours (including his commute) it could have been easy to become angry and frustrated about the stress, long hours and feelings of not being appreciated by upper management. Instead, we talked about what we had to be grateful for and, for the most part, focused our energies on that instead.

He said that he is grateful to be alive; to have been off (at home) on September 11; to have a loving family to come home to each night; to know we were all okay; to have a career in his field of expertise; to have excellent resources at some of his vendor's companies; to have our health; to be a part of our new community; and, to have extended family and friends that were also okay.

Adapting an attitude of gratitude gives you the opportunity to change your experiences. Gratitude is a state of being not just a momentary feeling. Look at the things in your own life right now that are causing you feelings of stress, sadness or anger and consciously choose to change the experience to look at those situations with a new perspective. You can control your feelings, attitude and behavior in a situation. You can focus on what you have to be grateful for, especially in times when things don't feel like they are going well. In many cases, you can’t change the situation; however, you can change how you choose to feel about it, how you allow the situation to affect you and how you respond to it. Being in gratitude helps you remain calmer in a crisis. It helps you accept things that may be difficult to accept. It also helps you keep a positive mood while feeling more centered and balanced. When you go through your day in a state of gratitude it's almost impossible to feel down.

Although things may look bleak and hopeless at times, think about what you have to be grateful for today. Even in situations that seem far from perfect, there are valuable lessons to learn, relationships to cherish and probably numerous reasons to be thankful. Look for those things, cherish them, and appreciate them.

My challenge to you is to adapt the attitude of gratitude this week and find at least 5 things each day you can be grateful for. If there seems to be nothing, remember, you are alive; you have a roof over your head; some friends and family; food to eat; internet access, you can speak, see, hear, taste, touch and think; you have skills and talents; and, you are undoubtedly a terrific person! If you need help with this, I'm just a phone call away! Schedule an initial coaching consult to see if working with me as your coach will help you bring more positve results in your life! Email natalie@theprioritypro.com.

Reduce Stress to Increase Productivity

noreply@MyPath.com — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 19:34:25 GMT

Corporate America, not unlike individuals everywhere, is faced with having too much on their plate. With major cuts across the board in budget and headcount, people have overwhelming burgeoning work loads. There are continuous competing demands and conflicting priorities.

Many people miss the signs when there's too much on their plate. However, there are a number of indicators and symptoms you should recognize so that you may remain calmer and more focused at completing the task-at-hand while increasing your performance and productivity. Be aware of high stress, anxiety, frustration, irritability, depression, or inflexibility. Notice when you become impatient with others and respond rudely. If you find yourself making an increasing number of foolish mistakes or bad decisions, pause and shift your energy so that you alleviate negative consequences.

Recognize what you can and cannot control in your life. Let go of what you absolutely have no control over and concentrate on what you can control or at least influence or negotiate. You can regain control in many situations by simply:

· Rethinking the ‘shoulds’, ‘musts’, and ‘coulds’

· Acknowledging your reality and current situation

· Accepting your abilities and limitations. Leveraging/maximizing your strengths.

· Having a positive can-do attitude

· Minimizing stressors

Some stress cannot be totally eliminated and is actually effective to helping you be at the top of your game. However,many different behaviors and attitudes help better cope with stress. My personal favorites include exercising, smiling/laughing, taking things in stride/going with the flow, breathing through difficulties (too help slow things down and stay in the moment while consciously choosing how I want to respond rather than just reacting), planning ahead and creating contingencies in case things go as unanticipated.

Other effective behaviors for coping with stress so that you can increase your productivity and contentment include:

· Defining your limits (having realistic standards and limits)

· Slowing down (stop hurrying)

· Learning to deal with anger

· Using meditation/yoga

· Avoiding catastrophic thinking

· Listening to calming music

· Using imagery or daydreaming

· Knowing your natural rhythm of when you’re at your best.

· Scheduling your day so that you have structure

· Paying attention to noise levels and minimizing

· Using pent up energy wisely

· Taking time for yourself

· Getting off adrenaline/avoiding procrastination

· Regrouping after stressful periods

· Eliminating worry (87% of what we worry about never occurs or is out of our control anyway)

· Learning to say “no”

Stress can be lethal if not brought under control. It can effect your health, well-being, relationships and employment. Reduce your stress and improve your productivity! For more stress tips, subscribe to my free bi-weekly e-newsletter by sending a blank email to superbusyparent-subscribe@yahoogroups.com.

Extra Hour!

noreply@MyPath.com — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 17:40:40 GMT

Make the Most of your Extra Hour

Many of you will be gaining an extra hour this week as we roll the clocks back an hour. Some say we're losing an hour but I think of it as gaining an hour (“Spring Ahead...Fall Behind!”) Fortunately, I'll be on vacation so, in essence, I'll have an extra hour of rest & relaxation. The extra hour comes while most of us are sleeping; many choose to therefore sleep in and enjoy extra snoozing. However, with most of us usually pressed for time and dreaming of an extra hour in our lives, what will you do with your extra hour this weekend? And, how can you consciously create at least an extra hour every day to better manage everything on your plate vying for your time and energy?

Here are 40 tips to help you gain more time each day. Feel free to adapt them to best fit your unique situation. I hope you enjoy your extra hour this weekend and use these ideas to start gaining time every day to focus on your top priorities!

1. Awaken earlier

2. Get to work before everyone else to have some uninterrupted time

3. Have periods of time blocked when you allow no interruptions

4. Use barriers such as a closed door, headset, or something similar to provide a clearer boundary

5. Get your toughest task out of the way first

6. Work within your natural rhythm - work hardest when you're most mentally alert

7. Restrict TV watching, Internet use, email and on-line social networking

8. Put blocks on your email inbox

9. Process email in batches instead of constantly interrupting your train of thought

10. Stop allowing others to waste your time

11. Avoid casual conversations while working

12. Use your commuting time wisely to study, plan, listen to educational or motivational tapes, or catch up on calls (with your hands-free phone!)

13. Keep everything better organized

14. Use your lunch hour to catch up on things so that you have more time in the evening and on the weekend

15. Delegate both authority and responsibility whenever possible; empower others!

16. Spend less time on unimportant tasks (phone calls, emails, talking, etc.)

17. Think things through prior to beginning a new project or task

18. Before each task, ask yourself "Is this really necessary?"

19. Get a better night's sleep

20. Skip desserts or after-dinner cocktails

21. Stop taking smoking breaks

22. Use your wait time wisely

23. Multipurpose by combining tasks that are done in the same area or closely related; avoid multitasking

24. Be prompt for all of your appointments and insist others do the same for you

25. Outsource work you don't do well by hiring specialists

26. Read quicker

27. Find or create shortcuts for repetitive tasks and processes; use templates

28. Prepare your morning items the night before (clothes, briefcase, lunch boxes, cell phone, keys, etc.)

29. Avoid interruptions and distractions

30. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill - avoid making a big production out of small tasks

31. Keep a list of contact details for all of your important contacts (doctor, lawyer, accountant, mechanic, bank, family members, neighbors, emergency services, school personnel, insurance brokers, etc.)

32. Create routines for you and your family

33. Set a reasonable deadline for each task

34. Use a checklist for routine or recurring tasks

35. Post due dates and expiration dates in your planner or on your calendar

36. Hold regular meetings with your direct reports and your boss

37. Plan time buffers in your schedule

38. Stop procrastinating - eliminate the urgent from your to do list

39. Address issues before they balloon into big problems

40. Improve your mental arithmetic

I know it's tough to break bad habits. However, it is necessary to make sacrifices so that you can be more successful at personally and professionally. Experiment with the ideas above, feel free to add your own, but to avoid overwhelm, try just one tip at a time and practice it until it becomes a natural part of your daily routine.

Take Worry off your Plate

noreply@MyPath.com — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:23:16 GMT

The statistics on worry indicate that 87% of what we worry about never actually occurs or is so far out of our control that we really shouldn’t be worrying about it anyway! Worries may be over things that happened in your past which can never be changed, from irrational fears or concerns, or about things that may or may not happen in the future.

The problem is that with all the energy we put into worrying, worrying never affects the final outcome of a situation. Have you ever worried a problem away?? Not likely! However, by worrying we create an excessive negative impact on ourselves, physically, mentally, emotionally and even socially with symptoms ranging from headaches to high blood pressure or heart conditions. A worrier, with their negative feelings, often may experience some loneliness as others flee from them and their doom and gloom pessimistic thinking.

Worry can be paralyzing--it fills our life with unnecessary stress, anxiety and pressure. Worrying is a widely prevalent emotional problem yet we rarely recognize it and almost never talk about it. It infects our thoughts, our sense of well-being, and even our ability to take action; worry is so much a part of our thinking that we rarely notice when we are doing it, unless others point it out to us.

Pause right now and try to remember what's been on your mind today. What thoughts elevated your heart rate, raised the hair on the back of your neck or broke you out in a sweat? Are you worrying about finding a new job, your low bank account, your kid’s grades in school, your long to-do list, your health issues, or what your neighbors think of your barking dog or over-grown lawn? Whatever it is, let it go! Worrying is an absolute waste of your time and energy because all it really does is increase your stress and anxiety while bringing you down or keeping you stuck in a state of inaction.

Stopping the habitual pattern of worrying may be challenging, so instead focus first on restricting your worrying to that which you can do something about. Here are a few tips to help you limit your time and energy spent worrying:

1. Raise your Awareness
Begin becoming more consciously aware of when you are worrying. When you realize that you are worrying, relax by taking a deep breath in and then let it out slowly.

2. Stay Present
When you realize that you are worrying; ask yourself if what you are worrying about is related to today. For example, if you are worrying about a job, speech, a business meeting or a potential promotion, is that something that is going to happen today? If the answer is no, then do not allow yourself to worry about it. Stay focused in the here and now!

3. Do Something
If what you're worrying about is something that is happening today, then reframe your worry thoughts into planning thoughts so that you move into action. Instead of worried thinking like "I don’t know if I got the job," reframe that into a planning thought: "Is there anything I can do to improve my chances of getting the job?” If the answer is yes, do it. If you have already done everything there is to do, then there is nothing to worry about. Focus on action and next steps!

4. Prepare, Plan & Educate
When you discover yourself worrying about ongoing issues like a chronic health issues, financial challenges or a difficult relationship, replace worrying with planning and educating. Ask yourself powerful questions (e.g., “Is there something I can say or do right now to stop worrying about this?” or “How is worrying improving my situation?”) instead of staying stuck in the worrying rut, research, or seek professional help to improve your situation. Then, of course, follow up your planning with consistent action. Stay in control as much as you can so that you don’t feel powerless!

5. Control what you can
Although we worry about so much that is out of our control, what we can always control are our thoughts, feelings and actions. Understand that you can only control yourself and the choices you make, you cannot control others and you cannot control many situations. Recognize that you are capable and competent and certainly have the power to affect your own life to the extent it is possible to do so.

So, when you’re aware that you cannot control a situation, rather than worrying about it, simply let it go or take concerted steps to control what you can.

Focus on what you can impact and in the words of Bob McFarrin, sing or hum…”Don’t worry…be happy!”

Over time as you take worry off your plate, you’ll likely discover more positive and powerful thoughts filling your mind. The Priority Pro can help you worry less and take more action!

Celebrate "Too Much on Her Plate" Week

noreply@MyPath.com — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:39:43 GMT

I was very surprised to see another professional specializing in helping busy women manage everything on their plate! I came across Melissa McCreery's site quite by accident. Melissa is a psychologist and an internationally certified life coach who is passionate about providing high quality solutions to smart, busy women who are tired of struggling with food and weight.

Melissa created "Too Much on Her Plate Week" (which aptly runs the week of her birthday!) from October 19-23 so that women can learn to get stuff off their plate, both literally and figuratively.

Too Much on Her Plate Week calls attention to the more than 150 million professional women who are either employed by a business or as an independent professional in the United States. These women are often moms too, creating limited time and a lot of plate spinning (and juggling). The pressure to get it all done contributes further to many women’s struggles with weight and food.

In celebration of Too Much on Her Plate week, Melissa is encouraging women to:

1. Carve out some time for yourself. The biggest mistake busy women make is not taking some time for self-care. Most often, it’s not that a professional woman can’t have it. It’s that they aren’t choosing to take it. Prioritize yourself.

2. Have a plan for eating and exercise. We tend to be great planners for the most part. Apply those skills to yourself and plan your meals and time for exercise.

3. Pay attention. Emotional eating – especially stress eating, often sneaks up on women. Pay attention to those times when you want something to eat and ask why.