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12 Posts tagged with the time tag Productivity tips from the Priority Pro

Unplug

Posted by Natalie Gahrmann Jul 1, 2010

Fears and limiting beliefs play a big role in our ability to unplug from work.  Many of us fear being replaced if we take time off. If we don't respond immediately to each IM, text or phone call could we really lose our job? Could we be taken less seriously when it's time for raises, promotions, or plum assignments?

 

Possibly!  However, the bigger block from unplugging is likely to be YOU!

 

family sunset.jpgLast year as we spent a week in beautiful Turks & Caicos, there were a number of people who were pbeach at beaches.jpgoolside with their laptop, PDA, or smart phone and others who locked themselves away in their room to handle business. Sadly, some of these people had families with them who were vying for their time and attention and losing big time. The well deserved and needed break from the day-to-day responsibilities was instead being driven by a need to stay connected, to feel important and to be needed. Without establishing clear boundaries, technology makes it easy to stay in touch with anyone, anywhere. On the flip-side, the convenience of readily accessible technology can also make it difficult to get connected to the people you're closest to---your friends and family; it can interfere with self-care, renewal and rejuvenation.  With stress levels at a high, it's more important today to rest and relax because we are truly less effective when we don't take care of ourselves.

 

The reality is that in most cases, you don't have to be available 24/7.

 

Here are some keys to help you unplug either at the end of the day or while on a vacation:

 

  • Set realistic expectations and appropriate boundaries.
  • Communicate when you'll be out of the office.
  • Prepare your co-workers to handle most things while you're away.
  • Set-up out-of-office messages on your phone and in your email. Be sure to provide back-up contacts for urgent needs.
  • Define true emergencies and inform co-workers not to call unless one of those emergencies arise.
  • Establish a time frame each day (at the beginning or end of the day) or specific times every couple of days that you'll be available for phone calls or email check-in.
  • Create a rule in your email program, if possible, for important email to forward to a specified folder.

 

Unplugging begins with your mindset and willingness. The tactics are less complicated than getting around your own fears and beliefs. There's too much on your plate but there doesn't have to continue to be an over-flowing plate while you're away from the office!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: life, balance, coach, stress, career, focus, advice, busy, productivity, working, work/life, effectiveness, personal, time, congruent, performance, choices, smarter, job_security, workplace

Got Guilt?

Posted by Natalie Gahrmann Jun 2, 2010

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While it varies in intensity, almost everyone I know feels some degree of guilt at one moment or another. I frequently hear clients express feelings of guilt—especially the professional career women who have young children. Although the men I work with may have similar feelings of guilt and may experience similar circumstances, these feelings are usually expressed differently. For example, Bill expressed anger and frustration at his boss’s scheduling of late day meetings that prevented him from going to his son’s baseball games. Andrew was mad because he couldn’t spend time with his very ill mother due to work and family demands.

 

Guilt is something that naturally transcends the entire human race because we all have a conscience. We've all probably done things that we later regret. Realize that by itself guilt is neither good nor bad. Guilt is simply a condition. However, it is often masked as a feeling. The danger of using guilt as an emotion is that it masks deeper emotions and doesn’t identify the real problem. Guilt is most frequently associated with remorse, shame or fault. Guilt may also be associated with feelings of responsibility that weren’t handled appropriately.

Guilt is one of the greatest wastes of emotional energy because it may cause you to become immobilized, debilitated or pre-occupied. It may prevent you from taking concrete actions to resolve the negative feelings. Guilt can be destructive and paralyzing. Feelings of guilt can consume you and negatively impact your life and your relationships with others. This is why it is essential that you learn how to get rid of guilt. When you don’t allow logical thinking to supersede and reject the guilt, you may keep beating yourself up for something you did (or didn’t do).

Guilt, on the other hand, may be productive if it causes you to move forward (e.g., contemplating other options or comparing choices) and gets you away from destructive behavior or thoughts. As a result of productive guilt, you may forgive yourself or others, confess, make better choices that are aligned with your values and priorities, and consciously plan activities that allow you to use your time well.

Here’s an exercise that’s helped clients move away from non-productive guilt:

 

1. Recognize your guilt by taking a close look at why you feel guilty or what you’re feeling guilty about as soon as possible when you start experiencing signs of guilt. Honestly identify what’s causing you guilt so that you can work toward resolving the problem rather than a symptom of the problem before it has a negative impact on your life.

2. Write down or talk about your guilt with a trusted friend, counselor or a professional coach.

3. Do something about what you are feeling guilty about rather than consuming yourself with guilt that is non-productive. If you’ve wronged someone, seek to make amends. Apologize to whomever you have mistreated.

4. Develop a written list of 10 affirmations to support the choices you’ve made, like “I am where I need to be”; “My children are being well cared for in my absence”; “I am spending money wisely and responsibly”.

5. Forgive yourself. Remind yourself that everybody makes mistakes and its part of being human.

Cick here for more resources, information and techniques for handling guilt.

Post your guilt confessions or your best strategies for overcoming your guilt by adding your comments below!! You could WIN a FREE coaching session with The Priority Pro!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: performance, choices, time, coach, personal, effectiveness, productivity, guilt, forgiveness, balance, life, stress, improvement, advice, smarter

Adapt to Succeed

Posted by Natalie Gahrmann Feb 26, 2010

focus on success.jpgI 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!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: change, coach, balance, improvement, work/life, effectiveness, smarter, focus, busy, time, performance, advice, success, productivitiy, workplace

Pace Yourself

Posted by Natalie Gahrmann Dec 31, 2009

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 almsnowy driveway.jpgost 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!!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: performance, effectiveness, busy, time, stress, balance, management, choices, productivity, alignment, satisfaction

   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.

2 Comments Permalink Tags: advice, choices, improvement, personal, smarter, balance, life, work/life, busy, performance, time, effectiveness, productivity

Extra Hour!

Posted by Natalie Gahrmann Oct 28, 2009

daylight-savings-2009.jpgMake 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!

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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.

0 Comments Permalink Tags: advice, improvement, time, busy, performance, productivity, daylight, savings, choices, smarter, management, effectiveness, working

Although you have a lot on your plate, networking is always important!  Networking helps you build and maintain relationships crucial to your professional success.  Relationships outside of the workplace are just as (and sometimes even more) important than your relationships with co-workers. Therefore, don't let the current state of the economy change your approach to managing your career, keep networking!

 

Rather than restraining yourself from inviting someone to have lunch or a drink,  thinking they'll be too busy, reach out and ask. Believe it or not, most people enjoy talking about themselves.  If you are seeking a job and you let them know that you're interested in their career path, it's less difficult to get them to meet. Many people also welcome the break from all of their busyness.

 

If you're not good at networking, practice and gain confidence in this essential skill.  There are many resources available both online and in hard copy from classes to webinars, and everything in between, including books, audio, etc.

 

If you're introverted and shudder at the thought of approaching new people, relax!  Check out The Business Pundit for a great post on this subject and some recommended resources. Here's some of my favorite resources, but also check the Web for blogs and articles on this topic.  The key is to get out there and build your relationships.

 

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It is best to expand your network of acquaintances and contacts on a continuous basis.  An average person knows about 250 people, and if each of those people knows another 250 people, then you can access to as much as 62,500 people who are separated from you by only two degrees. Network online through Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace or other popular sources but never post anything about yourself that you wouldn't want displayed on a billboard on the busiest main highway.  Anyone, including prospective employers, can see what you post online!  Look for communities related to your profession and interests and post your comments and questions so that other people in the community get to know you.

 

Subscribe to our free bi-monthly e-newseltter for more great tips for SuperBusy people!  Read our archives here! Send a blank email to superbusyparent-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to automatically receive our latest edition, special offers, and other pertinent information.

0 Comments 0 References Permalink Tags: effectiveness, networking, smarter, job_search, development, job_search, time, productivitiy

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The Top 10 Tips for Utilizing Time More Efficiently

By Natalie Gahrmann, Work & Life Success Coach/Professional Speaker/Author

 

Time is a priceless treasure. Treasure every moment you have and remember that time waits for no one. You cannot make six minutes out of five just because you managed your time effectively. Each day you are given the gift of a new day, 24 hours. Utilize it the best way possible and don't let it slip through your fingers. You cannot ever replace lost time. You can't buy time or save time; you can only spend time…once it's spent it's gone!

 

1.      Prioritize

              Determine what's truly important to you. Schedule those items and activities first and then schedule everything else around it to the extent you can (noting some things are scheduled at precise times and there is less flexibility). Don't cancel the important (not urgent) activities for any reason.

 

2.     Plan

              Planning is a crucial skill when you want to accomplish something. However, it's often the first thing forgotten when things get hectic and busy. Planning magnifies time by providing direction and enhancing productivity. Life is simpler and easier when planned out.

 

3.      Delegate

              Anything you're doing that could be handled by someone else could be delegated. If you look at your time in terms of dollars you can compute how much your time is actually worth. Then, you may be more willing to delegate the more routine tasks, chores, etc. and free your time and energy for your top priorities and high-level work.

 

4.      Set Goals (Have Strong Intentions/a Vision/Direction)

Establish specific goals on a daily basis to help you decide what you want to achieve with your time and to set targets that will lead you to achieving them more regularly. Setting goals may be very effective at raising your self-confidence by focusing on progress. In addition to having increased performance levels, goals will keep you more highly motivated.

 

5.      Structure Your Day

As individuals, we all have peak performance times. Learn when it's your best time for greatest productivity, quiet thinking, exercise, etc. and arrange your day accordingly to maximize your personal advantage. Each person has an 'ideal' work style that operates as a function of who they are, their body and personality type. Begin to understand and honor that style in you and you'll be more effective as a result.

 

6.     Value Your Time

If you demonstrate by your words, actions and commitments that your time is important to you, others will recognize how you value your time and will show more respect of it. On the other hand, if you don't value your time, don't expect anyone else to. By valuing your time, you are in essence valuing your self. One important thing to remember is that the only way others will respect your time is if YOU respect your time.

 

7.     Replicate Yourself

No, you cannot actually duplicate yourself or add more arms and legs but the fact is, you can find someone who is just as good as you in a given task. You can also automate or systematize some of your routine tasks. Replication is about increasing your results without expending more time and energy.

 

8.     Get Organized

Have a place for everything both in your office and in your home; it pays off in less wasted time searching for something you just can't seem to find. Over the years, studies have shown that people working with a messy desk or work area spend an average 1.5 hours per day looking for or being distracted by things (at just minutes at a time!) In addition, create a (centralized) list of what you want to get done. Manage the activities and projects you can control; clearly distinguish between what is and is not actionable. You can also group activities that can be done simultaneously or on the same trip out. The key is to focus on about 6 activities you wish to accomplish at the start of each day and to keep your list manageable.

 

9.     Become Fully Focused in the Moment

By focusing on what you are doing you permit yourself to get absorbed in the activity, be more relaxed and increase your creativity. Fact is, when you allow yourself to become totally focused on what you are doing at the moment, a freer flowing momentum occurs and you actually get the job done faster and easier. Be deliberate in how you use your time. Make the present perfect rather than splitting your attention.

 

10.  Eliminate Time Wasters

Yes, we all have them in our life---interruptions, distractions, poor planning, ineffective behaviors and attitudes, over-commitment, etc. Rather than letting time control you, take control of your time and your life by incorporating some of the tips listed above. Take personal responsibility for creating stronger boundaries and communicating them to your colleagues, bosses, significant others and family.

 

Get more tips and strategies at http://www.nrgcoaching.com!

0 Comments Permalink Tags: effectiveness, balance, performance, time, management, smarter, choices, productivitiy

The Top 10 Time Wasters

By Natalie Gahrmann, Work & Life Success Coach/Author/Speaker


Time is a very precious resource. The fact is that regardless of how well you manage time, at the end of a day, you will still only have had 24 hours.  In one year there are still only 8,760 hours. The key is using your time efficiently and eliminating time wasters from your day. Your attitudes and behaviors effect how you use your time. Below are some examples of ineffective use of time. By substituting what's not working for you with a more effective behavior and/or attitude you're on the road to managing your time.


1.  Interruptions/Distractions

If you have a constant stream of well-intentioned colleagues, subordinates and/or family members interrupting your concentration and focus, stop them by communicating when it's okay to interrupt and when it's clearly not.


2.  Poor Planning.

Planning is so critical when you want to accomplish something. Planning in advance provides direction before proceeding toward a goal.


3.  Perfectionism

Although perfectionism is a behavior it's also an attitude. By striving toward progress rather than perfection, you will free up a lot of your time and energy.


4.  Procrastination

Like perfectionism, procrastination also is both a behavior and an attitude. Waiting until the last minute or otherwise putting things off tends to create a crisis or problems that may not otherwise exist. In addition, by not doing something you're procrastinating about, you also end up wasting considerable time worrying about how much you're procrastinating. Just do it.


5.   Trying to do Everything Yourself

Taking on the world all by yourself will not serve you or the people around you. Learn to say "no" and to delegate tasks others can do for you (even if it's not up to your standards).


6.  Taking on too Much.

Biting off more than you can chew is a prime example of taking on too much. Not having strong clearly communicated boundaries is another example. You do not need to volunteer to be on every project, organization, taskforce, association, etc.


7.  Crisis Management

A crisis is an unforeseen emergency. By planning and asking yourself whether or not something is truly urgent, what will happen if it's not handled immediately, you will eliminate a great deal of this fire fighting behavior. Remember the old adage, "haste makes waste".


8. Too much Socializing

Although we all love to have friends and enjoy our relationships, by allowing yourself too much freedom in this area you'll wind up spending a large percentage of your 'work' time socializing and will be pressing to meet deadlines.


9.  Not Valuing Your Own Time.

Others will not respect or value your time if you don't send the message that your time is important. Watch your actions, behaviors and commitments--are they communicating the right message?    


10.  Lack of Skills

Organizing, prioritizing, decision-making and problem solving skills are all critical in supporting effective use of time. Strengthen these skills and you'll see a remarkable difference in how you use your time.


For more tips and strategies visit http://www.nrgcoaching.com

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Every adult I know seems to have infinite level of responsibilities within their life.  If you are feeling overwhelmed and pulled in multiple directions between work, home, family or other commitments, it's time to adopt a creative way to delegate some of the tasks that you've outgrown or that consistently drain your energy.  And, when your immediate response to the idea of delegating is, "it will take too much time to show someone else how to do it"; or, "it's just easier and quicker to do it myself"; or, the ever popular, "no one else will do it as good as me", then it's critical to re-evaluate your standards.  It's not necessarily about lowering your standards, but finding ways to lower your expectations so that you can free up your energy.

 

Often the perfectionist attitude will prevent you from delegating.  Simply remember that the quality of your life is far more important than achieving a perfect result.  The time you spend training someone else to do the task will be time well spent in the long run.  Keep things in perspective and don't make them bigger than they are!  Rarely is a mistake life threatening, uncorrectable or catastrophic.  So, trust the people you delegate tasks to to bring their best selves to the tasks they are completing.  Give them the training, instructions, responsibility and tools to adequately perform the tasks.  Keep the lines of communication between the two of you open.

 

Eliminating things from your life is a means to reduce stress, enhance your mood, and create space for new opportunities and experiences.  A truly fulfilling life has more to do with what you remove from your life than what you add to it.  If you are committed to succeeding in both your personal and professional life, then it's important for you to begin transferring tasks to others to perform.  When you do this effectively, you'll end up freeing up your emotional and physical energy and be able to pursue the things that are truly your priorities.

 

Wondering where to begin?  Start by creating a list of the top priorities right now in your life. Then, either let go of the things that prevent you from honoring them, or delegate those things to someone else.  Remember, next time you want to add something to your life, determine what you can remove first.  Then, develop tactics to delegate or eliminate those things that no longer serve your priorities.  Doing so will help you clear the path towards what you really want in your life.  Your inability or unwillingness to delegate may ultimately become an obstacle to a better quality of life and to your ultimate personal and professional success.

2 Comments 0 References Permalink Tags: decision-making, performance, management, work/life, congruent, balance, improvement, smarter, choices, effectiveness, life, productivitiy, time

I have studied work-life balance for well over a decade and conclude that the key reason why there’s still a gap for employers, business owners, and employees despite millions being spent in programs is because these opportunities are mostly all externally-focused. Thus, work-life balance as we’ve known for years has been primarily focused on programs, services, benefits, and the like while neglecting that true balance is internally-driven. The symptoms often associated with unbalance include overwhelm, burnout, stress and other mental, physiological and emotional issues. Yet the programs, although helpful, don’t fully address the problem.

Work-Life Balance redefined.jpg

Balance is derived from a sense of harmony, peace and alignment. One who works 90 hours a week could actually be more balanced than someone who doesn’t even work at all. Balance is about knowing what you’re doing and why you’re doing it and feeling that sense of control over your life. When you’ve usurped power of your life to someone or something, it’s that powerlessness that causes feeling of imbalance.

 

Some of the more popular programs including childcare, elder care, concierge services, health and wellness benefits, flextime, telecommuting, and job share help ease the burden of working long hours while managing a life outside work. They also allow for working longer hours. Yet true work-life balance is about being aligned, making the right choices for you.

My studies have revealed that it’s not just about work-life balance, time management, stress management, or increasing productivity but all these things combined to help each individual overcome what I call Obsessive Distraction Disorder (or O.D.D. for short!). Distractions increase when you’re not aligned with what’s most important to you! By targeting what matters most, decisions are based on top priorities---what’s most important to you!

 

The typical work-life program offerings help create more time and sanity. However, time spent unwisely is still time lost; time that can never be recaptured! Unlike other resources, time is not a renewable resource. Therefore, it’s highly important to recognize what’s most important in all aspects of your life and realign around those things. Be crystal clear about your values, integrity, needs, purpose and priorities.

 

Remember the old adage…it’s not about working harder, but working smarter. In this case, think more broadly, work is a part of your life that serves a specific purpose, so LIVE SMARTER, not harder! Make wise choices aligned with what matters most to you!

0 Comments 0 References Permalink Tags: alignment, effectiveness, work-life, work/life, harmony, peace, time, work, sanity, balance, congruent, life, research

Nowadays people often feel pulled in many directions. Many come to me to help them manage everything on their plate. Whether they're employed, self-employed, or unemployed, they suffer from competing demands and conflicting priorities.

 

One of the techniques I use myself and teach my clients is to make a list of all the things I want to do or have been requested or told to do by others. By getting things out of my mind and onto paper I am able to free up my mind to be creative and eliminate the stress and worry of forgetting to do something important. This builds awareness and helps me assess how things are working in my life. Then I am better able to reflect on my highest priorities. What is most important to my success and well-being? Which activities will help pull me closer to what I say I really want to accomplish? Does this correspond directly with my personal/professional goals?

 

I use powerful questions (like the ones above) as criteria to quickly guide my decisions and create incredible focus. This helps me eliminate tasks and projects that are not in alignment with what’s most important to me and prioritize those still left on my plate. Having filters helps to sort items by importance and urgency.

 

The key is to eliminate items before they even hit your plate because many of them don't even belong there in the first place. Items generally fall into four categories: (1) they belong on someone else’s plate, (2) can be put on the back-burner and delayed for another time, (3) should be completed or scheduled for completion; or, (4) delete, dump, remove, or ignore the activities that have no meaning, value, and are really just nothing more than a waste of time.

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