Time management is not only useful, it's life-changing! To quote author Julie Morgenstern, "When life becomes about the million and one things on your to-do list instead of getting to what is most important, and actually enjoying yourself, something is wrong." (Time Management from the Inside Out).
Put simply, it can be easy to get caught up in the many little and big things on your to-do list, which can be overwhelming and lead to things not getting done. This can arise from many factors from work-life conflicts, work-life imbalance, and work-family conflicts. Furthermore, things like gender, age, and personality can likely affect one's approach to managing time. However, sometimes it is best to simply step back and ask oneself, "What is really important?"
Picking out what motivates you and drives you, as well as what is most important, helps outline a bigger picture of what your goals are. Knowing your goals is a huge part of the battle in time management.
Furthermore, when practicing time management, ask yourself:
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Learning to manage time can be good for your health, reduce stress, and help your business run better. Overall, it can help improve your life and make getting things done a lot more rewarding and worthwhile!
Here are some tips for time management:
Through these tips we hope that you can narrow down what your goals are and understand how long tasks should realistically take. Keeping a space organized as you begin to manage your time can go a long why in helping the process run more smoothly and with less stress.
Understanding that not every task will be a hundred percent perfect, and that you can always seek out feedback for improvement can help with finishing tasks. Planning ahead by accepting and allotting for the chance that things may change can help reduce stress when unexpected things cause shifts to your schedule.
Simply out of time? Can we help manage your marketing, digital ads, newsletters, or social media? Give us a call: 573-221-3635.
©2024 Poole Communications
Ok, you're going to think I'm nuts, but today I'm talking about Gay Hendricks' book Conscious Golf. If you know me, you'll know I'm a new golfer and am terrible at the game although I have a lot of fun because it's so totally different from work and is wonderful stress release for me.
Mr. Hendricks wrote this book for business owners and it's honestly one of the best books I've read on business. It's short and concise. I highly recommend that you read the book yourself. Here's a brief overview - but please consider reading the book - it's worth it.
Time feels different for each of us. For instance spending an hour with someone you love feels like a very short period of time compared to an hour solving a difficult client issue at work. Einstein explained this experience of time. He pointed out that how we are in our daily lives affects how we work and how we view life. It's important to control our emotions and be in the moment. It's all about relationships with people - and with the golf ball.
First secret is to make sure you have hit the ball. Keep your attention on the project at hand. Finish it before you start something else. Don't let your attention wander. Stay focused on the most important tasks at hand. Incompletion saps your energy and stops you from accomplishing more.
TIP: Make a list of the 3-5 things you need to accomplish every day and get them done.
Second secret is to not get so caught up in hitting the ball that you forget the swing. Swing as in a playground swing. Have some fun, find your rhythm. It's not a hack or whack, it's a swing. It needs to come easily and be graceful. You won't always be in the swing of things, but you can get yourself back into the swing. This could also be considered sharpening the saw or taking a moment for a few deep breaths. As Hendricks' recommends, "don't push the river." When you're feeling uncomfortable or feeling fear, you are not going to be working at your best.
TIP: Take a few moments every day to take a few deep breaths, recenter and relax.
The Third Secret is that the ball doesn't go anywhere until you hit it. YOU bring the power and energy it takes to get things going - so do it. Life isn't hard or beautiful or tough or fair. "Life isn't ANYTHING until we IS it." If you're stuck in repeat patterns or not making as much money as you'd like in your business, rethink how you are working and make changes. Figure out what's stopping you and stop it. Don't focus on others and fixing their problems, fix yours. What things do you tell yourself that are no longer true or no longer serving you. Examine yourself carefully and get rid of old patterns.
TIP: Commit yourself to lifelong learning, not only about business or golf, but about yourself.
Now go buy the book and read it. I can't begin to do it justice.
Sally Poole
Poole Communications owner
For more information on this book, and other works by Gay Hendricks': http://www.hendricks.com/amazon/
