“You can never control how much love you get, but you can always control how much love you give” – Tony Spann
Staying On Track – 10 Ways to Maximize Your Time Management
Time management is practically synonymous with self-discipline. If you are unable to avoid all the little distractions that invariably pop up throughout the day, your time management will flop, and your effectiveness will suffer. A big distraction that can keep us unfocused on the task at hand is our own stress. Learning and implementing techniques proven to reduce stress is a great way to start regaining control. It is so easy for us to become stressed out over meeting deadlines.
Sometimes we feel like we’re being pulled in so many directions that all we want to do is… well, nothing. But we’ve still got to get it done, right? Yet when we try to “power through” it, we end up cutting corners and making costly errors. We often focus on trying to complete so many tasks at once that none of them get done. The truth is, this type of manic behavior can be corrected with just the slightest amount of prioritization.
With our tasks laid out in order of importance, we begin to gain a clearer perspective of which actions need to be taken, and in which order. A lack of priorities leads to chaos. We know we’re supposed to be staying busy, so we just work on the first thing that comes to mind. Then we remember something else that needs our attention even more, so we stop the first thing and start the new thing and then something else pulls at us, and needs to be done immediately, and then something else, and then, and then, and…. aaaaghhh!
In addition to knowing what our priorities are, it is equally important that we have a system set in place in order to effectively manage distractions. Having a clear strategy of deflecting potential interruptions can ultimately lead to exponentially greater overall productivity. If you were to add up all the minutes you spent engaging in pointless conversations, answering unimportant telephone calls, surfing the net, and engaging in a whole host of other non-productive tasks during business hours, it would absolutely floor you.
Another productivity killer is over-planning. Some people spend so much time planning their next move that they’ve got no time left to actually make the move. This is a form of “glorified procrastination,” meaning that it feels like you’re being productive because you’re thinking about work, but you’re not actually DOING any work.
Just say no.
It can be incredibly difficult for us to deny another person’s requests. Generally speaking, this is simply out of fear. We’re afraid of letting people down, upsetting them, and being looked at as “the bad guy.” But the truth is, we need to be 10x more concerned with how we are treating ourselves. When you say “yes” to them, you’re really saying “no” to yourself. It’s important to understand this, and to act accordingly.
Organization can truly be your best friend. Work just feels better when everything is nice and tidy. Keeping your workspace clean and clear makes you feel more professional. Additionally, all of your supplies and resources are more quickly and easily accessible, contributing to your overall efficiency. Clutter = wasted time.
Keep your deadlines realistic. Never over-promise and under-deliver. It is so much better, both professionally and psychologically, for you to be honest from the beginning. Know your capabilities, and don’t be overly optimistic. Remember, the time to produce results will always come, so don’t let your mouth write checks that your… how does that go again?
Schedule your communications. It is easy to get caught up in answering phone calls and checking e-mails far more often than we should, and then staying on the phone or responding to our e-mails a lot longer than we should. To remedy this, incorporate these activities into your time management routine. Reserve a half hour (and ONLY a half hour) out of your work day for communications. Schedule it for a specific time and stick to it.
It is important that we finish our most important tasks before moving on to less important ones. I know this sounds simplistic, but it’s really true. Starting an important project, and then putting it on hold in favor of a little escapism can be professional suicide. Work isn’t always fun. That’s life. We’ve got to do it anyway.
To help keep yourself on track, invest in a good activity planner. A good planner can help you keep your priorities straight, and will also reveal some of your bad habits to you. This can have a profound positive effect on your productivity.
Overall, it is a good idea to focus on project completion in favor of project quantity. One thing at a time, from start to finish, is the best policy. Finishing one project before starting another can actually help to boost your confidence going into the new project. It is always better to move onto your next endeavor with a smile on your face, feeling good about yourself.
A Positive Outlook Leads to a Positive Life
People who have a good attitude and outlook on life are generally happier and more more successful. Positive thinkers are more calm and relaxed than those who think negatively. A positive outlook also affects the people around us and can affect our entire day. A positive attitude and outlook on life is essential for a fulfilling life.
If you are a negative thinker, it will take some time and practice to change the way you think and develop a positive outlook on life. Getting started is the hardest part, but once you start, it will eventually come naturally to you. Here are five key ways to start changing your outlook on life:
- Set up goals for your day and complete one task at a time. Think of the positive outcome of completing that task and how good it will make you feel to complete that task. Don’t fall into doubt or feel overwhelmed. Keep going until you finish and then start on the next goal.
- Make sure your conversations are positive. That includes not letting others discourage you if they have a poor attitude or negative outlook on life. Look for the good in situations and don’t fall back into negative thinking or talk.
- You can spread positive thinking by looking for the positive in others around you and pointing it out. Positive attitudes are infectious and will spread all around you.
- Often it’s easy to see the bad in everyday life. Make the effort to see the good in everyday life. Look for it in everything you do. If you’re doing something that you don’t particularly like doing or something that is boring, try to find something positive about it. Everyone has tasks they hate to do but have to do. You can usually find something good in everything, even if it’s how good you’ll feel when you are done.
- It will take some time to change old habits and change the way that you think and feel. If you’ve had a negative attitude for most of your life, it will take effort to change it. Don’t get discouraged and give up. After awhile, a positive attitude will become second nature to you.
Once you change your outlook and attitude, other areas of your life will also change. Your self-esteem will improve, people will like you more, you’ll feel confident and happy and less stressed doing things that you once hated doing. Your relationships will improve. These are just a few of the areas in your life that will change when you change your attitude and outlook on life.
Personal Development Leads to Prosperity
Spiritual, emotional, mental and physical development can lead to more fulfillment in life. Personal development isn’t really hard. There’s only a few skills you need to master to begin. To start your journey to personal development, you need time management skills and the ability to set realistic goals. You need to understand yourself and build self-esteem and self-worth. Having a purposeful life goes a long way to achieve those goals.
Very few people really have insight into who they are and what they’re capable of achieving. On your path to personal development, it’s necessary to develop that insight. You can’t change what you aren’t aware of. You need to know your self-worth and what keeps you from achieving your goals in life.
Changes don’t happen overnight
Nothing in life worth doing comes easy or fast. Change is going to require both your time and effort. It won’t happen instantly just because you want change. You will need to determine what it is that you need to change and focus on that until you achieve your goals.
Self-awareness is the beginning of understanding what you need to change. You’ll need to take a good, hard look at yourself to discover who you are and who you want to be.
Key points to personal development
- Know what you want out of life and making a plan to achieve it.
- Ability to break free of self-limiting beliefs.
- Developing a positive outlook and getting rid of thoughts that hold you back.
- Getting in touch with your creative and intuitive side.
- Understanding that you do make a difference and why you make a difference. Changing your attitude so that you can continue to grow.
Young children naturally possess a lot of these qualities. Children continually learn and adapt. In a healthy, nurturing environment, children are less afraid than many adults. Life to a child is simpler and children’s minds are open to possibilities and they use their creativity and imagination. They are not afraid of what they can or cannot do. In many way, some adults make life more complicated than it need be and their negative attitudes and outlook work against them, but you do have the power to change this for a more fulfilled life.
Managing Your Schedule to Reduce Stress
It’s tough to manage a busy schedule in today’s hectic world, but it is essential if you want to reduce stress from your life. You need the skills to plan your day efficiently to accomplish all your goals each day. Making a list of tasks and determining which are top priority is an important factor in time management.
Determining goals and priorities
Time management is difficult for a lot of people. Only you can control how you spend your time and whether or not you will achieve your goals. You need to know what you want out of life in order to achieve it.
You have to be able to manage priorities. You determine what is the most important goals to achieve. It helps to keep a journal to determine what you do with your time and how long certain tasks take. Keep a record of your schedule, including all activities such as, work, study, exercise, sleep and relaxing. Having this record will allow you to evaluate the way you spend your time and make better use of your time.
Matching time with priorities
Once you’ve made your list of the time you spend on tasks in your journal, make sure the time you spend on tasks matches your priorities. You also need to make sure that you are spending enough time on a task to ensure quality. An example of ensuring that the time you spend on tasks would be time spend on studying. Are you waiting until the end of the day when you are tired to study? Are you just fitting it in wherever you can. Make sure to schedule high priority tasks at optimum times to do them and spend the time on them required to achieve the best results.
Manage your time more efficiently
- If you have a huge task, it is often easier to break it down into smaller tasks and tackle each one until they are done. This will reduce the stress of tackling a huge task.
- If you are doing tasks that are routine, but aren’t really necessary, eliminate them if at all possible.
- Determine if a task can be done more efficiently, thereby saving time.
- Know the times that you are more productive and alert. Some people are morning people and some are night people. Take advantage of the time you are at your most productive and efficient.
- Are you the kind of person who feels compelled to say yes every time someone asks for a favor? If so, learn to say no when you don’t really have the time or it will keep you from achieving your goals.
Failure Should Be Our Teacher, Not Our Undertaker. Failure Is Delay Not Defeat. It Is a Temporary Detour, Not a Dead End
We will not be perfect in everything that we try to do. The most important thing is that we we take action in order to achieve our goals. There's certainly no guarantee that we will achieve our goal simply by taking action. In fact some of the greatest success stories I've heard were riddled with numerous initial failures. If the successful person gave up and did not push past those initial failures it is likely that we would have never heard of them.
Next time you try something that does not work out do not despair. I understand that it can be disappointing, but in reality by failing you just eliminated one approach that does not work. This actually puts you one step closer to the solution you seek and the goal you desire. Let failure be your teacher and allow it to educate you by letting you learn from your mistakes.
Although it can be disappointing, there is nothing wrong with taking a few steps backward from time to time in your journey to your goals. Remember, as long as the total number of your forward steps remains greater than the total number of your backward steps you will be making progress.
“Failure should be our teacher, not our undertaker. Failure is delay not defeat. It is a temporary detour, not a dead end.” – Denis Waitley
Consistent trial and error eventually leads to trial and triumph. – Tony Spann
The Pursuit Of Happiness
The pursuit of happiness is a pretty common phrase these days. But what exactly is happiness, or more importantly, what is happiness to you? You see, it doesn't really make sense to pursue happiness, unless you know what happiness is. For some the pursuit of happiness may be like driving along a highway trying to find a town that does not exist.
The first step of course, is to define happiness. The most important definition, of course, is the one that defines what happiness means to you. For some of us. We believe that we would be happy …if we had more money than we could spend…if we had an empowering relationship or, if we could just drive the car of our dreams. For others of us it just might be that we think it's as simple as losing that extra 2 to 5 pounds that we just can't get seem to get rid of…no matter how hard we try.
What I've just mentioned, happen to be all external things. Things we felt we could acquire. Take a look at people out in the world that seem to have all of the things that we think would make us happy. It would stand to reason that they would all be happy. Simple observations tell us that this is simply not the case. There are people with more money than they could ever spend who are miserable. There are people in relationships with the man or woman of their dreams, who are miserable as well. There are people who have their weight perfectly under control that we may look at in envy that are not happy either.
So if happiness doesn't come from getting these things that we want that we think will make us happy where does it come from? Could it be that happiness is based upon something internal?… something that we can only give ourselves and not acquire from outside sources?
I have simply point blank, asked people if they were happy. And either the answer was no or was “I am happy, but…”, rarely did anyone just say yes. Upon further investigation I found out that many people simply did not believe that happiness was possible or that it would only be possible when they acquired some of the things that we mentioned above. This got me to thinking that if you think that obtaining happiness is impossible then you are right and you will find it impossible to obtain happiness. I know that sounds simplistic, but it is true.
Your first step is to believe that happiness is possible and that there are people who exist who are happy and will tell you so without reservation, hesitation, or deceit. If you can believe that happiness is possible then happiness IS possible. If you can truly believe that you can be happy then, you can be happy.
Now that you can believe you can be happy. Let me give you a tip to what happiness is not so that you do not sabotage your happiness in the future. Just keep in mind that living a happy life does not mean that challenges will not arise… it does not mean that your life will be completely free and clear of its problems and pitfalls. This is a point where many people have great difficulty. That is why I felt it necessary to define clearly what happiness was not so that no one will make the mistake of thinking, because their life has challenges that they cannot be happy. You can be happy in a life that has challenges, because everyone has challenges. Make sure you wrap your mind around this concept because it is extremely important. One of the reasons that many people believe that happiness is unattainable is because they believe to be happy there must not be challenges. Nothing could be further from the truth. Erase this from your head because challenges are much as much a part of a happy life, as they are an unhappy life.
Believe that you can be happy and you can be happy. Do this and you have taken the very first step in transforming the life you have into the life you've always wanted.
In Order To Succeed You Must Plan To Succeed
Have you ever spent any time studying very successful people? Do they seem to you to have something in common? There seems to be something about them, but it's somewhat elusive,not easy to de?ne. Maybe you think it's all due to lucky breaks….? But have you ever heard the expression, “I find that the harder I work, the luckier I get.” Something to think about,and, of course, it’s not just working hard, it’s also about working smart.
The most successful people share certain secrets. Call them ideas or call them traits, people with power or success or money seem to have these things in common:
1. The power of persistence
2. The power of passion
3. The power of self-control
4. The power decision and action
5. The power of creativity
2. The power of passion
3. The power of self-control
4. The power decision and action
5. The power of creativity
The Power of Persistence
We all know and admire people who have failed and gone onto great success. Before he invented the electric light bulb,Thomas Edison failed more than 1000 times. He never saw it as a failure; he saw it as one more step towards succeeding. Henry Ford is another example. He came from a poor background with no education, but he looked at the horse and buggy, and saw the amazing cars we drive today. Abraham Lincoln failed in business and in running for government several times, but we all know how he ended up. Persistence will carry you when intelligence and luck do not. Many of us give up too soon. Winston Churchill, a hero in horrible times, is well known for this phrase,” Never, never,never, never give up.”
The Power of Passion
You've probably heard the expression,” if you can believe it,you can achieve it.” That's telling us that a good idea alone is not enough. You have to believe in it. I’ll bet you know people who are very intelligent but have never risen very high in life.And I’ll bet you know other people who haven't had much going for them but have succeeded in spite of obstacles. It’s very likely due to their determination to achieve their goals in spite of anything that comes against them. To the extent that you can acquire this attitude, you will succeed.
The Power of Self-Control
As we've discussed in the last three chapters, entrepreneurs have a lot of power over their jobs, but if it's used incorrectly,it can lead to failure. The power of self-control in business is really about the way you handle your thoughts and your emotions. As you to take action instead of procrastinate, to manage any drivers that keep you stuck, and to focus, you will increase your ability to succeed.
The Power of Decision and Action
Studies have shown that one of the greatest causes of failure is lack of decision. Along with that, procrastination is the most common thing that holds people back from achieving their full potential. Studies have also shown that millionaires make a habit of making decisions promptly and then only changing them when necessary. Decision-making is not just about the ability to do it promptly;it's also about having the correct information on which to base the decision. You may need to rely on others for help or information, but base your decision on the most accurate facts possible. Once you feel you have those, take action.
The Power of Creativity
This quality, creativity, is an underrated. No doubt. Creativity does not just apply to writing a novel or painting a portrait; it applies to the life you create for yourself and the business you create for yourself in all their aspects. And so much of your success will depend on how creative your solutions are. Have you noticed? Almost every great success story in business begins with one good idea. If you can't think for yourself and imagine possibilities, you must depend only on what others before you have done. That might not be right for you. That might not be your best.
At its best, your plan of action will combine all these “success”qualities or traits to create a completely rewarding plan for yourself.
Getting Unstuck From Limiting Habits and Beliefs
In psychology there certain things called drivers that keep us stuck. Most of us have one or more of them, but we are unaware of them. They are “be perfect”, “hurry up”, “try hard”,“please others”, and “be strong” They are the enemies of productivity. They create the exact opposite of what we want in our lives; they fill our lives with lack of accomplishment,vulnerability, and inter-personal difficulties: the last things we want. They can cause damage to our feelings, our relationships, our self-esteem, and even our health. They can wreak havoc with our business. But when we know what they are, our self-talk can tame them and even banish them. Take a look at these drivers and see if any of them apply to you:
The Be Perfect Driver
The idea that we and other people should be perfect is pervasive in our society. It is encouraged by the” perfect” people we are bombarded with constantly in the media. We berate ourselves and expect to come out 100% perfect, no matter what the task. Often, if we don't think we can be perfect, we do nothing at all. If we are less than perfect at something, our self-esteem may take a beating. Since no one is perfect at everything, and most of us are generally less-than-perfect at most things, it becomes a lose-lose-lose-lose situation. It can be paralyzing and debilitating, and it can keep us from achieving the things we want most. Alcohol, drugs, or overeating are often side effects of someone suffering from the be perfect driver.
As with all drivers, the solution consists of recognizing that this is a problem in your life and responding to it by saying to yourself, “It's okay to be less-than-perfect, it's okay to behuman, and it's okay to make mistakes.” Eventually, this positive self talk-will lead to feelings of con?dence and allow you much greater productivity.
The Be Strong Driver
The be strong driver lets us know that some of our feelings and needs are unacceptable or even despicable. This driver regards any need as a weakness to be overcome. The driver says to you that you must do it all yourself, and you must not ask for help from anyone. Feelings of sadness or hurt or loneliness – the “weak” feelings – are unacceptable. They are humiliating feelings which we must do everything to hide.These feelings often begin in childhood when feelings of softness or vulnerability were punished or ridiculed. When these children grow up, they begin to treat themselves in the same manner.
The response to this driver is to first recognize it, of course,and then to say, “It's okay to have feelings and to express them. All feelings are acceptable and they are acceptable in front of others (with the exception of violence).”
The Hurry Up Driver
The hurry up driver pushes us to do more and more, faster and faster. This becomes a trap that makes us impatient with ourselves and others. You can frequently see this when you're driving your car. Bad behavior on the part of other drivers is often caused by the hurry up driver. It can impede our productivity at work with us making tight deadlines and then either not being able to meet them or meet them at the risk ofour health and our relationships. We can all agree probably that this driver is becoming more and more prevalent in our society. People are in a hurry regardless of what they're in a hurry about.
The correct response to this driver is to recognize that too much speed can cause you to make impulsive, inaccurate decisions that will only create problems in the long run. The truth is that the most effective action is the one that has been thought through.
The Please Others Driver
The please others driver demands that we are approved of above all else. People driven by this tyrant can feel anxiety and depression and intense fear of rejection even from people who are not important to them. These people have difficulty asserting their own needs. There often are unaware of their own feelings and resentment until it builds up to a point where there is an incident. As you can probably see, this can create all kinds of problems like over-promising and under delivering.
The response to this driver is first to understand that a good relationship has an inherent give-and-take aspect to it. The self talk here would be,” It's okay to please myself.” This is not selfishness, this is self respect. It doesn't mean that you won't please others. It means that pleasing others is a choice, and pleasing yourself is also an option.
The Try Hard Driver
The fifth driver is the try hard driver. At first, trying hard seems like a good thing, right? The problem is that this driver doesn’t allow you set limits on your trying. There's a difference between trying hard and trying too hard, and, again, it has to do with setting boundaries. If there are no boundaries about how much you can help, how many things you can do, how soon you can do them, etc., then the important things become obscured by all the things you've committed yourself to do.There's simply not enough time for everything.
The solution again is in our hands – we can choose not to overextend ourselves. We don't have to work on ?ve committees or take on ?ve projects. The self-talk here is to just say no. It starts with recognizing our own limits and then letting others know what they are. We can allow others help us,and we can relax sometimes.
Drivers are a paradox. We think they're helping us, we think we are behaving correctly. In actuality, they cause us to accomplish little or nothing, probably much less than if we took a step back, saw them for the negative forces they are,applied some self talk, and took control of the situation.
