We are all busy. Every one says it and although we are all busy, it's also an easy and "understandable" excuse. I'm kinda tired of the excuse myself. It gets in the way of relationships. The quotes here are kind of harsh, but they really are true. Where you spend your time is your priority. If you don't like it, change it. If you do like where you spend your time, but complain or sincerely apologize about not having time for other things or people, do something about it, or own your decision of where you spend your time. It's hard to balance having things both ways. We are often feeling like we have to choose work or family. Choose healthy eating or party life style. Choose working out or sleeping in all the time. Chose travel or home. Sometime you can balance the two, but you have to make it a priority to have the best of both worlds. One of the craziest things I hear is when someone is not keeping a calendar and they just fly by the seat of their pants. These people never have their info correct and go off memory and then get upset when there is "miscommunication". You have to keep a calendar these days...and refer to it to be on top of your priorities. |
You have to schedule your priorities. If it is important enough to you, give people a long term heads up. Why do you think Wedding invitations are sent out so far in advance? To make sure you block out that time for the couple. You cannot be disappointed if you spring an event on someone and they cannot attend. People need time.
Similarly, if you want to do something that is important to you, you need to schedule it. Family vacation, date nights, time to read, family outings, friend time, etc. Once you put it on your calendar, you need to clear your plate of distractions and check lists so you can follow through with those set priorities.
Distractions. Goodness we are surrounded by them! Next week, I'll talk about a Power Hour, but for now, one of the biggest things I am learning is how much of a time suck social media, Netflix and TV in general is. Not only can you get pulled into it, but the notifications can distract you from your current tasks. Texts, a tweet, Instagram, Facebook, Periscope, a news feed notification, email and messenger are just a few of the things that take our focus away from our priorities. This is harder for a coach like me that runs my business on Facebook. If you have that same problem and use Chrome, you can download this plug in to stop the feed. I use Firefox when I'm ready to look at my feed. Then there is the easy access to push play on the next episode and before you know it you have watched a WHOLE season of a show in one night...and right before your 5 AM alarm goes off.
Lists. It's so important to have your lists in place daily. You should have a master list of on going things that need to be done for work, home and your entrepreneurial ventures if you have them like a direct sales business, your own start up business and so on. If you don't have a to-do list for your day, you will waste time aimlessly trying to figure out what your priorities are for the day and then you easily fall prey to distractions. Then your time to spend on your priorities gets less and less. Stress goes up and priorities slip away. It's a vicious cycle that often starts to make us numb to achieving greater things and just maintaining an average life.
Get organized. An hour before quitting time, get into focus mode. Organize your work space, file paperwork, clean out your email inbox, write out your to do list for the next day and star what the priorities are. Avoid social distractions for this period of time in order to keep your focus on your list. When your brain is interrupted, it takes a while to get back on track. Once you're organized your mind will be free for the night to enjoy your personal priorities. You'll also get into a pattern of starting the work day fresh and rejuvenated as you jump into your organized day! Just a few tips on time management.
Drop me a comment on how your week went!
Similarly, if you want to do something that is important to you, you need to schedule it. Family vacation, date nights, time to read, family outings, friend time, etc. Once you put it on your calendar, you need to clear your plate of distractions and check lists so you can follow through with those set priorities.
Distractions. Goodness we are surrounded by them! Next week, I'll talk about a Power Hour, but for now, one of the biggest things I am learning is how much of a time suck social media, Netflix and TV in general is. Not only can you get pulled into it, but the notifications can distract you from your current tasks. Texts, a tweet, Instagram, Facebook, Periscope, a news feed notification, email and messenger are just a few of the things that take our focus away from our priorities. This is harder for a coach like me that runs my business on Facebook. If you have that same problem and use Chrome, you can download this plug in to stop the feed. I use Firefox when I'm ready to look at my feed. Then there is the easy access to push play on the next episode and before you know it you have watched a WHOLE season of a show in one night...and right before your 5 AM alarm goes off.
Lists. It's so important to have your lists in place daily. You should have a master list of on going things that need to be done for work, home and your entrepreneurial ventures if you have them like a direct sales business, your own start up business and so on. If you don't have a to-do list for your day, you will waste time aimlessly trying to figure out what your priorities are for the day and then you easily fall prey to distractions. Then your time to spend on your priorities gets less and less. Stress goes up and priorities slip away. It's a vicious cycle that often starts to make us numb to achieving greater things and just maintaining an average life.
Get organized. An hour before quitting time, get into focus mode. Organize your work space, file paperwork, clean out your email inbox, write out your to do list for the next day and star what the priorities are. Avoid social distractions for this period of time in order to keep your focus on your list. When your brain is interrupted, it takes a while to get back on track. Once you're organized your mind will be free for the night to enjoy your personal priorities. You'll also get into a pattern of starting the work day fresh and rejuvenated as you jump into your organized day! Just a few tips on time management.
Drop me a comment on how your week went!