Design Your Best Schedule

Chances are, you are one of the millions out there feeling over-scheduled, under-effective, and worn out.  What to do about it?  First, decide that although it's common, it's doesn't have to be YOUR "normal."  Make a commitment to yourself for the next week to make some improvements.  Can you make 3 simple changes within one week that will help you better support your success?  I hope so!  How are you going to leave a powerful, positive legacy if you are exhausted?

Blast Through Your Workload in Minutes!

Warning: this post is going to challenge your comfort level and if you try this strategy, you may never go back to working too many hours again.  If you are a gym rat, or into fitness-related media, you have heard of Tabata workouts.  Izumi Tabata is credited with the super-short, intense intervals of 20 seconds of all out effort coupled with 10 seconds of rest, repeated for a mere 4 minutes total for the entire workout.  Lest you think this isn't enough to fatigue all major muscle groups, just try it! *The secret to effectiveness lies in the ALL-OUT EFFORT made in bursts, coupled with shorter rests.* 

How can you apply this to your workload?  In three components: 1) decide on the most important work to be done, and 2) work in focused blocks of time coupled with 3) useful rest periods.

12 Days of Apps: TIMER

Welcome to the 12 Days of Apps from Envision Success Inc!  We are reviewing 12 apps this month that we like, and that help our clients, friends, and colleagues be more productive.  

The first is an indispensable product!  Fortunately this is a piece of hardware (or software) that everyone has, either around the house, on their mobile device, and easily accessible at their nearby Target or grocery store:

A Timer
As in, a standard kitchen/household timer...  Yep, this is a critical tool for getting the most focus when you really need it. 

Are you Productive or EFFECTIVE?

The other day I found myself rushing to get to Rotary in time for lunch and felt like I had been "running at full speed" from the moment I got out of bed. I had a to-do list with some check-marks and a good client meeting that morning, but I felt a bit manic as I was speeding along in traffic and mentioned on the phone, "Oooh, I don't like it when I'm rushing like this!" (I do like fast-paced and dynamic, but this was the next level), then I said  "At least I've been productive!" Because I felt I had been getting things done.  But then I realized I was justifying it.

Hit the "Up" Button

You know how it feels when motivation is flagging, and that task that you said you would complete suddenly seems too difficult and you want to take a break, or quit altogether?  Hit the "UP" button!

During one of my recent workout sessions, the video host said, "You can always hit the UP button" in reference to putting more effort into the task at hand.  Hmmm...I like it! Very motivating.  I have since adopted it a bit as a personal motto. (Thanks to Jillian Micheals)

4 Tips for FUN, Successful Business Planning

Yep, I am aware that Business Planning is most people's "not my favorite" topic, but it is nonetheless a critical component to success in business.  Of course, I like to make it as fun and exciting as possible with my clients- Hey, it CAN be a good time!  I am pleased to share the following specifics you can do during your next planning session to make it your best year yet!

3 Ways to Take Charge of Your Life Now!

This morning I was reminded that the small, seemingly insignificant choices we make throughout the day allow us to take charge of our life, or they allow us to tolerate less than we deserve. 

Last Week:

Part 2: How Today's Leaders Are Like Successful Athletes

Part 2 of 3

2. They learn to work as a part of a team.
Everyone on the team understands and plays with the knowledge that every player has a clear role on the team, and yet when needed for team success, anyone steps in and does what is needed to win.

Take Control Over Your To-Do List

Are you one of the millions with a To-Do list? How about one with WAY more items on the list than humanly possible to get done in a day, or even a month?  If so, are you ready for a better way?  You've suspected there is a better way...you've probably known for a long time.  I've identified some proven techniques that will help you take back control of "the lists" -- so that about a week from now you won't miss your old "system" and you'll be amazed at how much smoother things are going.

Let's talk To-Do list "How-To's." Seems a little ridiculous?  Yet - if it's going to help you feel better and get more done, it's worth reading on, right? 


Mind Dump
The first thing I recommend is to set a timer, have plenty of paper/pens (or a computer app with unlimited typing space), and

Are You Truly Effective?

You get your work done, right? Sure, you could probably work a little harder. but you already put in so many hours. What if you could get more done in less time? How do you know if you are truly effective?

Everyone is busy these days. Every modern working person feels pressure to get things done in less time than is available. And for many, work includes constant deadlines, shifting priorities, and travel, along with a feeling that real progress remains elusive. So how many busy professionals out there are truly effective?

Being personally effective doesn't necessarily mean just working hard, or even getting things done. The "full" version of effectiveness is knowing exactly what to work on and when, and utilizing focus as needed until completion. And--it is also knowing when NOT to work on certain things. So how do you know if you truly effective? And if not, how do you improve?

JUST DO IT?
Know what needs to get done before starting work. What is the most important project or goal you could be working on right now? Consider the bigger picture. Is your current work (or activity) supporting the accomplishment of goals?

MEASURE IT
Set measurable targets. How can you know if you're effective if you can't measure how far you've progressed? Spend a minute or two determining the best way to measure if the work is getting the expected results. It doesn't have to be time- or money-related, as long as it's specific and measurable, it will work.

Track to completion. Hardly anyone enjoys tracking their work. Also, don't add work to your day by keeping detailed logs or spending hours showing off your wizardry in Excel. It can be as simple as pencil and scratch paper; the key is to do what works for you. Small tasks may be "tracked" with a check-mark or cross-out; bigger goals should be broken down into smaller tasks. Spend a little bit of time planning these out, and reap the rewards.

FOCUS
Ah-ha, this is the missing link for so many professionals out there (you know who you are). It doesn't have to be hard to focus on the task at hand. Take some control and work WITH your environment, or tailor your environment to fit your working style. (Stay tuned for post on "Your 9 Environments.") Look around and identify some simple changes that will help you focus.

Realize that you are wired for survival, so when you are constantly looking in the other room, or overhearing comments in the hall, or fidgeting and needing to use the bathroom, you are just being human. If your brain is racing with thoughts of a hundred things you need to get done, that's more likely habit than ADHD, and perhaps some caffeine. Grab a notepad and dump all that stuff out of your head onto paper (or type into the computer). Then focus. Try just 20 minutes at first. Pick the most important thing on your list, turn off the phone, set a timer and GO! You will be surprised at how much you can accomplish in a short time when you set your mind to it.

Frankly, a lot of busy people are not very effective. For all the hard work, hours, and stress put into their work, wouldn't it be better to improve results? It's important to note here that some socializing with coworkers is good, as is taking time out for lunch or physical activity during the work-day. The point is to be effective with actual work time, getting more done in less time so you can enjoy all the rest.

Remember that Effectiveness=Success, and to celebrate your good work!


ACTIONS:
Today, at least once, when interrupted in your work, ask yourself, "Is this the most important thing I could be doing right now? Am I being effective or just busy?"
Over the next week, ask yourself the same question a couple times daily until it's a habit. Make notes as needed. Watch your results improve. Enjoy.

Read a related post here.