My clients and I often end up discussing how they can get more done during a busy day. Clients and friends ask about the secret to being more productive and then reel off a list of all the distractions; interruptions and demands on their time. They say they can't focus because of the constant barrage of phone calls; emails and daily pressure of working in today’s ‘instant response’ demanding environment.
Sound familiar?
Quite frankly; if you carry on as you are, the simple answer is that you will never solve the problem.
Got your attention?
Right, let’s begin have to have a discussion about what you need to do to
focus your time and get everything done.
First things first :-
1. All cures begin with an accurate diagnosis, or as Albert Einstein observed, ‘few problems can be solved by the kind of thinking that created them in the first place’, i.e. keep doing the same thing and expect the same results’- no surprises there.
Too often our attempts at "time management" are akin to re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic. You get the picture?
2. Accept that most of your have to's are self imposed. Very few things in life are truly "musts"
Secondly:-
List your most important priorities and if your list has more than 4-5 items on it, ask yourself if that really makes sense? Less important things may have to go.
Most importantly :-
Slow down.
Remember the old saying: "when you find yourself in a hole, the least you can do is stop digging!" (Abraham Lincoln said - "If I had 8 hours to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 7 hours sharpening my axe," never has there been a better metaphor for PLANNING.
And finally” -
High achievers make their goals into a lifestyle. They create a way of living that is built around their most important values and their highest priorities. They live the life they truly want. They certainly don't promise that someday they'll write a book or take a vacation. They plan and create a life that reflects their greatest desires and they do it TODAY.
If you want to do the same, let me know and I will do what I can to help you. M-J
