I recently took my 13 year old nephew to the Cleveland Indians game. Game time was 7:05 pm, however gates opened at 4:30 pm. We arrived at 4:20 pm. Why so early you ask? Because the first 10,000 fans received a 1902 replica jersey. My nephew couldn’t wait to get his jersey. We planned to arrive before the gates opened to ensure he was one of the first 2,000 to enter. Because any jersey wouldn’t do – we needed to make sure they still had a jersey available in his size.
Silly us, you don’t get to chose your size when you enter, because one size fits all. Guess what, in this case, one size didn’t even fit most! In fact, ADULT XL will only fit adults that wear a size L or XL! Not a 13 year old boy! (where are his elbows??!!) :)
The same philosophy is true when you are trying to become more productive, more efficient, more balanced, less overwhelmed, less overworked, and less stressed!
The strategies that work for your best friend, team member, recruiter, director, neighbor won’t necessarily be the strategy that works best for you. Because you aren’t them!!!
You have different . . .
- goals
- dreams
- priorities
- learning styles
- distractions
- obligations
- comfort with technology
- processing modalities
- personalities
- attention spans
- biorhythms
- likes
- dislikes
Recently I wrote about 3 different conversations I had with coaches around how they schedule their day. I’m a time strategy visionary, I help clients maximize their schedules every day. Yet, I’m always trying to fine tune my process and learn from it. Each of these 3 very successful, very productive individuals used 3 different scheduling strategies that worked for them. Yet – none of the 3 methods worked for me. My scheduling approach takes a little bit from Coach A and Coach B, nothing from Coach C, and then adds a bit more of ME into the process.
Does this mean you should ignore the advice and wisdom of those that have traveled your path before you? Absolutely not! It’s certainly efficient to learn from their successes and challenges.
But, don’t try to force yourself into their shoes. You must find the way that works for YOU – and then perfect it!
(If you can’t perfect YOUR way – then keep asking advice, keep learning, keep working until you can!)
- If your recruiter built her business by warm chattering (talking with strangers in line at the grocery store) and you hate to chat with strangers, it’s ok to find a different way (referrals, bridal fairs, partnering with professionals . . . )
- If your Director holds 3 appointments on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday to streamline her business, but you are exhausted holding 3 appointments in one day, hold 1 appointment in the morning and one in the evening Monday – Friday.
- If your best friend is now using an iPad and a few different apps to keep track of her business appointments, customer follow-up, and team member training, but the thought of technology overwhelms you, continue to use your paper system. Then streamline the process, and bring in one or two pieces of technology that you feel comfortable with.
- If everyone you know is using ToodleDo – but you just can’t get the hang of it – use Post-It notes.
- If the latest article you read suggests working in 25 minute blocks of time, then taking 5 minutes off to relax/recharge, but you find you focus best working for 65 minutes at a time – then work for 65 minutes at a time.
How do you find YOUR way?
I suggest using this process . . .
- Identify a challenge that you have been trying to overcome.
- Research some solutions – talk with people that seem to have mastered your obstacle, access some company training on the subject, and do additional research.
- Then, create a plan attack – maybe one of the solutions seems like a perfect fit, maybe you need to adapt a solution, or maybe you need to merge a few solutions together.
- Continue to work – adapting and refining as you go!
Just like an “one size fits all” jersey didn’t fit my nephew, an “one size fits all” approach to time management doesn’t work. I pride myself of creating customized solutions for all of my clients. If you are trying to reach your next goal and are struggling to create change let’s chat. Sign up for a No Obligation Find More Time Strategy Session. During this session you will gain clarity on your goals, uncover the hidden obstacles to your success, and leave energized to design the life of your dreams. You are guaranteed to have at least one Ah-Ha moment and actionable idea that will catapult your plan to success. What do you have to lose?
By the way – like any good aunt, I told my nephew, “Don’t worry, you’ll grow into this jersey!” He replied, “Aunt Lisa, my mom and dad are both 5’6″ . . . not a chance!”
Oh goodness, darlin, think we’re singing from the same hymnbook! Truly. Because that one-size-fits-all stuff doesn’t work for time management, systems, content or anything else. And you’re absolutely right (and I know this because I did it wrong!) that you take the bits that work from the different sources and shape it into the “Goldilocks Solution”…for you.
That’s why I so often use “recipes” when I talk about the systems, automation and processes to create a “Sexy Backend for your Business.” Everyone needs a little more of this, a little less of that. And poof, perfection!
Have a great one…
love and light, hugs and blessings
MamaRed
Hi MamaRed –
Exactly . . . start with a blueprint – but put in the pieces that fit YOU! As always, your comment hits the nail on head! Thanks for stopping by!
Lisa
Fabulous post! What a great Aunt YOU are to take your nephew to a Cleveland Indians game! So true all you have said about choosing the right strategy for you! So many people say “My way is the best!” or “My way or the Highway!” and that is so defeating. We all need to find “our way” to succeed. And, yea listening to those who come before and synthesizing for what works best for ourselves works! You ARE contagious, powerful and empowering! Thank you!
Georgia Lee –
Thanks for the uplifting comment! I love to hear I’m contagious (in a good way!) To often we fall into “should” thinking . . . especially when the “should” doesn’t fit our lifestyle, personality, or dreams. As you stated in your post – make a choice for what’s good for you – and let go of the rest!
Lisa
Lisa, I couldn’t agree with you more that one size doesn’t fit all. I use this same concept in my writing and work with teens and young adults. I penned a blog with a similar title for my Get Hired Job Search blog series this month. Your post is full of sooo many “aha” moments — really god stuff! Thank you for sharing your expertise in such an easy to understand and more importantly easy to implement manner. Best of luck. — Nicki
Hi Nicki –
Thanks for your comments! This “one size fits all” approach is so common in so many areas . . . and we KNOW it doesn’t work . . . yet we fall into the trap! I think it’s because often people confusing following an outline that works with following someone else’s system. I don’t want to reinvent the wheel – if someone has created a system that worked all the bugs out – I say AWESOME . . . use it as a spring board and adapt to fit you!
Lisa
The identification of a challenge is really key for those looking to get things going. When you are challenged your focus suffers and productivity drops. Its only when you start to apply some of the things that you spoke on here are there true breakthroughs that a person can leverage. Great Post!
Raphael –
I agree completely! Awareness is the first step to making any lasting change. Otherwise . . . you just keep on keeping on . . .
Thanks for your thoughtful comment!
Lisa
Always love “hanging out” with you Lisa. You rock!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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