“What time management challenge are you most concerned about?” I asked this question in a recent newsletter and the response was overwhelming!
The number one response I received was . . . (drum roll please!)
PRIORITIZING!!!
Especially in the area of goal setting.
- How many New Year’s Resolutions are on your list?
- Should you work on 5 or 6 goals simultaneously?
- Or should you focus on one goal until completion?
- Or, should you work on one goal until you have made a good amount of progress – and then start working on your second goal?
- Plus, how do you decide where to start?
Good news, I have a fabulous resource you can to help you answer these questions and more!
It is time for Create an A.W.E. Inspired 2014 – Focused Action to be Proud Of
a free teleseminar on January 15th at 7 pm EST!
- If you have created New Year’s Resolutions in the past, only to fall short on the follow-through, you don’t want to miss this free teleseminar.
- If you created a list of New Year’s Resolutions in 2013, only to get distracted by the hectic pace of your day to day life, you don’t want to miss this free teleseminar.
- If you are struggling to decide which New Year’s Resolution is the most important to focus on first, you don’t want to miss this free teleseminar.
Imagine this new reality for 2014 . . .
- You know which New Year’s Resolutions are the most important and you have a clear path to follow to accomplish these goals!
- You walk into your office and have a clear plan of what task to complete first.
- You are able to work uninterrupted on high value tasks pushing you closer and closer to achieving your goal.
- You are able to structure your day so you have time for family and friends – not just work, work, work.
In over ten years of working with overwhelmed professionals, I realize how quickly your day can run out of control. This FREE one hour teleseminar on January 15th at 7 pm EST will allow you to regain control of your schedule and your business – just in time to create action on your New Year’s Resolutions!
[Tweet “Interested in hearing more about my amazing 3 step system of A.W.E.?”]This is what I’ll be covering on this action-packed teleseminar:
•How to powerfully choose the New Year’s Resolution to focus on in 2014.
•Become aware of where your time is going.
•Techniques to propel you from where you are RIGHT NOW to where you WANT TO be!
REGISTER NOW!
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It’s your turn – what is your #1 time management challenge? Please post below!
Wishing you an AWE filled day!
I wouldn’t say I have a problem prioritizing, but fatigue from chronic pain one, and an inconsiderate husband another.I’d say the latter is harder to get around.
Hi Linda –
Thanks for stopping by! What are some strategies you’ve been successful with in the past when working with your chronic pain and fatigue?
Lisa
The first one I use might not be so good; Ignoring it :)
Otherwise I try to schedule my tasks away from the times I know are the worst.
It also helps to up the dose on days when I know I have a lot to do. (Still below the dose I’m allowed to use).
Other times taking a break with some up-beat music, doing something fun, and talking to good friends helps.
When all else fails, I take the day off :)
I’m a big fan for scheduling your tasks to match your energy levels, Linda. Plus – awesome music can’t hurt!
Lisa
My biggest problem is distraction. Since following your blog and doing the AWE Challenge, I am much better at staying on focus. I’ve become a big fan of evernote and have spent alot of time really organising it so it’s easy to park info for later and my priorities are all in that one place so I’m not searching other spots and getting derailed by other info popping up. I still have alot to do in it, I’ve got it set up but need to fill in my info.
When working on the computer I make it a rule not to visit social media unless it is for specific tasks. I keep social media to my ipad away from the office.
Lorelle –
I am so impressed by the structures you have put into place to help you focus on the task at hand. Here’s another resource that may be helpful – http://www.EliminateDistractionsNow.com. I’m happy to share additional resources if needed!
Lisa
Ughhh…time management has always been a problem for me. I seem to be a last minute person, not that I intend to be, but it just seem to work out that way. I need time to work on managing my time. Trying to focus on that this year. Thanks for your share!
Hi Margaret –
My advice, pick one small step to implement each day to improve your time management effectiveness. Maybe using a parking lot to help stay on task, or a timer to initiate action, or planning your calendar for the next week on Friday, or making a priority list each evening, or . . . I’m happy to provide specific resources if applicable.
Lisa
My biggest time management challenge is the internet. I get sucked in and can spend hours on it if I\’m not careful! I now use a timer to help me keep it under control.
Hi Carol –
A timer is my favorite “distraction buster” when it comes to the internet! If my self-discipline is low, I also use http://www.KeepMeOut.com to block me from certain websites for an hour or so.
Lisa
Ah the challenges of time management. I normally write down on boards the different tasks I have for the week prioritizing the important over the urgent. That helps me say no when I tend to distract from my work. It also helps me as I need flexibility of schedule to perform my various job duties away from office work. The boards (actually large post it notes) are a visual reminder of what needs to be done. You are doing a great job helping others find ways to stay on track. It is a juggling act :-)
Hi Delmy –
I agree – it is a juggling act. I follow a similar process to you – I keep one folder per each project with the action steps listed in the front of the folder. I then transfer a few of the action steps to my calendar in specific time slots. This ensures I keep all projects moving forward and continually striving to work in Covey’s Quadrant 2. Thanks for your comment.
Lisa
My problem last year was not having a clear plan. I knew what I wanted, but I wasn’t implementing steps to get there. I was sorta all over the place. Not good, I know. This year, I’ve written down a plan including a blog schedule for the year, videos every other week (possibly more), a teleseminar or Google hangout once a month (still undecided), product creations, and guest blogging. I feel much more confident than I did last year.
Hi Keri
Love your plan! Have you created a reward system to go with your action steps?
Lisa
No, I haven’t. How terrible is that? lol. Do you have any suggestions?
Really, my thinking has been that the accomplishment itself would by my reward.
Keri –
Absolutely – the accomplishments themselves would be a great reward. However, sometimes we need something a little more immediate to motivate us through the tough times. Maybe a new pair of shoes at the half-way point. Or upgrade your room at the next conference you attend. Or indulge in a trip to the beach during the “work week” after the completion of a big goal. Or, each Friday you hit your targets for the week – a glass of lemonade outside in the garden. Thoughts?
Lisa
Okay that makes sense. I’m so terrible with rewarding myself with someone new. I have the mentality that I if I want something, I work for it right now instead of waiting for it to happen. Not necessarily a bad thing. It was always how my father worked for things. We’re not very patient people. ;)
I like the idea of a weekly reward. We have a few nature preserves in my area, and I love hiking. That will have to be my weekly, Sunday goal. Thanks for the idea!
Keri
You are most welcome! Be sure to stop back on Sunday and update us on your progress!
Lisa
My biggest time management challenge is that I have too many ideas, all awesome, and feel overwhelmed because I know I cannot implement them all. I have a better plan than last year for sure, but I still get behind on some things that I “want” to do. I guess I need to learn to let go of some things ;)
Delia –
If you could do anything (yes – I mean anything at all) what would you do? Sometimes, the answer to that question helps us prioritize which projects to focus our attention and time on. You can’t do everything – but you can do one thing at a time! I know you have AWESOME ideas – which one do you want to focus on first?
Lisa
I agree with it all and my number one is also PRIORITIZING and focusing. That is so difficult!
Eva –
Hope you can catch the call (or the replay!) This free teleseminar may help!
Lisa
My biggest time management challenge is that I would like to do hundreds of new things, I have so many ideas that sometimes I feel overwhelmed ! Have to work on it…
Clara –
Have you written down all your ideas? Sometimes it helps to see everything – then pick ONE to focus on. You can close your eyes and pick. Or choose an idea that will take the shortest amount of time to implement. Or one that will cost the least to implement. Or one that is the most exciting. Or one that will bring the biggest growth to your business. Or . . . the possibilities are endless – but usually choosing one is where you can make the most progress.
Lisa
I think my biggest time management is also prioritizing. Although I have an agenda, I schedule tasks, I try to do my best, but at the end of the day, some of those tasks are not finished. Ughh .. I have 10 New Years’s Resolutions, hope to finish them all by the end of 2014!!
Irma –
Thanks for stopping by! One of the tricks I’ve found helpful is to only schedule 50% of my calendar each day. This way, when “life happens” and different priorities emerge, I don’t feel overwhelmed or defeated that I didn’t complete everything on my list.
Lisa
Time … we seems to always say there is never enough. Sometimes I think we try to do all that we can inone day ( I am guilty of that). But in reality it is about setting up a schedule and prioritizing.
Love the your post!
Hi Sharon –
Welcome! Right on the money! Effective time management is all about scheduling your priorities! Look for another post on that! Thanks for your comment!
Lisa
Yes, I am writing down them all, and I will follow your suggestion: I will pick one at a time and focus on it… Never thought of the endless possibilities how picking up…they really are endless!!!
Clara –
Let me know how it goes!!!
Lisa