Posts Tagged ‘plan’

What are Your Big Rocks?

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Do you ever get to the end of the day and wonder where all the time went? Are you stressed because the most important items on your to-do list did not get finished? This week several clients told me they just did not have enough time to complete their projects so we talked about “Big Rocks.”

Stephen R. Covey’s book First Things First
tells the story of how you can make the most of your day by prioritizing your activities. Covey says you can categorize activities into four groups.

  • Urgent & Important
  • Urgent & Unimportant
  • Not urgent & Important
  • Not urgent & Unimportant

This video summarizes his ideas.

Effective time management can reduce stress and improve productivity. Here are four ideas to get the most from your day.

  1. Plan your day. Know what you want to accomplish and set your goals in writing.
  2. Focus on the urgent and important items first. Do not let yourself get distracted.
  3. Just say no! Turn down events and activities that do not add value to your life.
  4. Plan for fun. Set aside time in your schedule to recharge your batteries. Reserve time to go for a walk, take in a movie, dinner with friends or curl up with a good book.

If you do not plan your day, someone else will plan it for you. Achieve your goals by creating a daily plan then work your plan.

What time management techniques do you use?

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Here’s to 2010!

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Today I’m working out at the gym.

The parking lot at the gym was full this week. Every year we see the same situation. People make new years resolutions to go to the gym a number of times every week. By March the parking lot is back to normal as resolutions are broken. Like the story of the tortoise and the hare, I find small, consistent steps in the right direction get me to my destination.

Instead of setting resolutions,  I develop long and short term goals for myself. My friend Wally says there are no big goals, some goals just take longer than others to accomplish. It is rewarding to achieve what I set out to accomplish, especially those long term goals.

I worked full time and had three children under ten years of age when I decided to earn my Bachelors and Masters degrees. For almost ten years I studied, graduating with high honors both times. I felt a great sense of accomplishment when I walked across the stage and accepted my diplomas.

My husband and I enjoyed dinner at our favorite sushi spot this week and reflected back over the last year. We reviewed our progress on individual goals and our family goals. We toasted our successes and made plans to complete goals in the works. Take time to reflect on where you want to be in January 2011 then make your plans to get there.





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Read for more on goal setting.

Where are You today?

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Get it Done! Six Tips to Increase Your Productivity

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010

Today I’m planning my week.

Do you get to the end of the week and wonder where the time went? Does Saturday sneak up on you before you know it? Don’t let the week slip by without accomplishing the most important goals you have for yourself. Here are six tips for staying focused on your goals.

  1. Take a few moments each morning to organize your thoughts and plan your day. This does not have to be complicated. Take an envelope out of the recycling bin and write on the back side. Sit yourself in a comfortable and quite spot.
  2. Know what is important to you. You will not be excited and motivated to accomplish what is only important to someone else. Take a few moments and sit down with a piece of paper and pen to write down your priorities.
  3. Once you know what is important for you to accomplish, group the items on your list. Determine which of the items on your list are the “must do” today items, “should do” today and “would be nice to do” today.
  4. Now rank order your list. Determine which of the items on your “must do” today list is the most important to complete. Then number the rest of the items in this group. This is your action list for the day.
  5. Now, get it done. There is no time like the present to get started. Focus on the number one priority on your list and complete this goal. Then move on to the next item. Continue working through your list until you have accomplished your priorities
  6. Repeat. Start each day by setting your intentions and knowing your direction. Spending a few minutes each day determining your priorities will set your day on the right course for being successful.

Where are you today?





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Goals Yield Success

Monday, December 28th, 2009

January is named for Janus, the Roman god associated with doors, beginnings and endings. This two faced being represents choices in our lives. One face reflects on the past while the other face looks forward toward the future.

Bust of Janus, Vatican Museum / Fubar Obfusco

Bust of Janus, Vatican Museum / Fubar Obfusco

The start of a new year is traditionally time to reflect on the accomplishments of the previous year and establish goals for the future. Our family started setting goals when our children were still in grade school. We sat at the kitchen table, each with a blank page of paper before us. We encouraged our children to be creative and dream big. My husband and I also set big goals for ourselves. The variety of my families goals surprised me. Some of their goals were loftier than others. They included:

- Skydiving
- Finish college
- Invent something
- Traveling to all 50 U.S. states
- Be in the Guinness Book of World Records

After each session, I typed and printed our goals then mounted them in picture frames. The frames are hung where we can see them every day.

Several times a year we take our goals off the wall and formally review our progress. We note the completed goals, make modifications or add new goals. New pages are printed and inserted in the frame. When we reflect on our progress, I’m delighted to see how many of these big goals we have accomplished. We have been doing this for 20 years.

My son did successfully jump out of a perfectly good airplane. I am happy to report he says he will NEVER do that again.

Where do you what to be next year? Start off reflecting on what you accomplished this year. Set 2010 goals for yourself. Read this post for more on creating an action plan.

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Stuck or reaching for your goals?

Friday, September 18th, 2009

Today’s post comes from guest blogger, my “Find Your Passion” co-author and Toastmaster Michelle Kabele. Michelle is a channel marketing expert and daily blogger. You can read more of her posts on her blog. Enjoy Michelle’s words of wisdom.

Michelle says:

When I’m coaching various folks I’m often reminded of some points that you may find useful.

  • Where do you see yourself in 3, 5, and 10 years?
  • Do you have a plan to reach your vision / goals?
  • Are you doing things that will help you achieve your plan?
  • The plan you have today – doesn’t last forever.  You can change your plan as  you discover new things.
  • You can do it – believe in yourself!

Sometimes people have a dream – something they wish they could do but either they are stuck or think they should have a plan but they are really settled and OK with where they are today.

If you are stuck, consider these things:

  • What are the things you like to do?
  • Are there people doing these things today?
  • Can you talk to them and find out how you can do something similar?
  • Can you try just one action / one thing that will let you sample something new without risk?
  • What actions can you take today?
  • What one thing can you do today to help you get started on your plan / your goals?
  • Can you read blogs of thought leaders who are involved in the area you want to be in?  Can you start a blog?
  • Are there books you can read?  Magazines?  Websites?  Where can you learn about your dream?
  • Can you volunteer? To gain experience in the area you want to be in / To meet others you can learn from / To develop your knowledge and contacts in your goal area / To learn if the goal is really what you want to do.
  • Are there classes you can take – adult weekend learning courses?  Community College courses?
  • What strengths do you have that you can offer in exchange for learning / participating in areas that help you move in the direction of your plan / goal?
  • What will your life be like if you could achieve your plan / goal?

Finally -

  • Instead of watching a TV Show – invest 30 mins a day in yourself.
  • Consider what your life would be like if you could achieve your goals.
  • We invest roughly 2,050 hours a year (probably a lot more) working … to improve the cash position of someone else.  That’s approximately 92,250 years during a 45 year career.  And in the end – you can be downsized.
  • Why not?  What’s really holding you back?

    Some related posts:

    Seth Godin’s post:  Thanks For Leading

    Is Fear Holding You Back

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