We all have a lot to do and struggle with getting it all done. The easy way to accomplish more is to look at your time management. Usually you look at tips and tricks to be more producttive, get less distracted etc.
However, Amanda over at DesertBookChick.com has an interesting article regarding the steps you should take to determine if you are doing what really matters most. While the article may be focused towards blogging, the information can be applied to all areas of your life.
Besides a good synopis of some time management books, here is a great takeaway:
“Figuring Out What Really Matters
This might seem like a no-brainer, but I assure you it’s not. It’s an exacting science – but one that’s often overlooked.
How often do you actually sit back and ask yourself: what needs to be done? What is important?
That’s right. To get anything done, let alone juggle the many things competing for our attention, you must know what it is that’s important.
I’m not sure who said it, but there’s a famous quote that sums this up perfectly: The things that matter most must never be at the mercy of the things that matter least.
And it all starts with one simple step: knowledge about what matters the most.”
Go read the article and let me know what you think.
Life happens and it’s not always a good thing. Small things happen over time that can start to become a drag on you. Usually they happen over a long enough period of time that you don’t even realize it is happening until it has already happened.
Over at http://www.ithoughts.de/motivation there is an example of just ordinary things that probably happen to most people. Like most people they will get you down, maybe even cause depression if its been happening long enough.
Simple steps to combat this are:
1. To Do Lists
2. Music
3. Friends
4. Projects
5. Job
Go over and read the article and evaluate if you can use these steps to help motivate yourself. Let me know in the comments if it helps or what other steps you use for motivation
Every wonder why some people are more successful than others? Are they lucky? Do they have a secret that helps them be more successful? Many will tell you the reason for their success is the habit they have. The habits you develop determine your level of success.
However, you don’t only need to develop new habits, you also need to break your bad habits. You can break habits using the T.W.A.I.N. method. The step-by-step is over at http://www.personaldevelopmentfad.com/self-help/breaking-bad-habits-and-develop-positive-habits.php.
Here are the high level steps.
1. Take Responsibility for All Your Habits
2. Write Down All the Bad Habits You Want To Break Free Of
3. Acknowledge the Benefits Those Bad Habits Bring For You
4. Identify Your Plan of Attack
5. Nag on One, Ignore the Rest
Many times success improves with each broken bad habit. Focus on breaking one habit and replacing it with a new positive one and your level of success will improve.
Karen Burns has a classic article called “30 Smart Time Management Tips and Tricks“. As you start to read through each one you will probably tell yourself that you already know them and be tempted to stop – DON’T!
Instead ask yourself how many are you regularly doing? You may be surprised to find that while you know what to do, your often not doing it.
Here is a little exercise to help you. Print out the list and go through each one. If you are practicing it all the time, i.e. it has become habit, then put a check mark next to it.
Once you have this completed, go back through the list and choose the one or two things that would help you the most. Focus on those until they become a habit. Once they become a habit, choose one or two more and so on until the list is completed.
With each new habit that is formed you will find your better able to manage your time and enjoy life. Oh, don’t forget to look at the “Bonus: Math Teacher Fail.” picture at the end of the list – I’m still laughing.
