We all know what giving a child a time out is, but did you know it is also one of the best things you can give yourself?

When you place a child in time out you have them stop what they are doing, usually go sit or stand someplace (the nearest corner usually works) and ask them to think about what they did.  The child thinks about what they did wrong, it gets them to calm down and usually after it is done them behavior better.

How many times have you felt overwhelmed with work, drowning in tasks and stressed beyond belief?  If your like most, this is getting to be more the norm than the exception.  Now what if you placed yourself in a timeout.  What would happen?

Placing yourself in time out gives you an opportunity to reflect on everything that is going on.  If gives you a chance to take a deep breath, relax and re-energize.  It could be a two minutes or 20 minutes.  Done each day it will help you to focus on what needs to get done and if you want to expand it, it can give you dedicated time each day to complete work.

Try it for 30 days and you will be amazed at how much more relaxed your are and the amount of work you have completed.

While we usually focus on the business aspect of improvement, you also need balance in your life.  Too often I see people trying to climb the corporate ladder at the expense of their family.  In her article, “Nine Tips To Being A Happy, Fulfilled Mom“, Dimple Walia of Loving Your Child has outlined important steps that would not only apply to a mom, but to everyone.

1. Delegate Chores.  Don’t waste time on things that are not important.

2. Don’t Neglect Yourself. Stay healthy.  It will benefit you and others.

3. Rediscover Your Husband.  This can easily be adapted to your significant other.  Don’t take them for granted and find time to be together.  It will benefit you in the long run.

4. Don’t Ignore Your Friends. They are a good source of motivation, inspiration and fresh ideas.

5. Have An Active Lifestyle.  Be a role model to those around you.  Exercise daily, get out and take classes or outdoor trips.

6. Love Yourself.  You are unique.  Accept yourself and respect yourself.

7. Practice Spirituality.  Meditate, pray or try something else to retain/regain your peace and serenity.

8. Follow Your Dreams. It’s easy to take a detour because of family, job or something else.  Hold on to your dreams and make the time to pursue them.

9. Count Your Blessings. Start each day reminding yourself what you have to be greatful for. Take some time and write this down. You will create a large list very quickly.

Alyssa Gregory over at sitepoint.com has an article on 5 Questionable Statements about Improving Your Productivity.

The questionable statements are:

1. There is one definitive productivity solution for everyone.

2. Getting things done is the most important element of productivity.

3. Productivity is a do it once and forget it activity.

4. Productivity means doing things immediately and never procrastinating.

5. Your level of productivity (or lack thereof) defines your level of success.

Read the article and let me know what you think.

Have you ever considered volunteering but decided it just wasn’t worth it?  You have more important things to do with your time.  Besides, my time is valuable, I can’t just give it away.

Well if that has been your thought process then I have a couple articles you should read.  Brian Dodd On Leadership has an article called “10 Privileges Of Being A Volunteer” that you should read.  It is in two parts.  Here are the 10 highlights.

1.  Greater Purpose

2.  Greater Perspective

3.  Greater Relationships

4.  Greater Self-Image

5.  Greater Relief

6.  Greater Generosity

7.  Greater Choices

8.  Greater Thinking

9.  Greater Influence

10. Greater Reward

Read these articles and think about it the next time you are asked to volunteer.