How are you spending your days? If you're like most, you're response is probably working and no
If you're like most, you're response is probably working and not just working but working too hard! You
plan out your day with your "to do" lists in hand but the hours fly by
like minutes and before you know it, you literally have to tear yourself
away and call it a day. The demands and responsibilities of that other
life you lead outside of your business world start screaming for equal
time and you reluctantly close shop but not with a feeling of
satisfaction or accomplishment. In fact, you transition to that
"other" life physically but mentally you are still very much at your
desk working away.
This scenario is a far too common one these days.
With technology right at our fingertips, it's so easy to check that
email, take a "moment" to look up something on the Internet or send a
"quick" text. I've said it before and it's worth repeating, life will
come at you as fast as you let it! When you don't make the effort to
clearly set boundaries between your work life and personal life, those
lines get blurred and before you know it, your life literally feels like
a blur.
You most certainly hold all the cards and it really is up to you how you want to play them. Do
you want to run your business and your life with all your cards on the
table or do you want to hold them and play only the ones that really
benefit you the most? That's how you have to approach your workday.
You need to define what you want to accomplish at the beginning of each
day or even more ideally the night before, write it down being realistic
in your goals for that day and then stick to following through on those
specific tasks before taking on anything else.
It is best to keep your to list to no more than three "to do's" at any given time. You
can keep a master list to capture all your tasks but do not move any of
those tasks on to your daily "to do's" until you have finished one and
there is room that has been cleared to take on the next one. When you
work your day randomly you will get random results but when you work
your day with consistency and purpose you will get results that truly
make a difference.
Action Steps:
Take
a blank sheet of paper and write down all the tasks that come to mind
that you have to complete right now. Group those tasks into timelines
for completion - immediate, 1-2 weeks and 1-2 months or more. Be
realistic - we often get trapped into thinking that everything requires
our immediate attention when the reality of the matter is, it doesn't! In planning your
day, tackle the immediate tasks first limiting it to no more than three
at any given time. Once those tasks are completed, go back to your
master list to work the next set of tasks that take priority. After
you've cleared through the immediate tasks, move on to the 1-2 week
tasks. Review your master list each night and move tasks over to the
appropriate column as needed. Only transfer the top three priorities to
your next day list of "to do's". You'll notice that you'll mentally
feel better knowing what you realistically need to accomplish the next
day and also have a clear handle on what's out there for you as well.
You'll be working from a place of preparation and balance versus
reaction and chaos.
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