Time management

What You Focus On is What You Get

by LifeStyle Refocus on November 22, 2012 · 0 comments

Have you ever heard the saying “What you focus on is what you get?” It means if you are feeling sad or disappointed and you keep talking about this, thinking about this, then that is how you will feel. You will have encounters with others who will agree or sympathise with you or both. Yet if you are feeling happy, you radiate, you bring happiness to others. People will feel your energy and want to be with you. Again, what you focus on is what you get. I found the following saying:

You cannot escape the results of your thoughts.

Whatever your present environment may be,

you will fall, remain or rise with

your thoughts, your vision, your ideal.

You will become as small

as your controlling desire;

as great as your dominant aspiration.

I wish I knew who said that. Isn’t it wonderful? What do you think of it? Is it true for you? What do you want to happen in your life?

Now back to the saying “what you focus on is what you get.” Try an experiment for me just to see what you think. Pick an area, any area of your life and start focusing on that. It is best if you use a generalisation. Some examples:

Most people I know exercise – and start looking at all the people you know who exercise.
My partner helps out around the house – and start watching for when they help out around the house.
Every weekend, I get time to do something that I really enjoy – and take note of what little things happen on the weekend that you enjoy.
I have fantastic friends who really care – and take note of the small actions and things your friends do for you.

These are just some small examples, which you may have noticed, I only used positive examples. All of these could be switched to a negative but that would mean we are focusing on the negatives and that will make us feel not so good.

Many years ago, I was working full time [I did get one day off a month] and felt that I was the only mum in the whole school who worked full time. All I saw was mums who were always there to pick up their children. Then I went to work part time and that is when I realised I was not the only mum who worked full time, who wasn’t there to always pick up her children, there are loads of mums who are all juggling as much as me. It was what I was focusing on, and it was negative and it dragged me down.

I have really learnt the power of what you focus on is what you get. Another personal example was that I felt my husband wasn’t helping enough at home on evenings. Then I decided to shift my focus and decided that every time he helped I would say “thank you”. Now I had good reasons for this and that was I was trying to use positive reinforcement. That old tactic you use with children to get them to do things, I figured I would try it with my husband.

So every time he helped I said, “thank you”. Now what I realised was how many small little things he did without me asking. Perhaps my frustration had been that he wasn’t doing what I would like him to be doing at that moment, but he was doing things. This changed my attitude and we are a great team now that work really well together. That was my aim and focus, and it has happened.

Too often, we focus and think about what we don’t have or what we would want. Take time to focus on what you have and be grateful for it and then think about what you want and dedicate your thoughts and focus to that. It will happen. What you focus on is what you get, so what do you want? Start seeing it, hearing it, feeling it, and believing it.

Make Life Easier – Be Clear on Your Values

by LifeStyle Refocus on October 4, 2012 · 0 comments

The last few week’s we have focused on strategies to function at your best. They covered physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. This week, we are going to look at values. The reason is when we live a life that is aligned with our values, we are living a fulfilled life.

Values aren’t morals or principles. They are the essence of who you are—not who you think you should be. For example, some people feel having money is a value. Please be aware that money is not a value. The things that money may provide you such as free time, risk-taking, and being of service are values.

It is when we are aligned with our values, that we feel inner harmony, our choices are more easily made, and our actions are in agreement with our true self.

This is a quiz I found which allows you to see how well you are living in accord with your values.

I have spent time clarifying my values and can articulate them easily.
My values are my own. I have not simply adopted them from parents, teachers, friends or other outside influences.
I base my choice of occupation on my deepest values.
My values are in alignment with the company I work for (or own).
My associates and I regularly examine how we are living up to our values and mission.
I turn down money-making or status-building opportunities when they conflict with my values.
In resolving disputes at work, I look beneath the apparent problem to see if values are being dishonored, and then I seek ways to honor them.
Anyone looking at my life from the outside would see what I value.
I use my values as a guidepost for making decisions. I ask if a particular choice would bring me closer to—or further from—a core value.
When I feel upset, it’s almost always because my values are being trampled—either by me, someone else, or the situation.
I am not easily swayed by others’ opinions when they conflict with my values.
To remain open and flexible, I am willing to re-examine my values to determine whether something is still true for me.
I find creative ways to honor all of my values—even when they conflict with one another.
My work values are in harmony with my personal and relationship values.
If I live according to my values, I will feel satisfied and successful throughout my life.

If you answered false more often than true, you may wish to clarify your deepest values and bring your life into greater alignment with them. Even if you answered true more than false, these questions provide a base by which you can ponder how you can improve living a value based life.

Take some time to think through these questions and don’t rush through them. Ponder and dig deep always looking for a better answer, a more considered answer, a truthful answer. Not the one you want to answer, but the answer you know is true and correct. If these questions were uncomfortable then don’t worry. Each week take one question, think of what you would love your answer to be and then start living that way.

Developing a Clear Direction

by LifeStyle Refocus on August 2, 2012 · 0 comments

In life and at work it is very easy to just take each day as it comes, to go with the flow, see what happens. However, if we are going to take ownership of our life, be the master of our destiny, then we have to start making plans. We need to think about what it is we want in life. Where we are going, what outcomes are we looking for. To develop a clear direction of our plans we actually need to set goals.

As individuals we actually set goals all the time such as:

I have 1 hour to do the grocery shopping
Today, I will get the washing done
I will go for a 5 km walk
I will eat 3 pieces of fruit

But we want to set goals that give us long-term direction, focus, and motivation to keep going, move forward, and persevere.

Once you have established your goals, the next action to successful goal setting is working out how to achieve your goal. A great place to start is to make notes on paper, drawing a road map to your success.

If you don’t know where you are going,
you’ll end up someplace else.
Yogi Berra

Goals provide us with a focus for our activities and give us direction, helping to keep our ‘eye on the prize.’

At any one time we have family members, work colleagues, and friends all wanting us to spend time with them, there are tasks that needs to be done, things we would like to do if only we had the time; however, when we know our goals, we have focus and direction – it makes decision-making easier. We understand where our priorities and focus need to be.

So if goal setting is so important and we know from history that the people who have been very successful often have a strong focus and direction, why is it that the majority of people do not set life goals?

It takes time, it takes thought, it means a commitment, it means we may feel disappointed if we don’t succeed. It can even be fear – fear of the unknown. Fear around what if I am that good, what if …

At the end of the day, they are all “what-if’s”. It is important to be the master of our own life, to take time to create the life we want. To step up and make some decisions. Some will be easy, some will be tough, but it is in this that we grow to be the person we want to be – that we grow to live the life we aspire to live.

It’s time, it’s time to get excited about your own life. Do those things you have always dreamed of doing. Just imagine for a while your ideal life, then break it down in what are the steps you need to take to get there. What is the first thing you need to do?

Think about what it is you want to achieve and take that first step.

Setting Boundaries

by LifeStyle Refocus on July 12, 2012 · 0 comments

We often say “yes” to some projects, tasks or meetings when we really should be saying no. It’s up to us as an individual to set our own boundaries. At times we say “yes” because:

We want to help
We don’t like being rude
We don’t like conflict
We worry if you say ‘no’ this time they may not ask you again
We feel you may be offending others
We feel someone might not like you

We often find it more difficult to say “no” to a request from an adult. That can be because we all like to help and contribute, and that should be important, but it needs to be balanced with our other urgent and important tasks.

When we’re clear on our priorities, it gives us the courage to say ‘no’ in a pleasant way. The key is learning the right way to say ‘no’. Once I developed this skill, I realised it wasn’t difficult at all and other people are actually very understanding.

A number of statements and phrases that are worth using include:

“I have a prior commitment”
“I’m overextended right now.”
“I can’t commit to this at the moment because of my other priorities”
“Sorry, can’t. Let me know how it goes.”
“I’m tempted, but I’ll have to pass.”
“I don’t have experience with that.”
“I would rather decline than do a mediocre job.”
“I’d love to say yes, but I can’t.”
“I’m honoured, but this is a busy time, and I won’t be able to fit it in.”
“You’re good at that; you shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone to help.”
“You know I’d never refuse you if I could help it. I’m swamped right now.”
“Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.”
“We’re overcommitted – perhaps you could hire a temp for that.”
“I can’t do that, but I can suggest a few people who might be able to help you.”
“I’d love to help you with this. Which of my current projects should I delegate to another person in order to take this on?”

So next time someone asks you to help them take a moment before you answer.

Mahatma Gandhi said, “A ‘No’ uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a ‘Yes’ merely uttered to please, or what’s worse, to avoid trouble.”

Learning to say “no” is a very simple but effective time and stress and time management tool. It’s important to remember than whenever you say “yes” to something, you’re effectively saying “no” to something else – it may be your free time, an extra twenty minutes sleep, exercising time or family time. These are real motivational factors to understand why you should be saying “no”.

Make it a new habit to stop and think before you automatically say “yes” to a request; at least this way you’re making a conscious decision and are fully aware that you’re giving up something else.

Time Management – Delaying Tasks

by LifeStyle Refocus on June 18, 2012 · 2 comments

We are all well aware that life is busy. At times it may feel like it’s far too busy for us to keep up.

This means that we can put off tasks that should be done. Putting off tasks is not necessarily the same as procrastination. To put off a task is to know that you have to do it and continue to put it off.

The following are some tips to help you moved forward.

Identify the task that you are putting off and do the task.

Don’t start or do anything else until you have done that task.

If the task is something that is too difficult, you don’t have the skills, or even too trivial then consider delegating or outsourcing.
At the beginning of each day most time management experts recommend that you number your tasks that you intend to do for the day. It is important that you then follow the numbers in numerical order. This keeps you moving and helps prevent putting off tasks.

You may be delaying the task because you have forgotten how to do the task. If it is something that you don’t do regularly this can occur. Therefore your next action may be to talk to someone who knows how to do it and find out how it is done [can I suggest that you write a system so you know how to do the task next time it comes about.]
Sometimes we put off the task because we are missing information.

Therefore, you know what you have to do now. Identify what the information is that you need and find the information. The key here is to actually work out what the information is that you need. Don’t just write an action note of “get information”. That will not help at all. Write what the information is that you have to get. For example “get 2011 tax return to obtain the date taxation was submitted.”

Often we automatically do things because they are “on our list” however it is important to ask whether the task really needs to be done. It’s frustrating to eventually complete a task only to discover that it didn’t have to be done at all!

You may have tasks on your list that involves paying for something and you have to wait until you have money, put the task into a “future to-do” list. Don’t have the task hanging over your head and on “the list” when there is nothing you can do for now to get it done.

If you can’t make yourself put the paperwork away then just buy the item. Complete the task on your list and move on.
Have a day or half a day a month that is known as “finish up day” or “completion day”. This is the day where you complete all the outstanding tasks that you haven’t got around to. It’s an amazing feeling when this occurs as it gives you a real sense of freedom.

The most brutal option is to just not do the task. If it was important then you would have done it by now! Face reality perhaps it’s just not that important!
The key is to look at all the tasks you have to do and question whether you really have to do them. Don’t just be someone who is busy. Be someone who is productive.

Accept the power to choose

by LifeStyle Refocus on March 27, 2012 · 0 comments

The power to choose is what gives us the opportunity to create a different life, right now! As an individual you have the power to choose.

If you set a goal of health and fitness which means you exercise every day, then that needs to become a priority, you have the power to choose what you do. When the alarm goes off of a morning, you have a choice – you can stay in that nice warm bed and grab another hour of sleep or you can get up and exercise and be on the path to achieving your goals. It is always your choice.

We have a basic desire to improve our lives. Thousands of years ago, Aristotle said, “You are what you repeatedly do.” So are you going to keep repeating what you are doing and not change or move forward, or are you going to take some time and identify ways that you can improve your life?

“An ounce of action is worth a tonne of theory.”
Friedrich Engels

Want To Give Up?
Sometimes in business it becomes really tough, you question whether you should be persisting. These are stories of succeeding against the odds, persisting in the face of doubt, true grit, focus and determination of never quitting until the goal is reached.

Thomas Edison was an American inventor had more than 1,000 U.S. patents to his name. However, as a young boy in school his mind often wandered and he was told by his teachers that he was “too stupid to learn anything”.
Edison greatest accomplishment is the light bulb he was most famous for the following quote in regards to his persistence in developing the light bulb …
“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Thomas Edison

Walt Disney was fired from his first job because he was told that he lacked imagination. He had 300 banks turn down his Walt Disney theme park idea. At one stage he was bankrupt. He maintained determination and focused. Today, the movies, merchandise and theme parks are worth billions.

“To some people, I am kind of a Merlin who takes lots of crazy chances, but rarely makes mistakes. I’ve made some bad ones, but, fortunately, the successes have come along fast enough to cover up the mistakes. When you go to bat as many times as I do, you’re bound to get a good average.”
Walt Disney

Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen wrote the book “Chicken Soup for the Soul” which was rejected by over 140 publishers as they did not believe it would be a bestseller. When it was eventually published it sold more than 100 million copies and launched the Chicken Soup series, making both of them rich and famous.

“You have to believe it’s possible and believe in yourself. Because after you’ve decided what you want, you have to believe it’s possible, and possible for you, not just for other people. Then you need to seek out models, mentors, and coaches.”

Jack Canfield

Michael Jordan is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In his sophomore year he failed to make the varsity basketball team due to his height. Michael was 5 ft. 11 ins (1.80 m) and classed as too short to play at that level.

Michael developed the attitude of persistence. “Whenever I was working out and got tired and figured I ought to stop, I’d close my eyes and see that list in the locker room without my name on it and that usually got me going again.”
Jordan didn’t make excuses; instead he practiced hard perfecting his game. His burning desire to be the best, his refusal to quit, to persevere, to practice, to not do the minimum eventually lead to him being one of the greatest basketball players of all time.

We can do anything if we have a compelling reason and the focus. There is always a way. Even if it’s not true, act like it is and usually you can find a way to achieve what you want to achieve.

You can push through the tough times
Persist a little longer
Search a little harder
Keep going

Failure is giving up. Everything else is progress. By believing there is always a way you give yourself every opportunity to experience success!

Achieving Your Outcome
1. Know your outcome [Set your goals]
2. Take Action
3. Be Observant – Notice if what you are doing is moving you in the direction of your goals or away from them.
4. Be flexible – If we are off track we have to have the flexibility to get ourselves back on track

It is powerful to understand that what you dream of doing, what you dream of being is all possible. Every day you need to take steps to make it happen. To fulfill your dreams, to be your best, to persist and to succeed.

Develop a clear direction

by LifeStyle Refocus on March 8, 2012 · 0 comments

Developing a clear direction is necessary and we do this by setting goals.

As individuals we actually set goals all the time such as:
 I have 1 hour to do the grocery shopping
 Today I will get the washing done
 Today I will do the ironing
 I will go for a 5 km walk
 I will eat 3 pieces of fruit
But we want to set goals that give us long term direction, focus and motivation to keep going, move forward, and persevere.

Once you have established your goals the next action to successful goals setting is working out how to achieve your goal. A great place to start is to make notes on paper, drawing a road map to your success.

If you don’t know where you are going,
you’ll end up someplace else.
Yogi Berra

Focus On What Matters
Our brain is programmed to take notice of things that are important to us. Its job is to filter the mass of information that is brought to our attention every day, so that we can pay attention to the information that’s important. When we set goals, our brain is programmed to watch for information related to that goal.

As a family we had a goal to go on a holiday to Italy. Suddenly I noticed television programs on Italy, discussions on the radio about holidaying in Italy, articles in newspapers and magazines about Italy, people around me were talking about their holiday to Italy. I thought this was strange, bazaar and a coincidence but as it turns out it’s not.

It’s known as “Reticular Activating System” [RAS]. The RAS is a tiny network of brain cells attached to the brain stem. It’s the part of the brain which alerts us to information or screens out information based on what we want to pay attention to.

The logic behind this is that once you have a clear goal, your sub-conscious is always alert and looking for information and opportunities relevant to your goal. This is where your sub-conscious finds things you may never have noticed if you only had a vague idea of what you were looking for.

A goal properly set is halfway reached.
Abraham Lincoln
Taking ACTION [Know your priorities]
Knowing your goal and making it positive and SMART are very important steps however a goal is not achieved unless you take ACTION. One of the easiest ways to take action is to actually figure out the steps that will get to you where you want to be. What is the first thing you have to do to achieve that goal? What comes next? And so on and so on. In other words we are developing the process to achieve your goal.

At any one stage there are a number of things we could be doing but knowing our goals gives us focus and direction.

LifeStyle Refocus are serious about helping you create a better life by managing your TIME. We work with businesses to increase their staff’s productivity or individuals to help them gain control. We deliver workshops on “Managing your Time” and “DeClutter and Take Back Control. Refer to our website for free resources and regular newsletter. www.lifestylerefocus.com.au

Respecting and Managing Time

by LifeStyle Refocus on October 12, 2011 · 2 comments

Many of us underestimate the value of time and take it for granted because time just goes on and on. We often say ‘we’ll do it tomorrow’ or ‘l’ll do that when I have time.’ What we fail to understand is that time is a valuable resource – it may actually be our most valuable resource. You have the same amount of time each day as world leaders such as The President and the Prime Minister. You have the same amount of time as successful entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Bill Gates. You have the same amount of time as world famous entertainers such as Lady Gaga and Katy Perry or that person you know that is organised and on top of things. Your education, social standing and wealth doesn’t make a difference to the amount of time you get – no matter what happens we all get exactly the same amount of time, 1,440 minutes a day.

Control of time is the key to being efficient in what we do. It’s an important skill to develop so that we can accomplish more tasks than we want to get done every day.

When we haven’t planned our day and just ‘go with the flow’ we often know what we have to do but we don’t consider the order of importance of our tasks.
How Do You Spend Your Time?
We know we’re busy however have you ever stopped to think about what you are busy doing? What are you trying to achieve each and every day? Why is it that you get lots of ‘little tasks’ completed but not the important tasks that you really wanted to get done?

Peter Drucker the author of ‘The Effective Executive’ recommends that we take a moment and analyse the way we are spending our time. This is a chance to learn whether you:
 Are focusing on important things or are you wasting your time on low value busywork?
 Could spend your time in better ways?
 Need to make changes?

He identified that effective executives follow three key steps to manage their time better:
1. They analyse the way they use their time and think about better ways of using it
2. They find wasteful and unproductive uses of their time and reduce them systematically
3. They consolidate their time into large chunks that they can use for their most important work.

Time Tracking Exercise
So for the next week:
1. Record each activity you start
2. Estimate the time you think the activity will take
3. Record the actual time the activity took

You will have a better understanding of how you use your time. As well as whether you are accurate when you estimate the time a task will take. As a general rule we underestimate how long a task will take. If we are underestimating the time a task will take that often leads to us overscheduling the number of activities or tasks to complete each day.

We will now be able to see what we are spending our time on, look at what tasks we can stop doing and delegate.

In this step, you are transitioning from
“How AM I spending my time?”
to
“How SHOULD I be spending my time?”

Once you have completed the time tracking exercise you start to be more conscious of how long tasks take to do. You’ll be conscious of when you are wasting time and when you are using your time well.

LifeStyle Refocus conducts workshops on Time Management and Productivity for small and medium businesses. www.lifestylerefocus.com.au

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