There are two ways to start your day. The first is to dive in; tackling whatever is in front of you. You might check your emails. This is an interesting beginning as it is always possible something fun and new came in since you last looked.
Next thing you know you are deeply involved, answering all your mail. Some messages require thought; others require action, either research, interaction with others, or decision making. It is natural to attempt to take care of these mails, as they are right in front of you. You feel hungry, look up and it is mid morning. You have just spent a quarter of your day dealing with emails!
Another scenario is firefighting. Firefighting is the act of facing and finding quick fix solutions for all the emergency situations that seem to be coming at you from unknown sources. These urgent problems can also eat up an alarming amount of your work day.
Let's look at an alternative method of beginning your day. First, remember that this day is a gift. You have the choice what to do with it. Why not choose to do the important -but-not urgent tasks first? These are the tasks that will advance your life goals, and ensure success for you as you have defined it. If you do not prioritize and do these tasks first, you will almost certainly fail to do them.
Here is how.
1. Define where you want to be in 3-5 years. Now list the steps it will take to get you there. Break these steps down into yearly goals, then monthly and finally weekly. Take the time to plan your life!
2. At the beginning of your day, pull out your weekly goals. What will you do today to advance your weekly goal? List this (these) tasks.
3. Scan your emails - don't read them! You will get bogged down! Also, scan your phone messages, faxes inbox and anywhere else you receive communication. The goal is to get an idea of what new items will require your attention today.
You have spent 30-45 minutes of your day. You have gathered up the information required to plan your day, you know what you have to do, and are already planning it in your mind. You don't have to worry about forgetting something important.
4. On a clean sheet of paper, or index cards, prioritize 10 -15 things you intend to accomplish before the end of the day. Be realistic. You will not be able to do much more than this. From the 10-15 highlight 4 or 5 items that are important-but-not urgent and critical to your long term goals. Prioritize these items first, and then follow with the remaining items in some sort of order. Put an estimated time to complete each item beside it. At the end of the day, your review of what got done and the actual time it took will be a great education and experience for future planning. With practice, this skill will serve you well.
5. Now do one of your highlighted tasks, preferably one you enjoy.
You have now spent approximately 90 minutes of your day. You have achieved a step towards your 3-5 year plan. (Imagine what a constant daily step towards your goal will produce!) You know how your day will play out (for the most part), and you are comfortable knowing you have not missed anything of importance.
If you begin to do the important-but-not urgent items on a daily basis, you will find less urgent items surprising you. The feeling and knowledge of achievement will be encouragement for you to continue to strengthen your skills in this area.
There you have two ways to begin your day. Your choice!
Your Coach and online friend,
Miami Phillips
Helping others find their path - and stay on it.
www.creativemasterminds.com
Quotation of the Week
Give me a stock clerk with a goal and I'll give you a man who will make history. Give me a man with no goals and I'll give you a stock clerk.
J. C. Penney
About The Author
Miami Phillips is an ANSIR Certified Personal Coach and the founder of Creative MasterMinds who believes personal growth is an essential ingredient to being happy and contributing to this world. While his main focus is affordable personal and business coaching, he also offers motivational teleclasses, ebooks, reading recommendations and much more. To find out more visit his site at www.creativemasterminds.com or send him an email at www.creativemasterminds.com
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..Hey - Did someone press the FFW button?Have you ever... Read More
If I had a dollar or even better a pound... Read More
One of the biggest problems most people have when it... Read More
I have a habit of sending a thank you letter... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
Clarity brings accomplishmentOne of the most important things you can... Read More
If you feel like your life moves faster than a... Read More
Last week I had the privilege of spending some quality... Read More
As a professional organizer, consultant and trainer, I have come... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
It's been said, "That no one has enough time yet,... Read More
"You will never find time for anything. You must make... Read More
Does it ever feel like there is never enough time... Read More
"It's just been one of those days?I can't seem to... Read More
Work more efficiently and be more productive using these time-management... Read More
This may not sound like a big deal. But it's... Read More
Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
There is an old way of goal setting and a... Read More
Many of you have expressed the challenge of not having... Read More
A common remedy for improving your time management is to... Read More
?busy, busy, busy, busy, busy?busy, busy, bus? OK, slap me... Read More
OK...let's assume that you're truly motivated to change. Great. But... Read More
Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More
People always seem to be in such a hurry, everywhere... Read More
Any habit of mind or body that interferes with taking... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..One of the most challenging situations people face when planning... Read More
The most powerful resource that we have is time. Everything... Read More
I am an ordinary man - A middle class high... Read More
In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More
In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More
Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
I've divided my tips into two sections - 5 ways... Read More
The Internet is increasingly becoming a major time killer for... Read More
When I was small, I have never considered the importance... Read More
Many folks tell me that they just don't have time... Read More
How do you manage your time? Or is the more... Read More
Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More
The biggest time management mistake you can ever make is... Read More
Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one... Read More
Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple... Read More
Work life balance is the new Holy Grail; that search... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
We all get overwhelmed from time to time, and sometimes... Read More
As each day passes, and more and more things need... Read More
Whether you're a new business owner or if you have... Read More
You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More
There are times, when I am driving in my car... Read More
Many of the world's most driven and successful people sleep... Read More
My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More
Time Management |