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Creating Time
Last week, we talked about some tools to use to take action on those things that
have been holding you back from being powerful. We discussed breaking those
huge and daunting tasks down into small steps, and giving yourself credit for
each step you complete to meet that compulsion for closure. We also talked
about another tool, called punching a hole in it. This tool allows you to
take action on those things that aren't possible to break down into smaller steps,
yet are still tasks that you procrastinate over, such as filing in your office,
or cleaning out that closet at home. You punch a hole in it by spending
a set amount of time working on the task, then give yourself permission to stop
and check that one off for the day. Both of these tools get you to take
action and feel more powerful.
Many folks tell me that they just don't have the time to even start these steps.
We are all so busy these days, and there never seem to be enough hours in the
day to get it all done! We seem to get to the things we know MUST be done,
or those that are really important, like a meeting with the boss, or taking one
of the children to the doctor. Why don't we ever find time for those things
on our list? Well, one reason is that we haven't planned for the task, we
haven't "made the time" to do it.
Great time managers know this skill well. They schedule time on their calendars,
in advance, to work on a specific task. When that time comes, they are as
serious about that task as they would be about a meeting with the boss, or an
appointment with their child's teacher or physician. We all have a lot of
practice scheduling time for meetings, setting aside time for others. Many
of us just don't do it for ourselves!
This is a task that I learned from my executive coach. When I train out
of the office 3 - 4 days a week, I seemed to keep falling behind in all the other
tasks on my desk. She asked me if I scheduled time to do them on my calendar,
and of course, I hadn't. I agreed to schedule one day per week as a "buffer
day", a day when I wouldn't take a training assignment, or schedule meetings outside
of the office. This day allows me to schedule time for all those things
that were causing me great stress, and leaves me ready to do the training throughout
the rest of the week.
You don't need to schedule a full day to make this tool work. Can you find
an hour in your day that will be set aside to complete the things on your list?
(And if you don't have a list, MAKE ONE!!) Your job is to creatively organize
the concentrated time periods you need to get your key jobs or tasks done well
and on schedule. This tool will help you get there!
So here's a great tool to practice this week. "Make time" for at least one
task that has been on your list a long time - one that you just can't seem to
"find the time to do", that is up until now! Once you have scheduled the
time on your calendar, and then take that appointment with yourself seriously!
You will feel so much more in control when you take power over your schedule,
even for one hour a week!
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