2008 September | The Time Finder with Paula Eder

The Time Finder with Paula Eder

The way you use your time is the way you live your life.

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Finding Time with Seasonal Templates

Posted on September 30, 2008 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

It’s September 30th - I can’t believe that another month has gone by! As we move deeper into autumn and the leaves color and crisp, there’s no denying that winter is on its way!

Yesterday we were talking about templates and how they can help with some of the routine tasks that you frequently perform.

Seasonal chores, like yard work and spring-cleaning also go much more smoothly when you prepare ahead of time.

Try creating a template that walks you through each step of one or two of your major seasonal projects. Start from assembling the necessary supplies and carry yourself straight through to the final wrap-up!

I strongly suggest that you keep your template on your computer and update it right after you have finished your task. That way what you learn from experience is immediately incorporated and ready for you to benefit from, when it’s next time to use your template!

Seasonal templates heighten your efficiency. If you’re like me, you may not remember from year-to-year what worked well for a particular project … and what did not. Seasonal templates save you from repeating mistakes, as well as helping you remember, in May, the great shortcut that you discovered in September!

Do you use templates now, in your daily life? Click below, on the box where it says “Comments,” and tell me about your experiences with (or without) templates. I’d love to hear from you!

What if you could find another hour every week? You can! For more Time Finding resources, you are invited to sign up for my free, twice-weekly Finding Time Tips. Each Tip is paired with a practical action step that you can use IMMEDIATELY … and as a bonus for signing up, you’ll also receive my free, monthly Award-Winning Finding Time E-zine!

Let’s explore time together …

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Finding Time by Using a Shopping Template

Posted on September 29, 2008 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

I hope you had a wonderful weekend. Here in New England it was very wet, and the fall colors seemed all the brighter against the rainy backdrop.

As I write this morning I’m guessing that many of you, like me, did your weekly food shopping this weekend. How many of you got home, unpacked your bags, and realized that you’d forgotten something? What a frustrating experience that can be!

Here’s a helpful tip! Templates can be great time savers, and shopping is an excellent example of a chore that you can transform for yourself, by using a template.

Think about it. About 80% of your shopping list is probably made up of items that you always want to have on hand. Why not set yourself up with a template for those items?

Imagine the time you’ll save! You can use your template to review what you have, check off what you need, and then use it at the store to make sure you don’t miss anything!

Here are a couple of suggestions:

Your template will work best if you set it up so that it matches the layout of the store where you usually shop. So, if you come to the produce section first when you enter the store, put fruits and vegetables first on your template.

Leave plenty of space for extra items that you need infrequently, or for a special recipe.

Try making yourself a shopping template this week. You’ll be amazed at the time that you’ll save – the time that you’ll find!

Let’s explore time together …

Finding Time to Plan for the Unexpected

Posted on September 25, 2008 by Paula, under Time Priorities.

Yesterday we discussed the idea of preparing yourself for sudden change. When you’re prepared, unexpected events can still bump you off course, but you’ll be able to respond more effectively and steer your life back on track more quickly. We discussed planning for sudden change, and I left you with the question … HOW?

As a first step, consider two sudden changes that could easily occur in anyone’s life. Sudden illness could be one, and the loss of your job could be the second. (I’m not suggesting you create fears and worries for yourself. Use this, rather, as a way to stay aware of how you use your time now, and what is most important to you.)

In a general way, explore some adjustments you could make quickly, in these circumstances, if life demanded it.

Use techniques such as visualization, staying fully aware of your personal boundaries and recognizing basic tasks that need to get done every day.

Be as specific and as concrete as possible. You will be amazed at what you see!

Know thyself. This kind of exercise helps to clearly re-establish your personal relationship with your time, your priorities, and your values. From that place of clarity, you can then create effective options for managing your time choices when faced with ANY sudden change. Remember, your relationship with time is not simply about becoming more efficient. It is about knowing yourself, your priorities, and your core values.

What kinds of sudden changes have you experienced in your life? How did you navigate them? What might you want to change? I’d love to hear your stories!

Let’s explore time together …

Finding Time When Crises Arise!

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Paula, under Time Priorities.

Finding time and maintaining focus and discipline when world or life events are pressing (like the current crisis on Wall Street) can be very challenging.How successful do you feel at keeping your core values in mind and managing your priorities when you are confronted with sudden change?

Sudden change can shake up everything. Most of us feel comfortable when we know what is most important for us to do and why we are doing it. But without warning, our expected plans, priorities and patterns, can be sent flying in all directions. Suddenly our plans, priorities and choices are no longer relevant or realistic.

In addition, sudden change stirs up emotions that can cloud your ability to think clearly and make wise time choices. All your priorities and established tasks now must take a back seat to the immediate, unanticipated, often unknown choices you must make about how to use your time.

Life’s unpredictability can blind-side us if we don’t expect the unexpected. To choose wisely, even in troubled times, we need to learn to plan for the possibility of sudden change.

How?

Stay tuned! Tomorrow I’ll be sharing some practical ideas for you to try when coping with sudden change!

Let’s explore time together …

Find Your Values Baseline – Where the Rubber Meets the Road!

Posted on September 23, 2008 by Paula, under Time and Values.

A little more than a week ago we did an exercise in which you visualized, and concretized, your ideal day. This was a first step in identifying what you value.

We then moved on and explored internal and external values. If external values are the “what” then your internal values are the “how.”

Let’s focus on your external values for a moment — because this truly is where the rubber meets the road! While it’s crucial to identify and explore your internal values, it’s when you put them into action that they come to life.

Your external values are embodied and embedded in a cluster of activities that comprise the whole of your active life. Try this exercise to help clarify what these activities may be for you.

First, write down 3-5 of your most important external values.

Next, prioritize them with “#1″ being most important.

Then, list 5 of the most significant activities for each value.

That is the cluster of activities that make your external values concrete!

Think of this as a values baseline for yourself. How do you actively manifest these values in your life? What internal values are reflected on your list? What have you learned? How does this affect your time priorities and your time choices?

I’d love to hear what you’ve discovered … please share your insights and experiences!

Let’s explore time together …

Find Time with Your Internal Values as Your Guide

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Paula, under Time and Values.

Last week we were discussing values – and external values, specifically. External values, we said, provide your framework.

In the same way that external values provide a frame for what you do and the choices you make, your internal values are the context. They help shape HOW you do what you do.

Your internal values are process-oriented. They reflect a way of being. If your external values reflect the “ends,” then your internal values are the “means.”

As with your external values, the direct and indirect teaching of your parents helps to shape the internal values that you start with in your life.

Your internal values may evolve through time, as you do; but they are not as prone to change as your external values may be.

Here’s an example: Suppose that you value integrity, responsibility and authenticity as frames for how you live. As someone who values responsibility, you may place a higher priority on taking care of your health at 60 than you did when you were 30 and your job or your family held a higher priority spot.

Your internal values may very well lead you to place more importance on different external values at different stages of your life – but the internal values themselves are less likely to change.

Name 5 internal values that are important to you?

How are these values reflected in your daily life?

I’d love to hear your thoughts about values and their impact on your time choices.

Write a Comment here, and share your ideas and experiences!

Let’s explore time together …

Finding Time to Consider Your Values Frame

Posted on September 18, 2008 by Paula, under Time and Values.

During this election season, we tend to hear an awful lot from politicians of every stripe, about values. I’m certainly not going to embark on any political commentary here, but the political season reminds me that it’s a good time for us to be focusing on values!

Over the next several posts I want to talk a little bit about both internal and external values. Not only do both of these sets of values influence how we use our time and our energy, but they also play a big role in how we each see the world.

For today, let’s focus on external values.

Your external values provide a frame for what you do in your life. They involve areas of life that are of utmost importance, such as work, family, education, and health. These are values that we often absorb, initially, from our parents.

However, as you develop your own vantage point (often influenced by your internal values) you may redefine these values and their place in your life.

In addition, your external values may shift and evolve, depending on what developmental stage of life you are in. As you age, for example, your good health may become a core value, where it may have been less of a focus when you were younger.

How have your external values evolved and shifted over time?

How have they diverged from your parents’ values?

How are they similar?

Let’s explore time together …

Finding Time to Make Your Ideal Day Real

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Paula, under Time and Values.

Deepak Chopra has said, “Without values, there is confusion and chaos.” As we’ve been discussing this week, your values help you keep to a steady course.

But how do you get on course to begin with?

In yesterday’s exercise you visualized your ideal day. That helps you to clarify and concretize some of the things that you value most in life.

Does the way that you spend your time right now reflect what you care most about?

Does your daily life reflect some of the components of your ideal day?

What’s present?

What’s missing?

Make a list. Don’t be critical or judging of yourself — this is simply information. You need to know where you are starting before you can begin.

Review your list and choose one thing that you can change to make your actual day more like your ideal day.

Go ahead and make that change!

With each step of this journey you are getting to know yourself better and bringing your choices into closer alignment with your values.

Please comment on this post. I’d love to hear what you changed and how it went!

Let’s explore time together …

Find Time by First Clarifying Your Values

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Paula, under Time and Values.

If your values are going to be your guide, a key first step is to take some time to clarify what you mean by your values. What do they look like?

My recent article titled Finding Time by Championing Your Values – 3 Essential Steps to Reclaim Your Time (found on ezinearticles.com) offers an exercise in which you map your ideal day.

Try it! As you create your map, you will begin to see your values illuminated. Be as specific as you can. The more detail you include, the more information you’ll make available to yourself.

What does your day look like – and what does it tell you about your values? As your values take clearer shape, how do you feel about them? Are there changes you want to make?

Concretizing your ideal day is a great tool for seeing (and feeling) what you value. Use this exercise periodically – especially at times of transition. You’ll come to know yourself more deeply each time you do it. That, in turn, will help you to make well-informed choices about your priorities and your direction.

Your wellspring of energy resides in living your values. Tap this power to make the most of your life!

… let’s explore time together!

Finding Your Values and Charting Your Course

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Paula, under Time and Values.

Finding time and finding your footing, no matter what the circumstances, can be a tall order sometimes. For example, while here in the Northeast, we were only mildly affected by Hurricane Ike, thousands upon thousands along the Gulf Coast had their lives turned upside down by that terrible storm.

From one moment to the next, everything can change. As I was contemplating my peach harvest last week, devastating storm surges were brewing in the Gulf. Events like Ike remind me both of how quickly our plans and dreams can be upended, and of how precious life is.

How do you navigate in a world where change can come so suddenly? What do you use to guide your way and maintain your course?

When I ask myself that question, what I come back to, always, are my core values. Like the North Star, or the needle of a compass, my values orient me – maybe most especially when times are rough.

In the midst of confusion or competing choices, your values help you stay connected to your heart. They’ll keep you on course even if you can’t quite see the road ahead!

As we explore the theme of values here on The Time Finder, I’ll be sharing insights and resources that I discover in my travels. For example … I was pleased to receive an e-mail update on Saturday from a blog that I enjoy: The Bridgemaker. (The blog had gone quiet for a while, and it turns out that its author Alex Blackwell had been working on some other projects.) I highlight The Bridgemaker, because it speaks often and eloquently to the theme of values – their impact on our choices and on our lives.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about values. What values are core in your life? What “values resources” have you found that speak to your heart?

… let’s explore time together!