The Time Finder with Paula Eder

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

Find Time to Reflect and Increase Your Effectiveness and Efficiency

Posted on July 21, 2009, under Time Management Skills.

ThinkingFinding time to reflect is an essential time management tool that can be most useful and important when it appears almost impossible to come by.

This fact was brought home to us at Finding Time, LLC very clearly over the past week when we lost our site and all of our infrastructure (including our mailing lists and auto responders)!  It was very challenging to step back, take a breath, and reflect when there was so much to do.  However, each time we did that, two things were clear:

  • Our perspective widened and it felt like there was more room to make choices.
  • With that feeling of more space came the ability to see options more clearly and begin to make proactive (rather than reactive) time choices.

This, in turn, led to further shifts of perspective until our crisis, while still very challenging, also took on some aspects of opportunity.  This made all the difference in the world!  The shift in perspective from reactive to proactive mode is a process that builds on itself.  Nothing looks like an opportunity when you are in reactive mode.

Here’s one of our recent articles on E-zine Articles.com that speaks to dealing with time crunches – and highlights the importance of reflection:  Time Management Tips – 5 Essential Steps to Reduce Stress During Time Crunches. Reflection after-the-fact is a key time management tool:

When you have a moment to catch up with yourself, review what happened that left you in a situation with too much to do in too little time. Ask yourself these 3 questions:

  • Was procrastination involved?
  • Were there unexpected changes in your day that threw a wrench in the works?
  • What can you do to avoid a situation like this in the future?

In our case, one of the things that we learned, on reflection, was the importance of backing up everything!  Had we not done that regularly, what was a big inconvenience would have been, instead, a major disaster.  So back up, back up, back up!

Have you ever had a cyber disaster – or other such stressful event?  Did you find reflection helpful, either in the midst of it or after the fact? Please drop me a line – I’d love to hear!

What if you could find another hour every day? You can! You are invited to sign up and download The New Finding Time Boundary Template. It’s FREE, and when you sign up you will also receive (if you don’t already) my FREE, weekly Finding Time Tips and my FREE, monthly Award-Winning Finding Time E-zine!

Let’s explore time together …

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There are 4 Responses to “Find Time to Reflect and Increase Your Effectiveness and Efficiency”

#1 Wendy - 21 July, 7:55 AM

Great post Paula, reminding me that I need to do a better job myself of backing things up to avoid potential problems. Thanks for the timely reminder. And the notion that every challenge holds opportunity.

#2 Paula - 22 July, 6:12 AM

Thanks, Wendy – and great to hear from you (as always)! Yes, that back-up piece is SO important! It can seem like unnecessary work, sometimes, but believe me … it ISN’T!!

#3 CathyG - 03 August, 3:34 PM

Great post – is that your dog in the picture on the right?

You’re so right about this topic. When I take the dog for a walk, things seem to happen while we’re out. I come back to sales, solved problems, and more!

Cathy

#4 Paula - 04 August, 4:46 AM

Yes, that’s my beloved Maltese, Zeke. He’s been dead for nearly 5 years now but is my soul dog. We had a very special connection (as I’m sure you can appreciate)! Thanks for asking and for stopping by.
Paula

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