creativity - 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.

Find Time to Play Your Way Out of Paralyzing Procrastination

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Paula, under Time Choices, Time Management Skills.

Do you find looming deadlines stressful to the point of stopping you in your tracks? It can be a nightmarish feeling when the clock is ticking, your panic is mounting, and you feel like you’re losing ground with each passing moment. Sound familiar? The harder you try, the more your mind goes blank. Ideas and inspiration dry up.

Finding time to play your way out of stress and paralyzing procrastination is an enjoyable and empowering way to break through logjams and get back into the flow of things. Read on to learn one unbeatable breakthrough tip that you probably haven’t thought of – and that I think you’ll enjoy!

Quite often things like brainstorming and mind mapping can open up options when you’re stuck in overwhelm. But high stress sometimes invites self-criticism and self-consciousness onto the scene when you least need them. Then you give yourself undermining messages like:

“Nobody’s going to like that!”
“This just has to be perfect!”
“You’re running out of time!”
“Everyone’s going to see how ____ you are!”

As the tension mounts, you try things that have worked before, like taking a quick walk to step away and clear your head. But when you sit back down and start working again, you find that those critical voices are still there and still have lots to say.

When faced with a situation like this, try this one tip – it is a real life-saver, believe me! You can try it at other times, too, because aside from breaking up logjams and relieving stress, it’s a wonderful tool for stimulating your creativity.

Oh, and it’s an entirely counter-intuitive tip – and that’s its beauty.

Ready for the game? It’s called “Turn Your Inner Critic on Its Head!”

The next time you are stuck, make it your goal to generate the very worst version of whatever you are working on that you are capable of creating.

If you are writing a sales page, or a blog post, or copy for a press release, your goal is to shock and disappoint. Throw yourself into your task with the mindset that you are going to stretch the limits of boring, blasphemous, and bizarre. Use everything that you might have censored, and exaggerate it to the hilt. In other words, have fun with it.

What this does, as you may have guessed, is not only silence but absolutely flummox your inner critic. Actually, you put yourself in control of this voice by choosing to use it as a contributor to your project (rather than being a negative nay-sayer calling from the sidelines).

Harnessing the voice of your inner critic to overcome stress and stasis, ask yourself:

What does your inner critic think is a really terrible headline for your next E-zine article?
What would guarantee that your report would create shrieks of outrage?
What opening paragraph is least likely to capture your readers’ interest?

Go ahead and begin writing from this vantage point. Better than trying to drown out or silence your critical voice, you have neutralized its negativity and stripped it of its power. It provides comic relief and nothing more.

As you relax, you will find that your ideas begin to flow – possibly in new and unanticipated directions – and you can move ahead on your project with empowered energy. And I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the new inspirations that come about as a result of this counter-intuitive time management tip!

Now, how can you expand your life and make even more of your time using time management tips?

And are you interested in learning more about the Heart-Based Time Management™ Path? Here’s one way that you can transform and deepen your relationship to time in the Heart-Based Way … I invite you to explore Secrets of Heart-Based Time Management™ - my chapter in the book I co-authored - Stepping Stones to Success! In it I share my proven system for exploring and harnessing the power of your mind, your body and your spirit to help you deepen your experience of time and of your life.

As you work with the ideas I offer, you’ll explore your patterns, clarify your values, identify and prioritize your goals … and create your path for achieving them. You can give yourself the gift of this wonderful resource today, and get started on your journey toward success, Stepping Stone by Stepping Stone …just click this link to get the details!

Paula's Signature

No Comments

Find Time to Factor in the Changes as You Age

Posted on April 17, 2012 by Paula, under Time as We Age.

Finding time to manage the changes we all experience as we navigate the developmental stages of living involves a constant process of recognition and adjustment as we age. It’s a process that brings great rewards, because it keeps us in sync with ourselves; and it can be particularly important as we move into middle age and beyond.

You see, it’s a fact of life that we are actually always in a state of change and transition. It’s also a fact of life that we generally notice these changes only when we bump up against them. But this doesn’t have to be a jarring experience. The more we can be aware of the inevitability of change, the less disconcerting it is when we come upon it.

If you are someone who has always enjoyed being energetic, efficient, and productive, you may notice a shift in what you are able to accomplish in a particular span of time. It happens gradually, but the realization may feel sudden. Perhaps one evening, you find yourself feeling puzzled and frustrated because you just can’t pack as much into a 3-hour span as you used to.

This is normal and comes as we get older. It is also a process that continues, for as long as we are lucky enough to be here.

So, here’s how I suggest managing the changes that come with aging – my 3 A’s of Aging:

Acceptance: Acceptance of reality is the base for everything that follows. It involves both seeing-what-is, and also honestly experiencing your feelings about it. Acceptance gives you a solid foundation to build on. Without acceptance, you will be constantly surprising yourself as you bump into inevitable changes that you are choosing to deny or ignore. This can be a bruising experience!

Adjustment: Once you have accepted the fact of change, you free up your energy and creativity to adjust. This may mean changing the way you do things. It will also entail changing your expectations.

Agility: As a dancer, agility has always been a foundational skill for me; and I love carrying the concept of agility into my aging process. Now, agility in the face of change is more of a mindset than a musculoskeletal capacity. But either way, it is a great plus, and a key element in my toolbox, as I continue my journey through time!

Do you notice age-related changes in yourself as you move through your day? How do they affect your energy, focus, and productivity? Try keeping track of this for a week, and see what you discover. And don’t forget to be aware of your feelings about it all. These are things that you are likely to experience as losses. As you accept this, you can transform it!

And are you interested in learning more about the Heart-Based Time Management™ Path? Here’s one way that you can transform and deepen your relationship to time in the Heart-Based Way … I invite you to explore Secrets of Heart-Based Time Management™ – my chapter in the book I co-authored - Stepping Stones to Success! In it I share my proven system for exploring and harnessing the power of your mind, your body and your spirit to help you deepen your experience of time and of your life.

Paula's Signature

No Comments

Find Time to Know the State of YOUR Union: Are Your Head and Heart in Sync for Success?

Posted on January 25, 2012 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time and Values.

Finding time to stay connected with yourself – to have your head and heart in sync, is one of the most powerful time management choices that you can make for yourself. So, whether you are a follower of politics or not, it’s important to ask yourself about the State of the Union periodically – I mean YOUR union.

This means setting aside some time to check in with yourself periodically. For some this might be a daily, weekly, or monthly ritual. The more time you spend doing this (and the more often you do it) the better – but it’s important to find what works for you and to build a pattern that you can trust.

You might ask yourself something as simple as, “How are you doing today?” Answer honestly, and strive to open up to an internal dialogue. Let a back-and-forth evolve. This won’t happen all at once, but as you speak and listen to yourself, you may be surprised at what you discover.

It may feel like you are getting to know a new friend. How wonderful!

As you learn more about the State of Your Union, you will be able to adjust the ways that you work and use your time, to better fit with your true values and needs. Keep the dialogue going as you tweak things.

You can’t predict, at the outset, where this path may lead. But here’s one thing I can absolutely guarantee:

When your goals are in sync with your values, your head and your heart work in tandem, freeing up energy and creativity that you may not have ever known that you had!

Why, it would be like the Legislative and Executive Branches of the Government working together. Just imagine what could be accomplished …

So, I encourage you to check in with yourself frequently about the State of Your Union. Listen to what your head and heart have to say to each other … and watch the possibilities blossom!

And as you bring your head and heart into sync, transforming yourself and your relationship with time, consider this: Are you an entrepreneur, consultant, or small business owner who’s ready to take the next big step? If you want to learn how to create and to keep a successful business running on your own, then this is for you! “How to Create Credibility as a Freelancer” is a booklet with 70 expert-proven tips that will help you recharge your energy and motivation, increase your visibility, and sharpen those vital organizational and time management skills.

Success is within your reach, so don’t wait, click this link and get started today! http://bit.ly/FreelanceTips

Find Time to Give Yourself Exactly What You Need Every Single Day! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Nourish Your Courage with Love: Today’s Timely Tip (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Celebrate Clarity and Realism this Holiday Season (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Respect Yourself-When No Means Yes to You! (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

1 Comment

Find Time to Start Successfully-5 Timely Tips to Begin with a Bang!

Posted on October 11, 2011 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

Last week we looked at the challenge and importance of taking that first step, when you are working on a project or moving toward a goal. Today I’d like to get down to the nuts and bolts, with these 5 timely tips to help you, not only take your first step by really begin with a bang!

Maybe these tips will spark other ideas for you. The main thing is to explore and tap into the power you hold in your hands – power to think ahead and be creative. As you try this approach, I think your results will please and surprise you!

Open your mind to possibilities for structuring your project that may not be typical. Start by clearly defining your desired outcome. Start there and structure your project around it. Beginning with the ending will stimulate your creativity more than automatically following a standard protocol.
Keep refining your vision of your results or desired outcome until it’s comprehensive and specific. Having your planned results remain vague may feel like it leaves you more options, but in reality it undermines your ability to move ahead with your project. Clearly delineating your goal will help you strategize more effectively when structuring your action steps AND will help you stay on track as you move ahead.
Examine and evaluate the scope and complexity of your desired outcome. If you have bitten off more than you can chew, streamline your project to make it manageable. By staying laser focused you sidestep a common pitfall: defining your anticipated results too broadly. Learn to marshal your resources by simplifying.
Get everyone who’s important to your project on board at the onset. Once you define your specific, comprehensive goal and pare it down to a realistic size, present it to everyone directly involved. When you invest time and energy up front preparing an initial, strong presentation of your end point for all key participants, you derive two important benefits:

First, you are far more likely to obtain their approval and commitment when they understand you.
Second, the more they comprehend your clearly articulated objectives, the more you’ll have valuable space to explore and experiment along the way.

Learn to work backwards. Instead of beginning at the beginning, start from your desired outcome and work backwards to identify each necessary action step. This way, you are more likely to maintain a realistic pace and scale throughout the project. In contrast, beginning at the beginning can mire you in too much detail or overwhelm you with the enormity of your task.

It’s deeply rewarding to plan a project effectively when first starting out. You will proceed with more confidence, develop a stronger base of support, and be able to begin with a bang!

How will you take the first step on your next project? Do you have ideas? Questions? Drop me a line, I’d love to help!

And speaking of being ready to begin with a bang … would you like to transform and deepen your relationship to time in the Heart-Based Way? Then, I invite you to explore Secrets of Heart-Based Time Management - my chapter in the book I co-authored - Stepping Stones to Success! In it I share my proven system for exploring and harnessing the power of your mind, your body and your spirit to help you deepen your experience of time and of your life. As you work with the ideas I offer, you’ll explore your patterns, clarify your values, identify and prioritize your goals … and create your path for achieving them. You can give yourself the gift of this wonderful resource today, and get started on your journey toward success, Stepping Stone by Stepping Stone …just click this link to get the details!

Let’s explore time together …

Find Time to Banish Guilt and Revitalize Yourself Today! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Start Because the First Step is Your Key! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Clear Out the Clutter That Weighs You Down, Trips You Up and Holds You Back! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Let Transition Times Foster the Changes You Already Want to Make (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

1 Comment

Find Time to Transform Your Feelings About Time by Tuning in to the Words You Use to Describe It

Posted on August 16, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time and Values.

Finding time to live your moments as fully as possible is what Heart-Based Time Management is all about. My aim is to help you live expansively, actualizing your potential and tapping into your core power, creativity, and values.

As you explore your own Heart-Based path, you’ll find that your feelings about yourself change. Not only that – this process will transform your feelings about time. That’s because the Heart-Based way works from the inside out. It starts with you as the base.

So, what’s a Heart-Based way to learn how you feel about time? I can think of no better place to start than with the words you use when you describe it.

Do you talk about feeling pressed for time? Do you have all the time in the world? Are you running out of time?

Here’s a very informative exercise:

Take out a pen and paper and set a timer for 3 minutes. Now, write down every word that springs to mind when you say the word “time.” Don’t worry about logic or coherence. Just write what comes to mind. Feel free to repeat words. Turn off your inner critic and just write as fast as you can.

Now, just sit with your words for a few minutes. What jumps out at you? Are there one or two words that offer you a good sense of the flavor of your relationship with time? How do you feel about those words? Would you like to change them?

This is where you have the opportunity to transform your feelings about time.

You see, those words that you use to describe time shape how you see, and how you live in your moments right now. If they are based in scarcity or fear, for example, those feelings will leak into your sense of time. As you can imagine, that has a very profound effect on every single moment of your life.

The wonderful and empowering Heart-Based news is that you can change that. Those words that you use are not writ in stone. They are yours – and that means you can come up with different ones - any ones you want! You can transform your feelings about time by taking charge of the words you choose to use. It’s that simple and that powerful.

I encourage you to try our simple exercise and begin exploring the transformative power of Heart-Based Time Management today.

Let’s explore time together …

And while I’m on the subject of empowerment, are you a solopreneur, consultant, or small business owner who’s ready to take the next big step? If you want to learn how to create and to keep a successful business running on your own, then this is for you!

“How to Create Credibility as a Freelancer” is a booklet with 70 expert-proven tips that will help you recharge your energy and motivation, increase your visibility, and sharpen those vital organizational and time management skills. Success is within your reach, so don’t wait, click this link and get started today! http://bit.ly/FreelanceTips

Find Time to Value Your Values the Heart-Based Way (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time for All the Colors in the Rainbow: A Time-Saving Tool (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Bust Your Time Gremlins and Break Out of Your Time Traps! (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

3 Comments

Find Time to Use and Reuse and Spread the Word About YOU!

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Technology, Time Management Skills.

Finding time to create and share useful and interesting information is probably one of the core elements (and core challenges) of your business if you are working on line as a coach or small business owner or solopreneur. Carving out time to create and share the kinds of tools that your people need and want takes discipline, agility, and creativity.

But maybe you are working too hard at this. Have you fully explored all the different ways that you can share what you create? Repurposing and reusing content … and I DON’T mean duplicating content … is a really excellent way to reach more people more efficiently.

It’s not only a good way to spread the word about YOU further … it also provides a very helpful service to your fans, friends, and customers – offering them the opportunity to connect with you in the ways that are easiest and most comfortable for them.

Nancy Marmolejo recently wrote about an aspect of this on her Viva Visibility blog in a post titled Recycle Your Content: Be a Functional Social Media Slacker. She notes:

Don’t toss out that perfectly good article… recycle it and make it live forever!

I find that recycling content on social media helps me on days when I’m too busy to write something new or not sure what to do with myself in social media land.

Using social media (often just with the click of a button) to share an article or blog post is one of the easiest ways in the world to keep a stream of information flowing to your friends and followers.

And don’t just think about clicking that “Share” button … expand your horizons to include multiple platforms. Video, audio, photos, the written word – each have their appeal, their purpose, and their core audiences. So consider sharing a video version of that popular article about Overcoming Procrastination that you created a year ago and people are still retweeting.

You can also break up your longer articles into multiple, briefer blog posts. Get creative. Challenge yourself to find at least 3 … or 5 … or 7 … ways to reuse your next info product.

Ready to give it a try? I’d love to hear the ideas YOU come up with!

And are you inspired to find time and increase your effectiveness? Here’s one way that we are spreading the word – providing another platform for following The Time Finder! We are now available at Amazon, so you can follow The Time Finder on your Kindle. You can try it out for 14 days FREE, then continue to receive new content, right on your Kindle, every time we post!

So, what if you could find another hour every day? You can! You are invited to sign up for your FREE Finding Time Success Kit. It puts 3 key tools for your time success right into your hands! Grab it and see how you can recharge your energy, reduce overwhelm and frustration, and come to learn that 24 hours really ARE enough!

Let’s explore time together …