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The Time Finder with Paula Eder

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

Find Time to Let Your Creativity Blossom

Posted on August 3, 2010 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Choices, Time Priorities.

Finding time to let your creative spirit develop and come to fruition can be a lot like tending a garden. At least that’s a useful metaphor for me! As much as art is a matter of inspiration, it’s also a matter of being steady and doing the preparation work that allows our inspirations to take hold and grow, whenever they actually come.

I am very excited to be putting the finishing touches on my upcoming teleclass with Ellene Breedlove Davis. Our topic? Finding Time to Be Creative: Portrait of the Artist. This is a free call, and you can join us at 7 PM next Tuesday, August 10th!

Ellene is an Artist and Creativity Coach, and she’ll be sharing her own experiences with making room (in both time and space) to nurture and sustain her art. As you’ll see and hear from Ellene, art and creativity are not matters of magic. They are better thought of as a melding of passion and skill … and readiness!

In a recent blog post, Ellene wrote: “In my studio, I have a small blue chair that just calls me to create. Most of the time, I get my sketch book or journal, a favorite pen and just put the pen to paper. The ideas start to flow as soon as I relax, as my creative imagination starts to write or sketch.”

So, if we want to see our creativity take root, blossom, and produce fruit (moving back to that garden metaphor) … we need to give ourselves the time (and space) to tend it through its various stages! We need to develop and practice the skills of our chosen craft, AND we need to give ourselves some version of Ellene’s blue chair, where we let ourselves open to our muse.

I would add that it is helpful and important to think of creativity in very broad terms. Art takes many forms, and if you are limiting how you think about it, you are limiting the possibilities of your creative self!

I look forward to exploring creativity more fully with you in the coming days … and hope you will join Ellene and me on our call on August 10th!

In the meantime, do you have thoughts or questions about the creative process that you’d like to share? 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 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 …

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Find Time for What’s Most Important to You Every Day-Day #2

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Paula, under Time Boundaries, Time Choices, Time Priorities.

Finding time for planning helps you see where your time goes. That, in turn, helps you find time for the things that are most important to you.

How did you do with yesterday’s planning task? Remember? I suggested that you think of three things that you really wanted to do, write them down, and then revisit your list in the evening.

Planning can be very revealing. When we make a plan we are making a commitment – a promise to ourselves. It makes our time choices more visible to us and introduces an element of accountability into our days.

The list you made yesterday was a very basic plan for your day, and going back to review it at night will always give you the opportunity to learn and adjust your planning as you move ahead. The better you get at planning your time, the more productive, energetic, and satisfied you’ll feel each day!

Here are 3 more keys to making planning a useful and productive tool for you:

Look with love! When you are reviewing your list at night, don’t use the eyes of a harsh, critical taskmaster. That will discourage you and most likely make you want to hide you time choices from yourself. Look with love, curiosity, and compassion. The more you open to yourself the more likely you are to learn and grow!
Flexibility is your friend! Your plan needn’t be rigid and unchanging. Always remember, this is YOUR plan and YOU are in charge! If you forgot to include laundry in your list for Tuesday, it’s okay to add it when you remember on Tuesday morning and bump something else to Wednesday. Use your plan as a guide or a frame for your day … and don’t be afraid to flex it.
Thank yourself! Always, when you check in with yourself about your plan, validate your efforts AND validate your honesty. Remember that learning lies as much in your mistakes as in your successes. Give yourself a big pat on the back when you review your plans, and when you create new ones. You might even come to look forward to your planning time!

My last suggestion to you is to do your check in and your planning before bed each night. This is important because it allows you to get a running start on your morning. Also, bedtime is something that can be moved back a bit, when necessary. Often mornings don’t allow you that kind of flexibility. I find that if I plan to plan at night, I am sure to do it.

Is planning already a part of your life? Do you want to start … and move toward making the invisible visible? I’d love to hear how it goes for you … it’s a wonderful exploration of yourself!

Let’s explore time together …

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Finding Time for Your Truth – Deepening into Your Life Today!

Posted on June 24, 2010 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time and Values.

Finding time to pause and reflect will always enhance your productivity and boost your energy. As a time management tool, taking a small break, a deep breath, and touching base with yourself is something that you can count on to recharge your batteries and refresh your attitude.

However, there is an entirely different way to engage in this activity that will not only do what’s mentioned above, but also will connect you with your core values and the wellsprings of your being. This is a gift you can give yourself that is fundamentally rejuvenating and transformative.

Not long ago I wrote an article, posted at E-zinearticles.com titled Time Management Tips – How to Energize Your Spirituality by Evolving Your Relationship With Time. In it, I reflect on the deepening power of the choice that we can make, in each moment, to connect with our deepest selves. Perhaps, as Wallace Stevens wrote, “… the truth depends on a walk around the lake.”

Whenever you choose to pause in the stream of tasks and events that constitute your day … and look within, you are affirming to yourself that your time (and thus your life) belong to you. This sends a powerful message to yourself – that you are autonomous! Embracing this level of responsibility enhances your sense of your own dignity and purpose. And this sense of purpose, in its turn, encourages and energizes your own search for truth.

I don’t mean TRUTH with a capital T. No, I mean the evolving element of depth that is a part of each of us – the element that each of us can access in our lives, when we choose to.

What you discover as you pursue your own search for truth will be varied. At times it may be surprising, disconcerting, or comforting. It’s a risk … opening to your daily and evolving truth. It’s an adventure, too. In many ways, it is THE adventure!

Ultimately, the quiet whisper of your inner truth depends on the times that you choose to pause – the times that you give yourself the gift of this walk around the lake. If you don’t make the space for it in your life, you are missing something basic, rare, and very precious.

How can you find ways to start giving yourself this gift today? If you can’t, what stands in your way? Drop me a line … I’d love to hear!

Speaking of transformational gifts … are you ready to explore your healthiest life? Ready to explore and consider some changes?

The MP3 of my interview with Nutritionist and Clean Eating Coach Wendy Battles-Plasse is just the thing for you! We explored how you can “Start Living Your Healthiest Life Today: Timely Tips on Clean Eating, Self-Awareness and the Power of Prevention.” We’ll send it to everyone who signs up on our teleclass page. This was a jam-packed, info-filled call … and it’s not too late to learn all about healthy eating and prevention from one of the best!

Let’s explore time together …

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Find Time to Listen to Your Heart and Expand into Your Truest Self!

Posted on May 19, 2010 by Paula, under Self-Care Time, Time and Energy, Time and Values.

Finding time to slow down and take a breath in the midst of everything that you need to do each day is a challenge that we can all relate to.

What if you’ve come to a place where you feel yourself questioning what you are doing? Maybe you are sensing that you don’t just need to slow down, but you also need to pay attention to that still, small voice that seems to be trying to say something to you?

That can be an even bigger challenge, because it’s always easier (in the short term) to continue on a well-worn path than to open up to your deepest questions … and to the possibility of fundamental (and freeing) change. But if your path doesn’t really suit you, then you are spending your precious energy and time on pursuits that aren’t in sync with your true values and your heart’s call. This ultimately leads to frustration and regret.

The good news is that we can choose to change that for ourselves. And we can begin at any time! All that it takes is the courage and commitment to find the time to truly listen to yourself. Once you open up to your heart’s voice and begin a dialogue with your deepest self, the next steps on your path will become clearer. That’s a guarantee!

It’s not a matter of doing so much as it is a matter of hearing and seeing, experiencing and assimilating … and being willing to let go! There will be changes to be made as you expand into your truest self. And they won’t all be easy. But you will know that they are “right” because of the way they feel in your core.

Are you curious about what your heart has to say to you? Do you already have that dialogue going with yourself? How do you create the space to keep it going? If you’d like to explore this further with yourself, there’s a very informative (and free) teleclass being offered by my friend and colleague Cindy Hudson. It’s titled “3 Keys to Creating Clarity and Connection in the Midst of Chaos” and you can join the exploration on Tuesday, May 25 at 5:00 pm PT / 8:00 pm ET. I think you’ll find it time well spent!

PS: There’s still time to sign up and access the MP3 of my interview with Entrepreneur Energy Coach and Founder of Body Brilliance Krista Hearty as we explored “A Secret Brilliance: How to Tap Into Your Unique Energy and Power.” And, even better, when you sign up, choose our VIP level and you’ll receive a word-for-word transcript of the call, as well as a special gift from Krista – an MP3 of her 20-minute guided visualization, “Present Moment Meditation.”

Let’s explore time together …

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Find Time to Reclaim Your Energy by De-Cluttering!

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Paula, under Time and Energy.

Finding time to de-clutter, whether it’s your overflowing desk, your bursting files and closets, or your too-full in-box, is a surefire way to access more energy for yourself.

How does clutter affect your time and your energy? Well, from my own experience, I can attest to the fact that clutter slows me down, and definitely adds to my stress level. Here are a few energy and time-draining facets of clutter that spring to mind:

When your space is cluttered, you often have to take an extra moment or two (at the very least) to find what you’re looking for.
It’s hard to know where to start when you’re in a chaotic space – meaning more lost time and more stress.
It’s just harder to get around when there are piles of “stuff” to contend with.
When your space is cluttered it’s easier to lose things … and to worry about losing things.
There’s stress in not knowing exactly what is there. Is there something key that you are missing because it is at the bottom of a pile?

Do you resonate to this list? As you can see, the down-side of clutter is huge – and its effects are far-reaching. You may not be aware of the low-level stress that you live with, but rest assured that it hobbles your creative efforts and your productivity.

That’s why I am really hoping that you will join me in my Finding Time EducationRich & HeartBased Interview Teleseries tomorrow! I’ll be interviewing Certified Life Coach and Professional Organizer Maggie McCauley, LICSW about moving yourself “From Chaos to Peace—Creating an Inspired Workspace.”

Maggie will be talking about exactly this topic – and giving you the secrets to stop letting chaos and clutter drain your time and energy, sap your creativity, and cost you money!

When is it again? Tomorrow … Wednesday, March 3 at 7PM ET.

Where? From the comfort of your cozy home!

Be sure to grab your free seat here: http://thetimefinder.com/Interview.html to join us! Imagine how you’ll fly once you’re unshackled from chaos and clutter. Picture what you’ll accomplish once you create the space for your inspiration to soar!

Let’s explore time together …

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Find Time to Manage Change … Just Ask Paula!

Posted on February 25, 2010 by Paula, under Ask Paula, Transitions and Time.

Finding time for dialogue with members of the Finding Time community is one of my favorite things! We invite readers’ questions and comments – and I love highlighting them here, most Thursday’s. Read on – and please feel invited to join in!

Here’s a question about dealing with sudden change, from Theresa in Chicago:

Dear Paula,

I need your help for a sudden change that my family is confronted with! My partner must relocate to Atlanta within weeks to keep his sales manager position.

He is our main breadwinner, and his saying no isn’t an option in this economy. But I have no experience moving to a new location, and must ready my 2 school-aged children, as well!

My head is spinning, I’ve lost my appetite and I can’t think or sleep. But everyone is counting on me! Can you please advise me how to make it through this ordeal? I hope you can answer this right away.

Thanks so much.

Theresa

And here’s my response …

Hi Theresa

You certainly have a lot on your plate! Here are some ideas for you to consider, as you navigate this challenging time!

The first thing I would suggest is to stop and find a comfortable place to sit, perhaps in a favorite room. Close your eyes and become aware of your breathing. Make sure you are breathing deeply and from your belly.
Next, create an affirmation that you can take with you at all times. For example, “I’ll get through this one minute at a time,” or “Step by step will get me there.” Use this as a mantra and a guide. Also, don’t be shy about changing it as things evolve. You can adapt your tools to your needs at each stage!
Be creative about options, and flexible. Family members may be unsettled for a while. So it may help to relax your expectations a bit until new routines can be established.
Concretize everything in writing, including an ongoing list to record items as they come to you. That frees up your mind for other tasks. Focus on one thing at a time. Validate even the smallest successes. This is key!
Delegate tasks and ask for help. Engage your children in age-appropriate activities. That helps them develop understanding and ownership of the move.

I hope you find this helpful.

Best of luck to you … I’ll be thinking about you as your move unfolds!

Paula

What kinds of sudden changes have you had in your life? How did you cope? Do you have time questions you’d like me to explore here? Please drop me a line at paula@thetimefinder.com – I’d love to hear!

Oh, and don’t forget to join me on Wednesday, March 3 at 7PM ET as I interview Certified Life Coach and Professional Organizer Maggie McCauley, LICSW about moving yourself “From Chaos to Peace—Creating an Inspired Workspace.” Maggie will let you in on the secrets to stop letting chaos and clutter drain your time and energy, sap your creativity, and cost you money! Be sure to grab your free seat and join us!

Let’s explore time together …

Paula's Signature

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