increase your effectiveness - 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 Track Your Tasks with Doit.im This Cyber Monday

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Technology.

Finding time to manage and track your tasks in today’s busy world can be difficult. Not only that, but sometimes finding the best tool to track your tasks is, itself, a challenge. That’s why, on Cyber Monday here at The Time Finder, I like to share tech tools and tips that cross my desk and look especially helpful.

In the past we’ve shared here about Remember the Milk, a popular and powerful online tool that you can use to track your tasks. Another such tool that my VA recently told me about is Doit.im.

Doit.im is, like Remember the Milk, a free tool that you can use to track your tasks on lots of different platforms – from PC’s to smartphones, to tablet devices. This is a flexible tool that allows you to list, view and categorize your tasks in multiple ways.

All the data you enter into Doit.im is uploaded and stored in the cloud. This means that you can then easily access your own data anytime, anywhere … so long as you have an internet connection. You can group your tasks by different categories, either using the defaults provided or easily adding your own.

Of course, another challenge, when using an on-line tool to track your tasks, is deciding when to stick with the tool that you use – and when to keep exploring for the best version available. You can end up spending lots of time learning about new tools … when the improvements in efficiency and effectiveness are really minimal.

So, consider the pro’s and con’s. Are you satisfied with the system you use now to track your tasks – or is Doit.im something you’d like to explore? And are you inspired to find time and increase your effectiveness and efficiency? What will be the first step that you take to do that? If you decide to give Doit.im a try, please let me know what you think – I’d love to hear!

And speaking of “first steps,” I am pleased to share that I am The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to “Time Management”. When you visit you’ll find time management articles by experts in the field, along with a vibrant and welcoming on-line community. Stop by my Expert Page and leave a comment or question … or just say hello. There are lots of ways to connect … let’s get started!

So, what if you could find another hour every day? You can! You can explore some practical and effective options for taking charge of your time by signing up for our free gift – “The New Finding Time Boundary Template: 9 Simple, Sequential Steps to Find More Time and Recharge Your Energy!” Claim 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 …

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have no material connection with any of the products or tools mentioned here, and have not received any compensation for writing this content.

Find Time to Increase Your Productivity with this Cyber Monday Time Tool! (thetimefinder.com)
Doit.IM: Free Task Management App for PCs, Macs and soon iPhone and Android (crenk.com)
Find Time to Say More with Deck.ly-A Timely Twitter Tip! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time for These 3 P’s Whenever You Make Time Choices (thetimefinder.com)

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Find Time to Amp Up Your Twefficiency with Buffer – A Twitter Tool!

Posted on July 25, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Technology.

Finding time to be efficient and effective with your Twitter time is helped immensely by the Twitter tool I want to share with you today.

It’s called Buffer and what it does is allow you to spread your tweets out, throughout the day, rather than swamping your followers with lots of tweets all at once.

Three C’s: Twitter is about content, connecting, and constancy … that’s how I like to think of it.

It’s an excellent venue for sharing content that you create – or information that you find interesting or valuable, and want to share with your tweeps. Useful information is so easily accessed and shared on Twitter – it really can’t be beat.
And Twitter is, at its core, all about connecting - letting people know you, and coming to know other people in 140 character snippets!
The Twitter stream is always flowing … and if you could monitor and respond constantly, that would be ideal in terms of your visibility – your ability to connect and share content. But, of course, that’s not possible … so that’s where a Twitter tool like Buffer comes in.

What Buffer does, basically, is give you the capacity to spread your tweets out, rather than flooding your Twitter stream when you happen to be on-line. Here’s what Buffer’s founders say about their Twitter tool:

We designed Buffer to offer you a both personal and yet more efficient solution to handle twitter.

Buffer makes your life easier with a smarter way to schedule tweets. Work out all your tweets at one point in time during the day. Then fill up your Buffer with your tweets and Buffer schedules them for you. Simply keep that Buffer topped up and you will then be tweeting consistently all day round, all week long.

The browser extensions for Buffer make Tweeting that much easier, and you can explore free or paid subscriptions, depending on your need.

In this video, you can see how it works – and learn a very useful way to use Google Alerts to enhance your tweets.

And are you inspired to find time and increase your tweffectiveness and twefficiency? What will be the first step that you take to do that?

Speaking of “first steps” here’s an exciting first for me! I am pleased to share that I am The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to “Time Management”. When you visit you’ll find time management articles by experts in the field, along with a vibrant and welcoming on-line community. Stop by my Expert Page and leave a comment or question … or just say hello. There are lots of ways to connect … let’s get started!

Let’s explore time together …

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have no material connection with the brands, topics, or products that are mentioned here, and have not received any compensation for writing this content.

Find Time to Boost Your Twefficiency (That’s Twitter-Plus-Efficiency) on Cyber Monday: 10 Timely Twitter Tools! (thetimefinder.com)
A better Twitter management tool – Buffer App (dailybloggr.com)
Find Time to Chunk Your Tasks and Stop Procrastinating Today! (thetimefinder.com)

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Find Time to Really Do Your To Do List -3 Powerful Time Tips

Posted on July 20, 2011 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

Finding time to complete the items on your to-do list is an ongoing challenge. Sometimes those lists become so challenging in and of themselves that we want to avoid them … and that’s not a good idea!

Have you run into problems with managing these lists for yourself? I have a friend who jots ideas and tasks on scraps of paper and sticky notes, putting them in her date book as the day goes on. she captures a lot of material that way, but, as you can probably imagine, by the end of most days that date book looks like it’s filled with confetti! Sometimes the notes fall out, or get covered by other notes.

So, yes, it’s a challenge to keep up with it all.

That’s why I encourage any and everyone to take time — even just five minutes — at the beginning and end of the day, to plan, prioritize/consolidate, and review your list (or lists).

Each piece of this process is important, so let’s focus on each separately with these 3 Powerful Time Tips:

Finding time to plan is like scanning the landscape from up in the air. You need to get the lay of the land, note any barriers, and decide on your route. Really, what you’re determining is how you’re going to travel through your day. This is the most important part of your process – without it you’ll be embarking on your journey without a compass– and I guarantee, you’re going to get lost!

When you’re navigating your day, it’s really important to know where you’re starting, where you want to end up, and the major intersections and turning points along the way.

Having a plan doesn’t mean that there won’t be a need to make changes as the day unfolds. It simply gives you a map. Ideally your map will include alternate routes for any unforeseen contingencies. You don’t need to go into a lot of detail about those routes, but it’s important (and reassuring) to know that they’re there.

And don’t forget the “Times 2 Rule” when you plan! No matter what the task, it’s good to assume that it will take at least twice as long as you predict. (And what a gift to yourself, if you end up with a little extra time at the end of the day!)

Finding time to prioritize and consolidate your tasks is another very helpful time management skill to develop. Again, you needn’t spend a lot of time on this. As you look at your plan for the day or your To Do List, highlight the three tasks that you absolutely want to accomplish on this day.

Also, if you’ve got any tasks that can easily be put together, be sure to connect them. This might include things like errands that involve stops close to one another, putting all of your computer-related tasks in the same time slot, etc.

And if you maintain your To Do List or Daily Plan on a computer you can rearrange your tasks as you consolidate and create your priorities. Having a clean list makes things a little easier and less stressful for yourself.

Last but not least, finding time to review at the end of the day is very important! It gives you an opportunity to tweak your to do list for the next day, adjust your priorities, reflect on any lessons learned, and let go of it all as you had to bed.

Letting go is a wonderful gift that this process allows you to give yourself. As your head hits the pillow, you can release any worries that you might be carrying, knowing that they are on your list and will be addressed in the morning. Your sleep will be more restful, and you’ll have more energy as your day begins!

So, are you ready to start really DOING what’s on your To Do List? Consider giving these 3 Powerful Time Tips a try … and I’d love to hear how it goes for you.

And here’s something more to consider. You can now access our Time Finder posts in real time … right on your Kindle. Try it out for 14 days FREE! You’ll receive new content wirelessly, 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! Claim 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 …

Find Time for All the Colors in the Rainbow: A Time-Saving Tool (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Increase Your Productivity with this Cyber Monday Time Tool! (thetimefinder.com)
Remember The Milk – Forums / Tips & Tricks / Monk to Done, my GTD approach (rememberthemilk.com)
Find Time to Get to Your Goals the Flexible Way-3 Time Tips! (thetimefinder.com)

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Find Time to Chunk Your Tasks and Stop Procrastinating Today!

Posted on July 19, 2011 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

Finding time to stop procrastinating is one of the best time management skills that you can ever develop for yourself. And it’s a challenge … for all of us.

It doesn’t do you much good to let your inner critic try to goad you into action when you find yourself procrastinating. In fact, this will often lead to increased stress and, perhaps, the introduction of your “inner rebel” to the conversation. It’s a great recipe for digging your heels in even deeper, and coming to a virtual standstill.

But think about it: you don’t even know that you’re procrastinating unless you have some goals. So, the good news is if you know you’re stuck, it’s because you know where you want to go or what you want to do.

But getting from where you are to where you want to be involves effort. Effort is work. It means an investment of your time and energy. And when you invest effort, you expect and want to reap some kind of reward.

So, in some very basic ways, I think that one major source of procrastination can be the size of the gap between the effort and the reward. The larger the gap, the more likely you are to be challenged by procrastination.

If you have a really big task to do, something that is going to take days, weeks or even months to finish, when will you begin to see the benefits of your work? It can require skill and discipline to get started on a task like that … when the reward is so far in the distance that you need a telescope to see it!

But the good news is that you can build in your own rewards! You can do this by the way you structure your task, the ways that you remind yourself about it, and what you say to yourself when you’ve completed each step.

Chunking tasks down into bite sized pieces is a fundamental component of any attempt to overcome procrastination and begin to make headway on your goals. Chunking is a time management skill that gives you stepping stones and stopping places (where you can give yourself pats on the back along the way).

Basically, what chunking does is narrow the gap between your effort and your reward.

So, the next time you find yourself procrastinating about something, grab a piece of paper and write down the task at the top. Then create at least 10 stepping stones to get yourself to your goal. Begin with a first, small step as soon as you have finished writing down your stepping stones. (If you can’t do it immediately, be sure to schedule a specific time, and then follow through on your commitment.)

Notice how your energy changes and the impossible begins to feel possible! Chunking and creating stepping stones are the key. Then whenever you invest effort be sure that you validate yourself with some sort of reward, be it a kind word, a break, or something else that appeals to you.

And are you inspired to find time and increase your effectiveness, efficiency and enjoyment? What will be the first step that you take to start chunking and stop procrastinating?

Let’s explore time together …

Find Time to Increase Your Productivity with this Cyber Monday Time Tool! (thetimefinder.com)
Finding Time to Outwit Another Time Gremlin: The Procrastinator (thetimefinder.com)
Procrastination – Why you do it, and how to stop (yourmindyourbody.org)

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Find Time to Make Time Choices that Enhance Your Time Success

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Paula, under Time Choices.

Finding time to make sure that your time choices are working for your time success (and not against it) is a foundational time management skill.

Yesterday we started exploring the 3 P’s of time choices by looking at how being Proactive is a key to time success. Today I’d like to take a look at the other 2 P’s – assuring that your time choices are Productive and Positive.

Productive time choices contribute to your time success by moving you toward your goals. That seems pretty self-evident. However, what’s important here is that you base your choices on solid self knowledge.

In a situation where you are pushing to complete a project and are overtired or hungry, your most productive time choice might be to give yourself a break rather than to keep going at it. You are the best judge here, and what’s key is to take responsibility to know yourself and know what works best for you. There’s no right or wrong when it comes to time success … it’s what works that counts!

Making positive time choices is the third key to your time success. This skill has to do with the content of your time choices, your perspective on them, and most importantly, with what part of you is making these choices.

If you hear a self-critical tone embedded in your choices, or perhaps a voice that sounds victimized and beleaguered, then you can be sure that your choices aren’t positive and you aren’t fully behind them. And what this means in practice is that you are out of alignment. You are not optimizing your energy and effort. And you can pretty much guarantee that somewhere along the line, things will fall apart.

Time success is within your reach. That’s what I hope you will take away from these posts. When you recognize the importance of each and every time choice, and keep in mind the 3 P’s, you can attain your goals, whether they be big or small. In the meantime, here’s something else to consider as you continue your journey to time success …

Would you like to continue to address your time challenges so that you can find time to increase your effectiveness, efficiency, enjoyment … and heart-based success?

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 harnessing the power of your mind, your body and your spirit to help you explore your patterns, clarify your values, identify and prioritize your goals … and create your path for achieving them.

As one reader has said:

In fostering a climate of ever-expanding and deepening discovery, Paula’s system offers solutions that are founded in self-knowledge. They have a resonance and a wisdom that I find to be very unusual in the time management sphere. Jordy Cornog, Canterbury, NH

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 for These 3 P’s Whenever You Make Time Choices (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Create a Goal-Setting Mindset to Achieve Success: 3 Timely Tips (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Step into Heart-Based Success! (thetimefinder.com)

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Finding Time and Focus No Matter What: Even Adult ADD Can’t Stop You with These 3 Timely Tips

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

Finding time is a daily challenge for all of us. It requires focus and discipline. But what about finding time and focus when Adult ADD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) is part of the mix for you?

Well, the good news is that while Adult ADD makes finding time more of a challenge, it doesn’t make it impossible. But let’s take a step back first. If you have been diagnosed with Adult ADD your reaction was likely as unique as you are. It may have ranged from feelings of loss about being “different’ to a measure of relief at having a name and a whole body of knowledge for something that you had been struggling with, perhaps for a long, long time. Here’s a brief description of the experience of Adult ADD, from the ADD Management Group Site (an excellent resource, by the way):

If you’re like many adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, then you’re struggling to simplify your life, focus on what’s important, and succeed at your goals.

You wake up feeling like you’re running behind. You go to bed feeling like you didn’t accomplish enough. You’re always stressed out. In general, you feel overwhelmed, unorganized, unproductive, lazy, and guilty.

It’s an exhausting way to live.

Many of us may be able to relate to some of these feelings, but not to the relentless and all-encompassing degree that someone with Adult ADD experiences them.

Jennifer Koretsky, author, coach and founder of the ADD Management Group has written an extremely readable and helpful book on this subject titled Odd One Out: The Maverick’s Guide to Adult ADD. One of the fundamental points that she emphasizes is that everyone diagnosed with Adult ADD has a choice right from the get go. “You can choose to see your ADD as a disability or a difference.” That basic choice then helps define many of the subsequent steps in your path.

So let’s start right there, with the first 3 tips (more to come tomorrow):

Viva la difference! You are probably very familiar with the ways that Adult ADD trips you up and makes your life difficult. But have you thought about the things that you LIKE about how you interact with your life? Brainstorm a list of the positives. Don’t censor yourself or hold back … this is for YOU.Next, choose your Top 5 from that list. Assimilate them. You are YOU and that is to be celebrated. The more you take that in, the more the impossible becomes possible.
One size doesn’t fit all. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with Adult ADD, then gathering and using time management tools that work for you is going to be a key element in your time success. It is really important to remember that there is no “right way.” Your job is to seek out the best information and advice that you can find … and ultimately to follow your own unique path and use what works for you.
Start small and keep it simple. While it might look tempting, probably the last thing you need is a complicated time management system with lots of bells and whistles. Think small increments of time and simple tools for success, especially as you are starting out. Be patient with yourself, and write down what works as you explore this new path for yourself.What will emerge is your personal plan for time success. You can do it … step by step by step. How about taking your first step today?

And speaking of “first steps” here’s an exciting first for me! I am so pleased to share that I am The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to “Time Management”. When you visit you’ll find time management articles by experts in the field, along with a vibrant and welcoming on-line community. Are you inspired to explore time management tips and tools to increase your effectiveness, efficiency and enjoyment? Then, I invite you to check out SelfGrowth.com and explore the many resources available there. And don’t be shy – stop by my Expert Page and leave a comment or question … or just say hello. There are lots of ways to connect … let’s get started!

Let’s explore time together …

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have no material connection with the book and ADD Management website that are mentioned here, and have not received any compensation for writing this content.