tasks - 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 Thrive by Focusing on Your Minutes to Optimize Your Hours!

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Choices.

Finding time to get everything accomplished in the time that we have is a constant challenge, isn’t it? Especially at this busy time of year, it can feel like you’re just barely keeping your head above water … when what you really want to be doing is focusing and appreciating each moment.

So how can you move away from overwhelm and toward thriving?

The answer is actually pretty simple. It was summed up very nicely by Lord Chesterfield many years ago, when he stated:

Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves.

When you are focusing on the present moment, laying aside worries about what lies ahead, you are going to be more efficient with your time and also have a fuller experience.

Not only that, but chunking your tasks and activities into small increments allows you to come to completion multiple times throughout your day. This is validating and energizing.

As you use your minutes to achieve small goals, you’ll find that your larger goals are accomplished in your hours. And you will be amazed at how this reduces your stress, worry and bother!

So are you ready to start focusing on the minutes and filling your hours to their fullest?

Well, here’s another way to explore ways to increase your power and effectiveness – whether it’s in your business, or your personal life … I am so pleased to be able to offer my expertise and support as The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to “Time Management”.

You can visit by clicking the link, and when you do you’ll find lots of 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 … I’d love to get started!

Find Time to Start Because the First Step is Your Key! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Let Changes Change You, Too! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Stop Making Yourself Feel Guilty: Timely Tip #1 (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

No Comments

Find Time to Start Because the First Step is Your Key!

Posted on October 5, 2011 by Paula, under Time Management Skills.

Finding time to be as productive as possible means taking the first step many, many times, as you work on different projects and tasks. Whether it’s big or small, long-term or short-term, the toughest moment in any project or activity is taking the first actual action step.

There are traditional methods for overcoming the hurdle of the first step, and they vary from one person to the next. For example, many say that the best way to get mobilized is to sit down and write an outline of your project. However, in the initial stages of many projects, it’s possible to get stuck if you go this route. That’s because so many elements remain uncertain in complex, multi-step projects that outlining isn’t easy or productive.

Other people highly recommend a Zero Draft. They believe you should simply start writing, not thinking about spelling, format or structure. Once you have something on the blank page, they reason, it’s easy to edit.

Neither of these approaches uses your time wisely.

So, what other options are there? I recommend that you begin a project at the end – defining desired outcomes.

Identifying your goal allows you to effectively visualize the overall result. You don’t become mired in the specific details of the topics you need to address, the resources you must consult, or the particular methods you will use.

Instead, with this definition of desired outcomes, you give yourself the framework of your project. Once the outcomes are defined, you can work backwards to lay out the needed action steps.

How does starting by defining desired outcomes ‘find time’ for you? You are engaging in a form of goal setting that is flexible. You avoid false starts, going off on tangents, or feeling obligated to follow traditional steps in order to achieve your optimal results.

When you give yourself permission to define the desired outcomes in terms of what you want, you activate your powers of visualization. You are then able to give yourself a very clear picture of what you plan to create. From that picture, your first step will emerge organically.

Try it and see. If you are willing to experiment with this alternative to writing outlines and Zero Drafts, you will begin your project with the two most useful states of mind: “awareness” of what you want, and “flexibility” in how you achieve it.

Ready to take that first step? When you free yourself from the obligation to follow the rules and give yourself the gift of clarity about your desired outcome, you won’t need to “figure out” where to start – you will know. Your first step will be right there in front of you, ready for you to take it!

Experiment with this alternative approach. The creative focus you develop through this process will enhance your power and effectiveness.

And speaking of increasing your power and effectiveness – whether it’s in your business, or your personal life … I am so pleased to be able to offer my expertise and support as The Official SelfGrowth.com Guide to “Time Management”. You can visit by clicking the link, and when you do you’ll find lots of 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 … I’d love to get started!

Find Time This Cyber Monday to Explore Some GTD Tools! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Stop Making Yourself Feel Guilty: Timely Tip #1 (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Chunk Your Tasks and Stop Procrastinating Today! (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

1 Comment

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)

Paula's Signature

1 Comment

Find Time to Stop and Really Listen to What You Tell Yourself About Your Time

Posted on May 11, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time and Values, Time Choices.

Find time to listen to your time language

What are you telling yourself about time?

Finding time to listen to the messages that you give yourself about your time is the first step in beginning to make changes in your time choices. It’s like looking at a map of the terrain, before setting out on a journey.

In order to begin to see the important landmarks and signposts on your map, you need to hear what you are telling yourself about your time. These are the messages that provide the backdrop to your daily living. They can, quite literally, shape what you do, what you see, and what you feel about your day … and often they are entirely hidden.

Powerful and hidden … that can be a dangerous combination!

So that is why it is so important to cultivate habits of attentiveness. The language that we use offers us sure clues to the feelings, values, and old scripts that we may be working off of. Do you hear yourself using words like never and always when thinking about time patterns or recurring tasks? How do you feel when you give yourself this frame to work from?

Are there particular phrases that you hear yourself using when you feel stressed? When you have a block of unstructured time, how do you describe it to yourself? Your language offers some very good hints about how you are likely to spend that time!

What inner voice is most often active when you are thinking about your time? The Critic? The Victim? What kinds of words might your Inner Adult or Inner Nurturer use?

Once you begin to hear what you are saying to yourself, you will see places where you can make changes that will shift your perspective and boost your energy and effectiveness. The power truly is in your hands … and the first step, as always, is to see how you are wielding it now … so that you can change it for the better!

Give it a try … and I’d love to hear how it goes for you.

And here’s some Time Finder news that I am so pleased to share! I am now 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!

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 …

Find Time to Move Ahead by Knowing You Can Stop When You Need To! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Move Through Fear (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Listen to What Your Time Choices Have to Say to You! (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

1 Comment

Find Time to Vanquish Procrastination by Pulling the Plug on Pressure Tactics

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Management Skills.

Finding the time you need and then losing it to procrastination can be frustrating, can’t it?

Yet despite our best intentions, some tasks seem to just never get done. They bounce along from one To Do list to the next, frequently provoking guilt, anxiety, and frustration. They remain stubbornly undone, while insidiously sapping your energy and making you feel out of control.

When you run into this situation (and who hasn’t) how about trying a fresh approach to make whatever task you avoid much more manageable?

Rather than being hard on yourself, bringing out those paralyzing, critical voices … try lowering the stakes to jump-start your initiative!

Do you ever try to push past your resistance by threatening yourself with drastic repercussions if you don’t toe the line? Ironically, when you envision catastrophic outcomes for failure to complete a task successfully, you can stifle your energy and incentive even more!

Here’s an analogy: if someone asked you to walk along a narrow, 12-inch path in a garden, you’d start right away, and easily accomplish the feat. But what if that same person were angrily or urgently shouting at you to walk a 12-inch plank across a raging river? The width of your path is the same, but the heightened stakes in the latter case might well keep you frozen on the bank. (I know it would me!)

So, pay close attention to your self-talk. Do you try to goad yourself? You can refuse to punish and paralyze yourself with threats! The next time one arises, picture yourself catching it easily, as if it were a beach ball, and tossing it aside.

Next, use your imagination to envision a Plan B, in case you run into problems with your project. Assuring yourself that you will land on your feet, regardless, helps you re-approach the task with confidence. Accomplishing even a small portion of the job will help you move forward and build from success to success!

I’d love to hear how it goes for you as you lower the stakes, let go of pressure, and move through procrastination, so drop me a line!

Oh, and before I forget, I was so pleased last week to be interviewed by a reporter from our local newspaper, the Monadnock Ledger-Transcript! The article, by Jonathan Gourlay, is titled “In a Busy World, She’s Making Every Minute Count.” Enjoy!

Are you struggling with procrastination? Feeling stuck? Inspired to find time and increase your effectiveness? 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 you’ll discover 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. The in depth interviews contained in this book provide practical and heart-based ideas to get you moving as you embrace yourself and your own uniqueness!

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!

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 …

Paula's Signature

No Comments

Find Time to Stay on Top of It All AND Free Your Mind with Evernote

Posted on January 24, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Technology.

Finding time to get everything done, and keep up with all of the information that is at our fingertips these days can be a daunting task.

How many times have you noticed something on the web that you wanted to write about or look into, only to get interrupted or move on to something else – leaving behind that item of interest. Or maybe you bookmark it, but with thousands of bookmarks, it can be difficult to find that particular thing that you’re looking for. In addition, you can’t add your own notes to a bookmark. I bet right now you have hundreds of bookmarks, going back years. Do you remember why you saved them?

Likewise, if you’ve got a hefty To Do List it can sometimes be difficult to manage and organize it, not to mention keeping a handle on all the additional information that you may need to accomplish your tasks.

And, to top it off, trying to remember the volume of data that comes our way every day, no matter how we choose to organize it, can clutter our minds with details, leaving little room for thoughtfulness or creativity. Overwhelming? You bet!

In the past I’ve written about tools like Remember the Milk (for tracking tasks) or Google Notebook (for capturing ideas, saving links, jotting notes, and keeping them all handy). These tools are excellent, but I have to say that when my VA told me about Evernote and what she was learning about its capabilities, it sounded like it combined the best features of many of these other applications.

What Evernote gives you is a web-based organizing tool that you can access from just about anywhere … and that you can add just about anything to. What could be easier? You can leave notes for yourself, clip news items from the web, paste entire documents into notes, and even share notes with others.

One of the most important capacities Evernote offers, in my opinion, is its searchability. It will look for keywords within items you have posted, and you can easily add tags to your notes, to more quickly find things. Not only that, but Evernote handles (and makes available) information in all sorts of different formats … text, audio, video, and graphic.

Here’s a helpful, basic tutorial for working with Evernote …

And if video is a modality that you like to use when learning a new skill, there are lots of video tutorials on the Evernote site, some quite entertaining!

There’s an Evernote Blog – for the latest developments and uses of this tool. And the Evernote Trunk offers a growing collection of enhancements. There you can browse for hardware, applications, notebooks … there’s even a notebook titled Ron’s Evernote Tips!

Ready to give Evernote a try? If you do, let me know how it’s going for you – I’d love to hear!

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.

Paula's Signature

2 Comments

« Older Entries