Time and Energy - 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.

Archive for 'Time and Energy'

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

No Comments

Find Time to Nourish Your Courage with Love: Today’s Timely Tip

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Choices.

Finding time to explore in new directions is a ‘stretch’ that will both challenge and nourish you. It requires your flexibility and courage and in return offers you great rewards.

One of the biggest ways that your courageous explorations will nourish you is that, with each step, you find that you actually have more of yourself to enjoy your time with! Even better, this expanding self is your energetic and proactive self – the one that buoys your confidence and sparks your interest in new things.

But you and I both know that some days that expansive courage flows freely through your veins. Other days, perhaps you feel in need of a transfusion. What can you do on the “droop days”?

If you tend to scold yourself, prod yourself to buck up, or give up on yourself in exasperation, try something new. I suggest that you try something simple and profound … and brave … like love.

Self-acceptance or self-love is the fuel that, like oxygen in the blood, will keep you going AND nourish you at the same time. This acceptance can be very simple and very compassionate. Comfort with who you are this very moment provides an unshakable foundation for taking fresh new steps. Furthermore, your self-love helps you pace yourself realistically, so you can stay grounded, and learn as you go.

I like to think of my existence as a progression of loving life lessons. Life provides the lessons; I provide the love. This compassionate embrace of each experience further fuels my courage and opens me to whatever is around the corner or beyond the next ridge!

So, next time you feel a strong desire to make a change, ask yourself if you’re motivated by self-loyalty or self-criticism.

If you sense any judgment or impatience, slow down! Start by replacing harsh messages with self-affirming ones. Then you know that you are acting in your own best interests, not reacting to real or imagined criticism from others.

Begin any journey appreciating who you are. You might give yourself an affirmation like, “I’m exactly where I need to be.” And know, right down to your toes, that you are!

Everything in your life has led you to this point. So warmly validate any and all steps that you have taken so far. The time you take to create a compassionate base for your courage will reward you every day of your life. This is such a powerful and sustaining practice … I highly recommend it!

As you courageously transform 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 Survive and Thrive Through Every Transition Time! (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time to Respect Yourself-When No Means Yes to You! (thetimefinder.com)

Paula's Signature

3 Comments

Find Time to Give Yourself Exactly What You Need Every Single Day!

Posted on January 4, 2012 by Paula, under Self-Care Time, Time and Energy.

Finding time to get everything done in any given day can be a very tall order. How often do you feel like you’re running against a stopwatch and depleting yourself in the process?

Don’t you sometimes wish that someone would come along and give you whatever it is that you need in that moment?

Well, the good news is, that “someone” is YOU!

Think about it. You have the power to give yourself exactly what you need every single day. You really do – I’m not just saying that.

Here’s something I’d love for you to try as the new year gets underway:

As you begin each day, spend a few moments with yourself. You could try meditating, going for a brief walk, doing some journaling or stretching – anything that slows you down and puts you in touch with yourself.

At the end of those moments, think about one thing that you want to give yourself as the day progresses. Don’t limit your thinking – all the possibilities are open to you.

Maybe it will be something intangible like self-confidence or focus.
Or maybe some days it will be something quite concrete like a movie at 7:30 PM, or a piece of chocolate after dinner.
Whatever it is, it should be something that you would like to give to yourself based on your connection in that moment.
And whatever it is, be sure that you follow through on it!

At the end of each day, check in with yourself. Did you give yourself what you promised? Or did you give yourself something different?

It helps to keep a small notebook and just jot down, each morning, what you offer yourself. Then at night you can revisit your book and write down what you received. You may begin to see some interesting patterns.

When you give yourself exactly what you need every single day, you are building a warm and trusting relationship with yourself. You will notice that everything feels more positive and more possible as you build a track record of self-nurturing follow-through.

This is such a powerful and sustaining practice … I highly recommend it!

As you transform 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

Paula's Signature

7 Comments

Find Time to Celebrate Clarity and Realism this Holiday Season

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Boundaries.

Finding time to give yourself a clear picture of what is truly possible during holiday times can reduce stress, temper expectations, and boost your benevolence – 3 big benefits!

Have you ever noticed how the “magic of the holidays” can occasionally regress some of your nearest and dearest into cantankerous versions of themselves? Well, it’s important to remember that this can happen to you, too!

But it needn’t. It helps to remember that what I wrote about gifts in a previous post holds true for all the other holiday preparations, too. No matter how many hours you invest in creating “perfect” holiday treats and settings, friends and family largely create their own levels of satisfaction. By celebrating clarity and realism … and not sentimentalizing the season, you can retain your perspective and your sense of humor, too.

When you say No to wishful thinking and unrealistic fantasies, you increase the likelihood that you will remain centered and accessible. That way you remain open to the real magic that holiday moments can bring.

And remember, no matter where you travel, you can always be home in your heart for the holidays. When you’re warmly at home there, then that’s where others will find you.

Happy holidays!

And while I’m on the subject of finding time for more realism and clarity during the holidays, how about a clear and realistic boost for your business?

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

Paula's Signature

No Comments

Finding Time for Genuine, Heart-Based Holidays

Posted on December 20, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Boundaries.

Finding time to stay with yourself and celebrate truly heart-based holidays becomes much easier when you access your courage and let it infuse you … AND your time choices.

Courage is you, living self-referenced yet emotionally connected. You fully respect the vivid range of feelings and associations that we all hold about these, or any, holidays. At the same time, you allow your own priorities and perceptions to direct your time choices.

When I talk about heart-based holidays I picture you reaching out in authentic and caring ways from your heart. Your genuineness and honesty speak powerfully and carry a warmth and meaning that eclipses symbolic gestures that might arise from feelings of obligation. Those gestures carry you away from yourself and ultimately deplete you.

Here’s a helpful myth to retire: You know how legions of ads proclaim that you make or break your loved ones’ holidays by your choice of gifts? Not so! No matter how exhaustively you search for that perfect present, you cannot commandeer or control someone else’s holiday experience.

Accepting this in advance can reduce your stress considerably … not to mention keeping you out of some very long shopping lines! And you may spend less time poring over catalogues that entreat you to bust your budget, too.

You can use the time you save appreciating the people in your life directly, right now! So take a nice, deep breath and enjoy simplifying your season.

So are you ready to move courageously toward more self-reference for your Heart-Based Holidays?

Well, here’s another way to explore ways to increase your authenticity and inner power – 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!

Paula's Signature

No Comments

Find Time to Free Yourself from the Perfectionism Trap-Your Heart Holds the Keys!

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Paula, under Time and Energy, Time Choices, Time Transformation.

Finding time to get everything accomplished is difficult, and when you add perfectionism to the mix, the difficulty is compounded (and then some).

I struggle with perfectionism myself, and can attest to its challenges. However, I have been able to dramatically reduce the precious moments that I lose to perfectionism. It’s been a heart-based journey getting there, and I’d like to share with you 3 of the keys that I have found most helpful for getting unstuck.

Open up to YOU: Perfectionism is, at its core, highly self critical. Know that the root of your perfectionism lies, not in the fear that what you produce isn’t good enough; it’s the fear that YOU are not good enough. As you soften your heart to yourself and warmly accept who you are … ALL of you … you will feel your perfectionism starting to melt.

Let Validations In: While I generally think that self-reference is the way to go, if you struggle with perfectionism, others’ assessments may be much more accurate than your own. Maintain a file of validations, compliments and thank you’s that you have received for things that you have created or accomplished. When you feel yourself doubting your product, pull out this file, read it and really take it in. These positive messages can counteract the fear-based voice that fuels your perfectionism. Work to take this information to heart and over time you will learn to give yourself the positive validations that can help fuel your productivity.

Let go Joyfully: Think of what you make or produce as a gift being given to a loved one. Let it go with love and joy – and see how different that feels from the fear and trepidation that permeates perfectionism.

BONUS KEY: I recently read a very helpful piece on Freelance Folder by Michael Law titled 5 Tips to Kick the Perfectionist Habit. I was especially taken with his 5th tip – a truly helpful insight to keep in mind:

Tip #5: Embrace the Value of Mistakes

Face it: as much as you’d like to be, you’re not perfect. Mistakes will be made in both your freelance career and life. Instead of fearing mistakes, remind yourself that there’s plenty to learn from them. If nothing else, you’ll learn that a mistake doesn’t mean the end of the world. In fact, it might be the beginning of a new one. Penicillin, pacemakers, microwave ovens, fireworks, and even chocolate chip cookies were created from projects that went awry. You just never know what amazing benefits an imperfect undertaking might yield.

I’d like to suggest that Michael Law’s tips, coupled with my 3 heart-based keys, can get you moving productively and joyfully toward your goals! Beating perfectionism means knowing in your heart of hearts that you are plenty good enough and that what you create and offer to the world from your heart is a gift to be cherished!

And while I’m on the subject of finding time for less perfectionism and more productivity, are you an entrepreneur, consultant, or small business owner who’s ready to take the next big step?

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