The Time Finder with Paula Eder

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

Archive for 'Time Boundaries'

Focus Online: What’s Your Sweet Spot for Finding Time?

Posted on April 30, 2013 by , under Time Boundaries, Time Management Skills.

Focus OnlineFocus is a (if not the) key to your productivity; and finding focus when you are working online can be a huge challenge!

The online world is teeming with information, interactions, and fascinating distractions.  Indeed, many believe that our attention spans are  (more…)

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Social Networking Time: You Can Like How You Spend It!

Posted on February 7, 2013 by , under Time and Technology, Time Boundaries.

Social Networking and Time BoundariesSocial networking can be a fun and worthwhile activity OR it can be a major time and energy drain.  Which is it for you?

On Monday we posted a survey, looking to learn more about how Time Finder readers feel about their social networking activity.  If you’re interested, you can still take the survey right here (we’d love to  (more…)

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Time Boundaries 101: Password Protect Your Precious Time!

Posted on October 8, 2012 by , under Time and Technology, Time Boundaries.

time boundariesTime boundaries are key to your productivity and your time success, whether you are a student, an entrepreneur, a small business owner, or anyone with a to-do list that is longer than the hours in your day!

In our always-connected, information-saturated world, time boundaries can be  (more…)

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Find Time to Manage Your Energy Crisis Today!

Posted on June 19, 2012 by , under Time and Energy, Time Boundaries.

Finding time, not just to survive but to thrive in today’s 24-7 plugged-in, non-stop environment may be the major challenge that faces us today, both as individuals and as a culture.  How many of you, as you start to read this post are already thinking about the next item on your to-do list?  How many of you wake up at night, worried about how you are going to respond to (or even scan) all of the e-mails piling up in your in-box?  That’s and extremely stressful, energy-depleting, counter-productive way to live.

Last summer Tony Schwartz, President of The Energy Project, wrote an excellent piece in the NY Times titled “The Personal Energy Crisis.”  He proposes that, rather than managing our time, we are better served if we focus on managing our energy.

Both time and energy are finite; but time is an external resource, while energy is something that we can actually renew for ourselves … IF we give ourselves the time to do it!  As Mr. Schwartz notes:

In physics, energy is defined simply as the capacity to do work. The more skillful we are at renewing our energy, the more capacity we have available. Human beings aren’t meant to operate like computers — at high speeds, continuously, for long periods. Instead, we’re physiologically designed to pulse, to move rhythmically between spending and renewing energy.

We inhale and we exhale; we wake and sleep.  The sun rises and sets; seasons come and go.  We, along with our environment, are in a constant state of change and flux.  If we don’t respect that and shepherd our energy, then we suffer … and our productivity suffers by extension.

At night, we move from light to deep sleep and back out. During the day, we oscillate every 90 minutes from higher to lower alertness. In effect, our bodies are asking us for a break every 90 minutes. But we override the signals with coffee, sugar and our stress hormones.

Respecting these rhythms requires risk and discipline.

  • It requires risk because respecting the yin and yang of your energy, especially when confronting a pressured deadline or a time crunch, is counter-intuitive.  When overwhelm looms, the knee-jerk response is to work longer and harder.  But taking the risk of giving yourself a break will actually enhance your productivity.
  • It requires discipline because giving yourself regular breaks are key to your success.  Ironically, it probably requires more discipline to give yourself a break than to pull an all-nighter!  There will always be that ‘one more thing’ that calls out to you, tempting you to move your time boundary and relinquish ‘just a little bit’ of your break.  If you give in, more likely than not, your entire break will evaporate, and your productivity will take a nose-dive.

So, my question to you is, do you think you can schedule in brief breaks for yourself today?  All week?  I urge you to try it and see what kind of affect it has on your energy.  My guess is that you’ll experience an immediate improvement in the quality of:

  • Your energy,
  • Your work products, and
  • Your moments.

Managing your energy crisis can benefit you in so many ways!

And would you like to learn more about how you can expand and deepen your time and efforts … in whatever areas you choose? Here’s a great way to explore avenues to increasing your time skills and heart-based 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 … let’s get started!

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Find Time to Put a Little Love in Your Heart

Posted on February 14, 2012 by , under Time and Energy, Time Boundaries.

Finding time for love is important.  We can probably all agree on that.  Yet in our busy everyday lives, love isn’t something that often has a slot on our To Do Lists.  So, not surprisingly, it can get lost in the shuffle.

We focus on it at times … like Valentine’s Day … but then more pressing things intrude.  Sound familiar?

And yet, finding time to put a little love in your heart is a foundational time choice that is key to your (and my) heart-based journey.  It’s the underpinning to everything else that we do, whether it’s serving clients, spending time with friends and family, or (maybe most importantly) spending some time alone.

A heart that holds compassion can hold anything!

And the good news is that letting love into our hearts doesn’t take a lot of time – what it takes is creating some space for yourself and simply opening.  (And opening your heart is a skill that you can develop and hone, with practice.)

Creating that space requires boundaries.  It may not take a lot of time, but it does require some, so setting boundaries is key to giving yourself the opportunity to open.  As I’ve shared in other posts, you need to be able to say “No” (i.e. have boundaries) in order to say “Yes”!

I’m very excited to be speaking at the Mompreneur Mojo 2012 Virtual Convention today about how “Unbeatable Heart-Based Boundary Tips Keep You Moving Easily Through Your Busy Day.”  Sign up and tune in to learn more about how boundaries can help you create the life you want for yourself!  It’s FREE and it’s going to be great!

And, in the meantime, set some boundaries and take a quiet moment today to open your heart with love and compassion.  See what happens.  See what changes.  I know you’ll be refreshed and I think you’ll be surprised by what comes to you!

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!

Let’s explore time together …

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Find Time to Do What You Can Because You Can Absolutely Thrive in 2012!

Posted on December 29, 2011 by , under Time Boundaries, Time Choices.

Finding time is always a challenge, and when you have big dreams and goals, it can really feel overwhelming.  That’s why I so love the third in our series of quotes … because when you do what you can, absolutely anything is possible.

To do what you can isn’t about skill or ability so much as it is about choice and will.  Here is the quotation, the third in our series, from someone who might be called an authority on doing what one can … Helen Keller:

 I am only one; but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I still can do something.  I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller

There are 3 keys here, to my mind.

  1. One is to be able to see, in any given moment, what is possible.  Sometimes this means “chunking” your tasks into smaller pieces so that they are doable in smaller increments of time.  Other times it may mean simply starting in on an item on your To Do List.  I know from experience that often a job that looks overwhelming from the outside, becomes quite manageable as soon as you begin.  So don’t be afraid to begin!

  2. The second key really reinforces the first.  It has to do with boundaries and with fully assimilating and accepting that you are one.  You cannot be all things to all people.  You are you, and that is plenty.  The more you can take this in the better you will be able to keep your eye on what is possible, rather than getting caught up in all of the possibilities!

  3. The third key is to be willing to do what you can.  That’s what Helen Keller is speaking about in her final sentence, above.

These two keys:  vision and willingness will enable you to thrive during 2012 … and that is my heartfelt wish for you as we travel the path of Heart-Based Time Management™ together.  Happy New Year!

And as you embark on 2012, here’s a great way to explore avenues to increasing your time skills and heart-based 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!

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Find Time to Respect Yourself-When No Means Yes to You!

Posted on December 28, 2011 by , under Time Boundaries.

As we find time to reflect and round out 2011, I have enjoyed using the following 3 quotations as a springboard.

Today let’s take a closer look at that second of the three:

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.  Dr. Seuss

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.  Abraham Joshua Heschel

I am only one; but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I still can do something.  I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller

When it comes to being able to really, fundamentally respect yourself and your goals, knowing when to say no to yourself is one of the best skills you can cultivate. And this is a boundary skill.

So often we think of boundaries as having to do with other people.  Those are external boundaries, and your skillfulness at setting and maintaining them will help you find the time you need relative to others.

You also need strong internal boundaries to support you in your life’s journey.  Internal boundaries are relative to YOU and involve things like how much TV you watch or how much time you spend on the internet.  These are time choices that involve you alone.

While we tend to think of “Yes” as an affirmative response, when it comes to your goals and time priorities, I encourage you to reframe each “No” as an affirmation.  That’s because attaining your goals and being true to yourself most likely involves the discipline of saying No to many, many distractions along the way.

Remember the proverb:  “If you chase two rabbits, you will lose them both.”  So, respect yourself and the goals that you value with each and every affirmative “No.”

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

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Find Time to Be Yourself, Respect Yourself, and Do What You Can: 3 Timely Tips-Part 1

Posted on December 27, 2011 by , under Time Boundaries.

Finding time to savor some quiet as the old year ends and new one is about to begin is a wonderful gift to give yourself.

Yesterday afternoon, as the waning sun’s light burnished the winter treetops golden outside my window, I was doing just that.  Enjoying the twilight moment, I started clearing up some files on the bookshelf behind my desk and came upon three quotations that I’d saved to use on the blog one day.

“What better day than now!” I thought … so here they are:

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.  Dr. Seuss

Self-respect is the fruit of discipline; the sense of dignity grows with the ability to say no to oneself.  Abraham Joshua Heschel

I am only one; but still I am one.  I cannot do everything, but I still can do something.  I will not refuse to do the something I can do. Helen Keller

What a rich smorgasbord of wisdom to consider and carry into 2012!  And I was interested to note that each insight relates to boundaries.  Boundaries are one of the core elements of Heart-Based Time Management™ – and one of my very favorite time management subjects!

Let’s start exploring with that first quotation from Dr. Seuss, about finding time to be yourself.  What does that have to do with boundaries, you might ask?

Well, what I would say is that the more comfortable you are with your boundaries, the more at ease and confident you’re going to be with sharing yourself, your ideas, and your feelings with other people.   That’s because when you have good, strong boundaries, you know that you are okay, no matter what.

Boundaries tell you where you end and the other person begins.  So, when your boundaries are strong and clear, you know, right in your bones, that another person’s feeling or opinion about you is theirs and really says nothing about you.  Secure in yourself, you can share authentically and allow others the space to share in the same way.

It’s a misconception to think of boundaries as barriers.  In reality, knowing yourself and your boundaries frees you to relate much more openly … it’s the heart-based way!  Stay tuned – I’ll be sharing more about these quotations in upcoming posts.

In the meantime, I’m so pleased to share that The Time Finder was, for the second year in a row, featured as one of the Top 50 Productivity Blogs of 2011 by Evan Carmichael.  We are so pleased about this terrific honor … and privileged to be part of Evan Carmichael’s fantastic collection of productivity blogs.  We have posted the badge in our sidebar, so that you can visit the collection whenever you want – it’s an excellent resource for productivity ideas, information and tools.

And if you are interested in learning more about the Heart-Based 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!

Let’s explore time together …

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Find Time to Create Quiet-Some Timely Thoughts

Posted on December 26, 2011 by , under Time Boundaries.

Finding time to take a breath can be one of the most challenging undertakings in your daily life.  And yet, it is also one of the most rejuvenating gifts you can ever give yourself.  So, the question is, how can you create quiet for yourself in your daily life?

In thinking about this. let’s start by reflecting on the recent holidays.  Did you notice that there were pockets of quiet?  I know that I did.  The volume of e-mail was way down, the phone rang less, Facebook was quieter, and it seemed like many people were ‘unplugged’ and living their moments the old fashioned way.

So, how did that feel to you?  Would you like to be able to create quiet like that for yourself more often?

I know that I felt refreshed, energized, and appreciative of the  break.  It served as a reminder that I can create quiet in my life any time that I want to.  All it requires is that I set and maintain some boundaries for myself.

Time boundaries may be something that you need to communicate to others (i.e. when you need to unplug or shut the door and have time to focus) or they may be something that you need to assert internally (i.e. when you limit your on-line time or create and follow through on an exercise regimen).

Either way, time boundaries can help you create quiet in your life – or create space for whatever your heart desires.  As far as gifts go, time boundaries may be just about the best thing going.

So consider giving yourself this present … for your present … as you embark on a New Year!

Ready to get started? Here’s a great way to explore avenues to increasing your time skills and heart-based 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!

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Find Time to Celebrate Clarity and Realism this Holiday Season

Posted on December 21, 2011 by , 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

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Finding Time for Genuine, Heart-Based Holidays

Posted on December 20, 2011 by , 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!

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3 Heart-Based Time Management™ Tips to Help You Find Time for a Lion-Hearted Holiday!

Posted on December 19, 2011 by , under Time Boundaries, Time Choices.

Finding time for heartfelt holiday activities is a warm opportunity to celebrate you and your loved ones, just as much as the season!  To achieve this, one of the key ingredients you’ll need is courage.  Now, I know that courage isn’t a word that one normally associates with this season, but read on …

Courage is key because it helps you navigate year-end demands and shepherd your time and energy so that you are able to experience more deeply satisfying moments.

Interested? Here are 3 Heart-Based Time Management™ Tips to help you access and activate your courage.  And just remember, this is one of the finest holiday gifts you can craft for yourself:

  1. Courage offers clarity and confidence. When you let your heart guide you, your sense of direction is clear. You can enter the whirlwind of the season with your feet firmly planted on the ground. Your sense of self-worth centers you and your clarity gives you direction as you make time choices.
  2. Courage helps you prioritize.  When your health and peace of mind remain at the top of your “To Do List” you clearly commit to safeguard them in the face of countless invitations, temptations and demands.  Which activities would detract from your time? Imagine declining those invitations until saying No feels natural and comfortable.
  3. Courage empowers you to step away from “shoulds” and create a vivid picture of your favorite choices in advance. These positive images provide valuable perspective and fuel your assertiveness.  When you say “No” to something, these images remind you of what you are saying “Yes” to.

I will share more thoughts about how expanding your courage expands your time in upcoming posts.  In the meantime, I also wanted to share some exciting news!

The Time Finder was, for the second year in a row, featured as one of the Top 50 Productivity Blogs of 2011 by Evan Carmichael.  We are so pleased about this terrific honor … and privileged to be part of Evan Carmichael’s fantastic collection of productivity blogs.  We have posted the badge in our sidebar, so that you can visit the collection whenever you want – it’s an excellent resource for productivity ideas, information and tools.

And if you are interested in learning more about the Heart-Based 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!

Let’s explore time together …

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