Time Management Skills - 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 Management Skills'

Find Time to Play Your Way Out of Paralyzing Procrastination

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Paula, under Time Choices, Time Management Skills.

Do you find looming deadlines stressful to the point of stopping you in your tracks? It can be a nightmarish feeling when the clock is ticking, your panic is mounting, and you feel like you’re losing ground with each passing moment. Sound familiar? The harder you try, the more your mind goes blank. Ideas and inspiration dry up.

Finding time to play your way out of stress and paralyzing procrastination is an enjoyable and empowering way to break through logjams and get back into the flow of things. Read on to learn one unbeatable breakthrough tip that you probably haven’t thought of – and that I think you’ll enjoy!

Quite often things like brainstorming and mind mapping can open up options when you’re stuck in overwhelm. But high stress sometimes invites self-criticism and self-consciousness onto the scene when you least need them. Then you give yourself undermining messages like:

“Nobody’s going to like that!”
“This just has to be perfect!”
“You’re running out of time!”
“Everyone’s going to see how ____ you are!”

As the tension mounts, you try things that have worked before, like taking a quick walk to step away and clear your head. But when you sit back down and start working again, you find that those critical voices are still there and still have lots to say.

When faced with a situation like this, try this one tip – it is a real life-saver, believe me! You can try it at other times, too, because aside from breaking up logjams and relieving stress, it’s a wonderful tool for stimulating your creativity.

Oh, and it’s an entirely counter-intuitive tip – and that’s its beauty.

Ready for the game? It’s called “Turn Your Inner Critic on Its Head!”

The next time you are stuck, make it your goal to generate the very worst version of whatever you are working on that you are capable of creating.

If you are writing a sales page, or a blog post, or copy for a press release, your goal is to shock and disappoint. Throw yourself into your task with the mindset that you are going to stretch the limits of boring, blasphemous, and bizarre. Use everything that you might have censored, and exaggerate it to the hilt. In other words, have fun with it.

What this does, as you may have guessed, is not only silence but absolutely flummox your inner critic. Actually, you put yourself in control of this voice by choosing to use it as a contributor to your project (rather than being a negative nay-sayer calling from the sidelines).

Harnessing the voice of your inner critic to overcome stress and stasis, ask yourself:

What does your inner critic think is a really terrible headline for your next E-zine article?
What would guarantee that your report would create shrieks of outrage?
What opening paragraph is least likely to capture your readers’ interest?

Go ahead and begin writing from this vantage point. Better than trying to drown out or silence your critical voice, you have neutralized its negativity and stripped it of its power. It provides comic relief and nothing more.

As you relax, you will find that your ideas begin to flow – possibly in new and unanticipated directions – and you can move ahead on your project with empowered energy. And I think you will be pleasantly surprised with the new inspirations that come about as a result of this counter-intuitive time management tip!

Now, how can you expand your life and make even more of your time using time management tips?

And 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!

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Find Time by Factoring Dependencies Into Collaboration: Increase Your Priority Power™

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Paula, under Time Management Skills, Time Priorities.

Finding time requires working in collaboration sometimes. And working closely with others can be complicated; there are lots of variables to consider.

So, to combine forces as effectively as possible, try thinking in terms of dependencies. When you do, your Priority Power™ will rise appreciably.

Is “dependency” in project management a term that you’re familiar with?

Basically, when an enterprise you’re engaged in calls for collaboration, the “dependency” is someone outside of your immediate work group who plays an essential role in your achieving your goals. When you prioritize tasks, dependencies must be factored in and accounted for.

Let’s say, for example, that you work closely with a number of different departments at your job. You establish a working budget for each quarter, and the finance department supplies you with the figures. Since they usually take four weeks to gather and compile the necessary data, you prioritize your request and make it well in advance of your due date. This way, you get the data you need with time to spare.

And of course, others depend on YOU, too.

Maybe it’s your daughter, who counts on you to create her costume for the school play. To be ready to play her part, she depends on you to do yours. And, without a second thought, you give this task top priority. Your openhearted commitment to support your child, and her reliance upon you, establish this project’s high priority as you plan your week.

So try consciously welcoming dependencies as you frame your collaborative work. See how your productivity increases with every incremental step forward.

Notice, too, how your greater sensitivity to others’ schedules and needs creates more flow and good will. That is a time-enhancer that not only makes you more efficient and effective, but also adds quality and inner quietude to your busy day.

So, want 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 Using Soft Deadlines

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Paula, under Time Management Skills, Time Priorities.

Finding time by using Priority Power™ is empowering, energizing, and adds flow as you navigate your day. As you work with your time priorities, soft deadlines are a particularly useful tool.

“Soft deadlines? That sounds like an oxymoron! What are they?” you ask.

Soft deadlines are due dates that you set for yourself, ahead of whatever your final deadlines may be. You can think of them as brightly colored buoys bobbing over rocks and shoals, marking the entrance to your harbor.

These are friendly deadlines that serve a twofold purpose:

They help you spot potential snags and
They tell you when you are nearing home!

Your soft deadlines give you the chance to plan that much earlier for what’s coming up. And that planning makes your progress that much safer and more pleasurable.

Completing a task prior to the last minute not only supports your success – it also enhances your flexibility. Sudden changes and unexpected glitches won’t throw you when you routinely provide yourself with earlier, soft deadlines. You’ll find it easier to tie up loose ends and handle the unanticipated when you give yourself that cushion.

Ready to start?

Try creating some soft deadlines for your most significant tasks. Mark them in your calendar, and consider writing all soft deadlines in one color, and adding the hard deadlines in another to easily distinguish between the two. Then practice focusing on the soft deadline, so that you create some spaciousness in your schedule.

More spaciousness equals less stress, and a deeper capacity to enjoy the moment you are in. Now, that’s Priority Power™!

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Find Time to Keep Your Blogging Fresh-3 Timely Tips

Posted on April 11, 2012 by Paula, under Time and Technology, Time Management Skills.

Finding time to write regularly is very important if your blog is part of your business plan. But that’s not all! Along with posting regularly, it’s key to make those posts fresh and eye-opening. You want to offer something unique in your blogging, so that people are drawn to your posts and find them useful and entertaining.

The good news is that this sounds more challenging than it actually is. And one of the biggest keys to success is your own engagement with the material you are blogging about.

So, read on … here are 3 Timely Tips for keeping your blogging fresh for your readers AND for you!

Every idea is a seed. You never know when an idea for a post is going to come your way. That’s why it’s important to always have some tools available for capturing these gems. You want to record your idea somehow, as it comes, right on the spot. It’s also important to make sure your ideas are accessible. Gather your ideas together in a few central places for easy access when you are ready to plant your seeds.
- A small notebook can work well, as can a digital voice recorder, for ideas that come on the fly.
- Depending on where you are, you can also send an e-mail or text to yourself, to jog your memory.
- Evernote can be an excellent tool for capturing ideas you find on the web – or for storing documents, lists, or jotting notes to yourself.
- You could create a category titled “Blogging Ideas” in whatever To Do List you use (Remember the Milk is flexible in this way).
- Another idea might be to create a Board in Pinterest, where you can pin ideas for posts.
- Try creating a folder for “Blogging Ideas” in whatever e-mail system you use, or keep a folder on your desktop.
- You can jot your notes and ideas in “Draft” posts in many blogging platforms, such as WordPress. They remain unpublished and available to you, whenever you want to continue working on them.
The important thing is to have your ideas close at hand, so that you can dip in and grab one when you need to.

Don’t slip into a rut. If you find yourself feeling stuck, pick an idea that sparks your interest – or even pick one at random, to give yourself a little bit of a challenge. Then change the way you write, to help you connect with the work. If you typically write at your computer, grab a pen and paper – or try dictating into a voice recorder to get yourself started. Write standing up if you usually sit, or begin with your closing paragraph. Changes in routine bring a fresh perspective and new ideas. Don’t be afraid to turn things topsy turvy and see what happens!

Breathing space can give you a big blogging boost. If the ideas aren’t coming – or if they feel stale, give yourself a break. Go for a walk, take a shower, do anything to move your energy and get you away from your desk. Don’t be afraid to step away; something new will come, once you make room for it! You are a wellspring of ideas. Don’t lose heart or think that you don’t have anything to write about. The reality is that you are full of wonderful seeds of ideas, just waiting to be planted. When you feel confident about this, you relax and create the internal space that allows your ideas to emerge. There is no scarcity here! Just breathe deep and welcome what comes.

Do you find it challenging to keep your blogging fresh? Are there particular practices or tools that you find helpful? How about topics that you’d like to read more about here? Please feel invited to drop me a line – I’d love to hear from you and serve your time finding needs!

And in the meantime, want 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”.

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Find Time to Bring Along What You Need for Each Day’s Journey

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Paula, under Time Choices, Time Management Skills.

Finding time to give yourself what you need is probably the most powerful productivity tool there is. It is what makes everything possible; and yet, for many, this is the item that constantly falls to the bottom of the list.

So, maybe it will help if you think of your day as a journey. Picture yourself setting off for London or New York or whatever destination captures your fancy.

Would you hop on the plane empty-handed? (I am guessing probably not!)

My guess is that you would have made a list of things that you knew you’d need. You’d have assembled them, along with some items that you ‘might’ want. In order to gather what you need, you’d have thought about what you’d be doing, where you’d be going, and also (based on your self knowledge) the things that would help keep you comfortable along the way.

Well, that same process offers a very helpful frame for scanning and planning your day!

You might try doing this in the evening or morning, either before bed or with your breakfast or first cup of coffee. Think about what you’ll be doing and what you’ll need to be as productive and present as possible in each moment.

I suggest that, for starters, you write down one of the things that you know you’ll need, and plan to give it to yourself. Then, at the end of the day, check in with yourself and see whether you actually did it. This will begin to build your self-awareness, and as you follow-through, it also builds your self-trust.

If you think about it, each day truly is a journey! The familiarity of our routines can sometimes mask or mute the adventure. You may not be heading off to Paris or Montreal or San Francisco this morning, but you most definitely are heading off on the unique and precious adventure that is your new day. So, bring what you need and take care of yourself along the way!

And in the meantime, want 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”.

Find Time for the Amazing Adventure That Comes Your Way Every Single Day (thetimefinder.com)
Find Time for Empowered Compassion™ (thetimefinder.com)
Finding Time to Nourish Yourself (thetimefinder.com)

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Find Time to Plan Ahead for Holiday Joy: 3 Timely Tips!

Posted on November 30, 2011 by Paula, under Time Choices, Time Management Skills.

Finding time to do everything you need to and still fully enjoy the magic of the Holiday Season can be a big challenge. That’s why it’s good to start thinking about it early. If you prepare for your holidays now, you’ll find more time to enjoy friends and family throughout this special season.

Here are some timely tips to keep in mind, as we leave November behind and move toward the December holidays. Remember that starting to think about this soon helps put time on your side.

TIP #1:

Your most important first step is to chart out your time on a calendar that displays the full month at a glance. This overview helps you assimilate your timeline. Notice the specifics about when your holidays occur, along with all the intervening activities and events. Include others’ events and activities that affect your holiday planning schedule. Are there school events or vacation times to consider? Be as all-inclusive as you can to give yourself the best possible picture of the days and weeks ahead.

TIP #2:

This rule of thumb is a constant for ANY planning you do around this time of year. Remember the “times two rule” that states that everything you accomplish will take twice as long as you anticipate? Well, during the busy time from late-October to early-January, I encourage you to think about changing this to the “times three rule.” As the winter holidays approach, you can count on the fact that everything will take three times longer than you think it will, because there are so many things to do!

TIP #3:

Be sure to set aside time for the ‘unscheduled’ events and preparations. It’s always a good idea to build in some ‘buffer’ time into your daily schedule. The more variables involved in a particular activity, the more chance there is that additional time will be needed. Even using the “times three rule” you can rest assured that there will be glitches and detours. The more cushion you can give yourself the better. (And if the time turns out not to be needed, you might use it for some relaxation and self care!)

BONUS TIP:

Reflect on how you felt after the holiday season last year. Do you want to consider doing less this year? Simplifying your schedule can provide breathing room and may enhance your overall experience. Remember that decisions you make now can be altered next year, depending on how they feel to you. This flexibility can help you find the balance that makes your holiday time as enjoyable as possible for you and your loved ones.

By giving yourself an overview of the season, using the “times three rule” for planning, and factoring in time for the unexpected, you will find time to do the things that are important to you. This helps assure that your busy holiday season is a happy and satisfying one!

Here’s one more idea for taking your next step toward time success. Sign up for our free gift, “The New Finding Time Boundary Template: 9 Simple, Sequential Steps to Find More Time and Recharge Your Energy!”

This time template will help you move beyond overwhelm, disappointment, and frustration. Using a workbook format, with room to record your answers, you will discover that 24 hours really are enough!

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