Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going.  Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really  important."  

Stephen Covey

How Can I Do It All?

We tend to want to do a lot. Those of us who are overachievers, go getters and want more out of life tend to get into too many things and we lose focus. Those of us who want to do it all will soon be disappointed because we can't but that doesn't take away the feeling we have and the desire to do it all.

There are many things we can think about and do when that feeling of wanting to do it all overwhelms us. There are many things we can do that are good and some that are bad so we have to be sure we know what to do when we get the feeling we want to do it all. Here are a few things to do:

FOCUS

It takes focus. Focus seems to be the topic that comes up a lot lately. If we want to do anything well, we need to focus. However, for those of us who want to do it all, we can't really focus on all of it, can we? No. So what do we do? How do we focus on just that one thing that needs to be done right now?

POWER

It takes power of our mind, our thoughts and attitudes to be able to focus on just one thing. It takes strength to put aside those outside issues that keep coming up so we can do that one thing. However, it is attainable when we practice. When we practice, we become stronger.

MOTIVATION

It takes motivation. To stick with anything, we need motivation. Focus and power is good but motivation keeps us going. Our "why" motivates us. Our reason for doing what we are supposed to be focusing on is what should motivate us to continue on.

How can we do it all? We can't but focus, power and motivation will help us to do one thing well. Doing it all is not a realistic dream. Focus is. Focusing on what we do well, gaining knowledge on that one thing and finding others we can help by doing that one thing will give us a good feeling of knowing we have accomplished something. It will also take away the desire to do too many other things because we know that one thing we are doing is going to make a difference.

What is your one thing you have been called to do?

How can you stop desiring to do it all and stop being distracted by those who want to pull you into their world?

What are three things you can do today to begin to focus, to change your thinking and stay motivated to work on that one thing today?

"Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have twenty-four hour days." Zig Ziglar

.....................................................................

Frances Lucas has lived in Birmingham, Alabama for 40 years. She is a working mother with three children and has progressively improved her life through mistakes, persistence and a sense of humor. Her passion in life surfaced after a major setback in life which proves good things can come from bad experiences. Frances coaches in career and personal improvement, facilitates self-improvement classes and writes articles.
Website:http://www.francescopelandlucas.com 

This is the Time You Have (In JellyBeans)

So ... what will you do today?

Time Management Tips

Most of us have to work, and the more you can do in the least amount of time, the better. Working smarter frees you up so that not only do you have a job, but you have balance in your life !

  Getting Back To Basics

 A simple time management tip is to use a daily 'to do' list. You have a couple of choices: Write your list in the morning, as the first task at the commencement of your working day. Step back a bit and take the time to do it before you finish up the night before - as your final flourish for the day. This helps to free your mind so that you don't take your work home with you. Instead, you just leave it there to stew, all by itself, until you arrive next morning to take up the reins.

 Write It Down Forget trying to create a To Do list in your head. It must, must, must be written down. And then left somewhere highly visible, such as your desk top. That's why I suggest writing it in your diary, so you can juggle it with your other commitments. An effective To Do list will almost always be updated during the day. It is not a static document. As your priorities alter with each crisis, your list will be a work in progress. First of all, don't be unrealistic. Steal yourself to list only the achievable projects and activities. If you are unable to complete a task on the designated day, simply transfer it to the next day or another suitable time in your diary. Look at the daily To Do list as the map that keeps you on track. When you have written your list in the diary, go back and number each item in order of importance. Then, you can simply start with No. One and work your way through.

  Your Work Book In our busy working lives today, we are bombarded with so many different distractions that it is sometimes difficult to keep track of everything that's going on, particularly if you work in an open-plan office. Instead of recording on scraps of paper or sticky notes all the zillion thoughts that pass through your mind during these stressful periods, use an inexpensive spiral note book. Anything of importance that you write down can then be found again at a later date. Use it as an adjunct, or a companion, to your diary and as a great memory jogger. You'll find using a Work Book will help you focus your thoughts, remind yourself of past conversations and save time as you'll no longer have to search for all those "back of envelope" notations.

  Taming the Telephone Murphy's Law of Telephones and Deadlines means that when you are really pressed trying to complete a project on time, the telephone will take off, with a mind of its own. The pro-active person will rejig their answering message to say something like this: "Hi, it's Joe Bloggs. I'm unavailable right now however if you leave a message stating what your call is about, and the best time to phone you back, I'll get in touch later in the day." On the other hand, if you have someone working with you who can screen your calls (lucky you) word them up to give a similar message. Asking what the call is about will help you assemble any relevant information before you call back. This will enable you to better plan your day, to return all calls sooner and more effectively.

  Time Management / Stress Management Effective time management will directly affect your stress management. Using these simple, commonsense time management tips will greatly reduce your stress levels. Keep your systems simple because the simpler they are the more likely you will use them. By implementing these tips and continually sticking with them you will also avoid procrastination, and work smarter, not harder.

 -------------------

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specialises in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organised at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including "How to Survive and Thrive at Work!" To subscribe to her free ezine visit www.office-organiser.co

Overcome procrastination

Overcome procrastination and indecision and take charge of your life.

Eliminate Procrastination.    An action guide that actually works!

Everybody who wants to be successful at anything needs to 
learn the habit of taking action!!!

http://www.consultpivotal.com/e_inaction.htm

Work Harder? Work Smarter?

How about this: Produce the Time You Need to Have and Do All You Want   Time for Love, Time for Money: The Complete Time Production System. Workbook Included.   =>  http://www.consultpivotal.com/e_timelove.htm

"Be mindful of how you approach time. Watching the clock is not the same as watching the sun rise."

-- Sophia Bedford-Pierce

"Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least."

-- Goethe

joy and passion

"The worst sin - perhaps the only sin - passion can commit, is to be joyless."

-- Dorothy Sayers
……………………………………………………………………

Resource for the Week

CHANGE YOUR LIFE... JUST BY LOOKING AT YOUR PC MONITOR

Think Right Now For Windows makes every computer minute an effortless self-help session. Just use your PC as you always do. That's it!
Learn more now... http://www.consultpivotal.com/think_pc.htm

prioritise

"If you want to make good use of your time, you've got to know what's most important and then give it all you've got."
-- Lee Iacocca

……………………………………………………………………

Resource for the Week

People form their first impression of you in the first four seconds! Maximize your natural attributes to create an instant bond with anyone you meet Discover how to be your most irresistible self

gratitude

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow."


-- Melody Beattie


Resource for the Week:
………………………………………………………………….
"Make Time for Success!

Make Time for Success! is Mind Tools market-leading downloadable time management and personal effectiveness system.
It teaches powerful, industrial-strength techniques that help you identify what you want out of life, organize and achieve your goals, and make the most of the opportunities open to you. In doing this, it transforms the life outcomes of the people who take the course, helping them to become focused and highly successful.

time

"Be mindful of how you approach time. Watching the clock is not the same as watching the sun rise."

-- Sophia Bedford-Pierce

interest in life

Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music - the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.

Henry Miller (1891 - 1980)
………………………………………………………………………
Resource for the Week:

Download the FREE Productivity Start-Up Kit

- Take control of your time and get things done...

click here to learn more.