Hello Everyone,

Ugghh...It has taken me forever to write this newsletter! I kept finding myself distracted, putting it off... How many of you have been procrastinating in some area of your life? Maybe it's your work, exercise, self-care...what is that one thing you keep putting off but you know would make your life better? We all play a game with time. What I want to focus on is using your time effectively. Are you ready to stop procrastinating and pick up the slack? "The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one." - Mark Twain

Juggling Time

Time Management
Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them?

The secret to managing your time well isn't working more hours. The secret is working smarter, not harder. It is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively.

Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others of us play first and work and later. Are you managing your time in a way that works for you?

IS THIS YOU?

#1: The Chronic Nurturer:
You are super-organized at work, but burned out because you don't know how to make time for yourself.

#2 The Procrastinator:
Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren't fulfilling your goals and dreams.

It doesn't matter which type you are, or if you oscillate between the two...they both have something in common: a need for balancing time!

Everyone struggles with time management. The good news is that you can strengthen your ability to balance out all the different areas of your life: relationships, work, play, self-care, healthy eating etc. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger.

To help you get started, here are some steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:

* Allocate time for planning and organizing.
* Create to-do lists that are realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
* Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity. For instance try checking email only twice throughout the day, maybe once in the morning, and again mid-afternoon. I know some of you check your email every hour! Email is certainly addicting, it is a huge distraction, and interrupts the productive flow.
* Practice the art of intelligent neglect: eliminate trivial tasks.
* Prioritize what is most important and do that first. Ask yourself, is this task urgent? What needs my attention right now?
* Consider your biological prime time: at what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
* If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn to say NO. Likewise if you say NO all the time, try saying YES.
* Ask for help and delegate.
* In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.
* Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished.

Also take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large, too complex, or when we feel we won't be able to handle it. When you get that "deer in the headlights" feeling, try "chunking": break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps, and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged, and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, "Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?"

As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management can be your ticket to more fun, greater satisfaction, and a vibrant, exciting life.