Who likes wasting time, stressing out, and procrastinating to the last possible second to get anything accomplished?
{dead silence}
Who likes getting shtuff DONE so they can chill out…like nowish?
{wild applause}
Not true!
Fact is, most people {entrepreneurs, CEO’s, home-makers, IT employees…just about everyone} struggle with the concept of being effective and managing their time in such a way that they are ahead of {instead of lagging behind} the proverbial 8 ball.
But wait! The US is # 2 in terms of GDP, implying we have an outlandishly-productive economy. We don’t waste our time!
But for arguments sake…{theoretically} if we WERE having issues with time-wasting…what would that look like?
It would surely include drenching yourself in a daily regiment of:
- Instant messaging
- Checking email {2+ hrs per day on average}
- Text messaging
- Shopping on Ebay and Craigs List
- Playing on Facebook, Twitter, and other social networks
- Spreading rumors about your boss
- Not having an agenda for the day
- Watching porn at work {becoming a major issue with employers – link, link, link}
- Good old-fashion DISORGANIZATION
And as more and more people seem to struggle with a way to manage their time, productivity lapses…and we go back to the comfortably-familiar cycle of procrastination, stress, etc.
Wait…do people REALLY have an issue managing their time?
Yes! and No.
Yes – perform a Google search for “time management“ 222 million results!
No – the real issue is not “time management” – it’s SELF management.
Big difference >>> and a MAJOR paradigm shift.
“Time management” automatically implies that the challenge is time – “there’s just not enough time in the day”.
But the reality is that EVERYONE gets 24 hours a day.
The most successful CEO’s, stay-at-home moms, athletes, authors, artists…they all get the SAME 24 hour block. And that’s it.
And you run enough 24-hour blocks together…you end up with a lifetime.
And THAT is what’s important to understand.
These little 24 hour chunks add up to weeks…months…and years.
And that’s why I recommend you spend a few minutes and complete a very simple exercise.
I can’t take credit for it – someone else invented {don’t know who…sorry} but I do this exercise periodically, and it always helps me to focus in on my key priorities.
Here it is:
1. Write Down EVERYTHING On Your Mind
All the things you’re worried about, everything that you’re excited about, everything that keeps you concerned at night…everything. All the stuff that is on your mind – spouse, kids, bills, work…the lot. This will take you a while – and should. Don’t leave anything out.
2. Go Thru Your List – Put A Checkmark Next To Everything That Is IN Your Control.
And scratch a line thru all the things that are beyond your control. The goal is to understand what is in your direct control to influence, and focus in on that. The goal is to also let go of the things that are not in your direct control or influence.
3. Put The Checkmarks On A Separate List, And List Them In Order Of Importance.
You want to list out all the things that you CAN control and influence. These are the things that you want to focus on, and when you have them listed, it’s importance to write them down in order of importance. Top priorities first – lower priorities last.
4. For The Top 5 – Write Down The Sticking Points That Are Preventing You From Maximizing That Priority.
List it out – what stopping you from getting these top 5 priorities in place? It could be:
Time
Relationships
Skills
What is it? List it out.
5. For These Top 5, What Can You Do To Overcome Those Sticking Points?
If it is relationships – what can you do to effect positive change and either BUILD that relationship, or influence it in such a way as to create positive reaction?
If it is a skill – what can you do to acquire the skill holding you back?
If it is another resource – who has the resources you need? What can you do to get them onboard?
**Note**
If the answer to any of these questions is “nothing” – it’s the WRONG answer.
There is always something that you can do – remember, this is the list of things that ARE in your control.
6. Final Step – DO IT.
At this point, you know what you gotta do.
Do it.
Nowish.
If you follow thru, you’ll experience a surge in clarity and a breakthru in productivity.
You’ll feel more in control, and your “mental clutter” will evaporate.
Seriously – I’ve done this more than once, and it works every time.
Cheers.
July 14th, 2009 at 5:55 pm
These are good techniques, I’ve tried using them before (but I’m a big procrastinator) and they didn’t work for me . . . Maybe I’m too big a procrastinator for these to work. Though I still get stuff done.
July 15th, 2009 at 6:21 am
i tried these they realy worked for me anyone who isn’t convinced should give it a go
July 15th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Good idea. Even I use to waste my time in online shopping. These ideas are really useful to save my time.
July 15th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I can relate to the communication. The overall picture of being able to focus on what you have control of has been a skill to learn in my corporate enviroment. You can\\\’t sweat the small stuff and keep focus on the bigger picture as someone once told me \\"what is the cost versus the benefit\\" of addressing or not addressing a particular issue.
— I use this phrase manytimes a day to assist in the decision making of so many tasks which present themselves. This assists in putting my time and energy into the one item which will benefit me or the orginization the most.
July 15th, 2009 at 11:03 pm
Its a great article.This article brings out the true meaning of time management.So many times we waste our time on unimportant issues and we don’t even realize it.This article motivates us to manage our time well.Thanks a ton.
July 16th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
I AGREE WITH THIS ARTICAL. MANY PEOPLE SHOULD JUMP ON THE BAND WAGON. IN THESE TIMES OUR TIME IS VERY IMPORTANT AND SHOULD BE USED RESPONSIBLY!
July 16th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
I like the part about checking off the things that are ‘in our control’… this is a huge part of getting organized. I read a book recently by Laura Berman Fortgang, called “Living Your Best Life” and she talks about this very same tip. Organizing the things that you ‘can’ control, and putting the rest to the side. It’s not worth it to spend a lot of time mulling around about things we can’t control. But the things we can, once it’s all written out and your mind is fresh with focus, things seem so much easier and clearer as well.
July 16th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
It’s a very useful and informative article about stress relief. It’s an excellent technique for the people who have stress. Explanation is very clear and easy to understand. It really helps the people to relieve from stress.
July 16th, 2009 at 4:31 pm
@DancingMooney – letting go of the shtuff we can’t directly influence is a HUGE aspect of keeping stress levels down. I’ll have to check that book out.
@Tawanz – GOOD DEAL.
@bivi – you’re welcome
July 16th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
It makes a lot of sense, but some problems just seem too insurmountable, even when you break them into smaller chunks. It might be worth a try though, just to get more organized and be able to fit more into the day, instead of thinking \’I\’ll do it later\’. I mean, if you procrastinate too much, you run out of time. Period.
July 16th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
This website is good and informative.iTs mainly for time utilisation
July 17th, 2009 at 2:27 am
This is a good article. These are good stress relief techniques help us in many ways. Thanks for posting this article.
July 17th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Hmmm well good point.I guess i should try these techniques.I am always late everywhere dont know why.I am trying to improve myself lately because this is really embarrassing.
July 17th, 2009 at 9:38 am
@piya – if you’re always l8, then this will really help. Let me know how you progress.
@tej – thanks.
@Connie – some problems do seem insurmountable – first, you have to decide whether or not it is in your control to influence. If so – then layout a plan for how you are going to effect the desired outcome. If not – work on letting it go.
July 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
We all some procrastinating habits that we tend to maintain throughout the day and to break these ongoing habits gets harder with time. You have given some good tips like writing all the things on your mind.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:28 pm
This is a very interesting exercise. I am going to give it a shot! Thanks!
July 17th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
@Traci – gr8 – let me know how it works out.
@Mikey – true that – we all have ‘em. It’s common to all – what is uncommon is the response. That’s what we are able to control.
July 17th, 2009 at 10:34 pm
I do agree with the issue of time management vs. self managements. Maybe that’s line that all must cross to achieve their happiness and success.
I will try this mental de-cluttering exercise that you’ve suggest and see if It works for me to. Sometimes I have focus-related problems when pre-occupied with other things. Thanks for sharing
July 18th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Thanks for the tips, I’m a HUGE procrastinator and old habits die hard, I’ll have to give it a shot!
July 19th, 2009 at 3:48 am
This article is great it tells us the importance of time management and the importance of it and how to utilise it. No body hsould waswte the time this article shows it clearly whether it is housewife r the enterepreneur.
July 19th, 2009 at 10:15 am
I think time is really the currency that\’s most valuable in our lives, much more so than dollars. Sometimes in order to make more money or save money, we work longer hours or engage in activities that take longer just to save a few bucks. Working at home has cut the time of commuting, and getting ready to go to work out–that\’s several hours right there. Imagine what you could do with that time alone!
On the other hand, some of the time wasters you mentioned aren\’t all that bad. I\’ve read a lot of articles on Lifehacker about studies that say people who daydream, doodle or seem to get distracted from their work are actually more productive. They\’re using that time to think out problems, reduce stress and so forth. I guess there\’s just a line you have to draw at the point where it gets in the way of your list of top 5 things you have control over.
July 19th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Thanks for this great list. Time management is a big headache for me. I\’m going to use your step by step list to try to be more productive.
July 19th, 2009 at 4:56 pm
I have used lists similar to this for making decisions thanks for posting this i wrote the instructions down and am going to get my shtuff in order.
July 21st, 2009 at 7:14 am
I’ve also tried similar techniques. They really do work. Most important thing is to write EVERYTHING down.
July 21st, 2009 at 8:03 am
these are great techniques. Sometimes it feels great to put some really easy to dos at the top of the list and do them… that gets the ball rolling for stuff you need to get done! also making daily and weekly to do lists helps put your plan into perspective!!
July 21st, 2009 at 9:31 am
@Molly – very true, you gotta get it ALL out for it to be effective. But once you do that, it feels like a ton of bricks off your back.
@Mr. D – time is without doubt the most valuable asset we will ever have.
July 21st, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Stressing over things out of my control is an issue. So is self management. These are things that may help me to to get along better in life.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 am
This is good article.Explanation on time management is excellent.It gives good and very useful information to the people.Thanks a lot!
July 24th, 2009 at 4:29 am
it is really nice.it seems to be very inspiring.it can also motivates our mind.i really like it.way of presentation is awesome.
July 24th, 2009 at 6:52 am
Very nice tips, actually, I totally agree with you. I will surely try them, thanks a lot.
July 26th, 2009 at 4:36 pm
Stress relieving techniques are really playing a vital role in this busy life. Often i lose control and cannot manage myself efficiently. This article is really helpful to me. I have tried these and feeling better now.
July 26th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
Seems like you’re dealing with two separate issues here — one is procrastinating on specific things that need to be done, the other is stress management. The task of writing down EVERYTHING on one’s mind is huge, and I can just see a procrastinator trying to start it, finding it daunting, and not getting either that done OR the stuff they’re really supposed to get done; so the exercise may be useful, but not for curing procrastination.
July 27th, 2009 at 5:51 am
@Turkey – procrastination leads to stress. and a person may choose NOT complete the daunting exercise. It does take some mental effort to write it all down and get it all out – but it also takes work to stress out about it. The exercise it not designed to cure procrastination – it’s to take a step towards building a habit of mental clarity and developing priorities to achieve the tasks that are causing the most stress in our lives. The only thing that cures procrastination [which is a habit of delaying action] is a habit of taking timely action.
@Missharp – you’re not alone. With so many things people are trying to balance in their lives, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.
@Robert – Thanks!
July 30th, 2009 at 8:39 am
What a good reminder. Sometimes when I have to try and “stop” procrastinating, I try to just unplug for a while. I think in our “always on” society that sometimes we want to get things done, and our list of personal and professional responsibilities gets co-mingled, so we end up accomplishing nothing, increasing the stress.
Most days, a good plan is necessary, but then the flexibility to deal with the ups and downs of daily life.
July 30th, 2009 at 8:52 am
Procrastination is the plague of this century. I like the way you have presented your ideas, especially step 4. Reflecting about what is preventing us from getting where we want is hugely important and we tend to overlook this step. Thanks for the reminder!
July 30th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
This is a wonderful article.
At present world, stress is something that is eating up everybody. You have given really useful measures for controlling stress.
May be I need to follow these tips.
July 30th, 2009 at 11:49 pm
It is true no one wants to waste time each and every second is very important we need to thing once the minute is gone it doesn’t come back again we have to thing in that way the person thinking in that way they may come up with excellent results its true very good topic for the viewers to view and can come up with some great ideas
August 1st, 2009 at 5:26 am
really , it is really a very good article.using this technique we can manage our time.it is truly worked
August 1st, 2009 at 11:30 am
This is really practical way to relieve the stress. It is a kind of articles which should be shared with the surroundings. The explanation in this very good and easy understandable. Stress is one of the vital role in many of the busy persons. This should be shared with them.
August 3rd, 2009 at 7:24 am
Stress relief techniques are playing a vital role in this busy life. This article contains many practical and effective ways to get rid of stress in our life. This is very helpful and should be practiced by everybody.
August 4th, 2009 at 1:47 am
Organizing the things that you ‘can’ control, and putting the rest to the side. It’s not worth it to spend a lot of time mulling around about things we can’t control. Stress relieving techniques are really playing a vital role in this busy life. Stress relieving techniques are really playing a vital role in this busy life. I like it very much
August 5th, 2009 at 7:05 am
It is a very useful article and very usweful tips i will surely utilise it for my future needs. Stress is somethign in todays world everybody faces it starting from the school level itself and this article tells us the practical level about it and how to over come it too. I will encourage others to read it .
Thank u.
August 5th, 2009 at 5:19 pm
But what if I’m too lazy to even make the list. No joke. I think a big issue is depression. We have it too easy. Our lives are not on the line. Put a gun to our head and we get real focused and get things done. Back in the day this was accomplished by being chased by bears or simply struggling to find your next meal before you starved to death. Now we don’t have to worry about that and we get lazy. I’m lucky I was even able to shoot this off before…zzzzzz.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Today’s world everyone is trying to overcome the recession but it makes them very difficult to do so, stress is something which everyyone faces but some try to overcome it and others may get depressed fast they find it very difficult to find one day’s meal in today’s situation but no other go they have to live their living seeting a goqal and trying to acieve it is very difficult but can overcome that by stress releving techiques main thing is meditationa dn yuoga which gives us good relief to body and mind this all have to concentrate i did it and now i am relieved of it.
August 7th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Hey great article man.I was wasting a lot of time.I read your article and i was very much impressed.what a technique u have given here.I noted this and i am going to use it.Thanks for this wonderful article.
August 7th, 2009 at 8:32 pm
This article was timely for me – I’m a teacher, and at the start of the summer, I had all these plans about how I was going to organize my life. Well, needless to say, school has started back, and my closet is still a mess, my garden still has weeds, and the clothes I was going to donate to Good Will are still in a bag by my door. My mind races at night because of the things I haven’t done – yet i had plenty of time to them. I do need to manage myself, and not my time.
August 8th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
I am horrible with procrastination. I think if I didn’t HAVE to be places, I would end up not leaving the house for days! I think you are right, we need to manage ourselves and it’s not really the time…..we all have the same amount in a day…that’s hard to manage!
August 9th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
i fully agree with your article. this article explanation about time management is really good. thanks for posting this article.
August 11th, 2009 at 7:25 am
What a great article! I, as most people, have a difficult time with procrastination and organizing my day. I definitely waste time on Facebook, emailing, etc., and would like to be more productive in my day. This is a wonderful step-by-step suggestion of how to curtail some of my bad habits and start focusing on the more important things in my life. Thank you so much for writing this article and for posting the steps to go through – I think they will really help me!
August 12th, 2009 at 11:45 am
after reading this article i found that many things are there in me n due to which i was lagging but thanx for the tips i m going to try now n trying to bang on target!!!!!!
August 13th, 2009 at 4:59 am
This is a good article which helps to know stress relief techniques. Thanks for posting this type of article.