Are you driven by the apparent nonsense of what you think you have to do and driven insane because you have other things that you should be doing?
Yep, you’re it. You run the business, but there is only so much of you to go around. There is never enough time to accomplish the endless amount of work that seems to have landed on your plate. You simply can’t do it all and further more; trying to do it all really does make you feel like you have lost your mind.
So how do you make the most of your time and your gifts? You can do that by focusing on three key aspects of your life.
“What should I Do? Delegate? Dump?”
Recognize that life and business are often driven by the tyranny of the urgent rather than strategically managed. There is one question that is amazing simply but profoundly important: “What should I be spending my time on?”
So how will you get to the answer? There are some additional questions that you can use to drill down to bedrock.
“Where do I get my most productive energy? What am I passionate about? What do I love to do and feel like I am at the top of my game when I am doing it?”
“What am I really good at? Where do I have the most impact? Where do I shine?”
“What needs to be done that only I can do? What jobs can be done by others, just as well or even better? What am I spending lots of time doing that really drains my energy?”
What is taking time that really doesn’t need to be done, or if not done, would have little impact?”
Now, calculate how much you are making per hour when you are performing the best service you can for your clients and use that number as a base. Then, using that number, figure out how much you are spending doing the things that drain your energy or that someone else could do just as well. Could you hire someone else to do that for less? If it costs less to have someone else do the job than it "costs" you in lost income when you do it, then find someone else to pick up the load. And do it as soon as you have the cash flow to allow the expense.
By the same token, figure out what really isn’t effective that you are doing now? Are there ways to eliminate this function from your business or your personal life? The basis of this is three core questions: “What should I do? What should I delegate? What should I dump?”
It is all about leveraging your time and your strengths. The concept is simple enough but unless you strategically implement the plan, you will continue to spin your wheels and eventually you will burn out! As the years go by and the effects of allocating your time wisely have a huge impact on your level of satisfaction and your bank account, you'll be glad you did.
Tell me what you think?
Friday, May 8, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
One Thing
I have friends who say to me that I am unusually productive. They attribute my productivity to a high degree of energy. Perhaps I do have a lot of energy but there are plenty of times when all I really want to do is lay on the couch and watch some mindless television program. Definitely not the "must see TV" stuff!
Actually, I don't think that I am blessed with more energy than other people. I think that it is something else. I want to share with you a wonderful strategy that I have found has helped me to become more productive.
This actually comes from Brian Tracy. I have heard this over many years; but it wasn't until I actually did something about it that my productivity began to soar. Tracy says to figure out the most important action you need to take in order to reach your goals. Then, spend at least some time every day working on it. Sounds simple, but here's the thing. Unless you actually do it, it won't work.
Whatever the most critical strategy you have for your business, your life or your leadership skills, do something every day to advance that. Maybe you are waiting until you feel more inspired or more energetic. Perhaps you are waiting for significant blocks of time to accomplish the tasks. But in fact, you don't need hours. It may be that all you need to do is make ONE phone call, to send out ONE email, or read ONE chapter of a resource that will further inform your position.
The approach of doing something ---one thing --- every day actually takes less time than trying to figure out when you will have the time. So some days I do quite a bit. Other days, I do very little. It might be nothing more than making a follow-up phone call or doing some administrative work, but the key truly is to do something every day.
I've been pretty good about it. Yes, I've missed a few days. It's hard not to, but the important thing is setting the intention. I think that you will find like I did that you'll get a lot more done if you resolve to do one thing every day. Don't wait till it's convenient ... or you have time blocked out ... or you're feeling moved to take action.
I really hope you'll try it out and let me know how well it works for you.
Actually, I don't think that I am blessed with more energy than other people. I think that it is something else. I want to share with you a wonderful strategy that I have found has helped me to become more productive.
This actually comes from Brian Tracy. I have heard this over many years; but it wasn't until I actually did something about it that my productivity began to soar. Tracy says to figure out the most important action you need to take in order to reach your goals. Then, spend at least some time every day working on it. Sounds simple, but here's the thing. Unless you actually do it, it won't work.
Whatever the most critical strategy you have for your business, your life or your leadership skills, do something every day to advance that. Maybe you are waiting until you feel more inspired or more energetic. Perhaps you are waiting for significant blocks of time to accomplish the tasks. But in fact, you don't need hours. It may be that all you need to do is make ONE phone call, to send out ONE email, or read ONE chapter of a resource that will further inform your position.
The approach of doing something ---one thing --- every day actually takes less time than trying to figure out when you will have the time. So some days I do quite a bit. Other days, I do very little. It might be nothing more than making a follow-up phone call or doing some administrative work, but the key truly is to do something every day.
I've been pretty good about it. Yes, I've missed a few days. It's hard not to, but the important thing is setting the intention. I think that you will find like I did that you'll get a lot more done if you resolve to do one thing every day. Don't wait till it's convenient ... or you have time blocked out ... or you're feeling moved to take action.
I really hope you'll try it out and let me know how well it works for you.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
The Value of A Coach in an Economic Downturn
It is no surprise to anyone that our economy is in the tank. We have unemployment numbers that have not been seen for nearly thirty years. If you have not been personally affected by the downsizing, layoffs, forced retirements etc. you surely know someone who has.
So because money may be really tight, it seems to require a of bit hubris to suggest that at this time, more than any other, people really need a coach!
Here is why I think so. Our economy always has periods when it goes up and when it goes down. In the last thirty years, we have seen a huge surge in technology and an enormous shift in the way business is done. Thirty years ago, those of us who were in the corporate world, could not have imagined what business would look like today, During those three decades, people started to think differently. They began to use their creative genius to propel us to a different level.
Today most of us are working from our laptops. Thirty years ago, a laptop was one of those contraptions with a bean bag pillow stapled to a oversized clip board the kids used in the back seat of a car to finish their homework. I can guarantee you that things will not stay the same in the workplace, no matter what the economy. I heard recently, that fifty percent of the jobs that will be held ten years from now, we have not yet even conceived of!
So, there is, amidst all of this, the most incredible opportunity for all of us to rethink our future. It is the best time to redesign, retool and refocus. A coach will add value to your process by helping to accomplish in a fraction of the time what you would do – that is if you could do - by yourself. A good coach will have many tools in his/her tool bag. But more than anything else, a good coach will help you discover for yourself what opportunities you are willing to take a risk to accomplish.
Many coaches will consider a fee structure that will help make the process happen. I think that it is a really smart way for people to experience how helpful a coaching session can be. So, here is my deal. If you would like a thirty minute complimentary coaching session to help you see how coaching can work for you, contact me at theresa@empowermentstrategiescoaching.com to set up a time.
So because money may be really tight, it seems to require a of bit hubris to suggest that at this time, more than any other, people really need a coach!
Here is why I think so. Our economy always has periods when it goes up and when it goes down. In the last thirty years, we have seen a huge surge in technology and an enormous shift in the way business is done. Thirty years ago, those of us who were in the corporate world, could not have imagined what business would look like today, During those three decades, people started to think differently. They began to use their creative genius to propel us to a different level.
Today most of us are working from our laptops. Thirty years ago, a laptop was one of those contraptions with a bean bag pillow stapled to a oversized clip board the kids used in the back seat of a car to finish their homework. I can guarantee you that things will not stay the same in the workplace, no matter what the economy. I heard recently, that fifty percent of the jobs that will be held ten years from now, we have not yet even conceived of!
So, there is, amidst all of this, the most incredible opportunity for all of us to rethink our future. It is the best time to redesign, retool and refocus. A coach will add value to your process by helping to accomplish in a fraction of the time what you would do – that is if you could do - by yourself. A good coach will have many tools in his/her tool bag. But more than anything else, a good coach will help you discover for yourself what opportunities you are willing to take a risk to accomplish.
Many coaches will consider a fee structure that will help make the process happen. I think that it is a really smart way for people to experience how helpful a coaching session can be. So, here is my deal. If you would like a thirty minute complimentary coaching session to help you see how coaching can work for you, contact me at theresa@empowermentstrategiescoaching.com to set up a time.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Why coaching?
Coaching is still a bit of a mystery to a lot of people. Most often the question is "What is coaching?" And while there is no one perfect definition for coaching, I define coaching as the opportunity to help people move from where they are to where they want to be.
I love the name of my business - Empowerment Strategies Coaching. Moving from where you are to where you want to be requires having a sense of empowerment, a variety of strategies as well as someone who will help you think through them and hold your vision for you while you get there. That's what I get to do as a coach.
Because I spent so many years counseling, the other really good question seems to be "How is coaching different from couneling?" To that I can reply that counseling tends to focus on the past as it relates to the present. In coaching, we focus on the present and what we can do about the future. That is so much more positive. And what is even more important, people see their lives transformed! I cannot think of a better job!
Check out this blog frequently. We will be discussing everything from "Anxiety that thwarts our dreams" to "Zero tolerance for defeatism." I will look for your comments and will look forward to our learning together how we can achieve the life we want.
I love the name of my business - Empowerment Strategies Coaching. Moving from where you are to where you want to be requires having a sense of empowerment, a variety of strategies as well as someone who will help you think through them and hold your vision for you while you get there. That's what I get to do as a coach.
Because I spent so many years counseling, the other really good question seems to be "How is coaching different from couneling?" To that I can reply that counseling tends to focus on the past as it relates to the present. In coaching, we focus on the present and what we can do about the future. That is so much more positive. And what is even more important, people see their lives transformed! I cannot think of a better job!
Check out this blog frequently. We will be discussing everything from "Anxiety that thwarts our dreams" to "Zero tolerance for defeatism." I will look for your comments and will look forward to our learning together how we can achieve the life we want.
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