Wake up before dawn. Hurry to shower and get dressed before kids wake up. Wake up kids. Yell, plead, and cry to get kids ready and out the door on time. Scurry from room to room to gather stuff, scoop up kids who have now wandered back into the house, and get into car. Speed to school to avoid the tardy slip and the accompanying parent walk into the office (as that will eat up even more time.) Drop kids, drive like maniac to get to office in time for first conference call. Get to office- run from fire to fire. After 10 hours of fires, drive like maniac to pick up kids before day care closes and you are tagged with a late fee. Hurry home. Rush around to get dinner started and homework underway. Speed through evening process- dinner, bath, clean up house. Back to work for another hour or two. Fall into bed exhausted and set the alarm to do it all again tomorrow.
If any of the above sounded even remotely familiar-it is time to grab a hold of your calendar with both fists and regain control of your schedule and your life.
If any of the above sounded even remotely familiar-it is time to grab a hold of your calendar with both fists and regain control of your schedule and your life.
Calendars are meant to be a tool to HELP you not a navigation system for finding the next fire. From one over-achiever to another, trust me you really cannot do it all and the way you are currently managing your time is not working.
Many professionals are superb at managing time when someone else is involved but do not respect or honor their own time. Let me walk you through an example of this.
Here is today’s to-do list:
1. Schedule a meeting with a former client (former client is not expecting your call)
2. Attend a monthly networking lunch
3. Coffee with a friend from out of town who wants to talk to you about joining the local fundraising committee.
4. Catch up on monthly time sheets so that you are not under the gun on the 31st (reminder-today is August 8th) as you are leaving town the next day.
5. Conference call with two other participants.
It is Monday and true to form, your day goes sideways. You find yourself in a situation where you only have time to complete two of the items on your to-do list Which ones do you complete?
If you are like most of the busy professionals I know, you probably selected items #3 and #5 since those items involve interaction with someone else. 99% of you probably decided to spend the time to meet with the friend about the local fundraising committee-even though you do not want to join the fundraising committee and don’t have time for the committee because you respect your friend’s calendar and you don’t want to waste his/her time by canceling at the last minute. (Take a moment and ponder the truth of this. Scary-huh?)
Some of you may have considered items #1 and #2 but I doubt anyone chose item #4. Even though, completing item #4 will mean avoiding fires on the 31st as you are trying to get out of town for that last summer vacation. I know-you are thinking yeah but the time sheets can be completed tomorrow or another day. You are right IF you make them a priority and honor your time and complete them. Most of you will continue to let the time sheets slide until the 31st. The result will be a hair on fire, running like a mad man sort of day on the 31st that may even bleed into your otherwise relaxing (and clearly much needed) vacation.
If you are tired of running around crazed searching for an extra few minutes of time-start making better choices about your time. Choose to respect and honor your own time as much as you respect and honor others. Choose to complete the items on your daily to do list that are mission critical to you. We cannot create more time. We all have the same 24 hours. The only difference between those who achieve massive success and happiness with their 24 hours and those who spend their 24 hours running around from meeting to meeting gasping for air as they arrive five minutes late for each appointment is choice. Before you schedule that next meeting, say yes to the next committee, or sign up for the PTA-step back and think about what you really want out of life. Is saying yes to these opportunities moving you forward? If not-politely decline. You will be saying no to the opportunity but yes to a life!
Need some help on additional strategies to maximize your time? Visit my website http://www.jonellevold.com or consider the upcoming STMA class.
About Jonelle- Jonelle Vold is a business coach that is passionate about your success. A mother of twins, former Assistant Dean at a tier-one law school, attorney, and seasoned sales professional, Jonelle understands the challenges of high-level professionals. Her coaching philosophy is every person has the ability to be a rainmaker by cracking their own personal code and doing business with intention. You can reach Jonelle at jonelle@jonellevold.com or www.jonellevold.com.
Women's Short-Term-Massive-Action Group Coaching Classes starting on September 22, 2011. Ladies if you are ready to jump start your success, regain control of your time and your life, reignite your professional passion, and of course learn to make rain-this is the class for you. Space is limited contact jonelle@jonellevold.com for details
No comments:
Post a Comment