Yes – clean your brain! Perfect time as Autumn makes its debut on Tuesday.
Sit down and have a brainstorming session yourself. Review what tasks present obstacles for you. Could be – there are certain situations. Family members – spouse or children. A particular client or manager. The point of this brainstorming session is to come up with workable solutions you can use to stop ‘going down the rabbit hole’ when things go askew. Know of ways to lessen the effects on you.
Another suggestion is to set a reminder in your phone for the very important things you need to remember. Use colorful or pattern post-it-notes if you want a visual reminder to stand out.
And if you still have time – make a list of all the things that you need to get in order for the end of the year; set new guidelines; see what is no longer ‘important’ and drop it. Start thinking of what you want to accomplish in 2021. What do you need to get started with – now?
Please visit my website for information on coaching, other blog posts, and my resources page. Check the tabs at the top.
Have a little assignment for you. Google ‘wheel of life’. It is a free download. Complete the wheel for yourself. How smooth is your wheel?
You may actually have anywhere from 15 (low) to 25 (high) hours a week that are not involved in sleeping, commuting, job, family, cleaning/chores, and church/charity.
What do you really want to do with your ‘free’ time?
With a good understanding of your plan, by you – you can be more focused in what you intend to accomplish. It is not your lack of time but rather your execution of the time within your day.
What you Do, Decide, Delegate and Delete is the key {look at the Eisenhower box}. The time you spend multiplied by your ‘focused’ intensity is how you can conquer your day and accomplished your goals.
Last Thursday in August 2020 – next weekend Labor Day weekend [beaches, school, still in hurricane season].
Let’s give our productivity a work out-shall we:
Review what you need to do and make a plan. Leave a little leeway for the unexpected. Build in some ‘me time’, also.
Do you have your designated work area? Do your children have a designated online school area – preferably not their bedroom. They need to experience ‘going to another place’ for schooling. {if at all possible}.
Determine your best energy time and use that time/space to your advantage.
Try time blocking or the Pomodoro method to focus on your most important tasks. Teach this to your children also. Example: set an AM and PM Time Block (20 minutes) to check email {10:10-10:30; and 3:40-4:00}. If you can, have one day for meetings; or, 2 mornings or afternoons { Tues / Thurs }; so you can have a better work ‘work flow’?
Do something each day to brighten your spirit. Open your windows; let the sunlight in; put on some light music; add flowers or a plant. Make plans for a weekend excursion.
Can you believe – in 4 months from today – we will be 5 days from Christmas! Working on that gift list? (smiles). Then, add 6 days – HAPPY NEW YEAR [2021] – life has to get better!
At this point, most children are starting their school year AT HOME, with online learning. Also, most of you are still working from home. Though some might be making a day or two – trip in to the office.
Hopefully, you caught some of my hints, and you have a basic plan of your day and your children’s class time. Everyone should have their own work/class space. That you have gotten better furniture – chair, desk space for the children and YOURSELF. Also, recommended are headphones for the young ones, to help keep them focused and not be too distracted.
Do make a meal plan with all the family members participating; and, making the actual meals.
Hot Suggestions:
Adjust your schedule and your Zoom work meetings times. Be happy for the no commute time.
Have a daily plan and post it on the refrigerator (1 place everyone goes)! Home Command Center.
Use Time Blocking or Pomodoro [work 25 minutes; take a 5 minute break] to keep focused on specific projects.
If something is a problem – on the 3rd occurrence – FIND a SOLUTIUON! Stop suffering and wasting your time.
Just because you are a ‘sitting duck’ does not mean you are to be wired for 8-10 hours on Zoom meeting (with or without children)! You need to break up your day. Get fresh air – however you can. Play outside with children – 10 minutes (jump rope; dodge ball; etc.). Call an old friend and share a joke and a laugh.
Greetings!! I, the “Timed Productivity” Blog, am back (weekly). Announcing that change is coming. If YOU or a Colleague or a Friend have ANY interest in setting yourself up for meaningful and productive 2021 … YOU have to start now. Short Term Coaching is changing in 2021. This offer is good until midnight 15 September 2020 – 3 months for $600 {paid in advance} [Or, billed (3) monthly payment of $225 {paid in advance}, if you need]. P.S. – last time at this price!! Sign up now before it goes up, up, and away. You can start and be finished before Christmas. Christmas is closely followed by NEW YEARS!! If you have ANY questions you feel you need answered – PLEASE book a free consult call to get them answered ~click here .
Using 2 assessments: Behavior Style and Time Management. Get yourself ready for 2021. WORKING from your STRENGTHS. Learn to set proper priorities; Plan what you need to accomplish; Schedule your plans for maximum accomplishement; Learn ways to handle Interruptions; Learn key steps to Productive Meetings; and, much more.
How do I get things accomplished? Me and my planner!! I have one I really, really like. It is the right size for me. I have added places for cute post-it-notes; a monthly tracking sheet for items I want to be accountable for. I have made it workable for me and it is ‘cute’. Yes – I do some things on my phone; but, I love a paper planner and it can come with me wherever I go. You can do paper, electronic, or, a hybrid of both systems. Set your plan, and planner, up in a way that works BEST for YOU; and, then work your plan.
Ms. Krystal says – “Gloria-Jean’s approach to time management brought the process full circle for me. I was able to move from overwhelm to efficient. It is not just about time management, it is about a lifestyle!!”
That is it for this week.
Until next Thursday … NOW is the “Time” for action – YOURS! Book a call to get questions answered; or, email to sign-up (needed to send you the invoice; and then, the assessment links).
“Take Back Your Time with GJ” podcast has launched – effective 1 August 2020.
The beginning episodes (4) are a mix of a behavior style trait and a time management topic. The remainder will be a single time management topic. I am using ‘anchor.fm‘ platform to produce the podcast, which airs on Mondays at 9:00AM.
HAPPY 2nd New Year!!! New beginnings for our old life patterns. All of them are changed in some way. We will be this way for ….. Anyway ~ dust yourself and family off and get started living our new normal. Are you ‘still’ working from home? Will your children be starting school ‘at home’ — you may want to create a real study location for them (little desk/chair, lamp and laptop with their school supplies)? Will you have to go into the office – who will be watching your children – perhaps a neighbor \ hopefully, you have access to a good child-care center \ perhaps, a parent in the neighborhood who can oversee school age groups and assist with their online studies. Home meal plans and menus will be a plus – assign age-appropriate tasks to family members.
I am enjoying revisiting an old favorite from childhood: cutting out and assembling models. Also, develop my own way to color (enhancing the egdes of the pictured objects or quote – with glitter gel pens or variegating the degree of color). What did YOU like to do at 12 years of age?
3 quick points:
Are you aware of time wasters in your life? Make a list and commit to stop wasting your own time.
Of all the ideas/tips I can share – the best is ‘REST’.
A quote from James Clear – ” Action forces prioritization. Something has to be FIRST!” (Is it the right choice?)
Be safe (wear mask; wash hands/carry hand sanitizer; 6′ distancing) but, have some fun. Drive-In theathers are back in style!! Do ‘stay-cation’ visits near you. Head for the mountains (cool).
Happy Summer to everyone. YES, Summer arrived on Saturday.
Short and sweet. Time to plan to finish strong on the second half of the 2020. Next Wednesday is the 1st of July and signals the beginning of the 2nd half.
Plan – take 30 minutes (brainstorm) – draft out what you need to be doing, with whom and your completion date (business and personal).
Schedule those task that need to be. Allow couple days leeway!
Review your day in the evening and readjust where you need for the next day. Lay out papers; or, clothing needed. Get your proper rest and be ready to tackle your new day in the morning.
If you want to finish strong and working from your strengths – Here is my offer: $199 for 2 assessments {Behavioral and Time} includes 2 debriefing sessions – all must be completed in 30 days. Click here (email) let me know you want to be a part/click here to set appointment for your initial session; so, I can assist on getting you started – answer any questions.
Have a happy and safe (mask, wash hands, 6′ distancing) 4th of July holiday.
June! We made it!! Congratulations to the GRADUATES of 2020. We are emerging from our lockdowns into our new normal that will be evolving for awhile.
3 quick points; an offer; and quick access of my Resource page info.
Summer is almost officially here ~ be proactive in getting things done earlier in the day before summer thunderstorms/lighting/power loss pop up and shut you down.
Know your priorities and do/work on those first. Handle known printing needs early in the day. Make calls early (clients or appointments to schedule)
Stay FOCUSED and complete your tasks – not multi-task and burn your self out. Revise your plans if ‘necessity’ dictates (unexpected emergency).
The offer – sign up for James Clear’s (Author of Atomic habits) 3-2-1 Thursday newsletter – click on this link:
Do you need an Word PressIT Technician or Web Developer or Software Person – Please contact iMark Interactive (Grayson Bell). Please click here to visit iMark.
ConvertKit – the best email marketing client on the planted. Everything you need. Training is the THE BEST (get gifts; and replay within 24 hours). Customer Service is exceptional. I use this and love it. Try it for yourself – “click here” to experience ConvertKit for yourself.
Your Marketing style:
Interested in knowing your marketing personality? Please click here to take the assessment. {then, SCROLL DOWN, MID-WAY, PASS THE STYLE IDENTIFIERS}
Groceries:
1. IBOTTA – click on this link select you groceries preferences update weekly with new items, ‘hot’ items, or ‘for you’ items.
2. FetchRewards – click here for this offer. (USE my referral code BG8PF at the sign-up screen and you will receive 2,000 FETCH points with your first receipt). You can scan receipts and accumulate points to redeem against various categories.
3. InstaCart – click here for information. Instacart shoppers are excellent. This service has been a tremendous assist during the quarantine. I intend to contine to make use of THIS service
General Shopping:
4. Rakuten – Click on this for the offers. Recommend that you also download the extension for your computer or laptop, so you always receive the remeinder and won’t miss the rebates offers.
5. Arcadia Power – www.arcadiapower.com Solar discounting on your home electronic invoicing: NO EQUIPMENT IS NEEDED to participate.Please 1st check to see if this is available in your area. Read about the benefits and join. Click here on Referral code link
Again – I am sharing these ‘affiliate marketing’ links with you. This means that should you make a purchase, I do receive a small percentage for introducing the link … AT NO additional cost to you.
Hope all is on track with your ‘new normal’ living and working situations. We are breathing a sigh of relief as daily living is opening up – though far from our life in February 2020 – a mere 3 months ago.
There are new areas of home attention: Decluttering; working from home ‘office space’; organizing family areas; designated home schooling area(s); work ‘conference call’ (Zoom, etc) area(s); schedules; meal plans. These won’t all go away as we are learning. We can not all go back to where we were.
A critical area will be: child care vs adults going back to a work place. As summer is upon us – that may not be critical. Come school year – depending on the attendance plan, it could be. Smaller class sizes; smaller capacity at child care centers; what days children may actual be in a school building; what days you may be in your work office.
Have you looked at Evernote as a way of organizing your documents? Google ‘how long to keep documents’ and as a part of your decluttering – shred old documents to protect your identity. Scan the documents you do need and use a program, like Evernote – via your computer, with iphone/android accessible for items you need at the ready – like car insurance proof; a particular document for a meeting.
Enjoy your Memorial Day Weekend. Be safe: wear your mask; wash your hands and maintain 6 feet distance.
