SUCCESSHOUND.com » goal setting

Hope Wears A Basketball Jersey

Douglas Manning — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:36:04 +0000

Who knew hope wore a basketball jersey. I could try to tell this story for you, but I could not do it justice. So, instead, I’ll just let you watch it for yourself. Anything can happen if you choose to believe.

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Creating A Powerful Time Management System

Douglas Manning — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 11:00:46 +0000

All of us would like to learn and use a few more time management techniques. We have all ready about them from time to time. Perhaps, we have even bought a time management book. Still, we have failed to integrate these techniques into an effective time management strategy.

Here is a new lens that I just created for Squidoo.com.

Check it out for some additional information on creating your own effective and powerful time management system.

Creating A Powerful Time Management System.

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Why You Need A Time Management System Now

Douglas Manning — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:00:35 +0000

What are the benefits of having an effective time management strategy? I have found that having a personal time management system has greatly improved the quality of my life and the lives of my family. I have compiled a short list of key benefits that I have found as a result of having an effective time management plan.

I Have Reduced My Frustration. I avoid lots of frustrating situations because I plan around the. If I have covered the frustrating details, I can go through a lot of the day on “autopilot” and spend my time thinking and creating.

I Have A Sense Of Achievement. When you cannot measure your progress, you will feel like you are going nowhere. I have a time management plan that includes smart goal setting techniques and effective time management skills that allow me to achieve and measure my progress toward a goal.

I Enjoy A Sense Of Increased Self Esteem. It was the “shoulds” that always kept me feeling as if I was failure. As I implemented my time management system, I learned to overcome procrastination, to set goals and prioritize them. As I consistently performed I developed the desire to do more and be more. I have greater confidence and have learned how to improve low self esteem.

I Have An Increased Energy Level. The cost of worrying about undone things, is taxing on my mind and body. As I have implemented various time management tips, I have increased my productivity. I carry around less mental baggage which results in less of that feeling of unfinished business. I feel better and want to do more each day.

Unlike chores, getting projects done has a long term, positive effect, on my quality of life. As I have gotten more of these projects accomplished, I have been able to achieve a greater quality of life for my family as well.

It is my hope, that with a little time management training, you can develop a time management system and reap similar rewards to those I have set out here.

Why not give it a try?

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Getting Things Done: An Effective Time Management Strategy

Douglas Manning — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:00:45 +0000

I had a sneaking suspicion that I could be more productive if I had the right time management system.

How about you? Could you dramatically improve your life if you could get the important things done in a shorter period of time?

I would like to share a book with you that I have used to improve the effectiveness of my time management system.

It is a book by David Allen entitled Getting Things Done.

I’ll bet that while you may have heard of this book. You might even have read a review or two on it. What you probably do not know is that it has developed a cult like following on the internet lately.

The reason for all of the buzz is that it works!!

What Makes Getting Things Done So Special?

The primary proposition behind the book, Getting Things Done, is that time management is a system, a way of thinking, a set of practices that can be taught to anyone.

Simply put, if you learn to “get with the program” you can reap the benefits of this effective time management tool.

I have incorporated the Getting Things Done into my life. In fact, I even have the Getting Things Done flowchart framed and setting on my desk. I view and review it many times during the day.

What Separates Getting Things Done From Other Time Management Systems?

I recognize that there are many time management systems out there. I have looked at many of them and purchased several of them.

But there are several points that I want to share with you that separates this $10 dollar book from all of the rest.

Getting Things Done Is Ridiculously Simple To Set Up

Intuitively, we all know that the secret to effective time management is to

DO THE PROJECTS!

Unlike many other so called tools, Getting Things Done does not require any huge efforts to set the system up. In fact, you can get started the moment you begin reading the book.

You can incorporate all or part of the system at any given time.

This prevents the typical “analysis paralysis” that is often an excuse to for never getting started.

Getting Things Done Is Simple To Use And Maintain

Many time management systems are like a wind up radio. They work great so long as you keep winding them. But, take a break and no more music.

Many systems are easy to use, but maintenance is a pain in the…….rear end.

God forbid that you get tired, busy or sick because the whole system will go out the window from lack of attention.

Getting Things Done is not only easy to use but easy to maintain as well.

Getting Things Done Works For Home Or Business

A time management system should not be for “work” OR “at home.” Getting Things Done is so effectively simple that its principles are equally applicable to the business or the household.

It’s time to celebrate. As my wife has reminded me often, it is not stupid to place household chores, such as fixing the broken window, on the same list as balancing the company bank statement.

You will find that Getting Things Done actually encourages you to use this system in all areas of your life. It is pointless to be a time management athlete at work if your home, family and health are wasting away due to lack of attention.

Getting Things Done Is An Effective Stress Busting Strategy

This time management system does not fall apart when work or life throws the unexpected curve ball at you. To the contrary, Getting Things Done is flexible enough to allow you to maintain your productivity regardless of the stress level.

Take A Look At Getting Things Done As An Effective Time Management Strategy

I found Getting Things Done to be an easy time management system to learn and implement. In addition, because of its popularity, you can find a lot of free information about it on the internet.

To find out more, buy the book.

It is available for less than a hamburger and fries. You can get your copy of Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity here at Amazon.com.

SuccessHound.com

Need A Time Management System? Use These Tools For Effective Time Management

Douglas Manning — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 12:00:57 +0000

I have no doubt that you understand the importance of time management. But, do you understand that successful time management requires an effective time management system?

What are the characteristics of an effective time management system? Let’s take a look at a few key elements to an effective time management system.

Create An Effective To Do List

The human brain is incapable of remembering more than three or four things at one time.

As a result, you have to create a “to do” list in order to prevent last minute surprises. More importantly, a “to do” list is an effective tool for time management in that it allows you to effectively plan and prioritize your day.

My time management system requires that I organize my “to do” list into three categories.

First, I list the things that must be accomplished this day. Second, I list the items that I need to accomplish by the end of the week. Finally, I list the items that need to be completed within thirty days or more.

Furthermore, I always estimate the approximate time needed to complete the task. I then multiply that time by 1.2 in order to account for unexpected events and errors in time estimation. I write the estimated time next to the item on the “to do” list.

Learn to Say No

Do you love the feeling of being the hero at work? Can’t tell the brother in law “no” when he asks you to help build his deck? Do your projects keep piling up while everyone else seems to have plenty of time to spend with their families?

Friend, you need to learn to say “No!”

If you are currently feeling overwhelmed, you have probably ignored the impact that the constant demands of others have had on your schedule. You have to learn when your plate is full; and, more importantly, how to communicate that fact to others.

When you learn to say “No”, you will quickly be able to sort your friends from your leaches.

Your friends will understand and often offer to help.

The leaches in your life will whine, get angry, or make you feel guilty to get you to acquiesce to their demands for more of your time.

Quit doing anything for these people!!! They are using you up.

Look, if you waste your time and energy on the leaches in your life, how will you have resources to assist those that really need and deserve your help?

Separate the wheat from the chaff.

Learn to say “NO!”

It is a time management system in, and of, itself.

Reward Yourself When You Accomplish A Task

An effective time management system requires a system of rewards and punishments.

You are motivated by a system of pain and pleasure.

You will be motivated to do a task when the pain of procrastination exceeds the pleasure to putting it off. Here is a great article that explains this concept in greater detail.

The bottom line is that if you are not motivated to work to complete your tasks for the day, you are going to have a tough time developing an effective time management system.

Use rewards to motivate yourself to complete a task. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee, a soft drink or a candy bar.

This is an effective time management tool in two ways. First, the reward itself might be an important motivating factor for you. Second, rewarding yourself is an acknowledgment that the task that you completed was important and that you are a valuable person for completing it in a timely manner.

This is important as healthy self esteem is an important part of any time management system as well.

Work When You Are At Your Best

Every person has an internal clock. In order to practice effective time management, you need to know whether you are a morning person, afternoon person, or night person. Once you learn when you perform best, you can incorporate that into your time management system.

It only makes sense to schedule your most difficult tasks during the time you are likely to be getting things done.

Happiness Is An Effective Time Management System

Indeed an effective time management system requires a balanced approach.

If you create an effective to do list while learning to say “No”, you will decrease the number of items you need to accomplish at any given time. Learn to schedule the core of your work during the times you are performing at your peak.

Finally, reward yourself for a job well done.

If you incorporate these items into your box of time management tools, you will have created an effective time management system.

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