In a previous post I wrote about guilt and how it can take you away from achieving so many things.  It really is a debilitating emotion that doesn’t achieve anything except to make you feel terrible.  Here’s the first of some ideas to minimise guilt that work for me, centred around time management.  Running out of time to get everything done is a huge guilt trigger in my life so being organised helps immensely. 

 

1.  Create a goal list of everything you want to achieve for the year in all areas of your life.  Be realistic!  Try not to fill up the list with everything you can think of – just those ones that are most important to you and relevant to your life.  Recognise that you can’t do everything and that is perfectly OK.

 

2.  Create systems for everything and write a procedures manual.  If this seems like a mammoth task (which it is) break it down into smaller chunks and just do one at a time.  No need to rush – just do one a week and in a few months you will have made a huge impact into the organisation of your work environment.  Having effective procedures in place allows you to outsource sections of your work when required and save time training and explaining.  It also ensures standards are adhered to and work performed is consistent across the team.

 

3.  Find a task management system that allows you to be clear and ordered about what you need to get through each day.  You could buy a small “to do” book and write the dates at the top of each page.  This book should be small enough to go everywhere with you.  Books really are better here, rather than your PC as you can take it with you.  If you really want this on the PC then update to a pda or blackberry regularly so that your list is portable. Alternatively buy a weekly planner pad where the week is displayed on one page (Kikki K stock a great one) and leave it somewhere prominent so you look at it always.  For me it is easier to have a weekly goal list rather than a daily one but this is individual preference.  Whatever system you use it must work for you so you stick to it.  Don’t be afraid to try different systems until you find the one that works.

 

4. Prioritise everything you must get done that day and rank each task - check that each activity reflects your big picture goal list. Again, be realistic and only write what you can fit in to your day.  Anything else can be written in to future days.  Don’t waste time on irrelevant tasks that achieve nothing.

 

5. Schedule in time for yourself throughout the day – do something every day that feeds your soul and refreshes your brain – you will think more clearly and actually achieve more in the long run.  Your brain is a muscle that needs rest just like the rest of your body. 

 

6. Eat well – you will zip through the day!  Don’t rely on coffee as a pick me up – it will only put you down later on.

 

7. Put an alarm clock in your office and use it.  If you allocate an hour for a task – stick to the hour.  If you need more time complete it later when you have taken care of other priorities.  Allocating a specific time will actually keep you focused and you will achieve more – try it, it works!

 

8. Create the right headspace for the task you are doing.  Allow yourself a few minutes to switch off from the last task by making a cup of tea or reading an article from a magazine

 

 

9. Seriously de-clutter your office and environment keep it as minimalist as possible – creative energy needs to be able to flow freely!  Keep this up on a monthly basis.

 

 10.  Constantly tell yourself that you have plenty of time and you will be amazed at what you can achieve when stress is out of the picture. 

 

 11. Don’t worry about what you are not doing – you will get to it in good time.  You need to train your brain to believe this.

  

12.  Handle everything only once – action it, toss it, forward it or file it but just do it!

 

13.  Answer emails twice per day and turn off other times if you can.  We were never available 24/7 before email and mobiles and the world didn’t stop spinning!  At the very least minimise your email window, set up an automatic response telling people when you will be back and disable that annoying little pop up!

 

14.  When you are working on a task ask yourself if what you are producing can be used anywhere else and think laterally

 

 15.  Get into nature and plant something.  Even if you are as horticulturally challenged as I am, connecting with the earth is a great way to boost your energy and switch off the ongoing chatter in your brain!  Very soothing and enjoyable – not to mention rewarding when you harvest your first tomato!