I got a great ezine from Jo A. Della Penna, speaker, coach, author and entrepreneur.
The advice is so good, I thought I’d pass it on.
Jo Starts…
I began coaching Janice (not her real name) after she heard me speak about how I
help entrepreneurs create their business to serve their life, not consume their
life. She works from home, has several responsibilities for a number of
organizations she is involved with for both business and pleasure, and is updating
her company image after receiving a prestigious certification for her field. Janice
had a “laundry list”, to say the least, of tasks for each which had her completely
overwhelmed. In one of our first coaching sessions, I shared with her an easy way
to keep track of all the tasks for each project. Also, we created a simple system
that makes the seemingly daunting list of tasks into manageable, achievable daily
steps. Not only did she reduce her overwhelm, but has skyrocketed her business in
just a short amount of time.
Here is what we did and you can too…
STEP 1: MAKE A LIST OF ALL YOUR “PROJECTS”, BIG AND SMALL.
Make a list of all the different roles or “projects” for which you are responsible.
Including, organizations you are involved with, meetings you attend regularly,
client projects, etc. Writing it down helps you see visually all the
responsibilities that cloud your head and drain your valuable energy. Be sure to
include ALL projects; business and personal. Just because we are in business, does
not mean our personal projects are to be segregated. When we learn to create
harmony between business and personal responsibilities, we create a balanced life
that runs smoothly.
STEP 2: CREATE SEPARATE PROJECT LISTS
Write down each role or project on a separate list. On each project list, jot down
all the tasks that you need to do for that project. My good friend, Terilee, calls
this step “Mind Dumping”. Getting it out of your head and onto paper begins to
clear your mind and you will feel more in control. A great place to put these lists
is in your organizer under separate tabs for quick reference. Some roles or
projects may not warrant a separate list and just need to be put on your daily
calendar as a scheduled task to be done.
STEP 3: CREATE A WEEKLY TASK LIST
The idea is to chunk it down into manageable pieces. Many of my coaching clients
like to do it prior to the week starting. Others tend to do better by planning the
next week prior to ending. Which ever your preference is does not matter. The
important thing is that you take time out to plan the week. This step should take
you 20 minutes a week, max! When you sit down, review each project list for what
tasks need to be done the next week. Write the specific items on your Weekly Task
list. Again, be sure to include your personal tasks.
STEP 4: PLAN DAILY!
I recommend taking 5-10 minutes each evening to plan for the following day. This
one step will not only reduce the overwhelm, but you will accomplish more in less
time! This step can be at the end of the work day or it can be prior to going to
bed. Again, your particular preference is not what matters. What matters is that
you just do it! When you plan each day, you will take 3 or 4 tasks from your Weekly
Task list and schedule them in your calendar for the next day. If you have a full
schedule the next day, you may only want to include 1 or 2 tasks for that day. Now,
you may be able to complete more than 3 or 4. However, the key is to reduce your
overwhelm. So, keep it to only as many as you feel you can accomplish in a day.
STEP 5: JUST DO IT!
I heard it said once, “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly”. Sounds
counterintuitive, but the message is this; if we wait to doing something perfectly,
we will never begin. So, the key to achieving anything you want is to get out their
and “Just Do It”! Nike had the right idea!
To get your own ezine from Jo, visit www.jdpservices.com or call 866-394-4603. Thanks Jo!
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