Don’t Wish Your Time Away

This is often what my Mother said to me when I wished I was a little older, out of school, or had challenges behind me.  From experience, I later learned she was right.  Whether we have a fixation on future time or past time, the result is the same.  We miss the good things about our present time.

The skill of focusing on and living in the present is one way to cherish time.  Unfortunately, it is not practiced by many until they are older and see their time running out.  Look for the good in your garden of today’s time.  It’s there to be relished.

How To Supercharge Your Daily Routine

Most people aren’t aware of this powerful time tactic!  When you are listing high-priority tasks for the day, list a “personal principle” to practice.  Some favorite principles of mine are being positive, praise others, smile, really listen and practice self-discipline.

Practice the personal principle you list all day long, then check it off complete at the end of the day as you would any other task.

You’ll get progressively better at living the principle, impact others in a positive way, and feel better about yourself.

This is productivity strategy #68 from the book Attack Your Day! Before It Attacks You co-authored by Mark Woods and Trapper Woods, time management experts.

Beware of Time Bandits Today

Time bandits hold us up by making us wait.  Time bandits are people who hold us up by asking “got a minute?” and then take ten.

• They hold us up with frequent overlong calls and unnecessary drop in visits.
• They hold us up by showing up late for meetings.
• They hold us up in hallways when we are trying to get someplace else.

Time bandits steal our time with office gossip.  One time bandit, who takes fifteen minutes of our time daily, robs us of ninety hours per year.  Remember, time bandits can’t take your time unless you give it to them.

Things You Can Control

As human beings we tend to focus our energy on things we can’t control.  Things we can’t control tend to be the weather, stock market, bad relationships or a customer cancellation.  This is a big mistake!  Don’t waste time and energy on things you can’t control.

Not only will this effect your mental state in a positive way, it will give you energy!  Here is a list of just 14 things I can control right now.

Add to the list. What are some things you can control today?

1. How well I prepare my “Attack Plan for today.
2. How I act on my feelings.
3. How often I say thank you to people.
4. What I decide to eat today.
5. The time I spend on worrying about something I have no control over.
6. What type of exercise I do.
7. How I deal with interruptions, phone calls and emails.
8. My work environment.
9. When I ask someone for help on a project.
10. How many risks I take.
11. How many prospecting phone calls I make today.
12. Getting rid of clutter in my workspace.
13. How many times I smile today I make eye contact.
14. The amount of energy I put in to my work.

Refuse to give those things you can’t control your energy today!  Focus on things you can control and watch your attitude, energy, and productivity soar!