Cairn - February 2008 - Where Does The Time Go?
Published: Thu, 02/07/08
|
Cairn One Step At A Time |
February 2008
Issue 46
clare evans |
|
personal & business coach | ||
Welcome to all new subscribers since last month.
I hope that this year has started well for you. How are those goals going?
Some of you will already know that I don't send business related Christmas cards - preferring to a) keep all that additional cardboard and paper out of landfill and b) it means I can make a donation to a charity instead.
Last year I came across The Banana Man otherwise known as Kevin Allen and having been inspired by his story and given him a mention in an earlier newsletter, I've given this year's card proceeds to his Banana Appeal. I've now got a signed copy of his book, which I started reading as soon as it landed on the doorstep, or rather was delivered through the door and it's an amazing story - at least just the bit I've read so far.
How many of us watch something on TV and are so touched by it that we want to do something about it? Whether it's the famine in Africa, orphans in Eastern Europe or deprived children in this country. I'm sure we all do our bit when Comic Relief comes round but Kevin went one stage further. I'll let you read his story here or buy the book and read the whole story.
Talking about books - I'm in the process of writing my own book which will be published later this year, so I'll keep you posted on it's progress as it develops. It's a challenge, fun and makes me really think about what's useful to people in organising their time more effectively - oh, did I say, it's about Time Management!
I've also got slightly addicted to Scrabble - having joined Facebook a few months ago and realised that are only so many applications that you can download and when all your 'friends' keep sending you invites that you just have to start saying 'No'. Whereas, when I started out I was being regularly thrashed and 'bingoed' (when you use all your letters), now I'm learning fast, using weird words I'd never heard of and becoming familiar with the benefit of the two letter words including 'qi' and 'xi' - great point scorers - especially if you can slot them in alongside and existing word.
You can catch up on the rest of what I've been up to in my blog - http://www.clareevans.blogspot.com.
Enjoy the rest of this newsletter.
Where Does The Time Go?
Do you wonder where your time goes? It's easy to get to the end of the day and wonder what you actually achieved and where the time went even though you feel as though you've been busy all day.
If you don't know where you're spending your time then you'll find it harder to organise and prioritise what you need to get done each day, particularly the important things that are going to make a difference.
If you've not done this for a while, keep track of your time for the next week. Make a note of everything you do during the day. Include working and personal time, from when you wake up, how long you take for meals, exercising, watching TV, etc. until you go to bed. There are no right or wrong answers, at this stage you're just getting an idea of where your time goes.
When you've completed the log for the week, take a look at it and sort your tasks into categories. At work, how much time do you spend on phone calls, emails, meetings etc. At home - or outside of work, how much sleep do you get, how much time do you spend exercising, socialising and relaxing.
See where the largest chunks of your time go and if you can identify any 'time-wasters'. Answer the following questions to see where you are spending your time and find ways to plan your time more effectively.
If you had another hour every day, what would you do with it? What can you change about the way you work to get an extra hour in your day? Could you get up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later, spend less time watching TV or on the internet (or in my case - playing scrabble!)?
Spend a few minutes at the beginning of each day to plan your working day. You'll get more done and be more productive. Look at where you potentially 'waste' time and decide what you can do to change it.
Make sure you're getting enough breaks during the day. It's all very well working hard but how productive is that working time? If you're getting tired, you won't be as effective, take frequent breaks.
In order to make the most effective use of your time you need to make sure that you're focusing on what's important. Prioritise your tasks and actions in order of importance or urgency. Ensure you spend most of your time focusing on the important to avoid them becoming urgent later on. Get the high priority tasks done first and break larger tasks down into smaller ones.
Knowing what we need to do isn't the same as actually doing it. Many of the people I work with are perfectly capable, competent people - in fact if they weren't, I wouldn't be working with them. They've just realised their own limitations and know when they are in need of a helping hand, moral support or just some additional focus or a new perspective.
If you would like to have an extra hour in your day give me a call, send an email to info@clareevans.co.uk or sign-up for one of my Friday Focus sessions.
What's On, What's New
Up-coming teleclasses, workshops:
Friday Focus - catch me online or book by phone for a free focused 1:1 session to discuss your specific challenges, objectives and goals for 2008. What's stopping you from achieving what you want?
Teleclass: Get Control of Your Time - Planning A specific teleclass to focus planning to make the most of your day. What do you want to achieve in the next six months? Get motivated and create some accountability. Register for the Time Management Teleclass on Tuesday 26th February.
Kick Start Package Three short sessions to get you focused, motivated or just to create some accountability. What do you want to achieve in the next month? Further details here.
Heads up - Time Management Seminar, April 25th A full day session packed full of tips, practical advice and hand's on activity. Full details to follow shortly but it will be in or around Brighton. There are only a limited number of places, so if you're interested get in early.
Extended - Final Week Are you feeling the pinch after Christmas? This weekly e-course complete with my More Month Than Money E-book is guaranteed to reduce those credit card bills and save you hundreds of pounds a year. More Month Than Money E-course for less than £20.
If you were forwarded this issue of the newsletter you can register to receive your own copy each month by sending a blank email to claresnews@aweber.com. If you'd rather not receive my monthly newsletter, just click the link at the bottom of this email.
Until next month, free up more time in your day.
Clare
Clare Evans - Personal and Business Time Management Coach
Phone: +44 (0)1273 588297
Email: info@clareevans.co.uk
Website: www.clareevans.co.uk
Get organised! Get a new perspective!
I hope that this year has started well for you. How are those goals going?
Some of you will already know that I don't send business related Christmas cards - preferring to a) keep all that additional cardboard and paper out of landfill and b) it means I can make a donation to a charity instead.
Last year I came across The Banana Man otherwise known as Kevin Allen and having been inspired by his story and given him a mention in an earlier newsletter, I've given this year's card proceeds to his Banana Appeal. I've now got a signed copy of his book, which I started reading as soon as it landed on the doorstep, or rather was delivered through the door and it's an amazing story - at least just the bit I've read so far.
How many of us watch something on TV and are so touched by it that we want to do something about it? Whether it's the famine in Africa, orphans in Eastern Europe or deprived children in this country. I'm sure we all do our bit when Comic Relief comes round but Kevin went one stage further. I'll let you read his story here or buy the book and read the whole story.
Talking about books - I'm in the process of writing my own book which will be published later this year, so I'll keep you posted on it's progress as it develops. It's a challenge, fun and makes me really think about what's useful to people in organising their time more effectively - oh, did I say, it's about Time Management!
I've also got slightly addicted to Scrabble - having joined Facebook a few months ago and realised that are only so many applications that you can download and when all your 'friends' keep sending you invites that you just have to start saying 'No'. Whereas, when I started out I was being regularly thrashed and 'bingoed' (when you use all your letters), now I'm learning fast, using weird words I'd never heard of and becoming familiar with the benefit of the two letter words including 'qi' and 'xi' - great point scorers - especially if you can slot them in alongside and existing word.
You can catch up on the rest of what I've been up to in my blog - http://www.clareevans.blogspot.com.
Enjoy the rest of this newsletter.
Where Does The Time Go?
Do you wonder where your time goes? It's easy to get to the end of the day and wonder what you actually achieved and where the time went even though you feel as though you've been busy all day.
If you don't know where you're spending your time then you'll find it harder to organise and prioritise what you need to get done each day, particularly the important things that are going to make a difference.
If you've not done this for a while, keep track of your time for the next week. Make a note of everything you do during the day. Include working and personal time, from when you wake up, how long you take for meals, exercising, watching TV, etc. until you go to bed. There are no right or wrong answers, at this stage you're just getting an idea of where your time goes.
When you've completed the log for the week, take a look at it and sort your tasks into categories. At work, how much time do you spend on phone calls, emails, meetings etc. At home - or outside of work, how much sleep do you get, how much time do you spend exercising, socialising and relaxing.
See where the largest chunks of your time go and if you can identify any 'time-wasters'. Answer the following questions to see where you are spending your time and find ways to plan your time more effectively.
- How many hours a day do you spend on/at work - on average?
- How much time each day do you spend on paperwork, emails, phone calls?
- What proportion of the time spent in meetings is productive?
- How much of your time is spent dealing with crises or unexpected matters?
- Do you usually finish what you plan to do each day?
- How do you manage interruptions from upsetting your work?
- What are your biggest time wasters?
- When in the day/week do you get interrupted most?
- When in the day/week do you get interrupted least?
- Are you able to say "No" to your colleagues/boss?
- What tasks do you tend to delay or put off?
- When is your most/least productive time of day?
- When do you plan what you're going to do... today, this week, this month?
- How do you prioritise your tasks or do you do them as they come up?
- Do you choose how to use your time, or do other people manage your time?
If you had another hour every day, what would you do with it? What can you change about the way you work to get an extra hour in your day? Could you get up an hour earlier or go to bed an hour later, spend less time watching TV or on the internet (or in my case - playing scrabble!)?
Spend a few minutes at the beginning of each day to plan your working day. You'll get more done and be more productive. Look at where you potentially 'waste' time and decide what you can do to change it.
Make sure you're getting enough breaks during the day. It's all very well working hard but how productive is that working time? If you're getting tired, you won't be as effective, take frequent breaks.
In order to make the most effective use of your time you need to make sure that you're focusing on what's important. Prioritise your tasks and actions in order of importance or urgency. Ensure you spend most of your time focusing on the important to avoid them becoming urgent later on. Get the high priority tasks done first and break larger tasks down into smaller ones.
Knowing what we need to do isn't the same as actually doing it. Many of the people I work with are perfectly capable, competent people - in fact if they weren't, I wouldn't be working with them. They've just realised their own limitations and know when they are in need of a helping hand, moral support or just some additional focus or a new perspective.
If you would like to have an extra hour in your day give me a call, send an email to info@clareevans.co.uk or sign-up for one of my Friday Focus sessions.
What's On, What's New
Up-coming teleclasses, workshops:
Friday Focus - catch me online or book by phone for a free focused 1:1 session to discuss your specific challenges, objectives and goals for 2008. What's stopping you from achieving what you want?
Teleclass: Get Control of Your Time - Planning A specific teleclass to focus planning to make the most of your day. What do you want to achieve in the next six months? Get motivated and create some accountability. Register for the Time Management Teleclass on Tuesday 26th February.
Kick Start Package Three short sessions to get you focused, motivated or just to create some accountability. What do you want to achieve in the next month? Further details here.
Heads up - Time Management Seminar, April 25th A full day session packed full of tips, practical advice and hand's on activity. Full details to follow shortly but it will be in or around Brighton. There are only a limited number of places, so if you're interested get in early.
Extended - Final Week Are you feeling the pinch after Christmas? This weekly e-course complete with my More Month Than Money E-book is guaranteed to reduce those credit card bills and save you hundreds of pounds a year. More Month Than Money E-course for less than £20.
If you were forwarded this issue of the newsletter you can register to receive your own copy each month by sending a blank email to claresnews@aweber.com. If you'd rather not receive my monthly newsletter, just click the link at the bottom of this email.
Until next month, free up more time in your day.
Clare
Clare Evans - Personal and Business Time Management Coach
Phone: +44 (0)1273 588297
Email: info@clareevans.co.uk
Website: www.clareevans.co.uk
Get organised! Get a new perspective!
Copyright: Clare Evans Personal & Business Coaching © 2008
----------
Automated newsletters with Aweber. E-mail follow up, ad tracking, & real-time stats for your emails. http://www.aweber.com/features.htm?207782
----------
----------
Automated newsletters with Aweber. E-mail follow up, ad tracking, & real-time stats for your emails. http://www.aweber.com/features.htm?207782
----------