Time Management and Shopping

If you set up a system for when you go shopping then you will find that shopping is more fun and enjoyable and will take less time. Do you know that we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time? This means that we have a lot of money invested in clothing that we don’t wear – let alone the time it took us to purchase all those items.

If you follow some rules then you will save yourself some time when shopping:

Know what suits your body

• Learn your body shape
• Understand what colours suit you

Know your reason for going shopping:

• What is your reason for wanting to purchase a new item
• Write down what items you need to purchase
• Ask yourself – when will I wear it? Where will I wear it? How many times will I wear it?

Preparation for shopping:

• Allow enough time
•  Think about the shopping hours and try to shop when there are less people at the shops
•  If you are co-ordinating items then take those items with you then you won’t wonder if they go, you will know

Questions to ask:

• How many items in my wardrobe will the item go with?
• Can it be dressed up or dressed down?
• Will you be able to use it in more than one season?

If you purchase an item that needs to be altered then take it to be altered immediately. Otherwise, it may just be another item at home that hangs in your wardrobe.

Another way to save time is to actually go through your wardrobe at least once a year. That way, you can ensure that your wardrobe is always functional and serves you. Some questions to ask and guidelines to follow include:

• Anything that you won’t get repaired - then out it goes
• Anything that no longer looks good – out it goes
• Anything that doesn’t fit you – either too big or too small – out it goes
• Anything that is dated – out it goes
• Anything that you feel uncomfortable in – out it goes

Following these tips and guidelines will ideally save you time when you go shopping so that you can use your time for more productive and fun experiences.

Power to Choose

We constantly make choices every day. If we set a goal of health and fitness which means we exercise every morning, then that needs to become our priority, we have the power to choose what we do. When the alarm goes off of a morning, we have a choice – we can stay in that nice warm bed and grab another hour of sleep or we can get up and exercise and be on the path to achieving our goals. It is always our choice.

Thousands of years ago, Aristotle said, “You are what you repeatedly do.”  So are you going to keep repeating what you are currently doing and not change or move forward, or are you going to take some time and identify ways that you can improve your life?

There are going to be hiccups and road blocks that get in your way but draw strength from knowing that you have the power to choose to find another way, another road, and another option. Don’t let excuses get in your way.

The following are some examples of truly inspiration people who could have easily let the excuse of age get in their way however they didn’t choose the easy option.

• Golda Meir was 71 when she became prime minister of Israel.
• Doc Counsilman, at 58, became the oldest person ever to swim the English Channel
• Henry Ford went bankrupt 5 times before succeeding in the auto industry
• 14 publishers rejected Margaret Mitchell’s novel “Gone with the Wind”.
• Edison greatest accomplishment is the light bulb he was most famous for the following quote in regards to his persistence in developing the light bulb …

 “I have not failed.

I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

Thomas Edison

• Colonel Sanders had over a 1000 knockbacks in a two year period for his Kentucky Fried Chicken Recipe

So consider the strength in your power to choose.

Bear in Mind - There is always a way

Even if it is not true, act like it is and usually you can find a way to achieve what you want to achieve.

• You can push through the tough times
• Persist a little longer
• Search a little harder
• Keep going
• Failure is giving up
• Everything else is progress

By believing there is always a way you give yourself every opportunity to experience success!

You Can Be Whatever You Want To Be!

There is inside you all of the potential

to be whatever you want to be, all of the energy

to do whatever you want to do.

Imagine yourself as you would like to be,

doing what you want to do,

and each day, take one step towards your dream.

And though at times it may seem too difficult

to continue, hold on to your dream.

One morning you’ll awake to find that

you’re the person you dreamed of,

doing what you wanted to do,

simply because you had the courage

to believe in your potential

and to hold on to your dream.

Donna Levine

You have the resourcefulness you need for whatever you decide to choose.

You REALLY do have the:

• Courage
• Passion
• Determination
• Fire

We can do anything if we have a compelling reason and the focus. There is always a way. Even if it’s not true, act like it is and usually you can find a way to achieve what you want to achieve.

The power to choose is what gives us the opportunity to create a different life! As an individual, you always have a choice.

Respecting and Managing Time

At the end of the day have you ever thought to yourself, “Wow, I was busy all day, but I don’t feel like I achieved anything,” or “Today was a great day; I got loads done!” What caused the difference in the outcome? Both were busy days, but one felt unproductive and the other was productive. The difference usually lies in the fact that you got the most important tasks done. That’s why you feel good. It was a productive day, not just “being busy.”

Many of us underestimate the value of time and take it for granted because time just goes on and on. We often say ‘we’ll do it tomorrow’ or ‘l’ll do that when I have time’. What we don’t understand is that time is a valuable resource – it may actually be our most valuable resource.

Time is free, but it’s priceless.

You can’t own it, but you can use it.

You can’t keep it, but you can spend it.

Once you’ve lost it you can never get it back.

Harvey MacKay

You have the same amount of time each day as world leaders, such as The President and the Prime Minister, the same amount of time as successful entrepreneurs such as Richard Branson and Bill Gates. The same amount of time as world famous entertainers such as Lady GaGa and Katy Perry.Your education, social standing, financial status doesn’t make a difference to the amount of time you get – no matter what happens we all get exactly the same amount of time, 1,440 minutes a day.

Control of time is the key to being more efficient. It is an important skill to develop so that we can accomplish more tasks than the average person each and every day.So, how do you spend your time?

• Does your day have a structure?
• Can that structure be improved?

The first step is to start measuring how long tasks take. This will give you an indication whether you under or over schedule your day. The majority of us actually under estimate how long a task will take and that is why we often don’t get everything done we want to complete in a day.

For the next week, whenever you are about to begin a task.

1. Stop and estimate how long the task will take.
2. Then compare how long it actually took.

You can learn an incredible amount from this exercise. I recommend starting this from the moment you get up. Know how long it takes you to get ready of a morning, how long you take to exercise, how long it takes to drive to the train station or to work. Then when you are at work, learn how long it takes you from walking in the door to actually starting work. What is the first task you do of a day? Is it always the same first task? How long does it take? When do you check your emails? How long do you spend checking emails?

Knowing how long even basic tasks such as getting ready of a morning take may mean you now understand why you are always racing out the door a couple of minutes late.It will allow you to more accurately estimate how much work you can complete in a day which in turn may change how you schedule your day.

You are welcome to access some templates that will assist you track you time they can be downloaded from the free resources section on my website.

Setting Boundaries

We often say “yes” to some projects, tasks or meetings when we really should be saying no. 

It’s up to us as an individual to set our own boundaries. At times we say “yes” because:

• We want to help
• We don’t like being rude
• We don’t like conflict
• We worry if you say ‘no’ this time they may not ask you again
• We  feel you may be offending others
• We  feel someone might not like you

We often find it more difficult to say “no” to a request from an adult. That can be because we all like to help and contribute, and that should be important, but it needs to be balanced with our other urgent and important tasks.

When we’re clear on our priorities, it gives us the courage to say ‘no’ in a pleasant way.  The key is learning the right way to say ‘no’. Once I developed this skill, I realised it wasn’t difficult at all and other people are actually very understanding.

A number of statements and phrases that are worth using include:

• “I have a prior commitment”
• “I’m overextended right now.”
• “I can’t commit to this at the moment because of my other priorities”
• “Sorry, can’t. Let me know how it goes.”
• “I’m tempted, but I’ll have to pass.”
• “I don’t have experience with that.”
• “I would rather decline than do a mediocre job.”
• “I’d love to say yes, but I can’t.”
• “I’m honoured, but this is a busy time, and I won’t be able to fit it in.”
• “You’re good at that; you shouldn’t have any trouble finding someone to help.”
• “You know I’d never refuse you if I could help it. I’m swamped right now.”
• “Let me think about it and I’ll get back to you.”
• “We’re overcommitted – perhaps you could hire a temp for that.”
• “I can’t do that, but I can suggest a few people who might be able to help you”
• “I’d love to help you with this. Which of my current projects should I delegate to another person in order to take this on?”

So next time someone asks you to help them take a moment before you answer.

Mahatma Gandhi said, "A 'No' uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or what’s worse, to avoid trouble."

Learning to say “no” is a very simple but effective time and stress and time management tool.  It’s important to remember than whenever you say “yes” to something, you’re effectively saying “no” to something else – it may be your free time, an extra twenty minutes sleep, exercising time or family time. These are real motivational factors to understand why you should be saying “no”.

Make it a new habit to stop and think before you automatically say “yes” to a request; at least this way you’re making a conscious decision and are fully aware that you’re giving up something else. 

Time Management - Delaying Tasks

We are all well aware that life is busy. At times it may feel like it’s far too busy for us to keep up. This means that we can put off tasks that should be done. Putting off tasks is not necessarily the same as procrastination. To put off a task is to know that you have to do it and continue to put it off.

The following are some tips to help you moved forward.

1. Identify the task that you are putting off and do the task. Don’t start or do anything else until you have done that task.
2. If the task is something that is too difficult, you don’t have the skills, or even too trivial then consider delegating or outsourcing.
3. At the beginning of each day most time management experts recommend that you number your tasks that you intend to do for the day. It is important that you then follow the numbers in numerical order. This keeps you moving and helps prevent putting off tasks.
4. You may be delaying the task because you have forgotten how to do the task. If it is something that you don’t do regularly this can occur. Therefore your next action may be to talk to someone who knows how to do it and find out how it is done [can I suggest that you write a system so you know how to do the task next time it comes about.]
5. Sometimes we put off the task because we are missing information. Therefore, you know what you have to do now. Identify what the information is that you need and find the information. The key here is to actually work out what the information is that you need. Don’t just write an action note of “get information”. That will not help at all. Write what the information is that you have to get. For example “get 2011 tax return to obtain the date taxation was submitted.”
6. Often we automatically do things because they are “on our list” however it is important to ask whether the task really needs to be done.  It’s frustrating to eventually complete a task only to discover that it didn't have to be done at all!
7. You may have tasks on your list that involves paying for something and you have to wait until you have money, put the task into a “future to-do” list. Don’t have the task hanging over your head and on “the list” when there is nothing you can do for now to get it done.
8. If you can't make yourself put the paperwork away then just buy the item. Complete the task on your list and move on.
9. Have a day or half a day a month that is known as “finish up day” or “completion day”. This is the day where you complete all the outstanding tasks that you haven’t got around to. It’s an amazing feeling when this occurs as it gives you a real sense of freedom.
10. The most brutal option is to just not do the task. If it was important then you would have done it by now! Face reality perhaps it’s just not that important!

The key is to look at all the tasks you have to do and question whether you really have to do them. Don’t just be someone who is busy. Be someone who is productive.

Get Business Tool

I have been blogging for a couple of years now and one of the things I could never do was add you tube videos or audio that I felt may be relevant to my blogging community. I have found the solution. It is software called JCopia.
It's not just for You Tube, you can also use it to download video and audio from flash players on internet sites like Google Video, MySpace, DailyMotion, Metacafe, Break, and other Blog sites of course. Where ever audio and video content is embedded.

Just play your media online and watch as JCopia saves any clip, music or movie to your computer. If you want it you can download and install from http://jiteco.com/download/jcopia/jcopia.exe

Or lLearn more what is included in JCopia 4.7.11466 on http://jiteco.com/jcopia.html

I know I don't normally do this but it was something that I had been trying to do for a while and could not find the answer. I figured if it was a problem I had maybe its a problem you may have.

Imagining only owning 100 things!

I read an article by Kristin Tillotson from the Star Tribune in Minneapolis where she wrote of a family that are really trying to live green, save money and be free.

Think about what is the minimum number of items you could live with and how different your life would be with only the minimum.

This Swindlehurt’s family is breaking tradition and really going against the grain of current society by getting rid of as much stuff as they can.

Simplifying their lives

Apparently there is a National movement in America of people who are simplifying their lives – and imagine the difference on your savings by eliminating as many possessions as you can and resisting buying anything else.

It is linked towards green living, The Swindlehurt’s who the article focused on said that “The 100 Things Challenge” was what started it all. This challenge dared people to keep only 100 things. It was launched by Dave Bruno three years ago. It has picked up a Facebook following and naturally a book deal.

The goal is to free you from the demands of consumerism, from being stuck on stuff. Imagine how different your life would be. No filing cabinet, no dresser, no incredible collection of DVD’s, no mismatched coffee cups. What would be the 100 things you would keep?

Living minimal like this has definite benefits beyond the reduced environmental footprint such as reduced cleaning time. Not being anchored to material possessions, the money saved the feeling of being more organised.

Times are changing

It is interesting to note that we tend to travel in a circle through our life and many years ago our grandparents or parents grew up in the depression with very little, until now-a-days when we have excess everywhere from our possessions to our weight. Many people are feeling overwhelmed by their possessions and are making a conscious choice to reduce and eliminate.

People are starting to feel different. Material possessions are not necessary to show how successful you have been. According to a study of the American Dream by MetLife Generation Y is more into making friends than amassing objects.

You don’t have to get down to 100 things but really take a look around and every day take some possessions out of your house. It is a real freedom. It opens up so many possibilities. What is the minimum you could live with?

About Us

LifeStyle Refocus is a Melbourne based professional organiser and lifestyle management consultancy. We are all about saving you TIME. We conduct workshops on ‘Managing your Time’, ‘Systemise Yourself to have a Productive Day,’ ‘DeClutter and Take Back Control’ and Mind Clutter.’ We work with individuals and businesses to help them create a better life.

For more information go to www.lifestylerefocus.com.au or contact Michele on 0437 311 802.