Putting Off 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. The following are some tips to help you move forward when you find you are putting tasks last on the ‘to-do’ list day-after-day or week-after-week and in some cases month-after-month.

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.

If the task is something that is too difficult, you don’t have the skills, or even too trivial, then consider delegating or outsourcing.

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’s important that you then follow the numbers in order. This keeps you moving and helps prevent putting off tasks.

You may be delaying the task because you have forgotten how to do the task. If it’s 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 (then write a system so you know how to do the task next time it comes about).

Sometimes we put off the task because we are missing information. The next step is to identify what the information is that you need and find that 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 won’t help at all. Write what the information is that you have to get. For example, “get 2013 tax return to obtain when the date taxation was submitted.”

Often, we automatically do things because they are “on our list”. However, it’s 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!

You may have tasks on your list that involves paying for something and you have to wait until you have the 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 at the moment to complete the task.

Action

Have a day or even a half-day in 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 finished yet. It’s an amazing feeling when this occurs as it gives you a real sense of freedom.

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!

Life Just Is

Life just is.  You have to flow with it.

Give yourself to the moment.  Let it happen.

Governor Jerry Brown

 Have you ever taken the time to think about what you can and what you can’t control?  I love to be in control.  I love being organised and systematised as they help me be in control.  However, I have come to realise that there are factors way beyond my control, and that, in order to progress I need to let go of those factors.

The only person that I can control is me.  That is the person I need to rely on.  I love to help people, support people, encourage people; however, at the end of the day, the only person I can control is me.  I can give my best to others, but I can’t make them take action or change.  They have to want to do that.

So I have relinquished control of others and it has been liberating.  Life is no longer stressful when I realised that I can only control one person!  I no longer take responsibility for others.  I no longer hold the weight of their decisions or lack of action.  So long as I am doing my best and being my best then that is what is right for me.

The other bonus is the less time you spend trying to control others, the more time you have for you!  How liberating.

With Each Day, Realize that You’re Here to Make a Difference

I would love you to take some time today to think of one or two people in your life who have been "impact people".  People who impacted your life in such a way that by crossing your path, you discovered you were more than you had thought previously.

For each one of us, the impact will be different because we are all unique.  These people allowed you to learn a little more about yourself.  They empowered you and lifted you up.  Their moment in your life was marked forever.

Each and every one of us has the unique ability to be a person of impact.

Today, start to become aware that you are a person of impact.  Find a moment in your day where you are crossing someone else’s path and be a demonstration, an example, and a presence of love even with a smile, a word or a thought.

Decision Making

"It is the decisions you make when you have no time to make them that define who you are.  Believing in yourself  is one of the first steps to success.”

It really is important to believe in yourself, isn’t it?

Believe in yourself no matter what other people think.  We should all decide what we can do, be and have.  Whatever we want in this world and the only person who can get you there is YOU!  It is in your thoughts; it is in your actions that you can make your dreams come true.

Some simple steps that may help include: 

1. Set goals. When you set goals you know where you are heading
2. Acknowledge when you achieve any small goal.  It helps to build your confidence in your own success.
3. Have realistic expectations of what you can achieve and then aim a little higher.  We can always achieve more than we think we can.
4. Listen to feedback, and remember, some people will try to tear you down while others will provide golden tips to support you on your journey.
5. Contribute to those around you.  When you contribute, you will receive positive feedback and respect from others that helps build yourself belief and self-confidence.
6. Always, always work towards your dreams.
7. Believe in yourself.  It is the key to success in life.

I Enjoy Being Me

What a wonderfully unique person I am!

I love how it feels to be me.  I enjoy my life and cherish all the little nuances that occur every day.

I am where I am in life because of the choices I made and the work I put into being precisely who I am.  I am exactly the person I want to be.

I will continue to grow and learn new things.  I will continue to experience new things in life and transform for the better; this is part of being me.

I have surrounded myself with wonderful people and I enjoy who I am when I am with them.

I enjoy who I am when I am alone as well.  I take pleasure in self-reflection and I appreciate how I permit myself to enjoy solitude.

I am fun and caring.  I am talented and trustworthy.  I am glad to be just who I am.

Today, I will have a special date with myself and plan a time where I can simply enjoy being me.  I will do things I like to do and focus on the pure enjoyment of my time with me.

What are my best attributes?

What have I enjoyed doing by myself?

How do I show myself appreciation for being the wonderful person I am?

Personal Reflections Exercises

The Joy of Laughter

When you laugh, your brain produces natural mood elevators that free you from pain and suffering. Laughter is therapeutic. Humour can transform your emotions and mind and it can cure your body. Laughter helps you keep your life in perspective.

Laugh at yourself more. It helps to keep your life in perspective. I know, I was one of those people who wanted to do everything right. Who does everything right? No one. When I let go of this and started laughing at my silly small mistakes, life was more enjoyable, less pressure.

When was the last time you had a good laugh? It’s time to make laughter a priority. Maybe it’s time you watched your favourite comedy or borrowed a joke book from the library. Do something to bring laughter into your life and enjoy yourself.

Balance

Balance is the key to life.  If we had sunshine all the time without rain, the plants would suffer.  If we only focused on one area of our life such as work, other areas such as our relationships, health and fitness, personal development, may suffer.

Balance is about your mental, physical, emotional and spiritual needs.  When we focus too much on one area, other areas in our life are impacted and, in some cases, other areas of our life suffer.

We have to be aware of over-scheduling ourselves.  Aiming for total balance is perhaps aiming too high - it is all about overall well-being.  Combine being at work with your friendship groups.  You could even exercise at lunch time with some of your work colleagues.  That means you are working on your business relationships plus health and fitness.  Maybe you could combine your children’s sport commitments and be involved; in some way, this helps with your family time.

The message I am giving here is rather than separating categories, combine categories.  If you exercise then try to exercise with friends.  To spend time with your children, then get involved in things they do, combine work with your social life.

Remember, we no longer live in a society or world where it is 8 hours sleep, 8 hours work, 8 hours play.  It is about using our time well and we can do this to help maintain balance.

I look forward to hearing your creative success stories about balance.