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Are You Over-Busy?

– By Pete Wilkinson

Life is very busy for most of us. That’s especially true if you’re running a business or part of an executive team. You probably have far more projects running than you can handle and I bet you also have far too many plates spinning. And with all this going on it isn’t just nice to take time out, it is absolutely essential.

Are you running at full pace and maybe still not getting the results you expected or desire? I would imagine if we were talking face to face right now you could tell me about all the things that you have to do and you would probably say there are not enough hours in the day.

The only way to manage this sort of situation is to take a little time out. It may mean getting up a little earlier or taking time out during the day or even later in the day. But it is essential

03-001-wHere’s how I do it. Take today for an example. I got up a little earlier and went for a run. Nothing too far. The sun was shining and I ran through some fields, around a quiet graveyard and back along the coast with the sun reflecting in the sea.

I let my mind relax. I took in fresh breaths of air and I looked around and took in the views. It may be for some reason that you haven’t run for a while and doing five miles is a little beyond you. Fair enough, then go for a walk, go for a ride, or just go outside and find a bench to sit on.

The key is to take some time out. Reflect, relax and rejuvenate.

After my run I felt more in control and I had a new perspective. I’d spent some time by myself without email, hearing the phone or hearing my name. I was able to refocus on what was really important.

What will you do differently from tomorrow, or even today? How will you take time out to reflect, relax and rejuvenate?

Setting a little time aside for you to keep focusing on what is important helps you be more and achieve more, whether that’s happiness, fulfilment, sales or profit. The key is to do something, however small, to ensure you get some time for you.

Here’s another time-saving approach that can help to achieve more without having to work an extra 10 hours a week.

I’ve been trying a new technique recently in order to be a little more focused in achieving one of my goals. You know what it’s like. You have lots going on, many projects and sometimes the important stuff just doesn’t get done. Often a good few days go by and you realise you haven’t made the progress you expected.

Go to a stationary supplier and buy some small white cards, about the size of a postcard. Think about one of your major goals or something you really desire. For me it was the persistence to complete my online course so that I can help people remotely.

Once you’re clear about what you want to achieve, take six cards and write your goal on each card.

You will be writing the same thing on each card. This will help you execute.

The next step is to place the cards around your home where you will see them. Mine are on the fridge, near where I get shaved, beside my alarm clock, in my car, on my office desk and inside my coat pocket.

I am now reading what I desire about 30 times a day and it is really helping me to be focused. When you start something new like this it is important to look for the first sign of success. When you find it concentrate on that and stay on task. If something is important to you it is worth a bit of work making it happen. So take action!

 

Pete WilkinsonPete Wilkinson is a coach, workshop leader and keynote speaker who works with executive teams and individuals to help them deliver consistently high performance results. He is passionate about helping people achieve more in a week than most do in a month. Find out more at www.petewilkinson.com

 

Image from shutterstock.com

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