By simplify, on January 19th, 2010% Okay, so you know I love rules (remember the earth-shattering, life-changing 2 Minute Rule?), and when I was reading one of my brother David’s latest blog posts, it reminded me of a rule that helped me be productive and stay sane years ago when I was writing my Ph.D. dissertation. And it’s still something I use today. It’s the 45 Minute Rule.
The 45 Minute Rule is simple. Do something for 45 minutes straight, with laser focus, and then take 15 minutes to unwind and do something relaxing. Repeat.
It’s funny, as I remember back to the 12-14 hour days . . . → Read More: The 45 Minute Rule
By simplify, on January 13th, 2010% So often we get overwhelmed by the sheer number of tasks that have to be done every week to keep our business up and running. But, the question you need to ask your self is, “Is what I am doing the best use of my time?”
This question is my mantra, and I ask myself this throughout the day to make sure that my actions are on track with my values and goals. But, how do you know if it’s the best use of your time?
Do this little activity:
First, write down everything you do for your business every . . . → Read More: Simplify Your Business Tasks
By simplify, on December 1st, 2009% I stumbled across this post today on the Above Rubies site, and just had to pass it along. Even if you are not a woman, or a mother, you can still glean some good information about some common time wasters:
The Telephone.
You can waste hours of time talking and gossiping on the telephone. Not only is it time-wasted, but this is usually when your children get into trouble, or be naughty because they realize the phone has taken mother’s attention away from them.
The TV.
I would rather live life than watch it! Teach your children to ‘live’ life, . . . → Read More: Top 10 Time Wasters for Women
By simplify, on November 6th, 2009% When driving home this morning after dropping my son off at school, I was listening to a CD (always business building, of course, since I have long ago transformed my car into a university on wheels!), and it reminded me of a great story.
How do you boil a frog? Maybe you know the answer. Of course, if you try to put the frog into boiling water, it will jump out. But, instead, if you put your frog in lukewarm water and slowly turn up the heat, by the time it realizes it’s hot, it’s too late and it can’t . . . → Read More: Are You Drifting?
By simplify, on October 21st, 2009% Yesterday, I was at a WBON meeting and we were sharing tips that have helped us through the recession.
There were several good ones, and a common theme was avoiding the media (negative media), and “choosing not to participate in the recession”.
I shared a thought that everyone loved, and wanted to pass this concept along to you. It’s about creating infinite time.
Think of the activities that you do during a specific day. Now rate each activity on how much time is RECEIVED from that activity.
For example, when I watch TV, I only generate 1 hour of time. . . . → Read More: Infinite Time
By simplify, on August 23rd, 2009% Here’s an article that I wrote for the Richmond Area Business Association, that I wanted to share with you called the 7 Secrets to Saving Time:
7 Secrets to Saving Time by Laura Aridgides, Ph.D. OrganizeNOW, LLC www.OrganizeNOW.info www.YouNeedMoreTime.com
In today’s busy world, many people struggle with getting everything done. One of the most frequently heard requests is to “just have more time”. While we all have the same 24 hours a day, only you can decide how you will spend your time.
Since I coach people on time management and organization for a living, the complaint I hear the . . . → Read More: 7 Secrets to Saving Time
By simplify, on August 13th, 2009% As a twist this week, I thought I would ask others what they are doing to manage their time, and compile them into one big blog post. So, here are some top time management tips from my fellow entrepreneurs on Better Networker and Work at Home Mom (WAHM)…enjoy!
Always do the thing that you hate and that are important to you business First thing in the morning. For example is you hate doing videos or writing blogs do those things firs thing in the morning, before you do anything else.
Make sure to identify the activities that make you money . . . → Read More: Top Time Management Tips
By simplify, on June 30th, 2009% Want one of the best kept secrets in the time management world? It’s called the 2 minute rule.
What we tend to do is pile things that we need to do “later”. So you might get a reminder postcard in the mail from your dentist telling you to make an appointment. So, we “pile” the paper to do later.
What starts as one paper quickly turns into a large pile of things to do either on your desk or in your inbox.
Instead start doing the 2 minute rule. The 2 minute rule states that if you get an action . . . → Read More: The 2 Minute Rule
By simplify, on May 27th, 2009% In the Top 10 Organization Strategies, step 8 is simple.
Ask yourself this question ALL DAY, “Is this the best use of my time?”
If the answer is no – find something else to do that is in better alignment with your personal or business goals.
It’s that simple. Make it your mantra. Ask yourself that one simple but powerful question throughout your day, and then do something else if what you are doing is not the best use of your time.
This could be personal and business. Remember, there are times when playing with my children IS the best . . . → Read More: Is This The Best Use Of Your TIME?
By simplify, on May 25th, 2009% In the Top 10 Organization Strategies, step 7 is to apply the 80/20 rule to your to do list.
Did you know that the 80/20 rule applies to almost every situation? In business, we know this rule to be that 80% of the sales are generated by 20% of the people, or 20% of the sales are generated by 80% of the people. This rule is the Pareto Principle, and we can use it with your “to do” list as well.
If you look at your list and it has 10 action items to do that day, 2 of those . . . → Read More: The 80/20 Rule and Your “To Do” List
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