Eliminate Distractions: 4 of 4 We’ve talked about Step 1 in the process of eliminating distractions: What is distracting you, and what type of distraction is it. You have the What’s Bugging You? worksheet to help you with this step. We’ve been talking about Step 2 and creating strategies to eliminate distractions. So far, we’ve covered things, events, and other people’s behaviors. You have the D3 Worksheet to help you plan your strategies. Eliminate Self-Created Distractions Completing Step 2 is to…

Eliminate Distractions: 3 of 4 Creating strong boundaries is the strategy of choice for distractions involving other people. Whether we’re talking about others or ourselves, people can be the most challenging types of distractions to eliminate. People are complicated, and it shows in our relationships. (Read the first and second parts about distractions if you haven’t yet – then this will make more sense.)   Boundaries Other peoples’ behaviors are what push your buttons and…

Eliminate Distractions: 2 of 4 A messy desk is a distraction. Clean and organize it for greater focus and energy. You have your list of the things you put up with: something that distracts you, diverts your attention, and robs you of time. (If you didn’t read the first post about distractions, you can read it here, and download the worksheet, What’s Bugging You, to use as you eliminate one distraction at…

Eliminate Distractions: 1 of 4 You’ve learned to put up with a lot over the years: things that bug you, irritate and annoy you, and distract you from what you want to focus on. All of those things drain your energy a little (or a lot) and rob you of time. Every single day. How much time do you lose with distractions pulling your attention at work? At home? My…

“Don’t try to teach a pig to sing — it wastes your time and annoys the pig.” Do I have your attention? This may bring a smile to your face; however, the message is so much deeper. It goes to the core of some fundamental teachings and philosophies that were certainly prevalent when I was going to school, and I’m pretty sure things haven’t changed. Throughout your life, you’ve found…

You fancy yourself the Master of Multitasking — You and thousands of other women. I count myself among them. But here’s the rub. While multitasking at home might work (juggling meal preparation, chores, taking care of kids, etc), in the office it doesn’t. Every time you get interrupted (or allow yourself to be interrupted) you waste valuable time and energy. Think about the differences in the tasks you perform between home and…

In many religions when you sin you’ve committed an unpardonable act. In fact, when you sin, you must repent in some way and ask forgiveness or suffer eternal damnation. This is usually frightening enough to force us into submission and into doing the “right” thing according to . . . whom? Instead of this accepted definition of what it means to sin, look at the ancient Greek origins. In that…

Breaks to Increase Productivity? Really? It’s not just taking breaks, but breaks in your day are a huge piece of increasing your productivity. There’s science behind it! So, what else can you do? Let’s set the scene: You wake up around 6 in the morning ready to take the world by storm. You’ve got a to-do list a mile long in your head. Your plan is to have conquered the business…

I was looking through my previous posts for something on time management. Imagine my surprise: In over 20 years of coaching, and with time management being one of the most common topics of conversation, still no writing about it. One thing is a constant, though: No matter who I spoke to through those years, time management always came down to the same thing – choice. The choices you make every…