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How many times have you caught yourself saying, “if there were only more hours in a day.” There is so much we could be doing but should you be doing it all. The hot buzzword in today’s society is BUSY. You ask someone how they are doing and they say, “I am BUSY.” Busy doing what? There is a distinct difference between being busy and being productive.

Being productive means, you are getting a ton done and hopefully the most important things done. You are taking intentional action that lead to results. Busy, on the other hand, tend to be filled with activities that are time fillers. These time fillers or distractors can include and are not limited to as I am sure you can come up with some more: watching TV, surfing the internet and following those blue links in the internet vortex, scrolling through social media to catch all the likes on your recent post, decluttering your desk for the third time, or starting some domestic chores when you really need to be focused in on getting things done. We are all guilty of this at one time or another. The trick is…what are you avoiding or running away from?

We know what we need to do. Chances are you have heard of time management strategies and techniques. Maybe you even attempted a couple but fell off the wagon or never found the strategy that has worked for you. Doing something once, twice, or even three times isn’t going to make a new habit stick. Researchers say it takes between 21-66 days for a habit to be changed or a new habit to be formed. Some people think they are making sacrifices so they do not put in any effort at all. They equate sacrifice with a loss instead of the gain they will achieve. Short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.

There was a study done on preschoolers called The Marshmallow Test were the children were sitting at a table in a room. They were given one marshmallow and if they were able to hold off on eating it until the researcher came back into the room they would be rewarded with a second marshmallow. As you can imagine, there were many different reactions. Some children licked and touched them and stared at them. Others took a big bite as soon as the door closed. The ones that were able to wait received their reward. If you get a chance, you can watch the video on YouTube – it is very entertaining. Years later, they studied those same children. Those children that were able to hold off on the need for instant gratification were more successful in their lives and careers.

It is easy to get caught in the bright shiny object syndrome. You can react to impulsive behaviors or you can build in habits that serve you in being laser-focused on your goals.

Let’s Get Laser Focused:

Eliminate distractions. Put your cellphone on do not disturb or silent. Shut off any notifications. If you are working from home, maybe you need to change your environment – head to a coffee shop. Avoid household chores and assign to a specific time of day you will tend to them. Set up an app on your phone or computer to block or prevent you from going to websites and surfing the internet when not needed for the work you need to get done. Yes! Thoughts will come up that you need to do other things – write it down on a notepad and set it aside for now. You captured the thought you have not lost it.

Start by making a list. What are the things you need to get done? Not only WANT to get done but NEED to get done.

Prioritize the items on the list. What are the top 3-5 things you must get done to move ahead? These may not seem significant but in the whole scheme of things getting these items done is the biggest return on investment of time, money, and resources.

Time-block your priorities into your calendar. What you ink, you think. When you block off time, you make things happen. Too many people have things on their to-do lists that they are not putting into their calendars and they cannot figure out why the to-do list is only getting longer.

Someone may call you and say, “Hello, are you free to run an errand for me?” or “Hey, do you want to go shopping this afternoon.” You check your calendar – voila! Nothing is booked so you say, “Why sure!” You did not check your to-do list of things you need to get done. When you put it on the calendar, you can start crossing things off the to-do list and using your time more efficiently.

Set a timer for each activity. Time expands to the amount of time you allot. If you give yourself 20 minutes, you will work on that project or task for 20 minutes. If you set aside 4 hours, it will take you 4 hours. Block the time you need. You can use the Pomodoro method where you set 20 minutes aside work steady and then take a 5-minute break. I personally have found through trial and error that my optimum time is 45 minutes. I will work steadily for 45 minutes and then break for 15 minutes. Take the break to recharge is important. You can get more accomplished as you will be re-energized and refocused on the task at hand.

Take care of you! One of the most important pieces of achieving anything in life is that you take care of you. Do things that you are passionate and enthusiastic about. Make healthy eating choices. Move your body and get the exercise it needs daily. Read, meditate, or pray – clear your mind. Journal your thoughts and visualize your outcomes. They are a scene of life’s coming attractions! Practice a morning routine that sets the tone for the day. The way you start your day is often how you will get your day.

Reflect on your day and plan out the next. Review your day. What went as you intended? What did not go as you intended? Is there something you could do differently the next time? What did you learn? What are you grateful for? What can you do tomorrow that will make it even better?

When you plan and do things with intention, you will start seeing the outcomes you want to see. If you do not manage your time, you will miss out on deadlines and opportunities because you will not have the time to fit it all in. Wouldn’t you agree that short-term sacrifice is worth the gain?

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DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free e-book download today! www.debrakasowski.com

“Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.” – Jim Rohn

Are you looking to squeeze more hours out of your day so you can get more done? It may be time to quit hitting the snooze button and change up some of your daily habits. If you ever read about a few successful people out in the world, you will quickly learn that they take a unique approach to every day that the average person does not.

Rise and Shine Early Bird

Although the thought of sleeping in is appealing, you can get a head start on your day if you get up early. You have probably heard the saying that “the early bird catches the worm”. Many successful people have committed and disciplined themselves to get up between four and six o’clock in the morning. They say they gain 2 hours of productivity. You can gain a jump start on your day and get more done than most people do by 8 am. When you get up early, you have an opportunity to get so much more done because your time is your time is focused and free of distractions. You can start your day with a clean slate and a clear head. Use this time to your advantage. Imagine how much more you would get done if you got into the habit of getting up early. It may take some willpower initially but as you continue to do it you may surprise yourself.

Get Your Body Moving

By exercising in the morning, you are not leaving your gym time to chance. Meetings, emails, and phone calls can take up a lot of your time and by the end of the day, you may convince yourself that you are exhausted and all you need is a night crashed on the couch. Get your exercise in early. If you cannot get to a gym, go for a walk, do body weight exercises, or follow along on a yoga app. I use an app called Kettlebells. It even sends me alerts if I haven’t used the app in a few days, “Are your abs getting soft?” Now, that’s motivating! Richard Branson, Barack Obama, and Mark Zuckerberg have been known for getting their exercise routines done in the early morning. They have demanding roles that require them to be at the top of their performance.

Eat a Healthy Breakfast

Contrary to what you might think, a cup of coffee or tea with a piece of toast is not breakfast. Choose to prepare and eat a healthy breakfast to get you fueled for the day. Better yet, get your family involved in preparing the meal so they learn about this important habit. If you are stuck for time, consider making a smoothie or preparing a few items to grab and go.

Scan Your Emails for Urgent Items

Many of the emails you get from people are often about requesting something from you. Learn to quickly scan your emails for items you need from other people to propel your work further. You may even choose to quickly check social media and respond to a few comments before you start doing what needs to get done.

Map Out the Plan for the Day

Don’t look at the to-do list unless you are putting those items in your calendar to plan when you are going to get items on the list done. Whenever possible, attempt to work on the heaviest or biggest items on the list in the first part of your day when you are energized and ready to take on the day. When you plan your day with intention, you will get more done than the average person. Look at who you need to contact and follow up with to move your plans forward. What actions do you need to take to get closer to the outcomes you are looking for?

Visualize Your Outcomes

Some people use the morning quiet time to reflect, pray, or meditate. Closing your eyes and visualizing achieving your desired results is a powerful way to start your day. When you are emotionally connected to what you want to do, you are less likely to procrastinate at going after your goals.

Spend Quality Time with Family and Friends

Successful entrepreneurs and executives know when the day is done there is nothing sweeter than connecting with the people who keep you grounded. I have read articles online about how television host Kelly Ripa uses special time in the mornings to make breakfast and connect with her family, Gwyneth Paltrow chose to only take on one movie a year so she could raise her family. Start your day by setting out the door or retreating to your home office on a high note by creating a positive atmosphere to start the day.

A simple shift in the way you approach these habits could be the one change that accelerates your results. How many of these habits are you already doing? Which one would you like to adopt? Why not challenge yourself to get up early and focus on what you need to get done for the next 21 days?

EPISODE 168 – Manage Your Time Before It Manages You

Insider Secrets: 7 Habits Successful People Do Before Breakfast