My dear newsletter friends, Every January, at the start of the
new year, I think about what I have done right in the past year and what I didn’t
do right, what has worked for me and what hasn’t, what I have accomplished and
what I still haven’t done. So this is what I found out - basically, I’m a mess.
The daily list of things I want to accomplish goes right out the window, as
I accomplish totally unrelated things. I spend lots of energy running around
in circles in a flurry as I throw the daily master plans out the window. But
I do things I never thought I would do and sometimes accomplish even more. So
this month, I will give you a blow by blow account of my new years self assessment.
This may sound familiar to some of my other right brained friends. Take heart
- there’s hope for us yet. Have a safe, healthy, happy and productive new year.
I’m going to finish my projects a few weeks early, and
work a little every day so that I never have to feel the pressure of a deadline.
I’m going to be so organized that cleaning my house, writing my articles,
and keeping up with friends is easy.
Yeah right! I say that every year. Something in my head says
“You have to do a little every day. Life would be so much easier”.
Suddenly my alter ego chimes in and says, “It would be much more fun to
go to Starbucks, talk to someone on the phone, or play tennis”.
I obey that second voice without another thought. And I keep
listening to it, until I don’t even remember what I had been so resolved
to do.
The next day, I realize that nothing has really changed, so
I decide to go all out and begin again by organizing and scheduling myself.
I know I can do it.
BUT I am probably the most easily distracted person alive, and
the ultimate multi-tasker. Part of the problem is that there are so many fun
things to do, and the most enticing ones are close by: right there on my computer,
or a hop, skip and jump from my home.
Take the internet, for instance. I may be in the middle of writing
an article, when it occurs to me that I have forgotten to check out a new travel
web site – and if I don’t do it right now, I may forget. That leads
to advice columns, blogs, internet news sites, and finally - I tunes.
So after a long detour, I resume writing - again.
Then – writers block! No problem. Just take a few minutes
off to rejuvenate with a trip to the library to check out a book that just may
fit in with the topic I’m writing about.
Two hours later, after an escapade at the library, followed
by a grande vanilla latte, buying groceries for dinner, checking movie listings,
and calling friends to make arrangements for the next tennis outing, I’m
ready to start again.
Or should I just start making dinner?
UUUMMMM!
Does this sound familiar?
____
OK - so every day isn’t like this, but when they are I
have fun and get very little done. Here are some ideas of things we can do to
become more productive.
*start every day journaling the schedule and your thoughts on
it
*make a list of the 3 things that MUST get done in the day
*schedule what you need to get done early in the day
*make a not- to- do list of all the things to avoid doing – like going
out for coffee more than once
*give yourself permission to detour only at certain times
*delegate some work for others to do
*eliminate clutter and simplify your surroundings
*schedule your most important distractions into the day: coffee breaks, tennis,
exercise
*edit your information intake – too much intake leads us to go off on
tangents
*create systems to get things done faster and easier
*focus on short chunks of time
*think simplicity and avoid making things harder than they are
*make self imposed deadlines in the future
I guess I’ll try some of these things, but only after
I go downstairs to put in a load of laundry - - HHMMM.
A HEADS UP FOR ALL OF US:
This year I have had many friends who have had tough times with illness,
accidents, and hard luck. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed, but am
reminded every day how important it is for us to live fully, moment by moment:
to do it all while we can, and enjoy life for every minute that we are given
- in honor of those who cant right now. The time we have to build our legacy
is precious. We must do it now.
IN THE NEWS:
We read so much in the paper about the war in the Middle
East, yet it is hard to understand what is really going on there, who
the people are, and what their challenges are. I have found some wonderful,
easy to read books about the culture, religion and beliefs of those in
Afghanistan, Iraq and Saudia Arabia. If you look on the right column at
the top of this newsletter, you will see some WONDERFUL books that I have
read. They are all very readable, interesting and informative. Click on
the book photo and you will be sent to the site of that book on amazon.com.
An informed public is important as our world gets
smaller and smaller.
If any of you have productivity tips you would like to share
with us, please e-mail them to me and I will share them in the next newsletter.
I wish you all a productive month.
Love,
Cheryl
Cheryl Perlitz is the author of the inspirational
book "Soaring Through Setbacks - Rise above adversity - Reclaim
your life" and “Soaring through Setbacks….Survival
Tips Handbook’
As a dynamic
speaker and facilitator, her inspiring, fun and motivational
stories help listeners and readers to "TRANSFORM THEIR MOUNTAINS
INTO OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVENTURE AND POSITIVE CHANGE."
QUOTE of the MONTH
The Procrastinator's Creed: 1. I believe that if anything
is worth doing, it would have been done already. 2. I shall never move quickly,
except to avoid more work or find excuses. 3. I will never rush into a job without
a lifetime of consideration. 4. I shall meet all of my deadlines directly in
proportion to the amount of bodily injury I could expect to receive from missing
them. 5. I firmly believe that tomorrow holds the possibility for new technologies,
astounding discoveries, and a reprieve from my obligations. 6. I truly believe
that all deadlines are unreasonable regardless of the amount of time given.
7. I shall never forget that the probability of a miracle, though infinitesmally
small, is not exactly zero. 8. If at first I don't succeed, there is always
next year. 9. I shall always decide not to decide, unless of course I decide
to change my mind. 10. I shall always begin, start, initiate, take the first
step, and/or write the first word, when I get around to it. 11. I obey the law
of inverse excuses which demands that the greater the task to be done, the more
insignificant the work that must be done prior to beginning the greater task.
12. I know that the work cycle is not plan/start/finish, but is wait/plan/plan.
13. I will never put off until tomorrow, what I can forget about forever. 14.
I will become a member of the ancient Order of Two-Headed Turtles (the Procrastinator's
Society) if they ever get it organized.
source unknown - please email me if you know the original
author
‘SOARING
THROUGH SETBACKS - Rise Above Adversity Reclaim Your Life’
is Cheryl's inspiring book that has helped thousands of people to see
their way through tough times. In this book you will learn how to survive,
revive and thrive through transitions and find new life.
BUY IT NOW
NOW
AVAILABLE GETTING THINGS DONE - Successful women speak'
Cheryl
is a contributing author in this book that features published authors,
speakers and small business owners. It is jam packed with tips on
how to get things done; manage your time, overcome difficult times,
set goals and reach BUY
IT NOW
I found this book to be shocking, and informative. It was easy reading, but i found the names hard to remember. The author has a key to the characters before each section so you can refer to that. Anyway, you will get the chilling point.
I read this book very quickly. it is a fascinating true story about the life for women in Saudia Arabian royalty. You wont be able to put it down.
This is another easy reading great book about life in war-torn Afghanistan. It's moving, honest and gives you a good picture of life there.
If you havent read this book it is a must - a best seller, an easy read. If you haven't read it yet, read it before the others.
Looking for additional information?
Visit my main site at www.soarwithme.com:
