The number one question people ask me is "How do you do it all? How do you run 19 Web sites, raise six children, and write books?" Whenever someone asks me this I just chuckle and tell them that if they could see my house, they'd understand! Or sometimes I admit to workaholism. But there are clear and definite ways to maximize your time to accomplish more without getting out of balance. In this article I'll share a few.
1. Work with your moods. You know how most people look at everything they have to do and start with the worst first. They say, "I hate to do it, but I really have to get my bills paid today. Uggh! I'd rather be writing or designing my web site or calling new customers, but I've set aside Monday's to pay my bills, so that's what I've got to do today."
Bills do need to be paid, but if you're in a creative mood with ideas and energy that want to go elsewhere, follow your creative energy where it leads. Then when that energy has passed, do things like paying your bills and other tasks that don't need that creative flow.
This is the way I've worked for years. If I feel like writing, I write. If I feel like tinkering with my web site, I do that. If I feel like finding new ways to market my business or develop new income streams, I do those things. If I feel like finding out how much money I've made or have to spend, I do my billing and bookkeeping. When you work with your moods you're in a state of flow and when you're in this state you accomplish more in less time.
2. Lean on a Higher Power. When you know that there is Someone higher than you . . . Someone infinite and eternal who can do anything and that this Someone is on your side and ready and willing to help you, you can accomplish anything! You are not alone! You don't have to jump those hurdles by yourself. Acknowledge your own inability to climb the mountain, ask for help, expect it, and watch miracles occur.
3. Prioritize Your Day. In the morning carefully consider what you feel you should accomplish for that day. Listen to your moods. Pray about what you should do, and listen carefully for answers. What do you feel inspired and motivated to do? Write these down. Act on them! It's important that you do! After writing down 1-2 important things you'd like to accomplish that day, make a list of smaller activities and keep them handy for when you have a spare moment (more on this later).
4. Learn to Hop with Focus. With a husband, six children and customers vying for my attention, I have to be able to write, take a phone call and then restart mid-sentence. I must be able to get up and get a snack for a 6-year-old and jump right back into programming my web site. Have an overall objective clear in your mind and then when distractions come, make sure you return to task when they've passed.
5. Use Small Bits of Time. Keep a list of little things that you need to do that can be accomplished in 5 minutes or 10. In five minutes you can set an appointment, feed your pets, empty a dishwasher, download your email. In ten you can load a dishwasher, fold a load of laundry, take a walk to clear your head, answer an email, make a change to a web page. Never "kill a few minutes" use them instead!
6. Eliminate Time Wasters. The number one thing that most people spend time on that I do not is watching television. I watch maybe 1-2 movies each week and the rest of the time I'm either working, caring for my family or reading. Think about it, a person who comes home from work and averages watching 5-6 hours of television per day, just flushed 35-42 hours/week down the toilet! He could be working a second job, spending time building lasting relationships with his family or enjoying a productive hobby and developing new skills. Think of what you could accomplish if you had twice the hours of the normal person!
7. Remember: Daily tasks, performed consistently over time yield great results. People look at all I've accomplished and say, "Wow! How do you do all that?" Well, I've been in business for 18 years. Every new skill acquired builds on the last. Plug along with purpose, vision and direction and give it time. Rome wasn't built in a day!
Most of all it helps to have a spouse and children who allow you to reach your full potential, who help, put up with a less-than-immaculate-house, and who believe in you. You may or may not have that type of support system, but at least now you know a few of my practical secrets to accomplishing more in less time. I hope you find them helpful in reaching your worthwhile desires!
Learn more about getting more done in a day than most people accomplish in a week.
Marnie Pehrson, a mother of 6, has been highlighting truth and talent for at least 15 years. Whether it's writing a novel that spotlights individuals who've made a difference in the world or helping a talented entrepreneur create a platform for his life's work, Marnie underscores truth and talent in innovative and compelling ways. To learn more about Marnie and her projects, visit http://www.pwgroup.com.
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