Breaking FreeTo-Do List Overload
Does your to-do list runneth over?
It seems even if all 24 hours of this day could be devoted to it, you still would not be able to check off every item.
- Has your open-door policy morphed into a revolving door policy?
- Is your day filled with requests, complaints, and visitors that make tackling even the highest priority task on your list a challenge?
While you want to be available for your friends and co-workers, you need to balance that with the time needed to focus on your own tasks.
Therein lies the enigma.
The Science
Many of us procrastinate. We somehow manage to put off the tasks that are most important to us. This is a common challenge for most of my clients. Another common problem is that my clients don't have enough time in the day to do what they want and need to do. How do we overcome these sabotaging habits?
First of all, we recognize that it is possible! It is our thoughts, conscious or subconscious, that cause us to create habits. Neuroscience tells us that people CAN and do change their brains including what and how they think. In other words, it is definitely possible to teach an old dog new tricks. Science also tells us that we are more effective when we operate out of 'habit'. That is why our brains love to create habits! They are much more energy efficient. Our habits and thoughts can make us or break us.
To overcome our ineffective habits, like procrastination, neuroscience tells us that we must A.C.T.
A = Attention Density. We must intentionally focus our attention and be aware of the focus and frequency of our thoughts.
C = Choose Consistently. We must make conscious decisions as to where we choose to focus our attention. When you choose not to choose, you are still making a choice... to allow someone or something else to create your habits.
T = Time. It takes time to create a new neural pathway in your brain. You must consistently focus your attention over a period of time to create a new habit.
Sounds simple, right? But how, exactly, do we do that? The answer is Power Sessions!
The Power of Power Sessions!
The term 'power session' is frequently used to describe intense training. In this regard, power sessions typically involve 30 minutes to 3 hours of intense focus on the critical elements of a broad topic.
Applying the power session concept to your work day can result in a big boost to your productivity.
Your power sessions are times that you schedule for a specific purpose. During that time, you will focus on the task at hand and ignore the interruptions. For time-consuming tasks, you may want to schedule more than one power session to be sure you're not cramming right before the deadline.
Look at your calendar... go ahead, take just a second to look at it.
- Is it full of meetings with other people?
- Do you have any meetings scheduled for your tasks?
- Do you have any time scheduled for you and your ideas - a time just to think?
If you are paid strictly to meet with people and your calendar is full of meetings, you probably don't need power sessions. However, most of us get paid to perform tasks and to think. Do you have time scheduled for these activities in your day? If so, terrific! If not, start TODAY!
Communication is the key! In order to minimize the
interruptions, you must communicate and be sure that your team knows that
you will be unavailable during your Power Session.
Example:
Post a note in your online calendar and on your door or cubicle:
Power Session in Progress
9:00 a.m. to 9:45 a.m.
No interruptions please.
You may even want to put a sticky note on your desk phone to remind you not to answer and/or turn off you cell phone. You'll also want to close your email program if you'll be working on your computer. Allow yourself to focus your undivided attention on your task.
Use this time to concentrate specifically on the job at hand. You'll be amazed by how much you can actually accomplish with the luxury of uninterrupted focus.
You, your company, and your team will benefit from your increased productivity.
To get ahead, plug into power sessions!
If you would like to learn more about this subject, consider joining an upcoming coaching class. Coaching will provide the focus, momentum and accountability that you need to master the art of power sessions.
Upcoming Group Coaching
- Do you want to become a master at Power Sessions?
- Are you ready for a change?
- Are you ready to 'be' better and 'do' better?
New coaching groups are forming in June and July. These coaching groups will last for 6 months and meet every-other-week for 60 to 90 minutes per week.
Results to Expect from coaching:
- Improve time & resource management
- Overcome procrastination
- Quiet the 'noise' in your head and focus
- Persist in the face of rejection & "failure"
- Greater understanding of your thoughts and your self
- Better at managing & motivating people
- Greater satisfaction and balance in life and work
- Increased self-esteem & confidence
- A more positive outlook & more peace of mind
- Enhanced ability to tolerate others and their ideas
The cost for the coaching is dependent upon the number of folks who sign up for each session. The current pricing structure is below: (note: there will be a price increase on July 1st so register TODAY!!)
- 2 - 4 Individuals: $259 a month for 6 months or one payment of $1500
- 5 - 9 Individuals: $199 a month for 6 months or one payment of $1150
- 10 or more: $129 a month for 6 months or one payment of $750
Still not sure about the value of coaching? Check out our testimonials.
Your Opinion Matters
Whether you are currently interested in group coaching or not, please take a couple of minutes to complete our Group Coaching Survey. I am very interested in hearing your thoughts about group coaching, please click here or go to...
http://app.intellicontact.com/icp/sub/survey/start?sid=8087&cid=44603
