Don't say you don't have enough time. You have exactly the same number of hours per day that were given to Helen Keller, Pasteur, Michelangelo, Mother Teresa, Leonardo da Vinci, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein. H. Jackson Brown
Many people seem to think that success in one area can compensate for failure in other areas. But can it really? ... True effectiveness requires balance. Stephen Covey
At an upcoming conference for eminent attorneys, judges, and law students, I was invited to join a panel and speak about time management. I planned a coaching approach instead of listing the typical time management strategies. After carefully preparing, timing the material, and creating a handout, we were notified that the original time allotted per panel member was cut in half.
Now I had to prioritize – what is crucial, important, meaningful, and what can I eliminate. And, how can I put all of the information to good use? And thus, another Life’s Little Lesson was conceived.
____________
You don't ever have to visit friends. You don't ever have to read. In fact, you don't have to work. These are choices that we make. We are always at choice. They may not be palatable or pleasant, but they are always there.
Once you understand that you are choosing to do these things, then your greatest satisfaction can come from believing that what you are choosing matters. We are constantly making choices about our use of time.
A client was complaining bitterly about raising her three children as a single parent. When I asked her about other options, she said there weren’t any. In truth, she could place them in foster care, or even worse, abandon them. This was obviously not acceptable and yet, she realized she had made a choice.
When we become aware of what we value and align with those values, life seems smooth. It would be difficult to be a criminal who also thinks he can save the world. If your values aren't aligned, you are unhappy, conflicted, and dissatisfied. But if your values align with your choices, then you are intrinsically motivated, inspired, and ultimately successful.
Values represent your highest priorities and deeply held driving forces. Below are a variety of values as suggestions. You may choose from this list or make up your own and select the 3 MOST important things in your life. (Although it’s difficult to narrow it down, you can only choose 3.)
challenge independence achievement power status beauty community support integrity money | influence authority creativity communication freedom love equality dedication credibility flexibility | fitness spirituality nutrition friends family security recreation morality honesty stability | fun romance ethics adventure time personal growth helping society accomplishment service abundance |
Unless you make your top values a priority, they will not fit into your life – and thus you feel dissatisfied, conflicted, and unmotivated.
The key is NOT to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. (Covey)
Our tendency is to believe that we can do everything we have to do and everything we want to do. Unfortunately, that is not reality. We need to make choices.
Some possible choices are:
Do it
Delegate it
Defer it
Diminish the time spent on it
Delete it
Saying yes to others often means saying no yourself. If you are not happy with your choices as to how you spend your time, schedule your top values into your daily life before you get caught up with all of the other time-consuming matters.
INVITATION TO EXPERIMENT
How are you choosing to spend your time?
What changes can you make so that your time is spent more valuably? (add or subtract)
What priorities have to be first and scheduled into your life?
If you feel inclined, please let me know if you decide to go ahead and try this experiment. I look forward to hearing about your experiences. Your feedback and comments have been most welcomed:-) Keep them coming!!
Very best regards,
marion@lifecoachinggroup.com
(c) 2004-11. All rights reserved. Marion Franklin, www.lifecoachinggroup.com
Comments? Feedback? lllfeedback@lifecoachinggroup.com
P.S. If you enjoyed this issue, I'd love it if you'd spread the word. Do so by forwarding this to a friend and inviting them to subscribe at the Life's Little Lessons link. Thank you for continuing to read Life's Little Lessons TO READ PAST ISSUES Past Issues (Highly recommended)
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*NOTEWORTHY* --N E W: YouTube Interview with Life Coach Marion where she talks about her Laser Coaching program, Mentor Practicum groups, her mission as a coach and trainer, and her timeless Life's Little Lessons newsletters. Her expertise is getting to the root of the problem efficiently (laser), skillful direct communication, and creating permanent change in perspective.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyQ_kM5OJpA
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