Sticking to a Schedule

A good project plan, to do list, and calendar have been the keys to my success so far. Frankly it is really the only way that I get anything done. I can remember being back in college and freaking out because I had a test or papers to write, and my mom sitting on the phone with me and creating a schedule of when I was going to get things done. It is really the only thing that calmed me down when I was having one of my moments.

Now, whenever I feel overwhelmed at work, one of the first things I do is create a to-do list. But, I find that just like goals, having something with a deadline attached is what really propels us into action; especially for someone like me who can be a procrastinator.

                                                                                Successful Working Man" by Renjith Krishnan (Freedigitalphotos.net)

Right now I am about to start the 28 day "Get Client’s Now" marketing system by C.J. Hayden. This program allows you to set marketing goals and create a tracking system with daily actions. I have found this to be very helpful in the past, so helpful that I have utilized the system for other areas in my life that have nothing to do with marketing. I even adapted their tracking sheet to assist my clients with staying focused and looking for jobs.

 

 As we've been discussing it is all about finding what works for you. I believe strongly in writing things down and making lists. A good to-do list or project plan can increase your productivity in unimaginable ways.

 

 

 

Did You Do Your Homework?

There is always something popping up. That could be a motto for some of us, an email or phone call that needs to be answered or an issue that needs to be dealt with. On the other side a birthday that calls for celebration or a new show that you've been wanting to check out. So with all these things constantly popping up how do you stick to the goals you’ve set.

 

I’ve always said that I was the kind of student that would only study when I knew there was a test coming or would do my homework only if I knew it would be collected. Now as an adult I have to learn techniques to maintain my productivity without a teacher checking over my shoulder.

 

www.freedigitalphotos.net by renjith krishnan

I have noticed that the best way for me to stay focused is to create that homework system for my goals. I love checking in with people around my goals, especially with someone who is also working on goals of their own. For me it’s like having someone check my homework and it also ignites my competitive nature. If the person I’m checking in with is accomplishing their goals and I’m not, I stop procrastinating and get to work.

Having an accountability partner allows someone else to hold on to your goals with you. For me it lessens the weight, yes I’m the one that has to get things done but now I have another person behind me who believes in me and believes in my goals. The concept of having an accountability partner is not new. Most times that is what having a coach can provide. Someone to make sure that you're sticking to your deadlines and hold your feet to the fire. A successful partnership can be the difference between getting things done now and putting things off till the last minute.

Setting Goals That Work for You

I have been working in the field of Career Development for the past 7 years and the number one question that I find so hard for my clients to answer is “What kind of position are you looking for?” When still working within non-profits and social service agencies I’d often get the answer “I’ll do anything”. Which most times turned out not to be the case. Now that I work at a college I get a more generic answer, "anything within a corporate fashion office" or "marketing", "anything in fashion except retail". It’s very had to create a strategic plan for accomplishing these goals when the goal itself is still fuzzy.

                                      Image:freedigitalphotos.net ("Business Success" by renjith krishnan)

Setting clear goals with dates is one of the keys to being productive. Even before we are clear on what we need to do in order to make our dream a reality we need to define the dream. I think some of the most productive times in my life have been when I had to set clear 3 month goals in every area of my life, including, relationships, career, finance, community and personal development. I know that even if I could consistently set goals in 2 or 3 of those areas I would be on my way to manifesting big dreams within my life.

I personally have overall goals and then I break each of these goals down into mini projects with dates. This too has been exceptionally helpful when I had deadlines to make and events to plan. I think when looking at our own careers and where we want to go it’s important to define our overall career goal and then break it down into the categories we will need to succeed. Making sure the take a look at things like cultivating our network, personal branding, marketing materials, and performing research. All these things can sound like daunting tasks but simply setting a few goals with dates in each area can totally improve your productivity.

Are We Making the Most of the New Year

Happy 2014! What an exciting time of year this is. As the New Year starts I have been thinking a lot about what Productivity really is. This has been an exciting time for me, there have been a lot of shifts within my life. I have decided to refocus my Life Coaching practice to center on Career Coaching. I have also started a new position as a Career Counselor at a college. There has also been a lot of moving pieces that have come with these changes.

These changes have been joyous and at times frustrating, as I learn to adjust, to make shifts in my life to accompany new goals and dreams. As new things have come into my life there has been a sense of gratitude and also a sense of trepidation. Wondering how I was going to deal with all these new changes and new responsibilities. I think that’s one of the things that had me thinking about productivity, my wondering how I was going to handle all the new ventures in my life.

 

 

For me it came down to figuring out how I work best and at times I wasn’t the best person to ask that question to. The sad realization is that I don’t work best sitting in front of my TV at 10pm at night. What I did learn was that I am great about sticking to a schedule. I take my calendar very seriously. So as I start this new venture to help others get productive and serious about their career goals, it has forced me to take a look at my own productivity.

I invite you to take these next few weeks with me to discover what productivity means to you. In terms of your career, professional development and personal life, what does your life look like when you’re committed to getting things done. We are all doing something, now we need to look at whether those things line up with our dreams and goals.

 

(Photo:Freedigitalimage.net by imagerymajestic)

What does it take to forgive?

The theme of forgiveness has been very prevalent in my life lately. Recently I had a discussion with a friend about how do you go about forgiving someone. I have always thought of myself as a very forgiving person, well unless I had to forgive myself, otherwise I could easily let past wrongs go. For me as long as we talked about the issue and I expressed my feelings, I was ready to move on. But what happens when you can't express yourself. How do you forgive someone who is no longer here or in your life?

I believe if I had the answer to that question I would be able to release a lot of past hurts and insecurities. When my friend asked me how I forgive I told him about affirmations that I recite, and how writing about what I learned from the situation has helped me. I have often heard that forgiveness is for you and not for the other person. So why is it that we often avoid something that will benefit us?

For one it adds to our stories and the identity that we create for ourselves. If we have created an image of ourselves as someone that does not easily trust or that people reject, then having to let go of that story can be a big ordeal. We even use these stories to create the identities of others, "this person is always late" or "my friend always says things that are insulting".   So what would it be like if we weren't influenced by the stories he hold about ourselves and the relationships we have with others.

Well I want to find out, I personally vow to be in constant practice around forgiveness. Knowing that these past incidents do not create the story of who I am. Forgiveness for me will be a form of release and a chance to renew my faith in the good that is constantly manifesting in my life.

Connecting the Dots

Creating balance and juggling priorities is one of the things that I'm constantly struggling with. It is so easy for me to get wrapped up in the things that seem new and exciting, and forget about all the other responsibilities or goals that I have on my plate. Although it's great to get that push forward with the excitement of something new it doesn't help me to see things through to completion and manifest big goals.

Right now I have started a new full-time job and I have been focused on the excitement and learning that comes along with that. However I know that their are lots of responsibilities that go along with running my own coaching practice that I do not want to let fall by the waste side. I'm still struggling with how to utilize my excitement and move forward with new goals while still remaining steady regarding my long term commitments.

One thing that has helped me is to realize that it all cannot get done today. Setting a schedule and really focusing on what needs to get done now and what can be done tomorrow has helped some. I have also begun to take a look at how all the little things come together for a bigger goal. I see how my full-time job is giving me experience and knowledge that will influence my coaching practice. I see how the contacts I have made through my practice will enable me to help the students I currently work with. I begin to feel better about what I can and cannot get done when I see that all things are connected. I know that every day is not going to always go as planned but I do believe that having a plan and seeing how each component in that plan comes together will help reduce my stress and give me a sense of balance and accomplishment.

My Good

Lately I feel as though I am working hard to curb feelings of jealousy and work to remain patient. Now I don't want to give the impression that I'm not happy for others success because I definitely am, but often there is that feeling of "when will it be my turn" that takes over.  I find that turning to my faith during these times helps but still at times there is this nagging feeling that something more should be happening.

I want to be able to turn this feeling inward and ask myself some tough questions. Am I doing enough to accomplish what I want? Am I too busy comparing myself to others and not looking at all I've accomplished?  I know that we are all on our own journey so I want to be able to really look at my journey and focus on where I want to go. Not make rush decisions in order to keep up with others.

I know that my own good is constantly manifesting in my life. I know that what is meant for me will be and there is not much that I can do to speed up or slow down the timing. So I will work hard and keep my vision at the center of my mind. I will spend my time feeling good about all that is to come and push past any sort of anxiety or thoughts of "when and how".  Good is manifesting all the time and I simply have to open up to it.