Time Management for a
Life Transition
An irreverent
guide
A life transition calls for a
new concept of time. You no longer have the luxury of waiting
to clear the deck so you can focus on your new goal. You've moved
to fantasyland when you say, "I'll begin planning my transition
next month, when I have more time."
Next month you might have less
time -- and a new crisis, too.
1. Discover
the "better than zero" rule.
No time or motivation to write
a thousand words or fire off ten phone calls? Any action is better
than none. Skip a day because you don't have enough time and
you'll lose momentum.
2. First,
do what you dread.
You'll be fired up with energy
for the rest of your day.
3. Fifteen
minutes a day can move you to your dream.
Set a timer. If you go over the
fifteen minutes, you don't get to skip a day.
4. Prioritize
actions that lead you to your goal.
Easy to put off going to the
gym or working on your business plan. After all, your old life
still goes on. During the crucial stages of a life transition,
you need to run on two tracks at once.
5. Are you
a butterfly or a flower? Schedule accordingly!
Butterflies like to move around.
If you have six projects, spend a little time on each task each
day.
Flowers blossom when they have
time to grow in one spot. Dedicate an entire day or afternoon
to each project.
6. Give yourself
a treat every day. No exceptions!
Find something truly delicious
and decadent: ice cream with fudge sauce, your favorite music
album, quality time with the dog, walk by your favorite scene.
7. Decide
if you need to be a dog or a cat.
A cat is finicky: everything
must be just right. A dog cuts to the chase, fast and sloppy.
No point spending time as a cat when a dog will do.
8. Sometimes
more is better.
Believe it or not, researchers
find that people with multiple roles tend to be happier. Why?
A big win in one role can compensate for a bad day in another.
And most people accomplish more when they are forced to budget
their time.
9. Set a deadline
for process as well as outcome.
"I'll give myself two hours
to write this memo" can be a great motivator. When I work
at home, I accomplish more when I have a lunch date than when
the whole day spreads out before me.
10. If you
really don't want to do something, ask yourself, "Do I really
have to?"
One client kept forcing herself
to work through a journal-writing program. I finally told her,
"Most of the world does very well without that program.
If you hate it that much, why not find something else to do?"
If you really have to, and you
don't want to, get creative. You can hire help for part of the
project, redesign the process, blast your favorite music or promise
yourself a spectacular reward.
Most important:
Know what motivates you.
I don't get motivated by rewards or status reports -- I go for
the music and I love to hire help. I have a friend who hates
to clean house but motivates herself effectively with ice cream.
No rules here!
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Author, Career Consultant, Speaker
*Fast Track to Career Freedom*
http://www.movinglady.com
cathy@movinglady.com 505-534-4294 ALIGN=LEFT>
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Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D. is an author,
career coach, and speaker. She works with mid-career professionals
who want to make a fast move to career freedom. Visit her site
http://www.movinglady.com or call 505-534-4294.
For her free ezine, visit http://www.movinglady.com/subscribe.htmlCathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Author, Career Consultant, Speaker
*Fast Track to Career Freedom*
http://www.movinglady.com
cathy@movinglady.com 505-534-4294 ALIGN=LEFT>
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