Common Sense Living

Posts Tagged ‘procrastination’

Image by Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr

I’ve been working hard on the official launch party for SaneSuperWomanClub.com. And I’ve let some things go. And I know better! At least I should, right?

And it’s been stupid stuff like not rinsing out the colander after draining the pasta. Pasta residue is like cement when it dries! I was kicking myself.

I ran into the grocery store hungry and without a list. I bought things I didn’t need, and forgot one of the things I did need.

There were a couple nights I worked until I was passing out, so I skipped a shower. Now the sheets stink.

And I still have all the stuff that didn’t sell at the garage sale to haul over and donate.

It’s all just lttle stupid things that you wouldn’t think matter much, but in the long run they sure add up!

Key point here – the next time you are tempted to shove soething aside because it woudl take you an extra 30 seconds – DON”T.

You can pay now, or you can pay later. It always cost more to pay later, doesn’t it?

I’m off to get my life back on track. And maybe review some of my own courses! My friend Linda always used to rib me saying “physician, heal theyself.” Gosh I miss her.

But we’ll all be making new friends at the club. See you over there!

Image by Denis Collette…!!! via Flickr

Can you be a super-woman, and still be sane?

You work all day, you have kids, your parents need help, the house is a mess, and pizza sounds really good – again. Being a super-woman sounds a bit unrealistic, doesn’t it?

But you know women who do it, don’t you? So, it’s not impossible. But isn’t it hard? No.

It’s all about systems and habits. Like a McDonalds franchise – they run well because they have an easy to use system.

The most successful people have systems for the tasks that need to be repeated often. Many people operate from a check list until these systems become and ingrained habit. Have you ever worked for a business that operates with daily check lists?

So how do you translate that into your life?

If you read Living Your Life by Design Instead of by Accident – you’ve gotten a taste of my systems. If you haven’t read it, grab a copy over to the right >>>

In it you’ll discover my secret systems that make it so I hardly ever have to actually clean my bathroom or kitchen. They stay pretty clean most of the time with just a few minutes work a day.

It’s like applying the ‘Stitch in Time’ theory that Benjamin Franklin made popular. When you do little things right when they need to be done, it keeps them from becoming big things later on. Like wipe up the stove while the gunk is still soft, and it takes a few seconds. Wait, and you’ll have to scrub. Put it off and cook again, and it will be burned on and even harder and more time consuming. Take 30 seconds now, or 30 minutes later. The choice is a no-brainer, right?

It’s really all about little things that most people pass over. Things that are so simple, but most people don’t do them. When you do, you look like a super-woman. Weird, I know, but it’s the truth.

Earl Nightengale once said something to the effect that only 5% of the population would ever be successful, because only 5% of the people will apply themselves. That all you have to do is just a little bit more and you can be wildly succcessful.

I don’t kill myself keeping the house clean.

I don’t kill myself making the healthy fresh dinners we eat.

I work a heck of a lot harder on these websites. And I have the time to do that because my other systems work to keep my life in order.

So, while super-women seem like they were blessed with some magical powers at birth, the truth is they just have systems for working smarter, not harder.

Your take away today

Next time you’re tempted to overlook something that would only take you a minute to do it right now – remember the ‘stitch in time’ theory. Think about how long it will take you to do it later. Then make your choice.

Speaking of doing things right now – go ahead and  Join the Club >>>

I’m in the final stages of a major project. But it’s the final stages that are the most overwhelming. I know what I need to do – but there’s so many things I need to do. How on earth will I ever get this all done?

Are you like me? Do you have a dream that you’ve been puttering with for years, but you’ve never really seemed to put much of a dent in it?

Are you frustrated and feeling like it will never happen?

Don’t give up. The work that you’ve been doing has been quietly laying the foundation. You’re farther along than you think.

You see, many of us are striving for a dream, but we don’t really know what the outcome looks like. We’ve never seen or experienced it. We know in vague terms what we want to accomplish, but we don’t really know what the final outcome should look like. How could you?

As you study and try different things, you learn what works for you, and what doesn’t. You start putting pieces together, and you make mistakes. Lord knows I’ve made thousands.

And then suddenly – one day you can see the big picture…

And how much work it’s going to be.

It’s at this point that most people run.

It’s overwhelming. It’s scary. What if you can’t do it? What if it all falls apart? Fears circle like vultures.

OK, Get A Grip!

Figure out what you need to do.

Break it down into small chunks that you can do daily.

Now figure out how long it should reasonable take you to finish this, and double it. If you think you should be able to finish this work, working a little bit everyday, in 30 days, make it 60 days. That will give you a little comfort zone and reduce your stress a little.

Mark that date on your calendar. Mine is August 1.

Write that date down on a piece of paper or post it note and put it on your desk where you can see it every day.

Have a to-do list every day with at least one task, preferably 3. Some life coaches will tell you to have 5 or 6 tasks on your list. But the key is to make sure that it’s work that you can reasonably expect to be able to get done.  I really mean to make those tasks small enough that you can’t make excuses for not getting them done. I think 3 is perfect, and then if you can accomplish more on any give day – go for it. Some days you will. I think you’ll find a commitment of 3 is plenty to try to fit in to your already busy life. It’s got to be a plan you can stick with and see it through.

If you don’t happen to get a task done, make sure it’s top of the list for tomorrow.

Do this religiously every day.

If you are truly committed – you can do it. Don’t keep making excuses – make your plan and stick to it – no matter how afraid you feel.

How do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.