Get Organized - Stay Organized

                                         

My mother is one of the most productive people I know. She is 78 years old and still works full-time as the personal assistant to the CEO of a bank. (I come from great genes--it makes me very optimistic about my long-term future!) One of her secrets to productivity is what is often called "a tickler file." It used to be a popular organizational tool but eventually fell by the wayside. The tickler file is a reminder system based on the days of the month and months of the year. It simply consists of two sets of file folders: "1-31" and "January-December." It's time to bring that old system back.

Surveys show that people's stress levels are at an all-time high. A major source of that stress is information overload. Information arrives in five ways: on paper, electronically, via voice mail, through verbal messages, and as thoughts in your head.

Think of a 5-lane freeway. You are speeding down the highway when suddenly you see orange barrels--you know you're in for trouble. That's exactly what happens when you sit down at your desk and are overwhelmed with where to begin. Do you start with the e- mail? Most people do, but should you? The highest priority could be in the "In Box" you haven't looked at in days--or could it be the idea you had while taking a shower? You've got information overload and you need a way to cope with it.

Managing Information To conquer a stack of papers--permission slips, newsletters, report cards, bills, and articles to read--employ these five productive steps.

o Discard. I've spent lots of time promoting the power of throwing things away. Ask yourself, "What's the worst possible thing that would happen if I didn't have that or didn't do this?"

o Delegate. If you are not delegating some of your work, why not? The most productive people in the world are those who spend 80% of their time doing what only they can do and surrounding themselves with people whose talents are complementary to theirs.

o Do it now. Ask yourself, "Is taking care of this the best use of my time right now?"

o File for reference. These are things you want or need to keep for future reference. Develop or use a good filing system (like Taming the Paper Tiger, information below), so you can find items easily and quickly.

o File for follow-up. These are things you want or need to do. In the Paper Tiger software system, we place these items in Action Files so you can find them when it's time to take act on them. The task won't be forgotten because the Paper Tiger can print weekly reminders or you can put a simple note in the tickler file.

The Important Question No matter how information arrives, your first reaction is probably, "I have to take care of this now." If you are serious about increasing your productivity and prioritizing your work, the question you have to answer is, "When?" As scary as it is sometimes, you have to decide. When you determine what date to take action, put the reminder in your tickler file system. Now you have a tool that enables you to prioritize your work and to measure whether the interruption of the moment is more important than what you said you were going to do today.

When people hear about this system, their first reaction is often fear--fear of making mistakes, fear of taking on another task, fear of failure. But remember that old saying, "If you keep doing what you're doing, you're going to keep getting what you're getting!" After trying the tickler file system for the first time, one client said, "Instant peace of mind!" Are you ready for something old and better?

© Barbara Hemphill is the author of Kiplinger's Taming the Paper Tiger at Work and Taming the Paper Tiger at Home and co-author of Love It or Lose It: Living Clutter-Free Forever. The mission of Hemphill Productivity Institute is to help individuals and organizations create and sustain a productive environment so they can accomplish their work and enjoy their lives. We do this by organizing space, information, and time. We can be reached at 800-427-0237 or at www.ProductiveEnvironment.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3551

Why Positive Thinking Doesn't Work!

                                                         

There was someone I used to work with who, well aware of their tendency to look at the negative side of things, used to constantly tell themselves to "think more positively".

This was said with such a feeling of desperation that I just knew that not only would they NOT think positively, they would probably go even further into negative thinking. The mere fact that they kept pushing themselves to "think positively" was a sign that this would ultimately be counterproductive.

So many of us have interpreted the desire to be positive thinkers in a very narrow and ultimately ineffective way. The push to be positive often results in ignoring our true feelings. Instead of recognizing that we don't always feel positive and learning how to convert and turn round our feelings, it so often ends up with us denying them altogether.

The Law of Attraction, as defined by Abraham Hicks states that "you attract to yourself what you give your attention and energy to, whether wanted or unwanted".

One reason why positive thinking doesn't work is that our focus is in the wrong place. So we say "I don't want to be ill" and believe that this thought will prevent us from being ill. So where is our focus? On being ill! Because the Universe doesn't recognize "not" or "don't". How many times have you told yourself NOT to forget something and then what happens? Oops you've forgotten it!

Another reason why positive thinking doesn't work is that we often veil our negative feelings with a positive surface. So we say "I want a loving relationship". Sounds good right? Except that underneath there is the hidden message that having a loving relationship wouldn't even be an issue - unless you'd been in one or a series of not so loving relationships.

So it's the hidden message and negative feeling around it, that is still coming through. Ultimately, you're still pushing against something and it's still counterproductive. You're likely to attract more unloving relationships, even though you THINK you've stated otherwise.

How can you begin to reverse this? Rather than focusing on your thoughts, focus on your feelings about a given situation or what you would like the situation to be. Start to visualise and sense what you truly desire. Focus on ramping up good, positive, energetic feelings about what you desire, rather than the thought.

Practically you can do this by building a "creation box" of pictures, ideas, notes, to stimulate your imagination of how you'd like things to be. Appreciating lifes abundance in what you already have by keeping an appreciation journal, feeling and acting like the prosperous person you actually are and channelling your good feelings into what you desire.

In fact, instead of being a positive thinker, aim to become a positive feeler - it's much more visceral and real. Live your life as though you already have what you desire and you'll make way for it to come to you.

Julie Plenty helps writers, artists and photographers prosper in their business by helping them build a strong personal foundation, because they ARE their business. For more self growth and personal development articles, and to sign up for her Life Design newsletter, visit: [http://www.self-help-personal-development.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3547

Is Speed Reading For Everyone?

                                     

A common question asked in speed reading circles is whether or not having the ability to speed read is suitable for everyone. The straightforward answer to this question is: "yes". The more complex answer is: "it depends".

Below we set out some of the circumstances under which it may be beneficial to be able to speed read and other circumstances where it may not be so beneficial to be able to speed read:

When it is beneficial to speed read

Essentially, the great joy of being able to speed read is the ability to take in large volumes of data over as short a period as possible. Consequently, those of us who find ourselves in circumstances where we need to read excessive amount of information in a short period of time; and, importantly, to comprehend that material at the same time, will benefit from this skill. Such persons include:

* School students:

School students are ideal candidates for speed reading skills because they are at an age where they can still absorb new concepts and ideas, whilst also having the need to have advanced reading skills in order to be able to read lots of school texts;

* College students:

As with school students, college students need to be able to read lots of textbook material in a short space of time. Therefore, the ability to be able to speed read is an important and useful skill.

* Work employees:

Those of us who are working "white-collar" clerical jobs certainly need to have the ability to speed read as this will cut-down on an otherwise very long day. With almost all of the world's reading material being generated in offices, as faxes, memos, letters, reports, etc. being able to speed read becomes more important as time progresses, not less!

* English language students:

As speed reading skills enable you to comprehend what you are reading better, English language students are an often quoted group of people who benefit from the ability to be able to speed read.

* Pleasure:

With the amount of advertising in modern magazines, the ability to speed read is vital if you want to read this month's magazine before next month's issue! And, that's nothing compared to Sunday's edition of the newspaper. Can you image trying to read Sunday's paper without speed reading skills? - Well, it simply cannot be done these days!

In short, it doesn't really matter what stage of your life you are at, the ability to be able to speed read is an essential one.

Occasions when speed reading may not be beneficial

Having said that speed reading is an essential element no matter what stage you are at in your life, there are a number of circumstances under which it may not be overly beneficial to be able to speed read. These include:

* If you have a reading problem:

Speed reading techniques use cluster methods. This is to say, the reader needs to group whole paragraphs together and skim read them. However, if a person has a reading disability that doesn't allow them to be able to process the clustering of paragraphs easily, then this may result in a feeling of embarrassment, discomfort, or even slowness. In such circumstances, it is far better for the confidence of the reader if they resort to traditional methods of reading each word on the page word-by-word.

* Age:

Care needs to be taken at what age a student starts to learn to speed read as certain clinical studies have shown that students who try to learn to speed read too early can be left with counterproductive problems - such as dyslexia. As such, it is not recommended that children below 10 learn to speed read.

* Comprehension:

In certain circumstances some readers who speed read are left with a loss of comprehension of the reading material, rather than more. If this is the case, then invoking speed reading skill may be counterproductive.

To sum it up, like most things in life, the ability to speed read is something most of us should try to conquer, which is not to say that it is necessarily beneficial to all of us, nor that we should invoke it at all times.

Learn it and use it to your advantage, as and when is needed.

Melvin Ng teaches speed reading through his 16-Minute Speed Reading Audio Program. This breakthrough technique Guarantees to Double your reading speed in just 16 minutes! [http://www.best-speed-reading-course.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/20360

What If You NEVER Put Your Self Worth & Self Love on the Line?

                                                 

As a Life Coach, my job is not only to support my clients to get clear on what they want and get it, but also to hold my clients as creative, resourceful and whole and ensure they are doing the same with themselves. Time and time again, I see my clients put their self worth and self-love on the line, in essence they stop treating themselves as creative, resourceful and whole. I wonder how would our lives be different if we ALWAYS chose to love ourselves? If we never put the power of our self worth and self love outside of ourselves (because after all aren't we ALWAYS at choice about how we feel about ourselves)?

We see it in ourselves time and time again. IF I get the role, THEN I'm worthy of love. IF I make the sale, THEN I'll love myself. IF I lose 10 pounds, THEN I'll feel OK about me. WHEN that guy/girl asks me out, THEN I'll feel worthy. You get the idea...Where in your life do you put your self worth & self love on the line? What would changing this HABIT mean for you?

We know we want to always be our own best friend, biggest fan, #1 supporter. But time and time again, we put ourselves up for grabs and GIVE our power away.

Try answering the following questions to put yourself back on track:

1) Where in my life do I consistently put my self worth and self love on the line?

2) How does this serve me? What is the gift of this habit? What am I getting out of it? (Really look deep here. Your first instinct might be to say, "it doesn't serve me", but upon closer inspection you might find that it keeps you comfortable or safe, feels familiar, distracts you or allows you to have an excuse as of why you feel so darn bad).

3) What is it costing me?

4) What do I want? (Perhaps you want to just be your own friend or treat yourself the way you treat others).

5) What am I WILLING to do to get what I want?

6) What is a way to keep myself in check?

7) Finally, commit to doing it! Some people like to have an accountability partner, make the new decision public, or write a contract for themselves. Do what works for you!

Try the above and see what happens. Here's to keeping our self worth and self love where they belong, with us at all times!

Amy Ahlers, CPCC, is a Certified International Coach and CEO of Wake-Up Call Coaching. She can be reached at http://www.WakeUpCallCoaching.com, info@WakeUpCallCoaching.com Make sure to sign up for the free Women Masters tele-seminar at http://www.TheWomenMasters.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8655

Be Still - You've Got to Be Kidding?

                                             

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God. Can you even imagine being still? I think this verse was specifically written for the harried times we live in. You may be saying to yourself if I am still I will fall asleep. I have to keep moving to get everything done. Do you find it difficult in your quiet time to just be still and listen to God? Do you often start thinking of what you need to do tomorrow or get at the grocery? God is asking us to be still, quiet and know Him. We can't know Him if we don't spend time with Him. Have you ever noticed that you often feel closer to God when you are in nature? You take a walk in the woods or go to the ocean and you are in awe of His creation. I often think we feel closer to God in nature, because it is quiet. David was a shepherd, some of the disciples were fisherman - plenty of time to talk and listen to God. I remember several times in my quiet times that God continue to bring this verse to my mind and rest in Him.

Are you afraid of the quiet? As working Moms we are always busy and stopping to think is not always a luxury we have. It is almost if we slow down everything will come crashing down. Do you allow yourself those quiet moments with yourself and God? I know this is really hard if you have young children - you often don't even get to go to the bathroom. If you do get to go to the bathroom it seems you are hardly there alone. Make time to be still and know. Don't pray for others or yourself, take time to listen to what God has to tell you. You will be blessed by being still and knowing God.

Word of Encouragement:  God knows we are busy, yet He patiently waits for us to talk with Him. I would encourage you sometime this week to take 15 minutes to 1/2 hour to just be still and know God. Listen for his still small voice. Don't be surprised if this is hard to do, but the rewards are worth it. Listen to Him.

Prayer Thought:  Lord, you know it is hard for me to turn my brain off sometimes. It is hard for me to focus on you. Help me to take the time to just listen to you and bask in your glory. Help me to learn to depend on You and all your knowledge. Help me in this fast paced world to be still.

© 2004 Kimberly Chastain

About the Author

Kimberly M. Chastain, MS, LMFT is the Christian Working Mom Coach, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and author of the Voices of Christian Working Moms and two ebooks. To find out more go to http://www.christianworkingmom.com For a free, initial coaching session send an email to free@kimberlychastain.com

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