Your Waistline Proves It Too

Charles Courtemanche, a researcher at the University of North Carolina, found that a rise in gas prices contributes to a shrinking waistline. The primary reasons-people walk more, and eating out less because they have less expendable income for such things.

In the same way, we have to realize that our limited time and energy resources require us to make the best choices of how we spend them. The higher the cost, the more critical it becomes that we make the right choice. In fact, Courtemanche theorizes that 8% of the rise in obesity between 1979 and 2004 can be contributed to a drop in real gas prices. When the cost of something is low, we aren't as intentional in how we use it.

As you plan your lineup today, reflect more intensely on the cost of not using your time and energy resources well. You just might find yourself "starving" some of those less important things so you can focus on the ones that will really "feed" your purpose.

Counting Down The Time Left In The Lineup

Using a count down timer to help you manage your time is not a new idea. BUT in a program last week I was amazed at how many people saw real value in the idea. Like many time management strategies, we forget them over time, or don't have need of them as much in different seasons of our work or life.

The value of the timer can not be overstated. It forces you to give a focused amount of time to a project or idea and reach some level of completion before the time runs out. The real strength is that the decreasing time acts as a constant course correction, challenging you to re prioritize often during the time period. And it serves as a frequent reminder of how precious time goes by so quickly.

Need to buy one but don't want to spend your time looking for one? Here are some options:
Amazon
Free Online Version
Webstaurant Store

We wouldn't want you to complain that you "don't have time" to improve your circus.

Back to the Basics

Some days, weeks, months seem to be busier than others. For instance, if you add to an already full schedule a major project at work or an number of additional acts in your relationship ring, your life can seem overwhelming. It is at times like these that you need to be reminded of the importance of the basics of time management. Consider a few key strategies to help you through the busy season:

• You can't "juggle elephants". You have to pick and choose. Prioritize those "acts" that are most important and make sure that they get done first. Let the less important things slide or not get done


• Remove distractions so that you can focus. It might take turning off the phone and closing the door to your office to allow you the time you need to accomplish your tasks


• Write things down. When your schedule is full and maybe your brain is too, it is easy to forget commitments, new ideas or to pick up a gallon of milk on your way home. Write things down and refer to the list often so things don't fall through the cracks


• Have a plan. Consider this thought by Victor Hugo, "Where no plan is laid, where the disposal of time is surrendered merely to the chance of incident, chaos will soon reign." When you are overwhelmed, the last thing you need is more chaos. Take 15 minutes each day to plan what your are going to get done and then execute on that plan.

Managing your time is always a good idea. But when your managing a busier than normal "3 ring circus" it becomes a critical survival skill.

What's the Program?

If you are leading a company, a team, a family or your life - a major part of your job needs to be determining what the program is going to be and what "Act" will be coming up next. Sometimes we get so caught up in performing or the performance that we forget that we are also the "Ringmaster" who needs to determine the overall program. Too often, we find ourselves running around, listening to who is "squeaking" the loudest and being reactive.

Set the agenda, get your team on board with the program and clear the path for execution. If you are not doing this, you might need to ask yourself "who" or "what" is determining the acts of your circus.

Why?

Have you ever had a conversation with a young child and have them curiously ask you several times in a row the question, "Why?" If you can be patient with the exercise, you find that repeatedly asking, "Why?" results in getting to the root of the initial question.

Do you ever ask, "Why?" Have a conversation with yourself and ask the question, "Why?"

• Why don't I write down my dreams and do something about them?


• Why am I busy? Am I accomplishing what is important or am I just doing stuff?


• Why do I plan my schedule at work but don't plan my life?


• Why can't I get anything done?


• Why do I focus so much time on my work and relationships and not on taking care of myself?


• Why do I spend so much time dealing with email? Is it productive?


• Why are we having this meeting?


• Why don't I read more?

It is important to regularly stop, reflect and as yourself some questions that could change the course of your life. What distractions do you need to remove? Why?