Time Management Information


Too Many Unfinished Projects?


Q. I have several projects going at once -- but I never seem to finish them! I'm pulled in so many different directions -- and I end up with nothing to show for my efforts!

A. While you're in a creative mode, you're most likely to be swamped with ideas! Feeling swamped can be a source of stress. Here's how to deal with the "too many to finish" challenge.

(1) Stop berating yourself for not finishing a project. Instead, say, "I don't feel ready to move in that direction. I'll write down the idea and file it away for the future."

(2) Tell a story about what would happen if you finished each project. "Susan finished all her art projects and..." You may be surprised what comes up. One client resisted finishing a book because she dreaded getting a slew of rejections from agents. Another resisted applying for jobs because she dreaded spending eight hours chained to a desk.

(3) Review your finances. If you're desperate to finish these projects to make money, fear may be blocking your intuition. You'll have trouble thinking clearly and setting priorities.

On the other hand, if you don't need the work, you may not be motivated. Some people need a certain amount of pressure to get moving.

(4) List up to three goals that you'd like to accomplish in the next six months, even if you do nothing else. Some people need to focus on a single goal or they get hopelessly distracted. However, others (including most gifted adults) are multi-taskers, who aren't happy unless they're juggling several balls in the air.

(5) Study the market for each project you are considering. Once you've identified your target customers and the need you'll be meeting -- and made sure people will pay for what you offer -- you'll realize whether moving forward makes sense.

(6) File each new idea in a computer or paper folder or set up an "idea board" near your desk. As you think of ways to flesh out an idea, add notes to each folder. Give each idea time to mature. Some will fade away on their own; others will ripen into exciting opportunities.

(7) Create a strong support system, even if you have to hire a consultant or coach. As Julia Cameron wrote in The Artist's Way, the notion of solitary creativity is nothing but a stereotype. Writers, artists, business owners and professionals need opportunities to talk about their progress. They need to feel someone cares about what they're doing and believes in them.

In my experience, access to a support network tends to be the single greatest source of success in any field.

I offer one-to-one consultations on career strategy.

About The Author

Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.

"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com

Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294


MORE RESOURCES:

[New App] App Timer Mini Uses An Exceedingly Simple Concept To Effectively ...
Android Police
While ATM may seem so simplistic as to be almost trivial, I think it's actually a hugely practical concept, ensuring that time management (on your mobile device) is easy and apparent. To try it out for yourself, just click through the Market link below ...

and more »


Time management workshop on Tuesday
Las Cruces Sun-News
LAS CRUCES — Time Management: Making Minutes Matter, a workshop sponsored by the Student Success Center Hardman, will be at 2 pm Tuesday, in Room 151 at O'Donnell Hall, at New Mexico State University. Participants will learn how to meet deadlines, ...



The East Edition: Time Management for the Working Student
my.hsj.org
Some ways employed students can practice effective time management are to keep a record or calendar of activities, and work schedule, plan ahead, and prioritize. If one keeps a calendar of when they work, and the dates that your other activities fall ...



Nine immutable laws of time management
Sioux City Journal
Time-management masters take the time to identify which tasks on their list are critical and focus there. 2. Delegating is the only way to get more done in less time. By enabling others to take on some of the workload, you'll not only have more time to ...

and more »


Buttoned Up: Nine immutable laws of time management
Wicked Local
Time-management masters take the time to identify which tasks on their list are critical and focus there. 2. Delegating is the only way to get more done in less time. By enabling others to take on some of the workload, you'll not only have more time to ...

and more »


The Ultimate Software Group's CEO Discusses Q4 2011 Results - Earnings Call ...
Seeking Alpha
In Workplace, for the year, our attach rate for Recruitment was 77%, Onboarding, 54%, Performance Management, 69%, and Time Management, 79%. One standout for Workplace was Onboarding. Q3 of 2011 was the first quarter that Workplace offered Onboarding.

and more »


February is Time Management Month
Walton Tribune
February has been designated “Time Management Month.” It's an opportunity for experts to compound the guilt over your resolution failure. You can, they claim, gain a few extra hours each day by becoming more efficient in your tasks.



9 laws of time management
Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Time-management masters take the time to identify which tasks on their list are critical and focus there. 2. Delegating is the only way to get more done in less time. 3. Inertia is a powerful force. Fortunately, overcoming project or task inertia is ...



Study skills, time management key
Deseret News
By Mercedes White, Deseret News Low-skilled community college students should take classes that teach study skills, time management and "college knowledge," according to a recommendation from the California Community Colleges says Success Task Force.

and more »


The secret to office time management
Chicago Tribune
Is there any trick to time management in the workplace? A. Yes, there are actually two tricks; identify priorities and train people around you at work. Daneen Skube Bio | Recent columns Often, when we make a to-do list, we simply write a list of duties ...


Google News

home | site map
© 2007