25 Simple Steps To Make Your Life Easier...And Get More Done In A Day (Updated)

Category (key words): Self Help, Personal Growth, Time Management Other Articles are available at: www.selfgrowth.com/articles.html nn(Personal growth, self help, writing, internet marketing, words of inspiration and money management) Publishing Guidelines: We hope that the following article (an extract from Craig's manuscript, STEPS TO SUCCESS, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS may be informative and helpful to your ezine readers, or on your web site. If it helps others "out there" in any way, then we're very happy. This article (as with all his articles) may be freely published, electronically or in print. If you do not want to receive my articles as a member of an article list, you will have to unsubscribe from them, as I do not have your email address. If a lot of you do that, I'll take the hint and rather not send out my articles! Thanks. We share what we know, so that we all may grow."n n * 25 Simple Steps to Make your Life Easier...nand Get More Done in a Day (Updated) A few words of "intro"... I believe the key to effective time management is having a PLAN. Once you have done that, communicate your plans to others ninvolved in your life (those nearest and dearest to you), or nthose people working with you in business. * n 25* Simple Steps to Make your Life Easier and Get More Done in a Day: n n* or 26n 1. Prioritise your goals. Set up the following:n n* A weekly plan: Plan for a week at a time.n n* A 'don't forget' list.n n* A 'what now' list. 2. Focus on the important things - the things that really matter nto you. n 3. Throw out irrelevant bits of paper. 4. No matter what pressure you are under, try to control your nstress level at all times. n 5. Control interruptions (even a 'closed door' policy is not a nbad thing). n 6. Don't procrastinate. 7. Prepare a reminder list of essential details. 8. Plan to get the routine tasks out of the way as quickly as npossible. n 9. Develop routines. Ask yourself this question: can any n(procedures) be eliminated or speeded up? n 10. Focus on one task at a time. N.B: OOPS another "10", but I'm not going to re-number, so take nit as a "bonus" hint. "Lazy bones"! n 10. Pat yourself on the back each day by reviewing your naccomplishments. n 11. Self monitor and self evaluate your progress on the way to nyour goals. n 12. Set and keep deadlines for yourself and others (Don't "interrupt" yourself). n 13. Learn to say "no" to others' demands. 14. Slow down for success. 15. Distinguish the really urgent from the seemingly urgent. Sort out low priority work. Put it aside for later or eliminate nit totally. n 16. Encourage others to get to the point on the telephone or at nmeetings. Without being too rude, of course! n Waffle less (I love 'em), yourself! 17. Respond less formally, but with more speed, eg. a nhand-written compliments slip rather than a typed letter. n 18. Make time for yourself to relax; because this recharges the nbatteries. I must be running on Dura(not ex)Cells. All donations nfor free advertising gratefully received by a povertystricken n(is that all?) writer! n 19. Delegate for success. Ask yourself the question: Is this nonly something I can do? If not, to whom can the work be nappropriately assigned? Is this person prepared now, or does nhe/she need further instruction to complete the task nefficiently? n 20. Provide clear and realistic expectations. Keep only the npaper you need on your desk (if you are lucky enough to have a ndesk, that is!). Clear out irrevelant files. A tidy mind is an neffective mind, but tidy desks are really rarely creative. Thank ngoodness I have an excuse then! n 21. Communicate clearly to your sub-ordinates and co-workers. Hard if you are at the bottom of the barrel, like me! Get nmessages across clearly the first time. n 22. Set aside time to mentally regroup, to think and to plan. Very important. Review progress regularly to see which plans are nworking and which ones aren't. Work with individual players and nset aside time for individuals. Remember everyone is a unique nindividual with their own needs. n 23. Have direction. Believe in yourself and what you are trying nto accomplish. Review your skills periodically and pat yourself non the back with your progress to date. n 24. Have a strong belief in yourself and in YOUR ability to nmanage your time. n 25. Have an even stronger belief in God, a Higher Power, a Supreme Being, Infinite Source, Your Creator, Who wants what is nbest for you in living a stress-free, productive and joy-filled nlife. n MANAGE YOUR TIME AND YOU MANAGE YOUR LIFE. I hope that these hints may be helpful to you. "Let your bright light shine on the world It's YOUR time to shine... nto celebrate all that's best and brightest in your life. Live, love and be happy" Eagle Productions About the author: Craig believes in sharing information and insights to make a difference in nthis world: to help and especially encourage people along life's magical njou ey ... and that brings him the greatest joy. The various books that Craig 'felt inspired to write' are available at: www.lulu.com/craiglock/ www2.webng.com/write z/n andnwww.craiglockbooks.com n n Uplifting, encouraging and empowering people through the power of words and thought energy. Change YOUR world and you change THE world." n