Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I find that people have as it relates to the success in their life lies in a proper understanding of what exactly it is that we manage. Think about it. We have time management (In fact I have a seminar on this very topic, some of which is excerpted below), and financial management, and relational management, weight management, career management, and many, many more.
The fact is though, that we don't manage any of those things. What we do manage is ourselves, as they relate to those things. We don't manage time. Time clicks by, second by second, whether we do anything or not. What we do is manage ourselves, and our activities, as the time passes. We make choices as to what we will do and be involved in. The problem as well as the solution lies not with time, but with us.
We don't manage money. A pile of money will sit there forever if left alone. It won't grow or shrink. What we manage is ourselves and the decisions we make in regard to how we will spend the money. Getting the idea?
So as we live our lives and pursue success, one of the keys to grab on to is the idea that the most important thing we can manage isn't a thing at all - it is our self!
How then can we manage ourselves? Here are some thoughts.
Make sure that the above is firmly engrained in your thinking: I only manage myself. I can choose how I will act and react in every situation. Dwight D Eisenhower said that "The history of free men is not written by chance, but by choice, their choice."
Know your priorities. Do you know from top to bottom what your priorities are? Have you decided what the top ten things you want to spend your time on are? How about the same with your money? Only after you know these things can you properly manage yourself into choosing to live your priorities.
Learn to say "no" with a smile on your face. Here is where most of us fail. We do not choose to say "no" to those things that are not a matter of priority (the reason "why" is another newsletter article and probably a few counseling sessions at that!). Someone calls us up and asks us to do something for them (usually because they haven't managed themselves and would like our help picking up the pieces) and we say "Uh, I guess so." Then what? We usually kick ourselves for the rest of the day. "Why did I ever say yes?" Instead, practice this, "Gee, I am really sorry but I am not going to be able to be involved this time. I am sure you will be able to find somebody though." Go ahead and try it right now. Weird, isn't it? That is because we don't say it very often.
Schedule your priorities into you schedule or budget or whatever structure governs that area of your life. For example, do you have a financial budget that you yourself set? Then do you first and foremost spend your money in that way, say at the beginning of the month? If you do, you will eliminate even the opportunity to blow your money on impulse decisions and expenses because your money has already been committed into your priorities.
Remember, one of the greatest gifts God gave us is the ability to choose. And we can choose to manage ourselves appropriately and according to our priorities. As we do, we will find ourselves feeling less and less of the personal pain and frustration that we feel when we are out of control.
Get goin'!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://chris-widener.inspiresyou.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
family-safe home cleaners Morton Grove ..My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More
The Internet is increasingly becoming a major time killer for... Read More
Are you drowning in a sea of unread papers? Do... Read More
Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More
Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More
"Time management" is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you... Read More
"There is never enough time, unless you're serving it." -Malcolm... Read More
Work brings together people of different characters and behavior, and... Read More
An appointment is simply a mutual agreement to meet with... Read More
There are times, when I am driving in my car... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
Your productivity depends on good tools and effective environments, and... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
?busy, busy, busy, busy, busy?busy, busy, bus? OK, slap me... Read More
The concept of Mercury Retrograde is very well known even... Read More
Your time and energy are the two most precious gifts... Read More
And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More
How many of us are guilty of "Putting the cart... Read More
Many people want to be coached to manage their time... Read More
There are so many books on Time Management published every... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More
Fitting an education into a busy lifestyleMany people have aspirations... Read More
One of the most challenging situations people face when planning... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
home cleaning services Wilmette ..We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More
"I find it interesting that the very cape I tried... Read More
It's easy to waste time on things that seem urgent... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
Time is our greatest and most precious asset. Time is... Read More
How do you eat two elephants? The same way you... Read More
A common remedy for improving your time management is to... Read More
What does it mean to practice self care? It's creating... Read More
This is one more article on "Organizing and Enjoying Your... Read More
Does it seem like there is never enough time in... Read More
And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More
Time is wealth;Time is health; Time is power; Time is... Read More
How often have you tried to manage your time in... Read More
Letters, magazines, bills, flyers, what to do with them all.... Read More
Many organisations view time management training as something they'll spend... Read More
We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More
If you feel like your life moves faster than a... Read More
As a professional organizer, consultant and trainer, I have come... Read More
"If you control your time, you control your life" -... Read More
Are you working a "day job" while building your home-based... Read More
If you can motivate yourself at will to get any... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
How many people do you know who are so busy... Read More
Fitting an education into a busy lifestyleMany people have aspirations... Read More
What keeping time really means is...being on time!You know, there... Read More
Time Management |