Embed Doc
Copy Link
Readcast
Collections

CommentGo Back

Download

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________The Finding Time E-Zine

�

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Dear (First Name),Welcome to the March 8, 2007 FINDING TIME E-ZINE!(You are receiving this E-Zine because you subscribed or indicated aninterest at a Conference. Be sure to place us on the white list orapproved list for your incoming email. If you have received this in error,you may unsubscribe by following the instructions at the end of thispublication.)In this Issue:1. A Note from Paula2. Timely Tips3. Time, Energy, Baby, and Me____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________A Note from PaulaLast week I was surprised when I opened the refrigerator to 60 warmth.

�

Obviously, this 20-year old appliance had called it a day! Taking inthe sudden change, I quickly launched into the process of creative

� �

problem-solving. Since the new refrigerator wouldn't arrive for 5 days,this meant immediately finding cool storage space for everything. As Iencountered the confusion, it became clear that I needed to create asystem. Once I was able to do that, the processes of food preparationand retrieval became much less time-consuming. Once again, developinga system came to the rescue!What facilitated this process was having a clear set of goals andpriorities. I needed to know what had to come first, and what I couldlet go of, in order to solve the immediate problem. Knowing your goalsand your priorities maximizes your effectiveness in any transitionaltime!Speaking of transitional time, remember that Daylight Saving Timebegins on March 11th. It will be wonderful to have more light in theevening!Warm regards,Paula____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Timely Tips: Why Set Goals?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________In our previous issue, we discussed the importance of setting goals for

the right reasons. To ensure that you're setting goals in the rightframe of mind, you can use the following tips:1. Ask yourself - how much time have you actually spent creating aclear picture of what you want and why you want it? If you have notseriously reflected upon this important question, or if your ideaof what you want changes frequently, your goals will be written insand.Give yourself the gift of taking 15 minutes a day for one week tothink about what you truly want and why you want it. Jot downnotes. At the end of the week, you will be ready to set clear goalsthat truly represent how you picture your ideal life. You will havecreated the motivation to achieve that outcome, as well.2. Building on Tip #1, examine the outcome you have defined to ensurethat it's realistic. You may find that you need to make it morespecific, or you may need to modify it in order to make it comealive in your mind.3. Cultivate awareness. This valuable state of mind, encouraged bysetting goals, can dramatically improve your life. Make a habit oflooking at your goal, or outcomes you have defined as mostdesirable for your life, at least 3 times a day. You may find ithelpful to use a timer to set aside 5-10 minutes before breakfast,lunch, and dinner to focus on it. Doing this will help to ensurea constant state of awareness of your goal, and of why it isimportant to achieve it.4. Once you've thoroughly assimilated your goal, you're ready to workbackwards. Working backwards prevents you from falling into thecommon trap of making action steps too big. Now, document eachaction step you need to take to be where you want to be.If you would like to explore further the awareness phase ofgoal-setting, please contact Paula Eder, the Time Finder, atPaula@findingtime.net.____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Ask Paula____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Phil R. of Saratoga, Florida writes:I have been setting goals for myself for almost 20 years. I was

�

surprised by your recommendations for setting long-term goals fromthe Teleclass.What I now realize is that I have consistently set goals that are toosmall and really should be on a task list. Can you help me learn tovisualize more significant long-term goals that will have a greaterimpact on the quality of my life?

�

Dear Phil,Perhaps the fastest way to help yourself learn the difference between

tasks and goals is to look at the time frames you have allowedyourself to achieve each task. If your time lines are shorter than6 weeks, you probably are documenting tasks, not goals.My recommendation would be to do a task list every day for 2 weeks.Then review the time you have set for accomplishing each task. If thetime frames are short, start to develop larger outcomes that willrequire at least 6 weeks to achieve. Put these desired outcomes in alist. Then start with the first outcome on your list of 6-week tasksand expand it into a short-term goal.Be sure to give a reason why each of the goals you are writing isimportant to accomplish. Once you have followed this process for abouta month, expand your time frame for completion to goals that willrequire 3 months. By noticing the differences between the goals andthe tasks that take 6 weeks to complete and those that take 3 months,you will have a clear mental picture of how to set bigger, longer termgoals.Be willing to look ahead and be expansive. Use your imagination toenvision what quality of life means to you. How does that translateinto goals you can reach in the next 6 months or longer? The tasks aremerely the steps necessary to reach your goals.Warmest regards,Paula Eder, Ph.D.The Time Finder____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Time, Energy, Baby, and Me____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________My daughter-in-law Becky has spent the past month recuperating from adifficult delivery and getting to know her daughter, Madalynn. Aaron,too, had the month off and has spent the time parenting and nurturingMadalynn, which he seems to thoroughly enjoy.The initial days were stressful. Everyone was getting used to eachother and the new situation. Becky described the time as bringing"a huge adjustment and great fatigue."Even though there is more of a pattern to their lives now, Beckynotices her limited energy. Scheduling revolves around Maddy's eatingand caretaking needs. Getting things done can be challenging, as thereis always too much to do.But, Becky and Aaron are both excited and amazed to see how Maddy hasgrown in just one month!Tips for Transitional Times1. Take one moment at a time. Stay focused in the present.2. Be prepared for emotional swings. Transitional times may feel