Monthly Archives: June 2009

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Time Management Part 3 – Accomplish More!

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How are you doing with electronic overload?  Have you implemented any new tips from the last blog post?  Let us know about your progress!

 

How do you plan your time?

Whether you have ADHD or not, you might have trouble accurately estimating how much time it takes to complete your tasks.  This causes problems with your planning because you try to accomplish too much in one day and get frustrated if you cannot finish everything.  Sound familiar?  Don’t give up on the planning concept!  

 

Here is something you can do to help yourself.

  1.  Commit to planning for at least a week.
  2. When planning, add a column for “Planned Time” and “Actual Time”.
  3. Each day, write down how much time you think each activity will take under “Planned Time”.
  4. After you work on each task, write down how much time you actually spent under “Actual Time”.
  5. At the end of the week, review your data and adjust your planning the following week.

 

Even if you only do this for one week, it will give you a more realistic perspective on what you can accomplish in any given day.  Being more realistic will help you commit to plan and, in the end, accomplish more!  

 

Let me know how it goes!  Best of luck to you.


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Overcome Time Management Challenges (part 2)

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Did you decide to implement any tips from the last post?  What is working?  Do you need some reminders?  Let us know in the comments section below.

 

Last week I talked about the importance of planning and prioritizing.  Today, I will to share some tips specifically geared towards our digital world.  Many people, not just those with ADHD, are experiencing electronic overload these days.  Too many places to go online, too many emails and too many devices… just too much!

  • When working on an important task or you are on the phone, close your email and internet connections to minimize distraction.   Better yet, move away from your computer or close it if you have a laptop.
  • Schedule your social media time and track how you spend your time on social media.  
    • While I’m not a marketing expert, I realize how valuable social media can be.  
    • I also understand how distracting it can be when one of your friends starts a fun conversation on Twitter. 
    • Discover what balance is productive to you.
  • Commit to checking email only 2 or 3 times per day.  You will get through your email quicker this way and be less likely to spend time on lower priority tasks throughout the day.  
  • Consolidate your devices.  If you are still using a PDA and a cell phone, consider just using a PDA (such as a BlackBerry other tool).  You’ll save money and have fewer items to track as well.

How do you control your electronic overload?  What other time management challenges do you have?  Comment here to let us know!

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Overcome Time Management Challenges (part 1)

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Whether you have ADHD or not, chances are you have a few time management challenges.  I would like to share a few ideas with you to help you overcome your time management challenges.  (Thank you to everyone who has submitted your questions ideas on the blog and through LinkedIn!)

Let me start by asking  you a few questions…

  • Are you missing deadlines?
  • Do you need help with prioritization?
  • Is a new project overwhelming you?
  • Do you feel like there are not enough hours in the day?
  • Are you already worried about managing next school year with your child?

Implementing time management strategies can help you overcome these and other time management challenges.

Plan

While it may seem trivial, we don’t typically accomplish what we don’t plan.  If you don’t have time to plan, that is a sure sign that you need to do it.  It is very difficult to achieve your goals, big or small, if you don’t have a plan to get there.  Just imagine going to a new place without a map.  If it seems overwhelming, start small. 

  • This Sunday, spend fifteen minutes planning your week.  
  • Check your plan each day.  Start with 5 minutes each day.  
  • If the the calendar or planner you are using seems to have stopped working, change it!  The same system doesn’t work for everyone or for every situation.  
  • Planning is also a great tool to teach your children.  Start small with them over the summer to help get them ready for school in the fall.

Use Alarms and Timers

Often people who struggle with attention challenges like ADHD need time reminders.  Alarms and timers help us get going in the morning, remind us of important appointments, make sure we don’t spend too much time on any one task and keep us moving throughout the day.  There are many options on the market now to meet various needs.  Try different types to see what works for you.

 Prioritize

When planning your week and day, make sure you are working towards your top priorities.  Ask yourself a few questions regarding each meeting and task to help you decide what are the highest priorities in a given day or week…

  • How will this task or meeting move me towards my goals?
  • Is this task or meeting important?
  • Does this task feel important just because it is urgent?  
  • Is there another way for this task to get accomplished?

 A coach can help you establish your plan, help you prioritize and keep you accountable to your plan.  Contact me if you are ready to move forward and overcome your time management challenges!

There are more things you can do and I will share more in future blog posts.  In the meantime, give at least one of these strategies a try and let me know how it goes!  Let me know what other questions and issue you are experiencing as well.

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Please note – Time Management talk at the BBB has been postponed

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Unfortunately, due to schedule conflicts, my time management talk at the Eastern Michigan Better Business Bureau has been postponed.  Check back here soon for great time management tips.  In need of coaching support now for ADHD and ADD related challenges?  Contact me today to schedule your complimentary session!  (laura@myattentioncoach.com)

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Tools for Managing Time; Better Business Bureau; Southfield, MI

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Flyer:  Time Management at the Better Business Bureau

Better Business Bureau Business Card Exchange

Thursday, October 15

8-9:30 a.m.            FREE

Eastern Michigan Better Business Bureau office  (NEW LOCATION: at 26777 Central Park, Suite 100 – Southfield, MI 48076)

  • Do you have trouble managing your time at home or at work? 
  • Do you need more hours in the day?
  • Do your employees miss deadlines or assignments due to disorganization? 

I will explore these topics as a part of my interactive workshop.

Participants will learn strategies and develop solutions to overcome these and other related challenges. Each person will leave the workshop with the knowledge to develop an action plan tailored to one of their specific goals.

Local business owners, managers and employees are welcome to attend this session.  Light refreshments and networking opportunities are available.

Register by contacting Crystal Kontos at (248) 593-3213 or ckontos@easternmichiganbbb.org.

 

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