Comments on: 3 great time management strategies I’m failing at http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Sun, 20 Jul 2008 07:05:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Coachology: Knowing when to stop and hear the music » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-56641 Coachology: Knowing when to stop and hear the music » Brazen Careerist by Penelope Trunk Fri, 13 Apr 2007 16:41:50 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-56641 [...] It’s very hard to know what we want, though. So often our priorities get sucked up into a blender and spit out as a smoothie. I am having this problem right now with going to the gym. I was already just barely holding things together having added the blog on top of what I normally do for work. And now I’m adding promoting a book. [...] […] It’s very hard to know what we want, though. So often our priorities get sucked up into a blender and spit out as a smoothie. I am having this problem right now with going to the gym. I was already just barely holding things together having added the blog on top of what I normally do for work. And now I’m adding promoting a book. […]

]]> By: Sarah http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-17270 Sarah Mon, 15 Jan 2007 04:31:22 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-17270 It's nice to know I'm not the only one! :) I definitely underestimated my ability to self-discipline once I transitioned into full-time self-employement. I'd love hints and tips from anyone who's found a good system for being productive at home! :) Sarah It’s nice to know I’m not the only one! :) I definitely underestimated my ability to self-discipline once I transitioned into full-time self-employement. I’d love hints and tips from anyone who’s found a good system for being productive at home! :)

Sarah

]]> By: Sarah http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-17199 Sarah Mon, 15 Jan 2007 00:25:23 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-17199 I can totally relate to tip #3. I just left a full-time corporate job to focus on my life coaching practice full-time (a home-based business). Let's just say my productivity has become dismal (errands, TV, extracirricular activities and SLEEP have taken over!). Last night I finally sat down to plan out my work week... Perhaps I'll get tired of the structure, but for now I seem to need the discipline of a schedule. Thanks for a great post!! * * * * * * * * <I>Sarah, Thank you for sharing with everyone how difficult it is to transition to a home-based business. Self-discipline is so so so important for a home-based business. Even after years of doing this I still find there are more ways I can add more structure. And in almost every instance, more structure has been better for me. Penelope </I> I can totally relate to tip #3. I just left a full-time corporate job to focus on my life coaching practice full-time (a home-based business). Let’s just say my productivity has become dismal (errands, TV, extracirricular activities and SLEEP have taken over!). Last night I finally sat down to plan out my work week… Perhaps I’ll get tired of the structure, but for now I seem to need the discipline of a schedule.

Thanks for a great post!!

* * * * * * * *

Sarah, Thank you for sharing with everyone how difficult it is to transition to a home-based business. Self-discipline is so so so important for a home-based business. Even after years of doing this I still find there are more ways I can add more structure. And in almost every instance, more structure has been better for me.

Penelope

]]> By: My plan to stop second-guessing myself » Brazen Careerist http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-15942 My plan to stop second-guessing myself » Brazen Careerist Fri, 12 Jan 2007 18:52:30 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-15942 [...] A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I was overhauling my time management strategy. And believe it or not, things are getting a little better. [...] […] A few weeks ago, I wrote about how I was overhauling my time management strategy. And believe it or not, things are getting a little better. […]

]]> By: Pamela Slim http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-14634 Pamela Slim Wed, 10 Jan 2007 05:02:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-14634 Are we separated at birth Penelope? Wow, are you speaking my language in this post. I, too am addicted to blog metrics, hopeless at doing important things first and a blogger in need of a 12 step program. I found this post while trying to respond to a question from a client and searching on Andy Wibbels site, finding his post about your post on getting offline press as a blogger, bouncing to Alexandra Levit's site since she commented on your post and I hadn't read her blog in awhile, then back to you. (after viewing her recent tv clips) Meanwhile, my 5-minute email response has turned into an hour. But you know what? I am having a ball. So the hell with planning. :) -Pam * * * * * * <i>Guess what? I, too, saw Alexandra's comment, and then accidentally went to her personal site instead of her blog, and then stayed to view the video, and then went to her blog, and then left a comment, and then wondered what happened to my to do list. And I, too, was happy doing it all :) Penelope</i>   Are we separated at birth Penelope?

Wow, are you speaking my language in this post.

I, too am addicted to blog metrics, hopeless at doing important things first and a blogger in need of a 12 step program. I found this post while trying to respond to a question from a client and searching on Andy Wibbels site, finding his post about your post on getting offline press as a blogger, bouncing to Alexandra Levit’s site since she commented on your post and I hadn’t read her blog in awhile, then back to you. (after viewing her recent tv clips)

Meanwhile, my 5-minute email response has turned into an hour.

But you know what? I am having a ball. So the hell with planning.

:)
-Pam

* * * * * *

Guess what? I, too, saw Alexandra’s comment, and then accidentally went to her personal site instead of her blog, and then stayed to view the video, and then went to her blog, and then left a comment, and then wondered what happened to my to do list.

And I, too, was happy doing it all :)

Penelope

 

]]> By: Wendy http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-12888 Wendy Tue, 02 Jan 2007 20:33:45 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-12888 THis comment is related to the procrastination post as well. I think sometimes we delay working on the biggest task because sub consciously we know we're not ready to deal with it appropriately and therefore should wait because it would be a waste of time to do otherwise. For example, today I knew that revising a PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming webcast was the most important thing on my list. But I've struggled so much with it and didn't have any new inspiration to bring to it. I decided instead to catch up on industry news and broader economic news from the past two weeks (including reading a few favourite blogs). Suddenly I found reference to Cliff Atkinson's work on why PowerPoints fail. From visiting his website and reading a few of his short one-page articles, I suddenly knew how to make this presentation work and have sketched a whole new outline that I'll start typing in now... THis comment is related to the procrastination post as well. I think sometimes we delay working on the biggest task because sub consciously we know we’re not ready to deal with it appropriately and therefore should wait because it would be a waste of time to do otherwise.

For example, today I knew that revising a PowerPoint presentation for an upcoming webcast was the most important thing on my list. But I’ve struggled so much with it and didn’t have any new inspiration to bring to it. I decided instead to catch up on industry news and broader economic news from the past two weeks (including reading a few favourite blogs). Suddenly I found reference to Cliff Atkinson’s work on why PowerPoints fail. From visiting his website and reading a few of his short one-page articles, I suddenly knew how to make this presentation work and have sketched a whole new outline that I’ll start typing in now…

]]> By: PunditMom http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-12304 PunditMom Sun, 31 Dec 2006 19:08:31 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-12304 I have so many problems with these issues. Thanks for not only writing about them, but for commiserating about your won foibles. I am never good at doing the most important thin first and I am also doomed by my own blogging, which is also part of my writing strategy. I am an instant gratification girl, unfortunately, and this year I am hoping to do better with that. I have so many problems with these issues. Thanks for not only writing about them, but for commiserating about your won foibles. I am never good at doing the most important thin first and I am also doomed by my own blogging, which is also part of my writing strategy. I am an instant gratification girl, unfortunately, and this year I am hoping to do better with that.

]]> By: Tom Nantais http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-11951 Tom Nantais Sun, 31 Dec 2006 02:41:28 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-11951 I'm with you on #1. It's very easy to get stressed about the most important jobs on the to-do list. I'm very good at avoiding that stress by finding lower priority things to promote. Actually #2 and #3 are both in that category. (Cleaning too. I had a boss once who started asking questions about what was bothering me every time she noticed my office getting cleaner.) The best way I've found to deal with important-job stress is to write down all of the things that are stressing me about the job. If I take a few minutes to break it down I usually realize that the cause of the stress is me trying to hold too many things in my head at the same time. David Allen has a lot to say about overloading your brain. (That's a good book. I was so busy when I read it that I probably wouldn't have gotten to it at all if it hadn't been for some down time after having my wisdom teeth out. I'm really glad I did.) I’m with you on #1. It’s very easy to get stressed about the most important jobs on the to-do list. I’m very good at avoiding that stress by finding lower priority things to promote. Actually #2 and #3 are both in that category. (Cleaning too. I had a boss once who started asking questions about what was bothering me every time she noticed my office getting cleaner.)

The best way I’ve found to deal with important-job stress is to write down all of the things that are stressing me about the job. If I take a few minutes to break it down I usually realize that the cause of the stress is me trying to hold too many things in my head at the same time. David Allen has a lot to say about overloading your brain. (That’s a good book. I was so busy when I read it that I probably wouldn’t have gotten to it at all if it hadn’t been for some down time after having my wisdom teeth out. I’m really glad I did.)

]]> By: Emily http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-10786 Emily Fri, 29 Dec 2006 04:06:17 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-10786 I agree with everything you said here, Penelope, and it's great to have the reinforcement. The bit about checking blog metrics as dessert is great - I find that I spend quite a bit of time at the beginning of the day with dessert-type activities on the Internet. Maybe I need to schedule those in, too - but later in the day, and only as a reward. The sticking point with me is figuring out what's important. That in itself takes me a lot of time, as well as courage. Getting Things Done, by David Allen, was helpful to me overall but wasn't particularly clear on how to prioritize, and thus it's hard (for me anyway) how to figure out what to work on first. It's particularly hard when some of the need-to-get-done things have a short deadline and others have a longer deadline. I've found that even if I create short-term deadlines for myself, if they're arbitrary, I can't fool myself. <strong> * * * * * * *</strong> <em>Hi, Emily. You are the tenth (or so) person to recommend reading David Allen's book. So, finally, I started reading it, and I love it. </em><em>Thanks, Penelope  </em> I agree with everything you said here, Penelope, and it’s great to have the reinforcement. The bit about checking blog metrics as dessert is great - I find that I spend quite a bit of time at the beginning of the day with dessert-type activities on the Internet. Maybe I need to schedule those in, too - but later in the day, and only as a reward.

The sticking point with me is figuring out what’s important. That in itself takes me a lot of time, as well as courage. Getting Things Done, by David Allen, was helpful to me overall but wasn’t particularly clear on how to prioritize, and thus it’s hard (for me anyway) how to figure out what to work on first. It’s particularly hard when some of the need-to-get-done things have a short deadline and others have a longer deadline. I’ve found that even if I create short-term deadlines for myself, if they’re arbitrary, I can’t fool myself.

 * * * * * * *

Hi, Emily. You are the tenth (or so) person to recommend reading David Allen’s book. So, finally, I started reading it, and I love it. Thanks, Penelope 

]]> By: Dave Atkins http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-10648 Dave Atkins Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:02:17 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2006/12/27/3-great-time-management-strategies-im-failing-at/#comment-10648 My biggest time-waster is the "partially-composed post"...or the unsent email. But sometimes you need that stuff to better frame your thinking and everyone is better off that you just hit the delete key. The most obvious thing to help keep on track is a long term goal. I found that once I signed up for a race (running) it was much easier to do the daily run. And committing to a marathon changes everything. I tried to organized and prioritize my blog, but time is such a premium that without a clear goal out there (like finding a new job was) it is very hard to stick to all the random things you are trying to do. Finally, I don't think there is any grand new system for us people over 30 that will radically alter our productivity. I will never find value in organizing my inbox and I will never get any use out of a palm pilot. For me, the impetus is finding new things to be excited about. Scheduling time for things just doesn't make them important enough to override more immediate concerns. Oh, yeah, I have two babies and a new job also, so my hands are kind of full. My biggest time-waster is the “partially-composed post”…or the unsent email. But sometimes you need that stuff to better frame your thinking and everyone is better off that you just hit the delete key.

The most obvious thing to help keep on track is a long term goal. I found that once I signed up for a race (running) it was much easier to do the daily run. And committing to a marathon changes everything. I tried to organized and prioritize my blog, but time is such a premium that without a clear goal out there (like finding a new job was) it is very hard to stick to all the random things you are trying to do.

Finally, I don’t think there is any grand new system for us people over 30 that will radically alter our productivity. I will never find value in organizing my inbox and I will never get any use out of a palm pilot. For me, the impetus is finding new things to be excited about. Scheduling time for things just doesn’t make them important enough to override more immediate concerns. Oh, yeah, I have two babies and a new job also, so my hands are kind of full.

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