Getting More Done in Less Time

image:thebudgetmama.com
culled from:www.leadershiparticles.net

Time is incredibly important to us. We can't get it back. Yet if we are looking to improve our lives, help our families and work with others it seems that there is more to add to the to do list every single day. And even if we are incredibly efficient, there will always be more to do than time to do it. There will always be something else that you should do. But time is the one commodity that we really can’t create any more of, of course we can be healthy and try to live longer. Now if good health meant living to 90 rather than 80 do you want to be using the extra 10 years at 80,or would you like 10 years of free time to spend with family, travel, do the things you love NOW?

Always remember that all you've got is the present moment. If your future is looking incredible, you still only have the journey. Death is the only arrival. So you must find a way to do the things you love, spend time with the people you love and enjoy the journey NOW. The best way to do this is by doing what you have to do more quickly and efficiently to free up the rest of your time.

It's very easy to get more done more quickly. You just need Focus. Now if you’re like me Focus is something you struggle with. We are conditioned in the modern world to be multi-taskers. Divide your attention and everything you try to do will suffer. Focus on just one thing and you will not only do it more quickly, but you'll do it better. Brian Tracy taught me: What you focus on grows.

So here’s a simple way to make focus work in your life. Begin with planning your day. What tasks are genuinely important? What needs to be done TODAY? Make a list of the things you need to get done. Remember this list should also include your exercise, your time with your kids, etc. these things are important. Now you don’t just work your way down a list. The tasks should be scheduled into the day and time slots alloted for each.

Now is where Focus comes in. In each time slot you most ONLY focus on the task alloted to that time. You need to shut down your email, send the phone straight to voicemail and find a quiet space. If the task must be done on the computer or online you MUST shut down every open window. You can easily get tempted to hit the refresh button or check your emails. The quickest way to get distracted is to have Twitter and Facebook open. If the windows aren’t open you would actually have to make the conscious decision to go check your email or your Facebook, but since you understand the importance of Focus now, you can actually make better decisions. The more you keep your computer screen, desk, etc tidy the easier you will find it to focus.

Simply decide what task to do, when to do it, then get rid of any distraction. When first applying this you might get the urge to check your emails, listen to your voicemail, etc. But as you make the move to do that, stop, think of the power of focus and return to your task. You will become better and quicker at nearly everything. And when you get more done in less time you will create more free time to do what you want to do.
Learn more about Focus and other empowerment and personal development techniques by visiting NiamhArthur.com, where Niamh Arthur will show you how to make personal development a part of your day to day living.