Confession Time

One of the things I struggle with constantly is time management. I want to badly to do everything and be superwoman but I know I can't be. I feel spread thin a lot of days and some things just go undone... like dinner. HA! But joking aside, one thing I have agonized over during the last year, is the incredible amount of guilt I feel when I am away from my son or working on things that require him to be on back burner. If I am on the phone or working on the computer and I have to turn the tv on to occupy him, I start feeling like a TERRIBLE mother. When I see him being destructive or lashing out because I know he needs attention, I once again, feel like I am selling him short. I have made a commitment lately to work harder than ever before because I know it's worth it. I LOVE what I do and I am so blessed to have a home business that provides me the ability to be at home. On the flip side, when I am playing with him or at the park or doing kid stuff I start to feel the urgency that I should be working!!!! AHHHHH it's a constant inner battle. I deal with it and I am sure ALL mom's do! I know its only a season of imbalance and trying to keep priority where it needs to be while working hard. I just feel like it's time for me to share this. When London was tiny and slept most of the day- I never though much about it. I was choosing to work instead of watching the Ellen Show....safe to say "good choice." But now, unless it's during the precious 2 hours of nap time that I HOPEFULLY get, I must choose between those big brown eyes or the passion I have for my business. I am trying to find creative ways to do both! For example last week London colored pictures, mommy made a "to do" list. I know I can't do everything and I know I will fail at times in both my business and as a mother but, God willing, I will strive to do my best in all areas and just trust that my efforts will pay off. I know I am a better mom because I have a purpose and a drive to provide for and help my family. I also know that I am better in my business because I can relate to other mom's doing what I am doing!

Whew, it feels good to just get that off my chest! Well, nap time could end any second... so I should get to work :)

Time to take action!

This weekend, I spent time in a training that gave me a LOT to think about. One of the biggest things I came away with is the idea that I need to place urgency and an actual DATE on my goals. Just "saying" I am going to do something is not enough. I have to put a date on it, tell other people and publicly make myself accountable. Goals with no urgency or date are just ideas or hopes. It's great to dream- but put your plan into action! I also found this great 5 step summary to help bring this to life.

 
5 Ways to Develop A Sense of Urgency
By: Brian Tracy

Perhaps the most outwardly identifiable quality of a high performing man or woman is "action orientation."

1. Take Time to Think and Plan
Highly productive people take the time to think, plan and set priorities. They then launch quickly and strongly toward their goals and objectives. They work steadily, smoothly and continuously and seem to go through enormous amounts of work in the same time period that the average person spends socializing, wasting time and working on low value activities.

2. Getting into "Flow"
When you work on high value tasks at a high and continuous level of activity, you can actually enter into an amazing mental state called "flow." Almost everyone has experienced this at some time. Really successful people are those who get themselves into this state far more often than the average.

In the state of "flow," which is the highest human state of performance and productivity, something almost miraculous happens to your mind and emotions. You feel elated and clear. Everything you do seems effortless and accurate. You feel happy and energetic. You experience a tremendous sense of calm and personal effectiveness.
 
3. Become More Alert and Aware
In the state of "flow," identified and talked about over the centuries, you actually function on a higher plane of clarity, creativity and competence. You are more sensitive and aware. Your insight and intuition functions with incredible precision. You see the interconnectedness of people and circumstances around you. You often come up with brilliant ideas and insights that enable you to move ahead even more rapidly.

4. Develop a Sense of Urgency
One of the ways you can trigger this state of flow is by developing a "sense of urgency." This is an inner drive and desire to get on with the job quickly and get it done fast. This inner drive is an impatience that motivates you to get going and to keep going. A sense of urgency feels very much like racing against yourself.

5. Create a "Bias for Action"
With this ingrained sense of urgency, you develop a "bias for action." You take action rather than talking continually about what you are going to do. You focus on specific steps you can take immediately. By employing this technique you concentrate on the things you can do right now to get the results you want and achieve the goals you desire.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:

First, select one major task confronting you and launch into it immediately. Don't hesitate. Move fast.

Second, start doing this every morning, first thing, until it becomes a habit.