Managing Your Time

What is the number one complaint I hear from people in both my teaching practice and my coaching practice?

Well that is an easy question to answer. Simply put most people feel they just don't have enough TIME to get everything done they want to. Is this the real problem? No, not usually. More often then not the problem really lies in a lack of planning and managing the time you do have effectively. We all have busy lives, important things we need to get done, people we love and want to spend time with and a myriad of little nigglely things that take up time. How then can we change this pattern? No one wants to feel like they are running after themselves all the time.

First, we need to know what we want. Sounds simple doesn't? Truth is most of us go through our day doing this and that and not really thinking about it. By knowing exactly what the goal is we can much more effectively get there. Now this doesn't mean you need to write down a complicated plan for every little thing..please don't think that. It also doesn't mean you ought to have a minute by minute agenda. Some people thrive with that kind of detailed planning, but most lose interest quickly and end up drifting away from such a regimented plan.

Setting goals for your day is important. Knowing what needs to be done and organizing a day that allows that. You need to make it on time to your dentist, you don't need to check out the new shoes in the store. However, the wants are important too. How to combine these? Is there a route you can take to wander by this wonderful shoe store? Understanding need vs want can make a huge difference in feeling overwhelmed and rushed.

Take a moment, write down your needs and wants on a page with two columns. What do you notice? However, that being said..please don't think you don't need to once in a while cover some wants. Otherwise your life will not be as satisfying. Believe it or not..you NEED to have fun too!

The Law of Attraction

The Law of Attraction

This is an idea that has been around for a very long time. Simply put you attract that which you most think, talk about and surround yourself with.

Some believe that as we are made of energy, so are our thoughts (or brain waves).

When you concern yourself with worrying about negative things you actually are attracting more negatives into your life.

I suppose then we must assume that the opposite must be true.

If you focus on the good and positive things in your life you will attract more of these same good and positive things.

Can this always be true?

Of course we are wondering why bad things happen to good people right?

The Law of Attraction like many other things is not a hard fast rule, but a way of thinking about how you can progress through life. Of course there are other influences; even a strong magnet can be made to let go of the metal its stuck to. So the law of attraction cannot overcome all other things in the universe.

Sometimes known as the power of positive thinking, I've seen this Law of Attraction work.

Shifting your thinking, having faith in yourself...it all makes a difference in how your life will play out.

In my teaching practice I've often seen something teachers call a 'self-fulfilling-prophecy'.

Its the same principle. If you tell a child he is smart, capable and wonderful and give them faith in that, they will show you they are. Will they make mistakes, have tantrums and occasionally do crazy things? Of course..they are kids after all! But it won't be their normal behaviour and they can have remorse. Sadly the inverse is too often what we really see.

How does it work?

Talk about your desires, blessing and joys. Open up and put them out there. Talk like its already a given. Be excited and eager for the things you are going after in life. There is joy in simply experiencing the ideas!

Believe that you are worthy. So many of us worry we might be perceived as 'bad' if we think we deserve something. This is different from arrogance. This is not the person who thinks they are so beyond wonderful everyone should swoon when they enter the room. This is the quiet confidence that you are a good person who deserves love and to obtain goals. That may mean accepting help, gifts and advice. Learning to accept all of these graciously is a skill worth learning. On the other side of this coin many of us wait for the 'other shoe to drop' if we are feeling too happy. What a waste! You've got happiness and joy and your spending it as if something bad has happened. If an issue comes up..deal with it then. There are always ups and down but you need to find the pleasure in the ups and allow yourself to experience that fully.

Be grateful. This may sound rather obvious but it's important to remember to be grateful for what you already have, what you may have and what you can do for others.

Offer to help others. Especially those who are connected to your desires. The natural flow of energy in the universe means you must give of yourself to receive.

Listen to the inner voice you have. If its telling you negative things, you need to learn to tune it out and shift it to a positive voice. It can happen.

A coach can help you if you need support.

You can create your own destiny..make it a great one!

The Ride

"Nature always takes her time. Great oaks don't become great overnight. They also lose a lot of leaves, branches and bark in the process of becoming great."— Andrew Matthews

In our age of immediate gratification we tend to expect the same from ourselves. We must be able to do it now, learn it fast, do it quicker...

What a shame we forget the joy of living now. The process of achieving our goals can be just as rewarding as when/if we get there. Living in the now brings us a sense of peace and innate satisfaction. Always focusing on what is coming can cause us to miss out on the joys of today.

Take a moment to do something we've all heard about. Stop, take a breath and count your blessings. Life can be tough no doubt, things can look bleak but you have places to take joy from. It might just be that you have a warm place to sleep and food in your stomach or that you have friends you can count on or great kids.

Life throws us curveballs but if you learn from them you will be a stronger person. You're life is actually richer for those hard times.

Don't let the joy you have get overshadowed by any difficulties. Remember, there are bumps in every road..but you can still enjoy the ride.