How many of you plop on the couch at the end of the day asking yourself, "Why am I so exhausted?" and "What did I accomplish today?"
As I speak to working moms throughout Arizona, I hear the biggest complaint is not having enough time in the day to accomplish the things we want and need!
I used to think I was pretty savvy at managing my time, at least until I started working from home with a toddler by my side. As I searched for an expert in this area, I decided to go to the one working mom who has spent years in business empowering women with "the golden rule" and living by her priorities of "god first, family second, career third".
She is the founder of Mary Kay Cosmetics and author of the book, "You Can Have It All", Mary Kay Ash.
Her book is filled with lots of great tools to help grow your business and manage your time. She also makes sure it is known that no amount of money or career gain is worth sacrificing time with your family. That is certainly music to my ears!
The tool Mary Kay Ash recommends using to keep your day productive was created by Ivy Lee, a well known efficiency expert. He approached Charles Schwab with this tool and boldly stated that he could increase the sales and effeciency of Schwab's team by implementing the "Six Most Important Things To Do List" for a period of three months.
Schwab studied the massive results this list had on his business and generously rewarded Mr. Lee with a check for $35,000 during a time when that compensation was unheard of!
If you'd like to see even a portion of those results, READ ON how YOU can use this list too!
Steps to creating the Six Most Important List:
1. At the end of your day, make a list of the Six Most Important things you have to do the next day and number them in their order of importance.
For example number one will be the most important but may also be the hardest or most unappealing item to do. Number six will be the lowest priority and one that will not require as much energy for you to complete.
2. As you complete your list, scratch off each item and go onto the next one.
3. If some items don't get done, add the items onto the following day's list.
4. Repeat this daily!
Imagine what goals we can accomplish if we are willing to apply this one tool to our daily lives for the next three months?
Now, for me, being a Personal Power Coach/Trainer, I have one more step to add.
5. Keep track of your daily lists.
If you notice yourself continuing to "put off" the same items or related tasks on your list from day to day, this is a repetitive pattern you are creating. It may also be the key reason why some of your goals are not happening!
This is where (in my opinion) things get really exciting!
Imagine if we could break through the repetitive patterns that hold us back in all areas of our life!
The great news is WE CAN!
Sometimes just noticing this about ourselves helps us "self correct" or make the changes needed on our own. However, if the thought of knowing this overwhelms you with frustration, take adeep breathe, I've got some solutions!
Seek to understand! Ask yourself questions to learn what this task represents within you. It usually is linked to a fear or belief that we make "mean" something about us, but in reality is not true. We call this an "illusion of the mind".
Some questions to ask are:
"What am I afraid of in completing this task?"
"What is the worst that could happen?"
"Who would I be without this fear?"
The willingness to face our fears with an attitude of "Bring it On!" Can help you BUST through to theUnlimited Possibilities in life!
I wish you continued success in being the most POWERFUl Working Mom you can be!
For more information about Marci, visit www.MarciTjader.com or www.MommyNetworking.com
