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Contact: Stephanie L. H. Calahan
A: 8 Shoreline Court, Suite 100, Bloomington IL 61704
T: 309.825.7833 (days & evenings)
F: 309.422.7665
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AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD - SPECIAL REPORT: PRIORITY SETTING--WORKING ON THE RIGHT THINGS
42 International Professionals Share Their Favorite Tips and Strategies for Making Sure You Are on the Right Track
BLOOMINGTON IL -- August 23, 2009 - Productivity Fact: You can be busy all day and still have gotten nothing done. As a recovering work-a-holic, Productivity Specialist, Stephanie LH Calahan knows this productivity fact both personally and professionally. “We know that the 80/20 rule applies in most life situations. So, let’s look at how that applies to your time. Consider this, if you have a to-do list with twenty items on it, then four of those tasks will be worth more than the other sixteen combined.”
As best selling author Brian Tracy explains, “This means that each of those tasks will be worth at least 5 times more, or will give you a 500 percent return on time invested over doing any of the other tasks on your list, which are of low or no value.”
Today it is more important than ever to make sure that the things we choose to spend our time on are the right things. Well known author and leaderhship expert, Peter Drucker, encourages us to understand that it is important to decide “what” is to be done first. Only after that decision is made should we figure out the “how” and “when”.
“Efficiency is doing things right, but effectiveness is doing the right things." ~Peter Drucker~
Prioritizing tasks is a never-ending struggle for most busy executives and professionals. Recently, Calahan has recovered from major illness and these facts on prioritizing time ring true to her now more than ever. As a result, she coordinated with 42 international experts from around the globe to produce a guide that will help readers figure out how to focus on the right things in their lives.
PRODUCTIVE & ORGANIZED–-FINDING YOUR WAY SPECIAL REPORT:
Priority Setting–Working on the Right Things
Here is a short sampling of 5 tips from the report to help you set your priorities:
1 - Setting priorities is about differentiating between obligations and choices.
When you thin your schedule of unwanted obligations, you are choosing to make room for the activities that are truly important to you and will create lasting memories and a fulfilled life. Your family and business will thank you for it.
Also, understand that the value in any activity is subjective. YOU are the captain of your ship and must follow your own compass. At different times in your life you will need to focus your time and energy in different ways.
2 - Make sure to consider your whole life when setting priorities.
Your life consists of Seven Vital Areas:
• Health • Family • Financial • Intellectual
• Social • Spiritual • Professional
You will not spend equal amounts of time in each area or time every day in each area. But, if in the long run, you are spending a sufficient quantity and quality of time in each area, then your life will be balanced.
If you ignore any one of your areas, (never mind two or three!) you will get out of balance and potentially sabotage your success. Fail to take time now for your health and you will have to take time for illness later on. Ignore your family and they may leave you.
3 - Ask the tough questions.
Organizer and Coach, Kathy Paauw suggests that you ask, "Why am I doing what I'm doing right now?"
This question helps you think about where you are focused and reminds you that when you say yes to someone or something, you are saying no to someone or something else. “There's no room for ‘should’ here. Either choose to say yes or say no -- don't play the victim by saying yes when you don't choose to.”
4 - Focus on the Money.
Time and Productivity Coach Paul Burton asks his clients to ask “What is the most (and possibly second most) important objective you have in your work? Is it revenue production, maximizing process flows, client acquisition, etc.?” Once you've defined your primary reason for being at work, you can begin to set your priorities accordingly.
5 - Be Objective about New Opportunities.
Business Strategist, Joy Duling, suggests that you should stop and consider each new opportunity. “Every single time a new idea arises, be sure to assess whether the project really fits with your big picture.” This evaluation process is much easier to complete if your objectives are in writing.
Duling goes on to say, “If there’s not a good fit, don’t be afraid of letting the opportunity pass. Keep in mind that trying to do it all leaves you spread too thin to do anything well. Re-center yourself with your big picture vision.”
It's easy to get lost in the multitude of tasks that cascade down on us each day. Using a high-level filter--your primary professional objective(s)--gives you a terrific way to identify those things that are truly significant from those things that are "wish list" items.
In today’s fast paced, information rich, do it now, society this becomes even more important. According to Basex's latest research , information overload costs the U.S. economy a minimum of $900 billion per year in lowered employee productivity and reduced innovation.
If you liked the tips that you read here and would like others, download the free special report: Priority Setting – Working on the Right Things. You can get the free report here: http://www.bit.ly/PrioritySetting
“Every day, I talk to clients and prospects that are stressed and time-drained,” stated Calahan. “When you consider your system for setting priorities, you must focus on doing the right things, rather than simply doing things right.”
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For more information:
Contact: Stephanie L. H. Calahan
T: 309.825.7833 (day/evening) 309.826.5263 (alternate)
F: 309.422.7665
A: 8 Shoreline Court, Bloomington IL 61704
E: media@calahansolutions.com
W: www.calahansolutions.com
Media Room: www.CalahanSolutions.net
Bio: www.StephanieCalahan.com
