Search:

Finding Time Proactively - Time Choices that Give You the Control over Your Time

Finding time can open new possibilities. But if you feel out of control of your time, those possibilities will always be beyond your reach. See how many questions below you answer yes to. If there are many, ADD to your time using the following lessons.

Proactive Question #1: Do you feel like you spend most of your time putting out fires?

Proactive Question #2: Do you respond to other people's priorities, leaving your own on the shelf?

Stop for a second. Think about ways that you are being reactive in your decisions about your time.

Reactive Time Choices - the 3 D's

Bottom line, if your choices around time are reactive it will always be hard for you to create a plan and stick to it. When you set aside your own priorities to tend to others' 3 D's, be aware that you are responding reactively:

* Demands,

* Desires, and

* Difficulties

Be Proactive - ADD to Your Time

What can you do when faced with the 3 D's? First, do not let someone else's tone or urgency automatically overrule your own priorities. Stop and ADD it up for yourself.

1) Assess,

2) Decide, and then

3) DO!

Proactivity and rigidity are two very different things; and definitely do not confuse being reactive with being flexible!

To become proactive while remaining responsive, look within to decide what time choices work the best for you. Your first challenge is to avoid being put on the spot.

Practical tips to help you be more proactive:

Tip #1: Weigh what you may hear others say, but allow yourself all the time you need before answering.

Tip #2: Take the responsibility to gage how significant or urgent the issue truly is.

Tip #3: You needn't allow those who possess strong verbal skills, who are dominant or those who work off crises to overpower your plans.

Tip #4: Try saying, "I'll think about it and get back to you."

Tip #5: Reserve the right to set a boundary for yourself.

Try This on for Size:

Perhaps your boss thrives on the excitement of last-minute adrenalin. Your boss comes to you after lunch with an "urgent" job. You could say:

* I can see that you feel (X) is very important.

* I just want to let you know that if I do (X) now, I probably will not have time to do (Y) by the end of the day.

* Which of the two do you prefer I do first?

In this way, you:

* Acknowledge the request but do not react,

* Convey the consequences of not setting priorities, and

* Give your boss the opportunity to make a choice.

The way you spend your time is the way you live your life

People make time choices differently, depending on their values. To be more proactive, start by setting some reasonable boundaries for yourself. Experiment a little and learn from others' examples. You will gradually develop the self-reference and collection of skills that make you a proactive expert on finding time.

Article Source: http://www.newagelivingarticles.com

Paula Eder, Ph.D., The Time Finder, has 35+ years experience guiding individuals and organizations to effectively align values with time choices. For free weekly time tips & award-winning monthly Ezines, visit www.findingtime.net/ezine.html

Please Rate this Article

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Time Management Articles Via RSS!

Additional Articles From - Home | Time Management

Article Directory Software
Click here to download the exact software that powers this directory for FREE. Start your own article directory today!

	Print This Article
	Post Comment
	Add To Favorites
	Email to Friends
	Ezine Ready

Top Authors
Submit Articles
Member Login
Most Popular Articles
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds

Little Book Of Becoming
Masters of the Secret
The Singularity Is Near
Distribute Your Articles to 1000's!
Wildwind Enterprises
Bookstore
About Us
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

LINKS

All Links DirectoryAll Links Directory is 100% SEO friendly Directory and Human Edited.

Dominate The Search Engines with this software

Make Money Being an Affiliate with this software it's easy!

Learn How to Make Daily Profits Online starting Right Now!

Idiot Proof Clickbank Trick Makes $6,513 In 24 Hours

Amazing New Discovery: True psychokinesis easy to Use. Learn to control it for manifestation, healing, karmic repair with chakras.Visit us to find out how This Is 'PK' Mind Over Matter (Ebook, Free Download) fosters positive permanent change!

Submit Your Articles Quick and Easy with this software!

Get Keyword Elite and never hunt for keywords again!

NewAgeLivingArticles.com » Copyright © 2007 WildWind Enterprises
Terms of Service | Submission Guidelines | Contact Us | Link to Us| Privacy Policy | About Us | Article Submissions With A Click 100's of Sites!