Adopting Positive Time Management Habits

In the final posting of the Time Management blog series, I would like to suggest a few of the higher impact time management tactics that have worked for quite a few of my clients.  

Now, the techniques below may appear to be obvious.  However, it is committing to making them a habitual part of your life that is the truly rewarding challenge.  Are you up for the task?

1. In your projects, involve people that have ideas and perspectives different from your own.
2. Write down your plans, goals, and ideas.  Without clear direction, reaching your destination is difficult.
3. People who keep a journal are one-third more likely to feel a sense of progress in their lives.
4. Apply what you learn immediately to create positive habits and create long-lasting impact.
5. Take greater time when you speak.  People who speak slowly are considered more knowledgeable.

I welcome the opportunity to learn how you have used the information posted in our Time Management blog series in your life and can be contacted at 248-740-3231 or through my website - Michigan Business and Personal Coach.

Stress Management: The Good and The Bad

A few weeks ago many of us in Michigan were shocked to learn that the Michigan State University head football coach Mark Dantonio suffered a heart attack following a big win versus Notre Dame.  Many experts would agree that he was experiencing a form of chronic Distress, and that there was a very high correlation between Distress and this unfortunate event. 

To say that we are living in a stressful time to many is an understatement, yet not all stress is bad for us.  In the next series of blog posts I will be sharing some perspectives and strategies to use Eustress (a positive life forwarding kind of stress) with Distress (a negative life diminishing form of stress). 

Throughout our Stress Management blog series we will also be providing ideas and suggestions for your consideration as you navigate your world. 

See if any of the following characteristics and symptoms applies to you and your life:

Eustress

Eustress is one of the helpful types of stress and is the type of stress you experience right before you have the need to exert physical force.  Eustress prepares the muscles, heart, and mind for the strength needed for whatever is about to occur.  A few examples of Eustress are:

• Receiving a promotion at work
• Starting a new job
• Marriage
• Retiring
• Having a child
• Moving
• Purchasing a home

 Distress

Distress is one of the negative types of stress that the mind and body undergoes when the normal routine is constantly adjusted and altered.  The mind is not comfortable with this routine, and craves the familiarity of a common routine.  A few examples of Distress are:

• The death of a spouse
• Filing for divorce
• Losing contact with loved ones
• Hospitalization
• Injury or illness
• Money Problems
• Unemployment
• Legal Problems

Coping Strategies

• Walk it off - physical exercise is a great way to reduce Distress.
• Talk it out - having a support network to listen to and sound out the stressful events in your life is a great way to reduce Distress.
• Let it go - is sometimes easier said than done, but helps to relieve yourself of Distress.
  

I welcome you to contact me more information about how stress relates to your professional life at 248-740-3231 or visit my website at www.dempcoaching.com. 

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Additional Secrets of Successful Time Managers

As a continuation of our Time Management Strategies blog series, we would like to offer you additional secrets of successful time managers.  In this segment, we begin to uncover the habits adopted and utilized by people who are able to manage their time successfully.  Here are a few of the secrets:

1. Handle papers that cross your desk only once.  Reviewing your mail next to a trash can before you enter your home is an example of enabling this behavior.
2. In your projects, involve people that have ideas and perspectives different from your own.  This will help to develop a very collaborative and forward-thinking environment.
3. Write down your plans, goals, and ideas.  Without clear direction, reaching your destination is difficult.
4. People who keep a journal are one-third more likely to feel a sense of progress in their lives than those who do not.
5. Apply what you learn immediately to create positive habits and create long-lasting impact.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled Michigan Business and Personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

Stress Management Techniques For The Workplace

Sometimes very stressful events occur in the workplace that affect those who are exposed to these situations.  In order to help reduce these "workplace stressors", the team at Barry Demp Coaching recommends that you try one of the following stress management techniques:

1. Conduct "standing meetings."  When someone enters your office, consider conducting your meeting in a standing position.  This will let the person know that you have very limited time.  Also, consider conducting a "walking meeting," in which issues are discussed while walking.
2. Learn the difference between the "urgent" and the "important" and make time for the latter.  What are two or three important areas of your life that you never seem to have time for?
3. Let your actions spring from your personal goals and values.
4. Eat your "elephant" one bite at a time.  Break up your big projects into little projects.
5. Rewarding yourself for reaching a particular goal will help reinforce the behaviors you are developing.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled Michigan Business and Personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

Optimize Your Time Management

As a continuation of our Time Management Blog Series, Barry Demp offers some key suggestions on how to "Optimize" the use of your time.  The feedback that we have received from these blog posts has been tremendous and we encourage you to continue to provide your thoughts and results after using these suggestions by contacting us.  Here are some more great suggestions on the optimization of your time management:

1. Use a contact/time management system like Outlook, Act, Franklin Planner, or Goldmine CRM to organize your activities and keep your mind free to think creatively.  What are some ways you currently use these systems to save time?  Let us know. 
2. Hire a business, personal, or technology coach to help you put the necessary support structures in place to create new sustainable habits.  See what successful time managers say about this suggestion.
3. Limit interruptions and distractions by communicating new guidelines for gaining your attention.  Appropriately using a closed door and/or a "do not disturb" function on your phone system or simply scheduling your open-door times can help you to be more efficient.  
4. Stephen Covey uses the phrase, "Sharpen the Saw" as a way of investing in the preparatory activities necessary to be  most effective.  Training, Planning, and Organizing are examples of ways to sharpen the saw.  What are some others?  Let us know.
5. Striving for progress versus "perfection" is a way to free up tremendous time and energy.  What does this statement mean to you?

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled Michigan Business and Personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance.  For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.