by Louise D'Allura on April 6th, 2014
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When we work with a client the goal is to create something completely tailored that works for how they think and work... that said there are a few things you need to make sure your system does.
Answer these questions to see how your system compares:
- Can you find what you want when you want it?
- Are your paper/ files organised by categories that make sense - ie categories are not too entirely obscure for you to remember? Goal here is to focus on retrieval! For example: if you needed to look for your insurance documents for your house would you think House or Insurance - depending on how you answer this will help you work out whether you'd need a big category called HOUSE and smaller categories under it, OR if you need a big category called INSURANCE and you'd put in all the insurances like - house, car, contents, etc. ALSO CONSIDER if you were sick/ out of action could someone else come in and be able to work out where to find things?
- Does your current system have a logical process - somewhere for incoming paper/ tasks to land, somewhere for them to go to be 'processed' and somewhere for them to go once they have been processed/ attended to? Is it an easy system for you to use or do you procrastinate with any part of it?
- Is it easy to maintain your systems or are you chopping and changing or tweaking??
- Can your system allow for new items to be added - and do you know what to do with things/ paper/ tasks
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me do you have a system - take a moment to think because I know you do have something. What makes your system work or not work? I would love hear it !!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share.
by Louise D'Allura on March 27th, 2014
If you have trouble motivating that inner routine rebel too, this article by James Clear (who writes about using behaviour science to master your habits and improve your mental and physical health), puts a positive spin on constraints for helping us to get stuff done – James shares the example that the Dr Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham was written for a $50 bet - to write a book using only 50 words. Those constraints produced a best seller!
How often though do we resent our constraints? I know I do – which is why I LOVED this article. It shows us that:
In the article James gives the example of his routine for writing articles is on Monday and Thursday – he does it regardless – convenient or not and just uses the ‘constraints’ of his situation to stimulate/ inspire the activity – location or time helps to inspire the task.
I know I can relate and much of it has to do with sticking to the committment of the higher purpose. It's now the third month of the year and I can think of things I have wanted to get done and have been putting off. Really it is all about prorities - and putting our attention, shining the light as it were on those LITTLE things we need to do - or just create a space in our schedule for the 'next' step of a project. Be it daily/ weekly/ monthly. Whatever it has to be in our schedule.
Over the years I thought we must FEEL motivated or inspired to do something. This is no longer the case - I've since discovered it is about putting the things into your schedule and you do it - I am training myself to do it without entering into a discussion with myself about all the reasons not to do a task. For me this has usually been about excercise. When I related my values to the tasks that represent how I live by those values (walking everyday, doing weekly practice of yoga, dancing) getting in motion is not a struggle. I don't think - I just be and do it. AND I now do it in whatever time I have - 10 - 15 - 20 minutes. Constraints are now not a limiting factor, but I see it as still committing to do something for myself and my health - regardless of whatever is going on. I don't enter into a discussion about why it's NOT possible. I do what I can and when I am IN the moment/ after the walk I routinely THANK myself for it. Even 10 or 15 minutes is enough to remind me how nice it is, and puts that inner routine rebel who says "but I don't WAAAANT to!" back in her place!!!
James describes it further in the article:
“The ability to show up everyday, stick to the schedule, and do the work — especially when you don’t feel like it — is so valuable that it is literally all you need to become better 99% of the time.
Professionals stick to the schedule, amateurs let life get in the way. Professionals know what is important to them and work towards it with purpose, amateurs get pulled off course by the urgencies of life.”
Now when James talks about the urgencies of life – he does acknowledge life happens, but it is our commitment to get right back into our priorities that will help us live an important life – not just an urgent one.
I could really relate to this article and know a lot of my clients can too. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me what you think about using 'constraints' - either external or self imposed as a way to get things done? I would love hear it!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share ;)
Click here to keep reading the article:
http://jamesclear.com/dr-seuss
How often though do we resent our constraints? I know I do – which is why I LOVED this article. It shows us that:
- Constraints can inspire us
- Focus on ‘lack’ as a positive vs a negative. Any time you hear yourself saying “I only have 30 minutes/ dollars/ etc whatever – look at it as a positive. How can I do THIS with only 30 minutes/ dollars/ whatever
- When you’re tempted to ditch your routine, KEEP IT and use the constraints to help you get things done (time/ resources)
In the article James gives the example of his routine for writing articles is on Monday and Thursday – he does it regardless – convenient or not and just uses the ‘constraints’ of his situation to stimulate/ inspire the activity – location or time helps to inspire the task.
I know I can relate and much of it has to do with sticking to the committment of the higher purpose. It's now the third month of the year and I can think of things I have wanted to get done and have been putting off. Really it is all about prorities - and putting our attention, shining the light as it were on those LITTLE things we need to do - or just create a space in our schedule for the 'next' step of a project. Be it daily/ weekly/ monthly. Whatever it has to be in our schedule.
Over the years I thought we must FEEL motivated or inspired to do something. This is no longer the case - I've since discovered it is about putting the things into your schedule and you do it - I am training myself to do it without entering into a discussion with myself about all the reasons not to do a task. For me this has usually been about excercise. When I related my values to the tasks that represent how I live by those values (walking everyday, doing weekly practice of yoga, dancing) getting in motion is not a struggle. I don't think - I just be and do it. AND I now do it in whatever time I have - 10 - 15 - 20 minutes. Constraints are now not a limiting factor, but I see it as still committing to do something for myself and my health - regardless of whatever is going on. I don't enter into a discussion about why it's NOT possible. I do what I can and when I am IN the moment/ after the walk I routinely THANK myself for it. Even 10 or 15 minutes is enough to remind me how nice it is, and puts that inner routine rebel who says "but I don't WAAAANT to!" back in her place!!!
James describes it further in the article:
“The ability to show up everyday, stick to the schedule, and do the work — especially when you don’t feel like it — is so valuable that it is literally all you need to become better 99% of the time.
Professionals stick to the schedule, amateurs let life get in the way. Professionals know what is important to them and work towards it with purpose, amateurs get pulled off course by the urgencies of life.”
Now when James talks about the urgencies of life – he does acknowledge life happens, but it is our commitment to get right back into our priorities that will help us live an important life – not just an urgent one.
I could really relate to this article and know a lot of my clients can too. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me what you think about using 'constraints' - either external or self imposed as a way to get things done? I would love hear it!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share ;)
Click here to keep reading the article:
http://jamesclear.com/dr-seuss
by Louise D'Allura on March 13th, 2014
Each month I take time out to watch at least two TED talks because I love the perspective, inspiration, learning and ideas they provide – far more interesting than TV!
This month I wanted to share with you a brilliant video featuring business innovator Nilofer Merchant. Got a meeting? Take a walk only takes 3:29 minutes to watch - and you'll discover how she now easily walks 20-30 miles a week!!!!!!!
Nilofer talks how sitting has become the smoking of our generation – the health consquences of our lack of physical inactivity are startling - loads of diet related diseases diabetes, cancer, heart disease are all related to stress and lack of physical activity. In fact we sit 9.3 hours a day which is MORE than we sleep (7.3 hours)!
What I love about this video is it helps us see easy hacks to implement whether you work at home or in an office.
Now an advocate for walking meetings, Nilofer was asked to meet with someone while they walked their dog as that was the only time they could fit it in. While it was very strange to her at the time, it has now become an ingrained style of meeting for her - after several hundred walking meetings.
What was great was the mindset shift she was able to achieve around health and work. Previously she felt you had to choose between taking care of your health or take care of obligations (going to meetings and the like). I totally understand that crazy mindset!
The good news is she has seen that you can combine the two! Instead of going for coffee meetings she invites people she wants to meet with for a "Walking Meeting" and in the process clocks up between 20-30 miles a week!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch the video below - or click on this link if the video has issues:
http://www.ted.com/talks/nilofer_merchant_got_a_meeting_take_a_walk.html
This month I wanted to share with you a brilliant video featuring business innovator Nilofer Merchant. Got a meeting? Take a walk only takes 3:29 minutes to watch - and you'll discover how she now easily walks 20-30 miles a week!!!!!!!
Nilofer talks how sitting has become the smoking of our generation – the health consquences of our lack of physical inactivity are startling - loads of diet related diseases diabetes, cancer, heart disease are all related to stress and lack of physical activity. In fact we sit 9.3 hours a day which is MORE than we sleep (7.3 hours)!
What I love about this video is it helps us see easy hacks to implement whether you work at home or in an office.
Now an advocate for walking meetings, Nilofer was asked to meet with someone while they walked their dog as that was the only time they could fit it in. While it was very strange to her at the time, it has now become an ingrained style of meeting for her - after several hundred walking meetings.
What was great was the mindset shift she was able to achieve around health and work. Previously she felt you had to choose between taking care of your health or take care of obligations (going to meetings and the like). I totally understand that crazy mindset!
The good news is she has seen that you can combine the two! Instead of going for coffee meetings she invites people she wants to meet with for a "Walking Meeting" and in the process clocks up between 20-30 miles a week!!!!!!!!!!!
Watch the video below - or click on this link if the video has issues:
http://www.ted.com/talks/nilofer_merchant_got_a_meeting_take_a_walk.html
Clearly there are practical benefits – increasing exercise, makes meetings go quicker, but besides that it encourages out of the box thinking. Fresh air drives fresh thinking and new ideas.
Now I’d love to hear from you – In the comments below, tell me would this be something you’d be keen to try next time you have a one-on-one meeting? I’d I would love hear it if you’ve been able to let your ideas flow while you walk and talk!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share.
Now I’d love to hear from you – In the comments below, tell me would this be something you’d be keen to try next time you have a one-on-one meeting? I’d I would love hear it if you’ve been able to let your ideas flow while you walk and talk!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share.
by Louise D'Allura on February 27th, 2014
Statistics show that being disorganised can have a huge impact on our bottom line and stress levels.
This is an article I had published in the fantastic Working Women's Magazine published by Women's Network Australia all about helping you get and stay on top of it all by using systems!
You can read the FULL article on the Women's Network Australia blog by clicking here
Remember any system you set up needs to:
- allow you to find what you are looking for quickly
- have ‘things’ grouped and sorted into categories that make logical sense to you so you can find what you want, when you want it
- be easily understood by someone else if you are unavailable (i.e. labels and instructions!)
- be easy and simple to maintain so you can keep on top of things
- easily allow you to add new things into the system
To see a System in Action visit the website: http://www.womensnetwork.com.au/get_Organised
by Louise D'Allura on February 13th, 2014
Each month I take time out to watch at least two TED talks because I love the perspective, inspiration, learning and ideas they provide! This month I wanted to share with you a brilliant video featuring Kelly McGonigal, a Psychologist who urges us to see stress as a positive because the biological impact may only be bad for us!
Kelly also talks about another biological mechanism that automatically happens that leads to stress reduction: reaching out to others! Yep we are programmed to do that!
It is fantastic viewing given we are all so acutely attuned to stress and how it makes us feel. It takes only 15 minutes! Now if you're super pressed for time start watching at 4:20 as Kelly issues a challenge ... that elicits a stress response.
She then goes on to explain how the way we interpret our stress response (pounding heart, anxiety, breathing quicker and making your forehead sweat) can actually be our body becoming “energised to meet challenges”. Kelly talks about a research program where participants were told to view stress response as ‘helpful’. By changing their thinking from stress as a negative to something more helpful the stress response becomes healthier. i.e. “this is my body helping me rise to this challenge”
Watch the video below or click on this link if you have any issues:
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html
Kelly also talks about another biological mechanism that automatically happens that leads to stress reduction: reaching out to others! Yep we are programmed to do that!
It is fantastic viewing given we are all so acutely attuned to stress and how it makes us feel. It takes only 15 minutes! Now if you're super pressed for time start watching at 4:20 as Kelly issues a challenge ... that elicits a stress response.
She then goes on to explain how the way we interpret our stress response (pounding heart, anxiety, breathing quicker and making your forehead sweat) can actually be our body becoming “energised to meet challenges”. Kelly talks about a research program where participants were told to view stress response as ‘helpful’. By changing their thinking from stress as a negative to something more helpful the stress response becomes healthier. i.e. “this is my body helping me rise to this challenge”
Watch the video below or click on this link if you have any issues:
http://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend.html
In this video Kelly also talks about how the stress response also makes us social!
When we are stressed our body releases oxytocin a neurohormone that is a stress hormone – which is as much a part of the stress response as adrennaline! The big difference though is this hormone makes us CRAVE human contact. It literally is encouraging us to seek support and be surrounded by others.
All in all the research shows we create the biology of courage plus when we connect with others understress, we create resilience.
Our body is helping us and we didn’t even know it! We really can trust ourselves to handle life’s challenges - knowing we aren’t meant to face them on our own!
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me do you deal with stress and convert it from di-stress to a positive stress? I would love hear it !!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share.
When we are stressed our body releases oxytocin a neurohormone that is a stress hormone – which is as much a part of the stress response as adrennaline! The big difference though is this hormone makes us CRAVE human contact. It literally is encouraging us to seek support and be surrounded by others.
All in all the research shows we create the biology of courage plus when we connect with others understress, we create resilience.
Our body is helping us and we didn’t even know it! We really can trust ourselves to handle life’s challenges - knowing we aren’t meant to face them on our own!
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me do you deal with stress and convert it from di-stress to a positive stress? I would love hear it !!
If you’ve found this article of interest, please share it with your friends! I really do appreciate you taking the time to read and share.
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