by Louise D'Allura on January 23rd, 2014
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Do you find you never get to those IMPORTANT TASKS because you're always taken off track by the URGENT?
You're not alone! Much of what I do as a Professional Organiser is help my clients get to those IMPORTANT but NOT URGENT TASKS - those things we put off - though incredibly important - we just don't seem to get around to them unless we are working with someone to either design the system, or keep ourselves accountable.
You're not alone! Much of what I do as a Professional Organiser is help my clients get to those IMPORTANT but NOT URGENT TASKS - those things we put off - though incredibly important - we just don't seem to get around to them unless we are working with someone to either design the system, or keep ourselves accountable.
We know working on these IMPORTANT TASKS would make a huge difference in our day to day - life would be easier, systems would be simpler.
For one reason or another it is often the ‘urgent’ things that pop up and take us off course. We forget about the important tasks – or put them on the pile of other to do’s – wondering if we will EVER get to it.
One of my worst habits is never making enough time to write. I’ve not put enough priority on it and kept to my schedule regardless. It has meant that I don’t write anywhere near as often as I like. When I don’t keep to my schedule or let other urgent things in – I don’t keep to the routine and don’t to it. I am guilty of ignoring the important.
This is why I loved this article by James Creal, who writes about using behaviour science to master your habits and improve your mental and physical health.
In this article he challenges the thinking around Urgent and Important, and that while emergencies will come up, we MUST:
1) set up our routines
2) keep to the routine as much as possible to focus and cultivate on the important.
Here’s James’ take on it:
“We all have urgent tasks each day — a phone call we have to take, an email we need to respond to, a sick friend we have to help — but having a clear purpose and a specific goal allows you to get right back to what is important after you respond to the everyday emergencies. A specific goal gives you direction and prevents you from being sucked into a whirlwind of time–consuming, unimportant tasks.”
So clearly - we need to organise our lives around accomplishing our specific, important goals by breaking them down into tasks - AND LOCK them into our life through creating routines.
In my case I’m keeping to my writing schedule damn it! That's why I am locking it in first thing in the morning. It means that the night before I need to get to bed early - even if I get home late after a talk, I need to not sit in front of the TV and vegetate! Sleep is what I need so I can get up the next morning nice and early and WRITE!
What about you? What are those important tasks that you let slide?
Click here to read the article:
http://jamesclear.com/are-you-living-an-urgent-life-or-an-important-one
For one reason or another it is often the ‘urgent’ things that pop up and take us off course. We forget about the important tasks – or put them on the pile of other to do’s – wondering if we will EVER get to it.
One of my worst habits is never making enough time to write. I’ve not put enough priority on it and kept to my schedule regardless. It has meant that I don’t write anywhere near as often as I like. When I don’t keep to my schedule or let other urgent things in – I don’t keep to the routine and don’t to it. I am guilty of ignoring the important.
This is why I loved this article by James Creal, who writes about using behaviour science to master your habits and improve your mental and physical health.
In this article he challenges the thinking around Urgent and Important, and that while emergencies will come up, we MUST:
1) set up our routines
2) keep to the routine as much as possible to focus and cultivate on the important.
Here’s James’ take on it:
“We all have urgent tasks each day — a phone call we have to take, an email we need to respond to, a sick friend we have to help — but having a clear purpose and a specific goal allows you to get right back to what is important after you respond to the everyday emergencies. A specific goal gives you direction and prevents you from being sucked into a whirlwind of time–consuming, unimportant tasks.”
So clearly - we need to organise our lives around accomplishing our specific, important goals by breaking them down into tasks - AND LOCK them into our life through creating routines.
In my case I’m keeping to my writing schedule damn it! That's why I am locking it in first thing in the morning. It means that the night before I need to get to bed early - even if I get home late after a talk, I need to not sit in front of the TV and vegetate! Sleep is what I need so I can get up the next morning nice and early and WRITE!
What about you? What are those important tasks that you let slide?
Click here to read the article:
http://jamesclear.com/are-you-living-an-urgent-life-or-an-important-one
by Louise D'Allura on January 9th, 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!
I wanted to share with you this 3:55 minute TED Talk - Success is a continuous journey - by Richard St. John.
Perfect for business owners, or anyone with career aspirations, he shares his journey – both the rise and fall, including the impact on his own mental health.
He shares his model of success – emphasising it is not a linear process rather a constant flow of 8 factors that we need to keep an eye on. If we don’t, we fail. It took him 7 years to get back to making his business successful again.
The 8 factors Richard outlines are:
1. passion
2. hard work
3. focus
4. pushing yourself and others
5. having great ideas
6. making constant improvements
7. serving others
8. persistence
Just in case the video doesn't work, here is the link:
http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_success_is_a_continuous_journey.html
I wanted to share with you this 3:55 minute TED Talk - Success is a continuous journey - by Richard St. John.
Perfect for business owners, or anyone with career aspirations, he shares his journey – both the rise and fall, including the impact on his own mental health.
He shares his model of success – emphasising it is not a linear process rather a constant flow of 8 factors that we need to keep an eye on. If we don’t, we fail. It took him 7 years to get back to making his business successful again.
The 8 factors Richard outlines are:
1. passion
2. hard work
3. focus
4. pushing yourself and others
5. having great ideas
6. making constant improvements
7. serving others
8. persistence
Just in case the video doesn't work, here is the link:
http://www.ted.com/talks/richard_st_john_success_is_a_continuous_journey.html
I think these are relevant if you’re passionate about your career or in your own business.
One of the points that really sticks out from Richard’s comments is ideas – if these dry up you’re stuffed! Talking with clients and customers he explains is key to keep ‘hearing ideas’ what’s needed.
Now one area he didn’t mention in a lot of detail but I feel needs to be in there is the element of self care. Over the years this has been something I have neglected and he eludes to it with his feelings of not being happy and suffering depression.
Really finding those things that we do OUTSIDE of work that make our heart sing is key. I love what I do for a living so I have to constantly keep a watch on - what am I doing right in this minute? Am I taking any time out or am I pushing myself too hard? I can literally work all day otherwise!
If you’re a bit too business or career minded too ensuring we take time out means are fresh to keep that flow of ideas coming. Without it we get stuck!
What else would you add to that list? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
One of the points that really sticks out from Richard’s comments is ideas – if these dry up you’re stuffed! Talking with clients and customers he explains is key to keep ‘hearing ideas’ what’s needed.
Now one area he didn’t mention in a lot of detail but I feel needs to be in there is the element of self care. Over the years this has been something I have neglected and he eludes to it with his feelings of not being happy and suffering depression.
Really finding those things that we do OUTSIDE of work that make our heart sing is key. I love what I do for a living so I have to constantly keep a watch on - what am I doing right in this minute? Am I taking any time out or am I pushing myself too hard? I can literally work all day otherwise!
If you’re a bit too business or career minded too ensuring we take time out means are fresh to keep that flow of ideas coming. Without it we get stuck!
What else would you add to that list? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
by Louise D'Allura on December 19th, 2013
Have you ever found that when you arrive early no one is there to appreciate it?
As many Revampers would know I've been upfront about my awesome skills in space organisation, and my learned skills around time organisation - I've struggled with time personally (you can read that post here).
Because it doesn't come naturally I have been a student of it so I can learn and keep learning to share with clients that are like me! It's a continuous process and I am always improving.
One thing I have to admit is I have a bad habit of arriving everywhere JUST ON TIME. Now it would be fine if I felt relaxed about it, but I am stressing the entire time...
Before you give me the advice of just leaving 10 minutes earlier, I've been reading a great book (The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment by Elizabeth Grace Saunders) that has been super fascinating in putting context around the real reasons that change doesn't happen - You've got look at how my VALUES, and the ordering of those values play a role in my thinking and behaviour, and unless I address THAT things won't change.
For me:
So here's what I've come up with:
In his article The 15-Minute Strategy to Get More Done Everyday, he talks about some of the strategies I'm using - keeping a list of tasks handy - (in my trusty purple project and to do book - projects back; to do's in the front), and using tools like Evernote to store things. For me the time, I'm using the time to read an article that I've saved on Evernote that will inspire a blog post. While these things may be on my to do list, these will help me achieve my big picture goals of cultivating regular writing practice. See the article here for full details: The 15-Minute Strategy to Get More Done Everyday
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me do you struggle with time too or are you super duper at it? PLUS what are those tasks you fit into the 5-10 or 15 minute slots that you have when you arrive early? 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.
As many Revampers would know I've been upfront about my awesome skills in space organisation, and my learned skills around time organisation - I've struggled with time personally (you can read that post here).
Because it doesn't come naturally I have been a student of it so I can learn and keep learning to share with clients that are like me! It's a continuous process and I am always improving.
One thing I have to admit is I have a bad habit of arriving everywhere JUST ON TIME. Now it would be fine if I felt relaxed about it, but I am stressing the entire time...
Before you give me the advice of just leaving 10 minutes earlier, I've been reading a great book (The 3 Secrets to Effective Time Investment by Elizabeth Grace Saunders) that has been super fascinating in putting context around the real reasons that change doesn't happen - You've got look at how my VALUES, and the ordering of those values play a role in my thinking and behaviour, and unless I address THAT things won't change.
For me:
- I VALUE completion above a lot
- I think I can finish or do one more thing before I go, and still get there "just in time."
- It is a bit of an adrenaline rush - beating a deadline....!
- I spent about 9 years working in OHS learning the concepts in manufacturing circles of "just in time" and lean manufacturing WAITING is one of the 7 deadly wastes!
So here's what I've come up with:
- boost up the VALUE of SELF CARE = FEELING CALM and RELAXED up the priority order of values
- Create a few new routines
- get reminders going so I am conscious of time
- be more realistic about the tasks I start before I go somewhere
- Create options around about the things can I do when I arrive somewhere early
- Checking email doesn't help me achieve my bigger goals, nor does drinking caffeine!
In his article The 15-Minute Strategy to Get More Done Everyday, he talks about some of the strategies I'm using - keeping a list of tasks handy - (in my trusty purple project and to do book - projects back; to do's in the front), and using tools like Evernote to store things. For me the time, I'm using the time to read an article that I've saved on Evernote that will inspire a blog post. While these things may be on my to do list, these will help me achieve my big picture goals of cultivating regular writing practice. See the article here for full details: The 15-Minute Strategy to Get More Done Everyday
Now, I would love to hear from you! In the comments below, tell me do you struggle with time too or are you super duper at it? PLUS what are those tasks you fit into the 5-10 or 15 minute slots that you have when you arrive early? 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 December 9th, 2013
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 TED talk below - THE POWER OF TIME OFF - gives some insights into those GUNNA projects and how to get them done - you know the ones I mean – I’m going to do this – when I have more time.
My takeaway after watching this talk was there is no better time than today to get started… and that we don’t HAVE to wait until we can do what Stefan in the TED talk did….
So, meet Stefan Sagmeister - a New York based designer – who shares his innovative approach of taking 5 years off his retirement and inter dispersing a 1 year ‘sabbatical’ every 7 years in his ‘working years’!
When you boil it down, in my book a sabbatical is just another way to get those GUNNA projects done! He shares examples of others who had gone on sabbatical to write a book or others who build it into taking a few months out of every year to do the R&D work/ those projects that are important to move you forward.
In the 17 minute TED talk he shares:
Here is the link incase the video has issues! http://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off.html
This TED talk below - THE POWER OF TIME OFF - gives some insights into those GUNNA projects and how to get them done - you know the ones I mean – I’m going to do this – when I have more time.
My takeaway after watching this talk was there is no better time than today to get started… and that we don’t HAVE to wait until we can do what Stefan in the TED talk did….
So, meet Stefan Sagmeister - a New York based designer – who shares his innovative approach of taking 5 years off his retirement and inter dispersing a 1 year ‘sabbatical’ every 7 years in his ‘working years’!
When you boil it down, in my book a sabbatical is just another way to get those GUNNA projects done! He shares examples of others who had gone on sabbatical to write a book or others who build it into taking a few months out of every year to do the R&D work/ those projects that are important to move you forward.
In the 17 minute TED talk he shares:
- the value that planning his daily routine had to his results during his sabbatical (this works in daily life too!)
- how a ‘going with the flow’ approach didn’t work (true in daily life too)
- how he mapped out a schedule to different types of thinking work/ work!
- how his sabbatical gave him an opportunity to do different sorts of work – not just the everyday tasks - i.e. thinking work, learning to meditate and different design work.
Here is the link incase the video has issues! http://www.ted.com/talks/stefan_sagmeister_the_power_of_time_off.html
Watching this video really got me thinking about:
1) What are my GUNNA projects I KEEP PUTTING off ?
2) What THINKING WORK do I need to do that will make a difference in my daily life?
3) How can I DO a ‘sabbatical’ too? I really love the idea of two months of project work every year or saving up for 7 years to take a year out!
4) How can I INTRODUCE elements of a sabbatical into my life so I don’t have to wait 7 years to get something done?
This TED talk really got me thinking - I was motivated to think about how to integrate some practices into the 6 week driving holiday we are currently on (December 2013). Before we went away I had some goals of what I wanted to do - away from the day to day and when I was going to focus on these tasks (wee hours of the morning):
- Explore and reflect on some truths and hard lessons on the state of my own balance
- Habits and routines I wanted to re-introduce/ cultivate.
- Cultivate a regular habit of writing. (It is one of those tasks I procrastinate on).
Here is a strategy I came up with to integrate it a bit more of the Gunna Projects in the day to day. Not ground breaking, but I am still sharing it!
1) Take yourself out of the day-to-day to think on the things you really would love to do (e.g. use brainstorming/ vision boarding). If you know already go to #2
2) What can you do in your everyday / month to work towards it? For example, Is it allocating some time every day to achieve something e.g. 500 words on a page for your book?
- What values and priorities do you need to elevate to achieve what you want?
- What do you need to cut out? What do you need to ask for help with? Who do you need to get to step up? Who do you need to become to do this? How do you need to behave to keep true to your big picture?
- I get stuck on the HOW so this is helpful for me
- If limited time is a factor, I’ve found investing in advice makes a huge difference to get unstuck and moving forward – for me anyhow!
by Louise D'Allura on November 27th, 2013
One of the things I know about me is I struggle to sit and meditate.
I know all the science and theory behind the benefits of it. I have a few awesome CDs by leading gurus in the area - Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Brisbane based Kirsty O'Callaghan, who is a relationships guru (counsellor/ trainer) and a meditation and relaxation teacher for well over 14 years. I can listen to one of the 20 minute guided relaxations, but without adult supervision, my limit is about 5 minutes. Any longer than that and my mind goes walkabout, I am uncomfortable or I fall asleep!
The good news is though I have discovered there is another way to meditate - Active Meditation and thought you might enjoy it too.
A friend of mine went to a Meditation retreat in Western Australia at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre. Influenced by the Forest Meditation Tradition of northeast Thailand, they put emphasis on "walking meditation".
Apparently the Buddha stressed the importance of developing mindfulness in all postures, from standing, sitting, lying down, to walking!! In many cases monks and nuns attained various stages of enlightenment while doing walking meditation. Today many monks still walk for long hours as a way of developing concentration – up to ten or fifteen hours a day! WHO KNEW?!?!
I know all the science and theory behind the benefits of it. I have a few awesome CDs by leading gurus in the area - Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn and Brisbane based Kirsty O'Callaghan, who is a relationships guru (counsellor/ trainer) and a meditation and relaxation teacher for well over 14 years. I can listen to one of the 20 minute guided relaxations, but without adult supervision, my limit is about 5 minutes. Any longer than that and my mind goes walkabout, I am uncomfortable or I fall asleep!
The good news is though I have discovered there is another way to meditate - Active Meditation and thought you might enjoy it too.
A friend of mine went to a Meditation retreat in Western Australia at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre. Influenced by the Forest Meditation Tradition of northeast Thailand, they put emphasis on "walking meditation".
Apparently the Buddha stressed the importance of developing mindfulness in all postures, from standing, sitting, lying down, to walking!! In many cases monks and nuns attained various stages of enlightenment while doing walking meditation. Today many monks still walk for long hours as a way of developing concentration – up to ten or fifteen hours a day! WHO KNEW?!?!
Now the approach to Active Meditation that I practice is my own interpretation developed a few years ago when we went on a camping holiday to Carnarvon Gorge in Western Queensland. One of the wonderful things about the gorge is the walks.
I knew for months that a 22km walk (in a day) was on the cards, and even though the longest walks I had done was about 5km, I was still “way too busy” to do any preparation! I was more worried about what we’d take to EAT on the walk. Within the first 15 minutes of the 22km walk I was starting to stress, beating myself up over the how the heck I was going to be able to walk 22km when I could barely do 5km!
Now the great thing was I had to be a kinaesthetic learner and learn by doing it, because in those first 15 minutes when I remembered this handy piece of information about" Walking Meditation" there was no phone or internet coverage. The perfectionist in me couldn't google it to make sure I was "doing it right."
Lucky for me I remembered all I needed to know: Focus on one foot at a time, be present in your body. Honestly that is all I remembered, and it was all I needed!
I knew for months that a 22km walk (in a day) was on the cards, and even though the longest walks I had done was about 5km, I was still “way too busy” to do any preparation! I was more worried about what we’d take to EAT on the walk. Within the first 15 minutes of the 22km walk I was starting to stress, beating myself up over the how the heck I was going to be able to walk 22km when I could barely do 5km!
Now the great thing was I had to be a kinaesthetic learner and learn by doing it, because in those first 15 minutes when I remembered this handy piece of information about" Walking Meditation" there was no phone or internet coverage. The perfectionist in me couldn't google it to make sure I was "doing it right."
Lucky for me I remembered all I needed to know: Focus on one foot at a time, be present in your body. Honestly that is all I remembered, and it was all I needed!
I learned lessons immediately - be present to the thoughts in my head! I had no idea if I could walk that far – I had never tested it, and already I was beating myself – not helpful! Over the course of those 22km I was fascinated to discover that every time I went into my head and started mulling things over I lost energy; the moment I went back into my body, thanked my legs and thighs for being the powerhouses to keep me walking, noticing nature, sensing things, I had more energy!
As a kinesthetic learner the insights from this 22km walk have been invaluable. Not only has walking has now cemented itself as my kind of meditation - active meditation, I began to notice the rhythms of my body over those hours. I noticed what kept me going – alternating my focus between big picture and the detail, stopping to rest every 90 minutes to 2 hours and eating, and being organised with great shoes, water and good food!
Each morning that I go for a walk and engage in my kind of Active Meditation when I am fully present on my walk I notice how every tree is different, the colour of the sky, shape of the clouds, how the breeze feels on my skin, the strength in my legs to keep me moving. If I walk in a busy state of mind, however I notice NO details and feel like I wasted my effort! I missed the trees and feel bummed! This was really brought home when I read the amazing book Wired for Life by the Mindgardener team - Martina Sheehan and Susan Pearse.
I also apply these principles of Active Meditation when I go to dance classes. Being mindful and present and not thinking anything else other than doing what I am doing is helping me to get out of the busy and just be mindful.
I encourage you to have a go at some type of Active Meditation - whether it is swimming or running! If you struggle to sit still too, you might focus on your breath, your stroke and counting. It might be just the type of practice you're looking for to give you some quiet mind time, and move into other forms of 'formal' meditation.
Click here to read more from Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre on Walking meditation in the Thai Forest Tradition.
As a kinesthetic learner the insights from this 22km walk have been invaluable. Not only has walking has now cemented itself as my kind of meditation - active meditation, I began to notice the rhythms of my body over those hours. I noticed what kept me going – alternating my focus between big picture and the detail, stopping to rest every 90 minutes to 2 hours and eating, and being organised with great shoes, water and good food!
Each morning that I go for a walk and engage in my kind of Active Meditation when I am fully present on my walk I notice how every tree is different, the colour of the sky, shape of the clouds, how the breeze feels on my skin, the strength in my legs to keep me moving. If I walk in a busy state of mind, however I notice NO details and feel like I wasted my effort! I missed the trees and feel bummed! This was really brought home when I read the amazing book Wired for Life by the Mindgardener team - Martina Sheehan and Susan Pearse.
I also apply these principles of Active Meditation when I go to dance classes. Being mindful and present and not thinking anything else other than doing what I am doing is helping me to get out of the busy and just be mindful.
I encourage you to have a go at some type of Active Meditation - whether it is swimming or running! If you struggle to sit still too, you might focus on your breath, your stroke and counting. It might be just the type of practice you're looking for to give you some quiet mind time, and move into other forms of 'formal' meditation.
Click here to read more from Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre on Walking meditation in the Thai Forest Tradition.
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