Wellness Newsletter: How much time do you have?

Dear <<First Name>>;

If you have been getting my newsletter for awhile now, you might notice some changes in the look of it the past couple of months. I’ve made these changes to reflect my lovely new website, which is up and running, though we are still making a few tweaks here and there. If you haven’t been to it lately, please visit my web home at http://www.juliestiles.com and let me know what you think!

At this time of the year, I tend to feel this strange tug-of-war between wanting to slow down and hunker in a bit (it’s those shorter and colder days) and the end-of-year rush of holiday activities. Do you experience anything similar? How we respond when this occurs often sheds light on how we are around managing our time in general; are we always reacting to what’s coming in, or feel we can’t say no to anything and get overcommitted?

I’ve long been fascinated by time—how we experience it and how we can master our experience of it. Part of my fascination, of course, lies in my own struggles with time management, and part in how integrated time is with so many other aspects of our experience, such as our sense of purpose, contribution, and connection with others. I’m sure I will keep exploring this topic in the months to come; for now, this month’s article will help you think about how you manage time and where you might want to take one or two steps to improve it.

As for myself, I’ve been leaning toward slowing down and allowing the inward turning that the winter season naturally calls for. I hope that in whatever holiday craziness faces you, that you can also take some time for yourself, stay grounded, and have a very healthy and happy holiday season!

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Empower yourself to reach your goals?
Become fully self-expressed?
Face what is standing in your way of making the changes you want?
Take your life, your learning, and your results to the next level?

Then you’re ready for the Transformative Journey Blueprint!

In this 6-month group coaching program, you will

Identify your “call to adventure” and what is getting in your way
Improve your relationship to yourself
Learn how to make the changes in your life that you want to make
Break through resistance and find the support you need
Integrate aspects of yourself for healing and wholeness

Become the person you need to be to achieve what you want, and learn how to continue that process indefinitely so that your success and personal growth are limitless!

Set up your Clarity Consultation by visiting my Tungle page or just email me!

Mastering The Time You Have

Have you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly eludes them? The secret to managing your time well isn’t working more hours. It is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you have more efficiently and effectively. The secret is working smarter, not harder.

Some of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while others of us play first and work later. It is important to first recognize which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you really want. Maybe you are super-organized at work, but burned out because you don’t know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you aren’t fulfilling your goals and dreams.

Rather than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are some steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or two that jump out at you:

Allocate time for planning and organizing.
Create to-do lists that are realistic, not intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
Under-schedule your time: Leave time for the unexpected and for interruptions. When you estimate how long something will take, add on a third of that time.
Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions that lower your productivity.
Practice the art of intelligent neglect: Eliminate trivial tasks.
Prioritize what is most important and do that first.
Consider your biological prime time: At what time of day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn to say no.
Ask for help and delegate.
In the evening make your to-do list for the next day, so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a clear head and a clean desk.
Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have accomplished.

Also take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively: procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems too daunting, too large or too complex, or when we feel we won’t be able to handle it. When you get that “deer in the headlights” feeling, try “chunking”: break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because we are bored, unengaged and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, “Am I doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?”

As you strengthen your new time management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management can be your ticket to more fun, greater satisfaction and a vibrant, exciting life.

Julie Stiles is a health and transformation coach who works with women seeking to live balanced and integrated lives so they can reach their highest potential. She holds an MA in Consciousness Studies from John F. Kennedy University, and brings together in her coaching her interests in transformation and healing. Julie offers private and group coaching, workshops, and teleseminars, and works with people in person and worldwide via phone and the internet.

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