Do you have any business projects, creative ideas, or weight loss goals that never happened? Have these items been on your list for more than a year? What about sewing those sox, reading that stack of books, calling that high school friend whose number has been on your fridge for 13 months?
You know what: Don’t do it. Don’t finish any of it. And cross it off your list! Actually destroy that list. Because if you haven’t done it or finished it in over 9 months, most likely you don’t want to do it, and/or it ain’t worth doing.
However, if you absolutely MUST hold on to it (you’ve GOT to write that book,or lose those five pounds) put it to action in the next seven days. And if in the next seven days you still didn’t do anything towards that goal, fugget-about-it (live with those five pounds, try a different writing project, and move on with your life.)
Dump It.
One of basic traits of successful people (and I mean success in all areas of life, physical, spiritual, emotional, career, etc.) is that they do not use mental energy that wastes precious time. They simplify their lives so that they can focus their attention on exactly what they want to accomplish. If you’re torn into too many directions, I guarantee you won’t get much done, but you’ll feel busier than ever. The best way to improve your life is to get rid of the extraneous. If you strive for simplicity, you are more likely to reach any goal.
Ask yourself what the payoff for keeping unnecessarily busy has been. Is it that you are trying to please other people? Does the thought of saying no bring on too much guilt? Has your job asked too much of you? Remember, if you are involved in too many projects, it’s difficult to do a good job at any of them.
There is no “more time in the future.”
We take on future tasks without realizing that our current tasks really are not going to change and we have only added one more thing to our busy schedule. This only serves to create resentment, frustration and even sickness in the future. When you are saying NO to something, you are saying YES to something else. Usually something more important.
What do you want to put your attention on?
List three. Only three. I dare you. Less is more. I guarantee it, so delegate. Hire someone to clean your attic or garage. Get a virtual assistant (they are inexpensive and fun.) Let go of those books you don’t have time for. Reduce your life to only that which is most important to you. If you can’t seem to do it on your own, call me.
This season I have room for a couple of new clients, so if you're interested please visit my website at www.mszigzag.com and contact me. I'd love to help.
