It takes effort to get results, and not just any effort, it takes smart effort. You cannot expect to achieve anything without doing something. Unfortunately in our society today, people are making an enormous effort to keep themselves busy all day, yet for many they look at what they have done and realised that much of the time had been wasted. They review their day and wonder what they had achieved.
You need to plan, focus and take action on what you want to achieve to get the outcome you desire. You need to get organised!
My Story
Last year I was in a shop trying on a shirt and I asked a lady who was also in the changing rooms how it looked on me. (I never ask the sales assistant as they usually tell you it looks great regardless of whether it does or not). She thought it looked great and I must confess, I thought so too! Still, being a woman I like to have someone else to confirm it.
Now here's what I found both flattering and interesting. The lady said "The shirt looks great, I wish I had the same body". She was referring to my body! That got me excited! That's the first time someone had said that to me. Mind you this woman was about 15 kg overweight and would probably think that about anyone who was smaller than her.
I replied "Thank you! (and then blurted out in a nice way) However, you could too, just exercise regularly and eat healthily". I forgot to mention she had an open packet of potato chips in her bag. This lady probably thought I was born this way, one of the lucky ones who could eat and drink anything they wanted and walked occasionally for exercise.
It takes effort
What this lady didn't know was that every morning I drag myself out of bed at 5.30 a.m. to work out at the local gym. And I do that regardless of how cold or wet it is, how tired I am, whether it's summer or winter. I pay the price to get the results. I'm also particular about food, trying wherever possible to eat low fat, low sugar food and drink plenty of water.
If there's an easier alternative, a magic pill which will miraculously keep the weight off, body toned and make me feel great consistently without harming my health, please let me know. Until then, I'll keep paying the price and making the effort because the results are worth it.
Pay Yourself First
Having read the last couple of paragraphs you might say "why doesn't she exercise later in the day?". The reason I don't is that I am a "morning" person and know that by going to bed earlier and getting up early I can get it over with first thing. Otherwise if I chose to exercise later, chances are circumstances would arise and I'd postpone it.
One of my coaching clients is a runner. He originally rang me because his work and his life was out of control. He runs 20 kms a day and has done so for many years. I asked him how did he manage to religiously run every morning before work yet couldn't seem to leave the office by 5.30 p.m. each night. He answered "It's easy to jump out of bed in the morning and run, there's nothing or no-one able to stop me at that hour (5.30 a.m.). Yet when I'm at work there are too many demands on my time and they seem to always arise late in the day."
Learn to pay yourself first. Just like George Classon wrote in his book "The Richest Man In Babylon", take 10% of whatever you earn and pay yourself first. Use it to invest, otherwise there will never be anything left once you pay everything else. And I'm sure many of you can relate to that.
How to Pay Yourself First
You need to make yourself the first priority. Ensure you allow time each and every day to action your own personal agenda.
Here's a couple of ideas to get you started:
Block out time each day in your diary for your exercise. Eg. Walk at 6.00 a.m. or lunchtime. Plan that first.
Block out time each day to follow up on your personal issues. Eg. Book dental appointment, respond to phone calls, contact bank. Do that early in the day otherwise you'll run out of time and leave it
Make sure that you stick to it. Learn to say 'no' if other people want to make other plans for you during those 'me' times. You must take care of yourself first. You have the power to say 'yes' or 'no' to other people's demands on your time. Treat yourself as your no. 1 priority.
The Final Word
When you decide (yes, that right), it's when you decide to make yourself the highest priority in your life, you'll find how much easier it is to live your life. When you decide you're worth it, it will be easy for you to say 'no' to other people's demands/requests. Of course, you'll need to learn how to organise yourself so that you are effective as possible.
About The Author
Lorraine Pirihi, principal of The Office Organiser (http://www.office-organiser.com.au) is Australia's Personal Productivity Coach
Lorraine specialises in working with businesspeople showing them how to dramatically boost their productivity, reduce the stress and the mess in their lives and have more time for enjoying their life.
We Offer a Broad Range of Services and Products including: Coaching for small business owners and professionals, keynote presentations, workshops, books, CD's, DVD's, and on-line learning programs.
Take action today! Contact Lorraine to discuss your specific needs at http://www.office-organiser.com.au
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..Spring is here and its time to sweep away the... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
Hasn't time flown? Already we're into the last quarter of... Read More
Last year I attended a presentation from Parenting Expert and... Read More
To want in one's heart to do a thing for... Read More
So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More
Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More
Individuals who are organized in their personal lives most generally... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
Getting organized is hard. If it weren't, we wouldn't put... Read More
Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
Digging out from under stacks of paper might seem like... Read More
Sometimes major life lessons come from the most unlikely of... Read More
1. A calendar is an essential organizing tool ? start... Read More
What do you do with those special items that have... Read More
Today you have almost as many choices of spice racks... Read More
An organized living lifestyle can cause you to weed out... Read More
After a long winter, this is the time of year... Read More
How to do keep track of all you have to... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
"Organize" is a familiar word heard on many of today's... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..Every day I find junk mail waiting for me, whether... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
I know I have a problem when I have to... Read More
"Do something every day that you don't want to-do; this... Read More
We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More
One of the most basic ways to find papers when... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
I have a good friend whom (also being in the... Read More
It may be difficult to relate saving money with organization... Read More
The store reminded me of a well-worn slipper ? tattered... Read More
Do you feel like you are running around in circles,... Read More
It wasn't long ago that you spent an entire weekend... Read More
What method do you currently use to organize your family?... Read More
Worried because you're moving soon? This really doesn't have to... Read More
The Mexican VillagerThe American investment banker was at the pier... Read More
We previously noted that papers must be sorted before they... Read More
Paper1. You may already be in the habit of filing... Read More
You know, in psychology there is a rule, especially within... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Some people seem to be born organized. You probably remember... Read More
Color-There Is No SubstituteIn anatomical illustrations you see the brain's... Read More
1. Sink to their level. Get on your knees in... Read More
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... Read More
Balance- what a popular topic these days! Finding a work-life... Read More
The Productive Environment Scorecard?Read the statements below and rate your... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |