How are you choosing for your week to go?

In England it is the Summer holidays.  The academic year has drawn to a close and there is a lot of time before new terms start – whether school or university.    In South Africa the holidays are about to begin before the final term of exams, and with interviews and preparations for the next stage on the near horizon.  

My work straddles the various rhythms between the two continents and because of that I need to keep myself ever mindful as to what is ‘going on’.  And the reason I am writing about this now is because I am noticing how easy it is for me to slip into a habit of not making important time to plan ahead, to think and consider what I need and want to be doing to ensure that I am ‘up to date’, and to ensure that I am not putting my work on the back burner because other things that I also care about are distracting me.  

I wonder if this resonates with you too?

This week ahead, is there something that you actually really would like to get done?  Is there something that you need to start … or accomplish … that requires setting time aside for?  And, if there is, what are you able to effectively put into place so that you gain traction on that mission of yours?  

Here are some of the things that I have done this morning, inorder to purposefully manage my time:

I have written a ‘to do’ list. And reminded myself as to why this work really matters to me and why I am pleased to be planning.  I am choosing to … I am wanting to … I am excited to … I am relieved to …

Going through this list, I have prioritised work for Branching Out to be done FIRST.   And I have estimated the time needed for some of those tasks – and it is not a lot of time needed either.   It has made the list seem far less onerous.  

I have made a decision for myself that some other important admin tasks that need addressing, will be done … but only later today. At 2.30pm to be precise.

And over the list I have written the words that I anticipate that I will be feeling in doing the work  – accomplished; impactful; effective.  This inspires me to keep ‘on track’.  

I start with a ridiculously small task.  I have a timer on my desk … and I will start with 11 minutes on the clock.  (I find that then another 11 minutes is promptly added … and this triggers flow ….

All the while, I  speak to myself with words of massive encouragement and acknowledgment.  I become my own cheer leader!  Again – a useful trick worth instilling.  

I  think about how I want to be showing up for both myself and for others in my home and my work life.  How do I want to feel?  How do I want to be?  And, on thinking about the person that I respect and admire, how would they be showing up right now – and what do I need to do to emulate that?  

And this for you might not be about your work at all … it might be around parenting during the holidays, or your health, or wanting to put into action some thoughts for your next chapter ahead. Whatever is important to you, I wonder what helpful ‘top tips’ you use to keep those pesky distractions away?  I would love to know! 

Have a wonderful week ahead!