Whoosh! And the time is gone.

For those of you who have worked with me, you know that I am known to harp…yes I’ll admit it, harp on the importance of how you spend your time. Reflect for a moment about what is more important to you than your time here on earth?

What is the most important thing to you?

In my years of coaching I’ve heard people put forth the argument that their children or their mate are the most important thing to them. I understand that feeling. Tom and I are together now for five years. It is very hard for me to imagine my life without him. I’m sure you feel the same way, but I’m married to the nicest guy on the planet!

Which is all the more reason that I need to put him second to my time on this planet. Why? The quality I bring to the time I have here is the key to living my rich full life with him.

I refuse to “beat time” and do things because I have to. I refuse to get into bed at night tired but not feel that I’ve enjoyed my day and made the most of my time.

Ok enough preaching. Here’s the deal. A little planning goes a long way during these busy holidays. If you want to take the best care you can of all those around you and you have terrific holidays, plan your exit from work.

Then plan your re-entry into work.

Simple idea and a sure bet way to enjoy your holiday. How do you do that?

Exit Strategy

Make a list of what must get done before you walk away from your office. Do your best to keep it short and sweet. Put only those things that really must get done on your list (and only those things that you have to do go on your list – delegate where you can).

Prioritize and schedule time in your calendar for each of these items. Don’t work on anything else until these are complete. If you still have office time left, then work on the “B” and “C” things. But get the most important things done first.

Sometimes we can be moving so quickly we let the basics go. Work out of your calendar. Make sure you’ve allotted yourself enough time. Get that “to do” list out of your hands and give everything a time in your calendar. Not only will you get more done…you’ll have some sanity to enjoy all those important people in your life too.

The Re-Entry Strategy

This is really easy to do but most of us don’t do it.

One of the biggest issues I hear after any prolonged holiday is how difficult it is to get back to work. Often it is mid-January (or later) before people are back into full swing. I don’t have a problem with that as long as it is what you planned. Because if you didn’t plan this extra time out of production, you are most likely spending that extra time fretting and feeling guilty about what is not getting done. And typically, the longer you are in this limbo the more difficult it is to get a handle on yourself and get back into work.

Don’t leave to go on vacation until you have booked at least one money making activity in your calendar for the first Monday or Tuesday (at the latest) that you are due back to work. In other words make sure that you have something booked in your calendar that requires you to show up on your first or second day back from vacation.

There is nothing like an important appointment to bring us back to work.

The more you book your calendar right after your vacation with strong money making events the more likely you are to get back into the swing of things right away.

Why not start the year out right living your time rather than just spending it.

Warmly,

Jillian