Benefits from a Break in Routine

August was all about doing things differently and taking time off from my business. In July I let my clients know that our next appointments would be in September. Then I made plans that took me in other directions. Learn more about my outings on my blog and share what refreshed you over the summer.

Each of these new and different activities accomplished, in its own way, the same outcomes which are the hallmarks of what a vacation represents for this woman business owner:

• time away from my everyday activities
• being with people I enjoy
• meeting new people and trying new things
• not being home

For some folks this entails travel to exotic places. For me, changing my routine and becoming completely immersed in something else feels right. Today, back at my desk, I feel invigorated and refreshed to do what I do the other 11 months of the year.

While this may not resemble vacation or play to some readers, fully engaging in activities that aren’t my everyday fare is actually a vacation for my brain. It’s a bit like meditating which I do twice a day as a rule. I remove myself from the “daily-ness” of my business to rest my mind and change my focus. The effect is that I come back to my day refreshed and renewed, often with a new perspective.

I can’t wait to talk to my clients again starting next week. I’m really looking forward to the three networking events I’ll be attending starting next Monday. I know my colleagues have been off doing wonderful things as well. I’m excited to hear about it all.

If you’re feeling re-invigorated too, but your to-do list seems a bit overwhelming after a long summer, you’ll enjoy the following time management tip.

Enhance Productivity One Day at a Time

I was at a conference and saw a woman who had so much confidence she stood out. I wanted to be her and I needed to know how she came to have it. I share what she taught me in Lesson 35 in my book, Soul Proprietor, 101 Lessons from a Lifestyle Entrepreneur – Tackle today’s task today. Don’t postpone anything that your really have to do.

It turned out that Karen was a certified facilitator for Priority Management, a worldwide organization whose mission is to enhance productivity. I signed-up for her workshop and she taught me how to take one day at a time.

Before I learned Karen’s method of addressing one day at a time, I used a calendar planner that allowed me to see all of my activities for the week at once. I would find myself shifting my glance over to the next calendar day’s activities before I tackled the more onerous tasks facing me today.  I knew it was easier for me to reschedule the post office errand for tomorrow than it was to make the phone call asking for an order today. So I would often postpone tasks I didn’t want to do.

With Karen’s system, the next day was not visible. Therefore, I stayed in today and did all the things on my to-do list. I learned to take one day at a time. This slogan, taken from Alcoholics Anonymous has been a life-altering mindset for my approach to time management. Give it a try and let me know your results.

Regards,