By Pablo J. Perez, Executive and Corporate Coach
Don’t worry I will do it later! No problem, we have time! Tomorrow will be another day! These are all examples of success-killer statements which unfortunately are used almost daily by top executives, managers, and workers. We start as little children then as students and the consequences gradually build as we reach the work force.
The habit of doing nothing, as most habits, starts to develop when we are young children, when our parents do everything for us from cleaning-up our room or helping us with our important school project. Sometimes there were no consequences for our inaction, other times we were grounded for a couple of hours, or other more drastic measures. However, one thing is certain, as adults the “pay-off” for our inaction will come sooner or later and can be huge.
Habits are formed through a process that involves evaluating a given situation, deciding what action to take, and then reassessing the action to find whether or not it yields to a desirable result. Sometimes a person will consciously develop a bad habit. For instance, an individual decides on a certain course of action that yields an undesired result and then tries other options, and each one proves unsatisfactory. He then chooses to form his habit based on the lesser negative consequence.
One of the most precious things we have in our lives is time, and having bad habits managing our time could bring huge consequences for our personal or professional life. Time is not given to us. Time is only available to us. How much, and how we use it is up to us. Time has to dimensions: hours and energy. By wasting one, we waste the other; however, by using one wisely, we enhance the other’s value.
Procrastination is the worst enemy of time. Every time we put off doing something for later, we are actually postponing our success and opening the door to failure. The procrastinator is often remarkably optimistic about his ability to complete a task on a tight deadline; this is usually accompanied by expressions of reassurance that everything is under control (Therefore, there is no need to start). At this point, considerable effort is directed towards completing the task, and work progresses. This sudden spurt of energy is the source of the erroneous feeling that "I only work well under pressure." Actually, at this point you are making progress only because you haven't any choice. Your back is against the wall and there are no alternatives. Progress is being made, but you have lost your freedom.
Procrastinators often follow exactly the wrong direction. They try to minimize their commitments, assuming that if they have only a few things to do, they will quit procrastinating and get them done. But this goes contrary to the basic nature of the procrastinator and destroys his most important source of motivation. The few tasks on his list will be by definition the most important, and the only way to avoid doing them will be to do nothing. This is a way to become a couch potato, not an effective human being.
These are some of the characteristics of a procrastinator:
• Low Self-Confidence - The procrastinator may struggle with feelings of low self-confidence and low self-esteem.
• I’m too Busy - Procrastination may be used to call attention to how busy he is. "Obviously I cannot do such and such because my affairs are so complicated and so demanding. That is why I am late, etc." The procrastinator may even spend considerable time justifying his reasons, time that could be spent doing the work.
• Pride - Procrastination may be used as an expression of pride: "Don't think you can push me around. I will do it when I'm good and ready."
• Manipulation - Procrastination may be used to control or manipulate the behavior of others. "They cannot start if I am not there." Let's face it: deliberate delay drives others crazy.
• A Frustrated Victim - The procrastinator often feels like a victim: he cannot understand his behavior or why he cannot get work done like others. The whole thing is a frustrating mystery. The reasons for his behavior are hidden from him.
Procrastination, as other habits requires hard work to overcome, and sometimes our mind creates our own obstacles to justify our actions. The following are some examples of things we often tell ourselves:
1. Mañana - "I'll do it tomorrow."
2. Contingent mañana - "I'll do it tomorrow, if ..."
3. Grasshopperism - "I need to have some well-earned fun first." (In Esop's fable, the grasshopper fiddled and played all summer while the ants stored up winter supplies. When winter came, the grasshopper suffered.)
4. Escapism - "I've got to get out for a while to clear my mind."
5. Impulsiveness - "My problem will be solved if I change my major, or attend a different college, or "
6. Music and reading - "I'll relax a while and then get started."
7. To the rescue - "The flight will be late as usual and the meeting will be postponed!"
Taking Action:
Contrary to common misconception people can improve attitudes which are actually habits of thought. We are in charge of our life and we are the only ones who will receive the rewards of success. If the habit of doing nothing is creating obstacles in our journey to success, we can start creating “good” time management habits and open the window to new techniques to support our behavioral change.
As with anything worth having, a change in attitude will take hard work. Removing a bad habit of thought is not simply erasing something from our minds. We have to replace it with something over and over until that habit of thought turns into behavior that causes results. As you start seeing results you will gain confidence that will reinforce the new behavior.
As an Executive Coach, I help individuals and organizations develop better attitudes more rapidly and produce more satisfying results. I work with my clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, time management, productivity, employee motivation and relationships. As a result of coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.
If you wish to explore deeper into the subjects contained in this article, please call Activate Group at (305)722-7215 or send an e-mail to pjperez@activategroupinc.com.
Reference and excerpts taken with permission from Leadership published by Resource Associates Corporation, Mohnton, PA.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
5 STEPS TO MAKE MONDAYS FUN AGAIN – STEP 5
By Pablo J. Perez, Executive and Corporate Team Coach, Activate Group, Inc.
When I started this series of articles about the steps to make Mondays fun again, my purpose was to send a positive message about enjoying life and getting the best from every single day of our lives. It doesn’t matter if it is Monday, Friday, or Sunday. Two weeks ago, watching a rental movie with my family, a powerful message came to my attention. The story was about a high school football team with a long losing streak and the efforts of its coach to break that streak and turn these boys into winners. One day, a wise man came to talk to the coach and told him the following story: there were two farmers who prayed every day with all their hearts for rain. One of them spent most of his time going to a house of worship to pray, while the other farmer decided to pray early in the morning and work the rest of day preparing the land for the rain to come. God sent rain to only one of them. You guessed right! The farmer who prepared the land received the rain. The question is: which of the two farmers are you?
The football coach understood the message, defined the purpose of the team (which by the way, was not winning games), aligned all players with that purpose, and as a result, the team became State Champion for the first time in its history.
Our job is to prepare the land and be ready for the rain. Probably the farmer who did not receive the rain, thought he had bad luck. His rain will come, but he has to take action.
Remember: luck is the point in time where preparation and opportunity meet.
This is the final step to make Mondays fun again! GO FOR IT AND HAVE FUN!
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing”. - Walt Disney
Having the courage to take action on the things we consider important for our lives is a consequence of the previous four steps in the process of making Mondays fun again. As a refresher, those steps are:
1. Define your purpose
2. Explore your potential
3. Create a solid plan
4. Develop the right attitude
To jump to the final step of the ladder, you have to believe, esteem, and love yourself first; create a self-leadership environment which will provide you with the power of acting now, instead of procrastinating with your dreams.
Be happy and enjoy the journey. Wake up every Monday morning with the positive assurance that the week to come will be the best week of your life. Take action on your dreams; prepare your land for the rain to come.
Life is good!
As an Executive and Corporate Team Coach, I help individuals and organizations develop better attitudes more rapidly and produce more satisfying results. I work with my clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, time management, productivity and relationships. As a result of coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.
If you wish to explore deeper into the subjects contained in this article, please call Activate Group at (305)722-7215 or send an e-mail to pjperez@activategroupinc.com.
When I started this series of articles about the steps to make Mondays fun again, my purpose was to send a positive message about enjoying life and getting the best from every single day of our lives. It doesn’t matter if it is Monday, Friday, or Sunday. Two weeks ago, watching a rental movie with my family, a powerful message came to my attention. The story was about a high school football team with a long losing streak and the efforts of its coach to break that streak and turn these boys into winners. One day, a wise man came to talk to the coach and told him the following story: there were two farmers who prayed every day with all their hearts for rain. One of them spent most of his time going to a house of worship to pray, while the other farmer decided to pray early in the morning and work the rest of day preparing the land for the rain to come. God sent rain to only one of them. You guessed right! The farmer who prepared the land received the rain. The question is: which of the two farmers are you?
The football coach understood the message, defined the purpose of the team (which by the way, was not winning games), aligned all players with that purpose, and as a result, the team became State Champion for the first time in its history.
Our job is to prepare the land and be ready for the rain. Probably the farmer who did not receive the rain, thought he had bad luck. His rain will come, but he has to take action.
Remember: luck is the point in time where preparation and opportunity meet.
This is the final step to make Mondays fun again! GO FOR IT AND HAVE FUN!
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing”. - Walt Disney
Having the courage to take action on the things we consider important for our lives is a consequence of the previous four steps in the process of making Mondays fun again. As a refresher, those steps are:
1. Define your purpose
2. Explore your potential
3. Create a solid plan
4. Develop the right attitude
To jump to the final step of the ladder, you have to believe, esteem, and love yourself first; create a self-leadership environment which will provide you with the power of acting now, instead of procrastinating with your dreams.
Be happy and enjoy the journey. Wake up every Monday morning with the positive assurance that the week to come will be the best week of your life. Take action on your dreams; prepare your land for the rain to come.
Life is good!
As an Executive and Corporate Team Coach, I help individuals and organizations develop better attitudes more rapidly and produce more satisfying results. I work with my clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, time management, productivity and relationships. As a result of coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.
If you wish to explore deeper into the subjects contained in this article, please call Activate Group at (305)722-7215 or send an e-mail to pjperez@activategroupinc.com.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
IF TIME IS MONEY…HOW BIG ARE YOUR SAVINGS? By Pablo J. Perez
Since the beginning of time, we have been a population preoccupied with the concept of time. Unfortunately the term "Time management" creates a false impression of what a person is able to do. Time can't be managed and is uncontrollable. However, we can manage ourselves and choose how we use time.
We measure daily activities, progress, even distances in terms of days, hours or minutes. Most important, we think of money in terms of time. “Time is money” is a phrase often heard in the business world. Our job productivity is often related to the time consumed in to perform specific tasks. In many business compensation is paid in terms of rates per hour.
Do you use time or does it use you? Do you stay on top of things, or do they stay on top of you? To a very large degree, your success will depend on whether or not you master the art of effective time organization. However, time management is a skill few people master and is one that most people need. If you really want to improve the use of your time and your productivity and at the same time feel good and effective, you should start by building a strategy around your time, evaluating your current behaviors and habits.
Time management is a skill, a technique, a mindset and a lifestyle. It can be adopted by anyone who wants to:
• Feel in more control
• Attain more out of life
• Reduce stress
• Realize more balance in life
• Achieve success in business
To use your time successfully you must first accomplish what is most important for you. When you don’t accomplish what you truly want, you may feel confused, compromised, and frustrated. Many people try to use time management techniques that work for others, only to be disappointed. It does not matter if you use a paper-base system, a PDA, or one of those expensive mobile devises. What really matter is that you are using a system that make you effective.
Myths About Time Management
Some of the myths related to time management use are a direct consequence of our attitudes. Our attitudes are developed through a conditioning process that began very early in life. As you examine your past and the future, you will develop a much better understanding of why you do the things you do. Let’s take a look at some myths related to time:
MYTH: My life is completely controlled by external events.
FACT: You can have some control over many aspects of your life, but you and you alone are responsible for initiating that control.
MYTH: I should meet everyone's expectations.
FACT: The needs and demands of others may be inappropriate for you and your lifestyle. First, become clear about what your needs are. Then, consider what others expect of you.
MYTH: I should have no limits.
FACT: We all have limits . . . failure to acknowledge this may cause you to become perfectionist in your expectations. Perfectionism normally leads to procrastination.
MYTH: I do not have time
FACT: You need a time strategy.
Common Time Wasters Which Need To Be Identified
In order for a time management process to work it is important to know what aspects of our personal management need to be improved. Below you will find some of the most frequent reasons for reducing effectiveness in the workplace. Identify the ones that are major obstacles to your effective use of your time. Identifying your time stealers
• Interruptions – telephone
• Interruptions - personal visitors
• Meetings
• Tasks you should have delegated
• Procrastination and indecision (see my article “The Habit of Doing Nothing)
• Acting with incomplete information
• Dealing with team members
• Crisis management (fire fighting)
• Unclear communication
• Inadequate technical knowledge
• Unclear objectives and priorities
• Lack of planning
• Stress and fatigue
• Inability to say "No"
• Desk management and personal disorganization
Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to manage your time, be more in control and reduce stress. You can analyze your time and see how you may be both the cause and the solution to your time challenges.
There are many ways we can manage our time more effectively. The following is list of some strategies you can use to use your time more effectively:
1. Put your daily plans in writing.
2. Plan your daily time use by listing your activities in order of their priority.
3. Delegate.
4. Be selective
5. Make brief notes immediately following a conference, meeting or an important conversation.
6. Keep simple records regarding the routine of your daily life.
7. Schedule a quiet time –do not disturb-.
8. Use waiting time wisely.
9. Keep your work area uncluttered and free of distractions.
10.Keep incoming “Junk mail” to a minimum.
Using your time is your responsibility and is controllable if you choose to. The degree of your commitment to achieve personal goals will determine how serious you are about setting priorities for you time.
As an Executive Coach, I help individuals and organizations develop better attitudes more rapidly and produce more satisfying results. I work with my clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, time management, productivity, employee motivation and relationships. As a result of coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.
If you wish to explore deeper into the subjects contained in this article, please call Activate Group at (305)722-7215 or send an e-mail to pjperez@activategroupinc.com.
Reference and excerpts taken with permission from Management and Leadership published by Resource Associates Corporation.
We measure daily activities, progress, even distances in terms of days, hours or minutes. Most important, we think of money in terms of time. “Time is money” is a phrase often heard in the business world. Our job productivity is often related to the time consumed in to perform specific tasks. In many business compensation is paid in terms of rates per hour.
Do you use time or does it use you? Do you stay on top of things, or do they stay on top of you? To a very large degree, your success will depend on whether or not you master the art of effective time organization. However, time management is a skill few people master and is one that most people need. If you really want to improve the use of your time and your productivity and at the same time feel good and effective, you should start by building a strategy around your time, evaluating your current behaviors and habits.
Time management is a skill, a technique, a mindset and a lifestyle. It can be adopted by anyone who wants to:
• Feel in more control
• Attain more out of life
• Reduce stress
• Realize more balance in life
• Achieve success in business
To use your time successfully you must first accomplish what is most important for you. When you don’t accomplish what you truly want, you may feel confused, compromised, and frustrated. Many people try to use time management techniques that work for others, only to be disappointed. It does not matter if you use a paper-base system, a PDA, or one of those expensive mobile devises. What really matter is that you are using a system that make you effective.
Myths About Time Management
Some of the myths related to time management use are a direct consequence of our attitudes. Our attitudes are developed through a conditioning process that began very early in life. As you examine your past and the future, you will develop a much better understanding of why you do the things you do. Let’s take a look at some myths related to time:
MYTH: My life is completely controlled by external events.
FACT: You can have some control over many aspects of your life, but you and you alone are responsible for initiating that control.
MYTH: I should meet everyone's expectations.
FACT: The needs and demands of others may be inappropriate for you and your lifestyle. First, become clear about what your needs are. Then, consider what others expect of you.
MYTH: I should have no limits.
FACT: We all have limits . . . failure to acknowledge this may cause you to become perfectionist in your expectations. Perfectionism normally leads to procrastination.
MYTH: I do not have time
FACT: You need a time strategy.
Common Time Wasters Which Need To Be Identified
In order for a time management process to work it is important to know what aspects of our personal management need to be improved. Below you will find some of the most frequent reasons for reducing effectiveness in the workplace. Identify the ones that are major obstacles to your effective use of your time. Identifying your time stealers
• Interruptions – telephone
• Interruptions - personal visitors
• Meetings
• Tasks you should have delegated
• Procrastination and indecision (see my article “The Habit of Doing Nothing)
• Acting with incomplete information
• Dealing with team members
• Crisis management (fire fighting)
• Unclear communication
• Inadequate technical knowledge
• Unclear objectives and priorities
• Lack of planning
• Stress and fatigue
• Inability to say "No"
• Desk management and personal disorganization
Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to manage your time, be more in control and reduce stress. You can analyze your time and see how you may be both the cause and the solution to your time challenges.
There are many ways we can manage our time more effectively. The following is list of some strategies you can use to use your time more effectively:
1. Put your daily plans in writing.
2. Plan your daily time use by listing your activities in order of their priority.
3. Delegate.
4. Be selective
5. Make brief notes immediately following a conference, meeting or an important conversation.
6. Keep simple records regarding the routine of your daily life.
7. Schedule a quiet time –do not disturb-.
8. Use waiting time wisely.
9. Keep your work area uncluttered and free of distractions.
10.Keep incoming “Junk mail” to a minimum.
Using your time is your responsibility and is controllable if you choose to. The degree of your commitment to achieve personal goals will determine how serious you are about setting priorities for you time.
As an Executive Coach, I help individuals and organizations develop better attitudes more rapidly and produce more satisfying results. I work with my clients in all areas, including business, career, finances, time management, productivity, employee motivation and relationships. As a result of coaching, clients set better goals, take more action, make better decisions, and more fully use their natural strengths.
If you wish to explore deeper into the subjects contained in this article, please call Activate Group at (305)722-7215 or send an e-mail to pjperez@activategroupinc.com.
Reference and excerpts taken with permission from Management and Leadership published by Resource Associates Corporation.
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