It was Sunday morning and as I began to wake slowly my husband, the early riser, bound into our room asking “Are we going running?” The hardwiring in my brain said “No! I want to stay in bed where it is warm.” My mind stepped in and said “You know you will benefit from this, you know you will feel refreshed, will have a clear mind and will be happy for doing it. GET UP!”

So off we went to meet the Sunday morning running group. On arrival, we found out which track we were going to run and by the apprehensive look on the person sharing the news my brain immediately detected  something was wrong. Our brains do that. My inner voice said “This is not sounding like a great track for me to run especially when I haven’t been doing much running of late.”  I asked some questions and yikes! There were hills involved. Well I was there so I may as well do it. I set off to do the 9km run while my husband was doing 14kms.

I jogged off and felt I was going ok. My thinking was “Just take this one step at a time” First hill not too bad. Second hill, whoa! I needed to stride rather than run as I felt like I was running backwards. There were more hills to follow and I had to walk only a couple of times. Overall I couldn’t be too hard on myself given how little I had done and I did manage to run 9kms. That was my positive voice. My other voice was cursing myself for not maintaining my running. I could have done the run so much easier only a few months earlier. I realised what I had been doing…….binge running!

If you want consistent results and improve your results, taking the binge approach is not the answer!

This got me thinking about whether there is anywhere else am I bingeing particularly in my business. Where do I get highly motivated, take action and then stop? Unfortunately I could name a couple of areas.

Where are you bingeing?

What difference would it make to you to stop bingeing and stay in motion?

What will it take for you to do that?

With my running, even doing this just once a week would have kept my fitness up. Our steps don’t have to be enormous. They just need to be taken. What steps do you want to take?

For me….back into my running.

A couple of weeks ago I ran a Bootcamp for an Executive and her Assistant and really enjoyed supporting them both to enhance and simplify the way they work with the loads of information and work that comes their way in addition to supporting them to reclaim their time.

One of the highlights for me was reducing the massive task list down to a very small task list. One that felt more achievable and leaving the brain feeling in a happy state rather than a state of overwhelm.

Many people don’t use task lists at all and instead use their heads to remember things. This is not ideal if you want to maximise the use of your brain.

Use your brain for more important things like decision making and understanding rather than a reminder board.

For those that do use a task list they are often long never ending lists. Personally I have used one for many years and particularly after going through Daytimer training some 15 years ago. Daytimer is a diary system which I loved however I am now digital which means I have my diary with me all the time in my handbag rather than lugging a big diary around.

I must say it did take me two attempts to make the transition from a paper task list to a digital list as I WAS in love with my diary and I didn’t want to let it go. The need to carry something light and didn’t have to re-write was important so the digital calender and task list won out. It also means I can book appointments immediately without having to “go and check my diary”.

In using a simple task list my brain is free to focus on what it needs to.

Find the right tool for you. A notepad may work best for you or a digital task list.

With a few guidelines on what is a task and what is a diary/calender item you can make a difference not only to the size of your task list, also to the effectiveness of your brain and to being on top of things.

Check out the short video below “Why and How to use a Task List” which covers some tips.

Wishing you every success!

This short video explains how to save you time and energy with your inbox.

The principles to apply are:

1. Treat your inbox like your mailbox. Clean it out as you collect your mail instead of leaving emails sitting waiting for action.
2. Ask yourself, what needs to happen next? How much time will it take? If it is more than 15 mins, put it in your diary/calender. Budget the time for it.
3. If the next step is time sensitive, put it in your diary.
4. If the next step can be taken at any time and is not time sensitive or it will take less than 15 minutes, put it on your task list.
5. If it can be done in 2 minutes. Do it now.
6. Put the email in a home if you wish to keep it, for example a folder suitably named or delete it. Just don’t leave it sitting in your inbox.

Applying these principles will support you to be maximise your time and reduce overwhelm.

Here’s to having more time in your week!

What a weekend of inspiration! I have spent this this last weekend competing in a 7km fun run and watching a half iron man. For me, it is not the inspiration to do a half iron man, instead it is watching people achieve something they have set out to do. To overcome the obstacles along the way, congested water, head winds, cramps and most importantly their thinking. To see the joy in their faces and that incredible sense of achievement when they cross that finish line whether it takes them 3 hours or 7 hours was fantastic.

My husband competed  in the 1/2 iron man with some of his mates and I was proud to see his determination and theirs. To see them all get through the individual tough parts of the event for them and to cross the line with family cheering  them on. Much like many competitors, both old and young.

The most inspiring of all, was a gentleman weighing approximately 140kgs plus. To see him get through the 1.9 km swim, 90 km bike ride and 21 km run was incredible. It just shows that whatever you set your mind to you can achieve. As he came through to the finish line, an overwhelming applause came from the whole crowd as they cheered him to the finish line. I have tears in my eyes as I write about it. It must have been the most amazing experience for him as it certainly impacted those of us watching on.

My sons and I competed in the 7km fun run with some friends. We are all proud of our times and for participating in the event.  Most of all, bypassing our excuses,  getting out and doing something that was a stretch and sharing this with family and friends.

Why do I share this? Life is about making the most of it. It’s about being the best version of you. Performing at your best. It’s about stretching yourself. Seeing what you are capable of whether it is at work or at play. It is about using your mind positively.  Without setting goals what do you get? What direction do you take? Do you get the same thing everyday. We are all amazing creatures and capable of so much and we are only limited by our thinking.

What can you set as a goal for yourself? Small or large? If you don’t try you don’t know.  I encourage you to set yourself small goals and strive to achieve them. When you do you will get a rush of dopamine and you will feel great. If you need support, get a buddy, get a coach. There are people who will cheer you on whether it is at work or play. Most of all, taking an old quote…… Life. Be in it.

Has always been somewhat of a mantra for me particularly over the years of  working from home, running a family, raising two sports crazy boys and my own desire to have it all….professional success, happy family, good health and wellbeing.

A fridge magnet given to me years ago saying “Our life is frittered away with detail….simplify, simplify” (Henry Thoreau) stares at me daily and is a reminder to live the simple life.

Our lives are often frittered away with detail and there have been times where I have felt my head would explode with everything I was trying to remember for my business, my children’s school, who I was picking up and what for in addition to being the one required to  remember where every member of my families things were. “Mum, where are my socks?”

I continuously have strived to make my life easier exploring how could I do all of this more effectively? How can I achieve what I want to yet stay grounded? And I support others to be at the top of their game in my business.

I am pleased to say that I have simplified it all. I have taken a load off my brain, pressure off myself yet I feel more on top of things fitter than ever before. I feel successful, my family is happy and I have time for myself to take care of me.

How did I do it? Interestingly, I did a Productivity Boot Camp. Arrogantly I opted in to do this boot camp thinking “What could I possibly learn given I am already pretty good at getting things done?” however I was curious just in case there was something that could make a difference for me and my clients.

Surprisingly this boot camp supported me to discover and implement practical personal systems that support me to keep on top of it all. I maximize my time, my space is organised, stress is reduced and I am more energized. Ahh! It feels good.

The boot camp is now a service that I provide in my business. I constantly see individuals struggling with the demands of their business and life and the boot camp provides practical productivity solutions that work.

My tip is to simplify your life – get systems in place so things happen without having to think about it too much!

Wishing you simplicity and success!

Diana Pettie

www.hopscotchcoaching.com.au

The facts about Switchtasking in business

Has this ever happened to you?

You are deep in conversation with a friend or business associate. Suddenly a distraction; the mobile rings, a waitress serves your latte … The distraction ends, you both look up at each other and say, ”What were we talking about?”

When you jump from one activity to another and then back again, you are Switchtasking. Yes you are very clever juggling tasks in the air, but the truth is – you are wasting valuable time and productivity.

Switchtasking wastes a whopping 28%.

According to Basex Research, the average time lost per week to Switchtasking is a whopping 28%. If you own or run a business, this method of working could cost you more than time and money, it could also cost you your health and well being.

“But isn’t that multitasking,” I hear you say? Multitasking itself is a myth. Unless it’s a hardwired task (like driving a daily route and singing a song), the brain actually has to switch from one task to the next and back again if you are ‘multitasking’.

So, what’s the alternative?

How do you handle the influx of data and information that comes every day? How do we deal with the distractions, how do we free up all that time wasted bouncing from one issue to the next? The answer: Personal Operating Systems. With your own business you tend to think about marketing, tax plans, suppliers… but have you thought about your own systems?

Effective systems can free up your time to concentrate on your Valued Activities.

Here are two tips directly from the Productivity Boot Camp program.

1)      Firstly. Are you aware of what you are doing? Try to notice how often you Switchtask. How long does it take you to refocus on each activity?

2)      Identify your valued activities. Then set specific times for your most valuable activities and focus for that period of time without checking emails or answering phones.

There are many practical systems that support you and organize your space. Don’t accept the piles of paper on your desk and the barrage of emails that fight for your attention. You control your time, not the other way around.

Articles:

The Neuroscience of Leadership, Rock and Schwartz.

SCARF: A brain based model for Collaborating and Influencing Others. David Rock.

IAG Coaching Culture Study

http://www.neuroleadership.org/

Website for the emerging field of Neuroleadership with a focus on bringing Neuroscientific knowledge into the areas of leadership development, management training, change management, education, consulting and coaching.

The Myth of Multitasking: How “Doing It All” Gets Nothing Done

Invaluable: The Secret to Becoming Irreplaceable  

Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long

Quiet Leadership: Six Steps to Transforming Performance at Work  

Emotional Intelligence: 10th Anniversary Edition; Why It Can Matter More Than IQ  

The E-Myth Revisited: Why Most Small Businesses Don’t Work and What to Do About It  

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People  

Feel the Fear . . . and Do It Anyway  

Who Moved My Cheese?: An Amazing Way to Deal with Change in Your Work and in Your Life

Six Thinking Hats

101 Ways to Promote Yourself: Tricks Of The Trade For Taking Charge Of Your Own Success

Authentic Happiness: Using the New Positive Psychology to Realise Your Potential for Lasting Fulfilment

Having undertaken coaching with Diana Pettie, I can honestly say that she provided me with the knowledge, guidance and skills required to enhance my individual performance both in a business and personal sense. Having previously employed a business coach, I knew of the benefits to be derived from seeking coaching and jumped at the chance to work with Diana.

Diana is an absolute professional, who is well organized, very adaptable and most importantly is extremely passionate about her coaching. Moreover this passion for her coaching was channeled towards my goals and interests.

Throughout the period of coaching I was constantly amazed at the quality and quantity of the actions I was undertaking, and the movement towards some very major goals. The focus gave me clarity and made the work towards goals worthwhile and the end achievable. I gained specific benefit from having a time framed commitment, and having accountability for my actions. I have continued to utilize the tools learned during this period and am constantly moving forward. I have already referred two personal friends to Diana and would not hesitate to recommend Diana Pettie as a coach.

Alan King, Managing Director