Last week we talked on how to work on things we need to get done.  This week let’s talk about when to work on them. 

Calendaring is key to your success.  It can be electronic or paper – whatever works best for your lifestyle.

On the calendar there should be meetings – meetings with clients, internal to your business, external where you are meeting other, and marketing events.

Now you also need to include a meeting time with yourself!  You need to put an appointment on the calendar in which you will work on getting the things done we have been discussing for the last month. 

And most of all, you need to respect that appointment like any other.

Last week we talked what to work on.  This week I want to focus on how to work on them.  I learned this technique from one of my gurus, Chet Holmes.

It is called the Six Things I must do today – the number can be 2 or 5 or whatever you have time for that day…but six should be your limit.  Here are some key components:

• Commit you will not stop working until all six are completed
• It gives you daily accountability
• If you have trouble getting them done, ask yourself “What is the worst thing that will happen if you do not?  What is the best thing that will happen if you do?”
• If you need it, give yourself a reward when you do this exercise for 30 days, then a bigger reward at 100 days.

Ask your accountability partner (your business coach, a co-worker, your best friend) to make sure you do these every day.  Comment here how this works for you!

  Last week we talked focus and commitment.  This week I want to highlight an exercise that really helps my clients identify goals and put definition around getting things done.   

 WHAT

–         Objective you are committed to achieving

–         In the next 30, 60, 90 days

WHY

–         Why is this a priority

–         Who else will benefit

–         How will it feel

–         How will you grow, what new habit will you have

HOW

–         Specific actions (down to the smallest actions needed)

–         Dates to be completed

–         How will you know it is done

You should never have more than three of these going at one time.  Try it, you’ll like it!

  Last week we talked about how to identify what you want to work on.  This week I want to focus on commitment and an exercise that really helps me get to exactly what I am going to do.  

First I look at this:

• What is broken/needs to be fixed
• What needs to be perfected

I create no more than three of each in my business.  So if last week we were looking at sales and marketing, what are the things that just don’t work in your business and then what works, but could be so much better.

The commitment comes that you will work them until they are done.  You can’t add a new one until these are done.  Then the key is to schedule time on your calendar (just like an appointment) to work on them.  

So try that today – what are the three (maximum) things you need to fix and the three you need to perfect.  Stay focused on those and you will get so much more done than you could imagine.  

Next week – an exercise to put definition, focus, and commitment on the “what to work on”.