How To Squeeze The Most Out of Your 24 Hours – 10 Time Management Secrets To Help You Complete Your New Year’s Resolutions

“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done.”
~ Author Unknown

You have New Year’s Resolutions; you have good intentions; but do you have the time to follow through on these goals and desires?  Time management helps you choose what to do first, what to do second, and what not to do at all.  It gives you the power to organize every aspect of your life.  Here are 10 time management secrets used by the world’s most successful people:
1)     Where Are You Spending Your Time?  Our day can easily slip away with nothing to show for it.  How many hours do you waste each day and each week?  Watching television, surfing the internet and talking on the telephone can steal your time.  Every minute you waste causes deprivation somewhere else.  Many people realize they can go back to school, develop a hobby or skill, or take on a part time job just by giving up things that really aren’t that important.  Train yourself to always ask, “What is the most valuable use of my time right now?”
2)    Prioritize Your To-Do List.  This pushes you to do the most important things first.  It is easy to stop for a moment here and there to complete small tasks.  You think to yourself, “this will only take a minute” but you end up spending your time on unimportant tasks.  Don’t confuse being busy with achievement.  Learn to say “No”.
3)    Focus On One Thing At A Time.  You get what you focus on. You have to learn how to control your focus if you want to be successful in life.  Your focus determines the quality of any area of your life.  Ask yourself, “What is the result I’m after?” then focus your energy towards that outcome.
4)    Use A Daily Planner.  A variety of day planner systems exist.  You can get a planner at any office supply store.  You may have a planner already loaded into your cell phone which is handy to you everywhere you go.  The most expensive ones aren’t necessarily the best.  The simple to use ones tend to get used.  Don’t make this any more complicated than you have to.  I just want you to have a planner that enables you to jot down your appointments and the tasks you want to achieve each day, each week, and each month.  I’ve been taught to never begin the day until it has been finished first on a piece of paper.  Organization is vital to time management.
5)    Set Deadlines.  Forcing yourself to set deadlines will help you get an incredible amount of things accomplished.  Deadlines create a sense of urgency.  Lack of deadlines allows people to lose focus and drift into nonessential tasks.
6)    Be More Decisive.  Once a decision is made, the rest is easy.  Many people get hung up on the fear of making a mistake or a decision that may upset others.  Sometimes it is better to make a wrong decision than no decision at all.  A wrong decision will at least get some type of movement and you can correct from there.  Successful people are decisive.
7)    Schedule Blocks of Time.  Set increments of time such as thirty minutes, an hour, or perhaps two hours and allow yourself to focus only on the task at hand.  If you know you are most productive in the morning, schedule these blocks in the morning.
8)    Prevent Interruptions.  An open door policy is nice yet in order to be as productive as possible you might need to close the door for brief periods.  Train yourself not to answer the telephone every time it rings.  We have the convenience of caller ID, answering machines and voicemail.  Learn to be inaccessible sometimes (except for your husband or wife).
9)    Handle Things Once.  Break the habit of reading mail and memos more than once.  Most of us have a pending stack of things we plan to get back to.  Instead, read it once then respond.  If it doesn’t require a response or decision, throw it away.
10) Strive To Consistently Improve Your Skills.  Dr. Rob Gilbert said, “First we form habits then they form us.  Conquer your bad habits or they’ll eventually conquer you.”  You want to become a master of your time.  Many successful people look like workaholics when in fact they are simply masters of time management.

Put these 10 secrets into action and watch how much you accomplish this year.

Mark Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center in Valdosta. Mark Webb is also the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™.  Sign up for Mark Webb’s “Relationship Strategies”  Ezine ($100 Value).  Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com

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I filmed this video with the goal of Helping individuals and couples stick with their New Year’s Resolutions. I quickly realized it was also a great resource on how to stay motivated even when you don’t feel like it! Please listen and watch the whole video (I would hate for people to take things out of context) – and if you try my advice – please let me know how you did!

Mark Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center in Valdosta. Mark Webb is also the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™.  Sign up for Mark Webb’s “Relationship Strategies”  Ezine ($100 Value).  Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com

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On January 1, millions of people will begin the annual promise of New Year’s Resolutions.  People will join fitness centers and start diet programs.  They will give up cigarettes and eat healthier.  They resolve to straighten up their act.  Yet, despite their determination, most people will fail at their resolutions by February 1.  It was the same way last year and the year before.  This year can be different.  Here are some strategies to increase the likelihood that you will stick with your desired goals.

New Year’s Resolutions are very important.  They challenge us to grow as people.  One of the reasons why many people do not have what they want in live is because they neglect to set goals for themselves.  If you catch yourself resisting your resolutions perhaps you need to ask yourself “Why?”    Often it comes down to a fear of the unknown.  If this is the case, focus on the consequences of not changing your habits and the advantages of your new behaviors.  In other words, create a list of the pros and cons.

You must also learn how to reframe physical and mental discomfort.  Whenever you stop certain habits, you will experience a physical and mental reaction.  Someone who is stopping the habit of smoking should reframe nicotine withdrawal as a sign that her body is cleansing itself of the nicotine.  This will go a lot further than if she says, “I’m dying for a cigarette.”

Beat war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors and let every New Year find you a better man.
~~~Benjamin Franklin

You must be willing to make sacrifices.  You may be disappointed if you do not succeed but you are destined towards frustration if you do not even try.  The main reason for setting goals is to challenge you to become the person it takes to achieve them.  Aim for a more ambitious goal.  For example, instead of resolving to have a better relationship, resolve to have a great relationship.

Do not let the fear of failure keep you from trying or trying again.  Your strength lies in your perseverance.  If you are stuck, ask for help.  If you feel tempted to fall back into your old habits, then have an alternative in mind.  For example, when you feel like smoking, go for a walk instead.  Do not allow how you feel at the moment to determine if you will follow through with your resolution.

The Greek philosopher, Pythagoras said, “You should always choose the way that seems the best, however rough it may be.”

Research shows that of the people who successfully achieve their New Year’s Resolutions, only 40 percent of them do so on the first attempt.  The rest made several attempts but their persistence led them to success.  Keep these things in mind as you strive towards your resolutions.

1. Make a strong commitment – “I will do whatever it takes!
2. State your goal aloud every morning.  Say it as if it were already true.  “I make a positive impact on my community.”  “I earn (x amount of dollars) per year.”  “My children tell me I’m a Great Dad/Mom.
3. Trust your instincts.  In order to be happy you must be true to yourself.
4. Do not try to please everyone.
5. Visualize yourself as already achieving your goals.  See yourself enjoying the benefits of your efforts and dedication.
6. Do not reflect too much on your decisions or you may miss out on your opportunity to succeed.
7. Write down your resolutions.  Write them down in a positive language.  “I have unshakeable peace of mind” is better than “I need to stop losing my temper so much at work.”

Life will always present you with obstacles that will interfere with you fulfilling your dreams.  There will never be the perfect time to pursue your resolutions.  When you see someone who is successful, it has come about as the result of a resolution.  Resolve to “Do It Now!”

Your goals are achievable.  Make an unwavering commitment towards your goals.  Believe in Yourself.

Mark Webb is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in private practice at South Georgia Psychiatric and Counseling Center in Valdosta. Mark Webb is also the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™.  Sign up for Mark Webb’s “Relationship Strategies”  Ezine ($100 Value).  Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com

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Your attitude will determine your outcome.  If you don’t have a positive attitude, you will never achieve your resolutions.  Keep this in mind when you start toward any goal.  Having the right attitude isn’t something that just happens.  It is the result of a conscious effort.  As you get dressed in the morning, you would never walk into your closet and say to your clothes, “Okay, time to jump aboard” and expect to be dressed.  You know that you have to put your clothes on.  Having a positive attitude is a similar process; you have to consciously put one on.  You have to decide that you are going to be positive in your thoughts about yourself, others and the world you live in.

Here are 7 simple but powerful strategies to help you become a more positive person.

1.     Wake Up Happy.  I meet so many people who start their day off with negative statements like “I don’t want to go to work today.”  “I don’t want to go to school.”  “I’m so tired.”  “I can’t wake up until I have my morning coffee.”
Train yourself to Wake Up Happy.  You can sing in the shower or listen to music that is uplifting.  You could have breakfast with someone you like who is positive and optimistic.  You could have a morning prayer time or read a devotional.

By training yourself to wake up happy, you are setting the pace of your day.  Don’t leave your attitude to be determined by other people or situations beyond your control.  Start your day with a positive note.

2.     Take Control Of Your Physiology.  What I mean by this is that you pay attention to how you use your body.  Walk or stand up straight.  Walk 15% to 25% faster.  Take full, deep breaths.  Use a wider range of tonality and facial expressions.  Maintain good eye contact.  Observe people who you believe are positive and energetic.  Notice how they carry themselves.  Positive people carry themselves differently than negative people do.  Think of times in your life in which you were feeling your best.  Reflect back on your posture, the gestures you make, and your tone of voice.  Learn how to master your previous positive states and mirror the physiology of those you want to emulate.

3.     Your Language Determines Your Destiny.  Make sure that your thoughts and words are positive.  The language you use, whether spoken or not must be positive.  People don’t know what you’re thinking but this doesn’t give you permission to be inconsistent.  Line up your thoughts and words with the kind of person you want to be.  The language you use can either build you up or psych you out.  Any negative statement can be reframed in a more positive manner.  Watch out for statements that predict negative outcomes.  Here are a few that will derail you every time:  “I’m so nervous”, “I’m so depressed”, I have a bad temper”.  If you are going to put labels on yourself, at least use empowering ones.  Try these on and notice the difference.  “I’m in excellent health and have boundless energy!”  “I never get sick!”  “I have unshakeable peace of mind!”  “I’m a Great Wife!”  “I’m a Great Husband!”

4.     Look For The Good In Everyone You Meet And In Every Situation You Find Yourself In.  I know it is harder to see in some people and in some situations but everyone has their good points and so will every situation.

5.     Expect The Best Of Yourself And Others.  Keep your mind tuned into the things you want and off of the things you don’t want.  Your brain has a mechanism that is designed to notice things that are similar to your existing thoughts.  Think of the last time you purchased a car.  Do you remember prior to the purchase, you hadn’t noticed that many cars like yours but the moment you drive it off the car lot you start to see them all over the place.  This is how it is when you expect the best.  Your brain will lead you to the expectations you desire.  Make sure your thoughts are tuned into positive things.

6.     Associate With Winners.  A winner is someone who is positive, optimistic, lives life to the fullest, and inspires you to be your best self.  Strive to limit your interactions with negative people.  Negative people will drain you of your energy and sense of hope.

7.     Seek Out The Power Of Role Models.  Stop trying to reinvent the wheel.  Seek out people in our community who are excelling in the areas you want to better yourself.  This can be a great parent or spouse, a successful business person, a strong spiritual example, or student.  The paths to success have already been paved.  If you follow them, you are sure to succeed as well.  An outstanding role model can save you years of trial and error.

You can alter the course of your life by altering your attitude.  Nothing can stop a person with a positive mental attitude from achieving their goals.  On the flipside, nothing can help a person with a negative attitude.  Commit yourself to starting off your todays with a positive attitude.

Mark Webb is the author of How To Be A Great Partner and founder of Partner Focused Relationships™.  Sign up for Mark Webb’s “Relationship Strategies”  Ezine ($100 Value).  Just visit his website at http://www.powerfulrelationshipadvice.com or http://www.therelationshipspecialist.com

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