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Dear Friends of Balancing Act, 
Here's hoping that if you were battered down by snowstorms, the "found time" brought some amazing simple pleasures into your life.
In case things are still a bit out of balance, though, help is on the way in the form of some new ways to think about time, track time, and find time.
I'm excited to be collaborating weekly with my "adopted cousin," workplace consultant Karen Snyder, to bring you some new time management tools like the time grid introduced in this issue.
Let me know how the grid works for you and any other time challenge areas we might address.
Speaking of time, I hope you'll find 10 minutes to spend with an inspiring 89-year-old, who has not been stopped by time and whose video will give you the time of your life. Pat |
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Try Our Time Grid 
No matter what sort of work we do, hopefully most of us want to track our personal and professional time more meaningfully. Pat and workplace consultant Karen Snyder have developed a variation on the time-tracking theme.
Our new time grid lets you see not only where your time went but also track how much you enjoyed each activity, how far it moved you toward your stated goals and what your next steps are for the activites that take up your time.
Here are some ways the time grid might help you plan your next steps toward achieving your personal and professional goals and those of your organization:
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Activities you like that move you forward? Keep on doing them.
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Activities you hate that move you forward? Delegate them.
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Activities you hate that don't move you toward your goals? Discontinue them. For example , if you hate using Twitter for your business and it's not effective in reaching your audience, Stop Tweeting.
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And activities you like that don't move you toward your current goals, such as compulsive online research on unrelated topics? Simply recognize the activity for what it is -- recreation -- and schedule it according to where that fits in your life scheme. OR readjust your goals so that this happy activity can move you toward a new goal.
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How many "life units" will you spend?
Though our time grid tracks time spent in terms of days and hours, a powerful new way to think of choosing future activities is in terms of "life units."
Executive coach Rob Berkley , who conducts Vision Days for clients, has coined the phrase "life units" to replace the standard way we measure time, e.g., days, hours, and minutes because truly, our time choices govern how we spend our lives
Instead of judging how much time an activity will take, he suggests asking ourselves how many life units we'll use on a particular one. Funny how the question makes us more discriminating in our choices. |
Should You Declare A "Super Simple Month"?
When PlannerDog went tooling around the web for the best life balance advice to Tweet about, he wiggled himself silly with delight over this nugget, offered by a very cool time management site called Lifehacker.
The suggestion is simple. When you're completely overwhelmed, pull back and declare a "Super-Simple Month," in which you'll severely cut back on overload. For example, no new large projects, no more than one social engagement a week, no shopping except for necessities.
Does this idea seem absolutely impossible? Could be you're really, really ready for a Super Simple Month. |
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10-Minute Yoga Break 
Want some inspiration to become a long-distance runner? Take ten to hang out with 89-year-old Barbara Lyon, who demonstrates the power of honoring our bodies for long-term health and a vibrant spirit. If you have any doubt about the wisdom of taking an exercise or meditation break at lunchtime, Ms. Lyon, filmed here by Lee Glickstein, will dispel it. Click here for your yoga break. |
Leash Law No. 14: Getting Things Done
At the risk of simply adding to the stress, may I suggest a "dump list"? It's a hastily written list to dump those special projects to be tackled. For example, cleaning out the kitchen junk drawer or hall closet.
Keep it handy when you're planning your day, and try to work in a small one every week, to be rewarded by - oh, I don't know - something they sell at Dairy Queen?
Copyright 2010 Pat Snyder | |
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Write About
Your
Favorite Pooch |
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There's still time to sign up for Pat's writing workshop "Love Me-Love My Dog."
2 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 13
Borders Books & Music
4545 Kenny Rd.
Columbus
Pay tribute to your favorite pup by writing what could become an award-winning story in Modern Dog Magazine. The national publication is having its first-ever writing contest.
Pat will give you time and space to work on your entry plus tips on making your story shine.
Contest entries are due March 1.
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Pat on "Ask The Experts" Teleseminar
Susan Ireland
Integrity Coach Susan Ireland of Virginia threw Pat some tough questions about life balance when she interviewed her as a guest on her "Ask The Expert" teleseminar in January.
Here are some of the issues she tackled:
Balancing life during times of loss;
Tapping into the power of fun in a tough economy; and
Using visual prompts to focus our dreams.
BOOKING NOW FOR SPRING
Pat's taking bookings now for life balance speeches and workshops, writing workshops, and laughter programs, all described on her website. |
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