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Sunrise Valley Associates
April 2013
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Greetings!

Almost everyone knows that you should complete your most urgent, important, critical tasks every day. Almost everyone knows that planning your day makes more sense than letting others do your planning for you. Everyone knows, but very few do ... Why?

In our rapidly changing, time-conscious world, we are forced to get more done ... with fewer people ... in less time. The quantity of time will not change. There are always 60 seconds in a minute, 60 minutes in a hour, and 24 hours in a day. Therefore, what needs to change is our perception of time, and how we manage our time, both professionally and personally.

Pam Van Den Bussche, President of Sunrise Valley AssociatesPam Van Den Bussche, D.M.
Sunrise Valley Associates
[email protected]
www.sunrisevalleyassoc.com
847.345.3217
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Sunrise Valley Associates

Sunrise Valley Associates
836 S. Arlington Heights Road
Elk Grove Village IL 60007
Phone: 847.345.3217
[email protected]
www.sunrisevalleyassoc.com

Like us on Facebook  View our profile on LinkedIn
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"This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson
7 Simple Steps to Get More Out of Your Day
Let's face it - time is probably our greatest resource. We never seem to have enough of it and it seems to pass so quickly. Well we won't get any more of it and we can't slow it down.

What we can do is make the most of the time we have. Here are some simple steps you can take to get the most out of your day.

1. Plan your day the night before - At the end of each day write out all the things you need to do the following day to achieve your goals. Pull together all the information you'll need, phone numbers and relevant paperwork.

2. Prioritize the list - Number each item and do the nasty jobs first. There's always the temptation to do the easy jobs first. However, think how the thought of doing the nasty jobs hangs over you as you do the easy stuff. Think how good you'll feel when the nasties are out of the way and how motivated you'll feel.

3. Stick to your list - Tick off each item as you go and don't let yourself be distracted. The temptation is to handle the telephone and e-mails as they come in. The phone is hard to ignore but you could always pull out the plug and let it go to voice mail and switch off the email program. Make an agreement with yourself to check for messages every two hours or so.

4. Remember the Three "D's" - Do it, Delegate it or Dump it. Handle each piece of paper only once. Either do something about it now, delegate it to someone else or chuck it in the trash. And remember - "Only do it if only you can do it."

5. Don't procrastinate - Procrastination really is the "Thief of Time" It's so easy to put things off till another time or till "I've had time to think about it." DO IT NOW!

6. Plan your leisure time - Take up activities that need you to be at a certain place at a certain time. Instead of just "going to the gym," book a fitness class or an appointment with a personal trainer.

7. Be honest with yourself - Keep asking - "Is what I'm doing now getting me to where I want to get to?" if the answer is "no," change what you're doing.

Contact us to learn how we can help you get more out of your day and your life!

Managing Time in a Fast Paced World
Managing time in a high-paced world is never easy, but when we have the right tools, it certainly is obtainable. If stress is getting you down, you are not alone. Many people today are suffering stress because of the fast pace. Although stress is an obvious problem, it does not have to be. We can manage our stress levels by focusing on time management. We can enjoy a busy schedule while finding time to relax. Stressors include changes in an environment, family, business, etc. Dealing with everyday struggles, can cause stress if we are buying a new home, preparing for marriage, or changing careers. Some of us have to deal with multiple stressors at the same time, and it makes our life more difficult to handle. Multitasking between the struggles is never easy, so relaxing seems to be outdated.

Many of us are overwhelmed by the constant changes in technology, which includes computers, phones, emails, cell phones, and other devices. How can we ever get ahead of the game if someone is always changing the plans? Stress is the leading cause of heart attacks, high-blood pressure, ulcers, tightened muscles, and other health related pains and aches. Our hormones when pushed beyond the limits often respond in a negative light. Managing time is essential for dealing with stress. If you work, attend classes, and go home to a family every night, you understand that time is vital to maintain. Work is part of an everyday life, and most of us get up early in the morning and head out the door. Some of us skip breakfast, exercise, and other healthful tasks not realizing that this is part of managing time. If you are taking care of your body, your body will take care of you. Life does not have to be hard; rather it can be a trial and error in soothing lights. Time management starts with a plan. If you have plans you know that goals often following the plan. Once we set a plan in motion, we must act on it accordingly and sufficiently to make the plan work and reduce our stress level. After we have a plan in motion focusing on our goals, we must find an organizing scheme that works best for us. Some of us make lists, which are very helpful for putting a plan in motion. Lists are common tasks that we are required to obtain. Getting the most important tasks completed first is part of a time management plan that works most effectively. Once we move the bigger tasks out of the way, we find more time after the little tasks are finished. Changes are going to happen, and the world is constantly moving, so managing our time is the solution for reducing stress and obtaining goals. Managing time and stress in a fast-paced world is never easy, but the right tools sure can make the load lighter.

Managing your time is a vital step in reducing stress in your life, obtaining your goals, and succeeding in business. Sunrise Valley Associates can help!

Sunrise Valley Associates
Pam Van Den Bussche, D.M.
847.345.3217
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