A publicist's day is full of ups and downs. When we book an important interview or simply make connection with a media person we've been wanting to talk to, the high is wonderful. Oh joy!
However, the lows can be just as emotional but on the other end of the spectrum. The lows can be very low indeed. Sometimes this emotional roller coaster can rise and fall many times throughout one single day.
To keep from getting stuck in the lows, I recommend creating a success journal. Here's how:
In my daytimer, which is actually just a simple notebook, I record my daily, weekly, and monthly "to-do" lists in addition to taking notes during phone calls, jotting down thoughts and ideas, and recording other important infomation on the right side of each page. The reason for doing this is because now all of my ideas and to do lists are in one place. Then each piece of information can filter into other systems, such as important contact information gets put into Outlook, specific goals are put into each client's campaign, etc.
Then on the left side of the page, I quickly jot down each daily success as it happens throughout the day. It could be an important call was made. A certain show was booked. I moved a project forward in some way. The purpose is to give yourself a little lift--a pat on the back.
It's so easy at the end of the day to wonder exactly what was done, particularly if you only made it part way through your "to do" list. When you hit a low, or when you're reflecting on the day near quitting time, you can look at that list and smile! It's important to celebrate the little things (and, of course, the big things!) thoughout the day. Too often we can get caught up in what didn't get done. I suggest getting caught up and celebrating what DID get done and feeling good about that!
It's such a simple yet powerful tool. Your success journal can help you to leave your office at the end of the day in a better state of mind so that your family gets to spend time with a happy you, and you are refreshed and ready for the next day. So, celebrate the little things (and the BIG things) and enjoy!
Showing posts with label Time managment. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Time managment. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Friday, September 19, 2008
Time Management or "How a little egg timer can save you!"
Have you ever found yourself wondering how in the world you are going to get everything done? If you're like most people, the stress of feeling like there is too much on your plate is an all too familiar feeling.
Of course there are the obligatory "to dos" such as work deadlines, fulfulling requests from your clients, getting the kids to the doctor or the cat to the vet on time. But what about all the other projects you have floating around in your brain? For example, that e-book you've been wanting to write or the new seminar you want to create, or the mini-web sites you've considered building, or just taking the time for that new workout class that you know you really should take...When do these things get done?
If it's true that we attract what we need, then it's interesting to note that two of my friends happen to be time management and organizational wizards. I marvel at them all the time. The truth is, I'm pretty good at staying organized, but compared to these two there is much more to learn.
One friend is Ruth Klein, author of Time Management Secrets for Working Women, and the other is Dr. Jan Yager, author of Work Less, Do More. Both of these women have unique, creative and easy techniques for managing your time, your work, and your fun load much better.
As I read their books, I realized that I have a time saving technique that I use on a regular basis that has really made a difference for me. I call it the Egg Timer Technique. This is especially useful for jobs that one procrastinates doing because you either hate doing it (cleaning the house, doing the taxes, etc.) or it seems overwhelming (getting started on that thesis, writing the next great American novel, or developing a business plan for a new venture).
Let's use cleaning the house as an example of something one may not feel like doing (That's a pretty likely possibility for me.) I take the egg timer into the family room, for example, and set it for :30 minutes. For that amount of time, I am going to get as much done in this room as I possibly can and I promise myself that when the bell goes off, I will stop immediately and completely. It's important to keep this promise to yourself so that your inner child or your unconscious, or whatever it is that pays attention to what you say, will believe you.
What happens during this process is amazing. Before you know it, you will begin racing against the clock to get as much done as you possibly can within that :30 minute period. With only 6 minutes remaining, you may realize you have to vaccuum so you run to get the vaccuum cleaner and quickly run it over the carpet. I told you it's amazing. It really is. I never imagined myself running to vaccuum, but it works! It's the Egg Timer Technique.
What techniques have you found help you to get things done? How do you motivate yourself to get started on writing that book proposal, or developing that publicity plan, or cleaning out the garage?
Of course there are the obligatory "to dos" such as work deadlines, fulfulling requests from your clients, getting the kids to the doctor or the cat to the vet on time. But what about all the other projects you have floating around in your brain? For example, that e-book you've been wanting to write or the new seminar you want to create, or the mini-web sites you've considered building, or just taking the time for that new workout class that you know you really should take...When do these things get done?
If it's true that we attract what we need, then it's interesting to note that two of my friends happen to be time management and organizational wizards. I marvel at them all the time. The truth is, I'm pretty good at staying organized, but compared to these two there is much more to learn.
One friend is Ruth Klein, author of Time Management Secrets for Working Women, and the other is Dr. Jan Yager, author of Work Less, Do More. Both of these women have unique, creative and easy techniques for managing your time, your work, and your fun load much better.
As I read their books, I realized that I have a time saving technique that I use on a regular basis that has really made a difference for me. I call it the Egg Timer Technique. This is especially useful for jobs that one procrastinates doing because you either hate doing it (cleaning the house, doing the taxes, etc.) or it seems overwhelming (getting started on that thesis, writing the next great American novel, or developing a business plan for a new venture).
Let's use cleaning the house as an example of something one may not feel like doing (That's a pretty likely possibility for me.) I take the egg timer into the family room, for example, and set it for :30 minutes. For that amount of time, I am going to get as much done in this room as I possibly can and I promise myself that when the bell goes off, I will stop immediately and completely. It's important to keep this promise to yourself so that your inner child or your unconscious, or whatever it is that pays attention to what you say, will believe you.
What happens during this process is amazing. Before you know it, you will begin racing against the clock to get as much done as you possibly can within that :30 minute period. With only 6 minutes remaining, you may realize you have to vaccuum so you run to get the vaccuum cleaner and quickly run it over the carpet. I told you it's amazing. It really is. I never imagined myself running to vaccuum, but it works! It's the Egg Timer Technique.
What techniques have you found help you to get things done? How do you motivate yourself to get started on writing that book proposal, or developing that publicity plan, or cleaning out the garage?
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