Cut to the Core

Entrepreneurs Seek Ways to Save Time, Be More Effective

Time is a State of Mind: Find Your Sustainable Speed

Listen to Christine Louise Hohlbaum, time management thought leader and author, as she shares two very critical insights into how to make the most use of your time—and remain centered.

One of Christine’s reminders is that “sometimes ‘No’ is actually a ‘Yes’ later,” and any particular “No” may just mean “not now.” The “Power of NO,” then, is a great time management tool that not only allows us to retain control of our time, but through the exploration and negotiation of balance can lead to an even bigger “YES” down the road.  Hear the story of the “Power of No” in Christine’s own words!

Thepowerofno

In this second podcast (TimeCrisis clip) Christine shares what prompted her to change her relationship with time and what makes her able to redefine her success to include being a mom, wife, public relations consultant, author, blogger, actor, and more…!

Timecrisis

 

Christine Louise Hohlbaum, an American who currently lives in Germany, is the author of several books, including The Power of Slow: 101 Ways to Save Time in Our 24/7 World. She is a proven thought leader in the area of time management. With writing and acting as her passions, she dreams about changing the world through words.

Key Point – When you change your relationship with time, you will enhance the value and quality of the business experience you share with your customers.

Are you a self-proclaimed “Speed-a-Holic”? Do you feel you are always in a time crisis?  Are you ready to renegotiate your relationship with time?

GET The Power of Slow Today! Christine will share her insights all month long on the Cut to the Core Facebook Fan Page.  “LIKE” our page and get all of Christine’s upcoming tips.

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Could Backwards Planning Yield Better Results for You?

I used to plan by moving forward. I took an objective to be accomplished, broke it down into its actionable tasks, prioritized those tasks, placed them on a timeline and, finally, generated a daily list of things to do. I then worked my way down the list and enjoyed a great deal of satisfaction as I checked off each item as it was completed. 

This was an unbeatable system for many years, until I became part of the “Sandwich Generation.” These are the individuals in our society who are responsible not only for themselves and the next generation but also for the generation that precedes them. When I became “sandwiched,” I found my normal planning process was no longer effective in assisting me to reach my goals.

Pressed for time by priorities that I did not have any ability to anticipate or that I could not prevent, I found that a new planning tool—working backwards—became my best planning tool.  I now manage my deadlines instead and schedule project tasks to meet an estimated project delivery date.

By arranging deadlines as a daily to do list of task objectives, with accompanying sub-tasks, in order of importance, I am able to quickly react to the ever-increasing demands on my time and to manage schedule changes that call for quickly reassessing and rearranging of priorities.

Outsourcing of Noncore Operations

 If you are looking for ways to realize cost savings, to perform tasks more effectively or efficiently, or to create the opportunity for your employees to focus on organizational core competencies, you may want to consider outsourcing.

In today’s fast-paced and competitive environment, outsourcing can provide a unique competitive advantage. If you approach outsourcing with clearly defined objectives, your company can realize benefits such as cost savings, improved service and quality, achievement of its growth goals, and increased flexibility in the management of key resources. Also, if you focus on the creation of a partnership with your supplier, you can do more than just accomplish your business goals.

Read this issue of Marketing Mindset and the recommended article and white paper in order to explore the right outsourcing strategy for your organization. Download KA_ Ezine_SEPT_09

One Great Way to Feel a Sense of Accomplishment

If your days seem to get lost in a flurry of activities that lead to no meaningful end, resolve to get one big thing accomplished.  Revisit your core work, review your life values and choose to get done, today, one task or project that will advance you toward your long-term goals.

As a result, you will know you have accomplished a personal task that has significantly moved you along your chosen path, Besides gaining a sense of satisfaction, you might even gain a new perspective that leads to feeling energized instead of frustrated by your day.

A complementary way to enhance your feelings of accomplishment is to process unimportant and nonurgent tasks in batches, i.e., to schedule the performance of similar and repetitive tasks in one sitting. For example, you can maximize your time, materials and resources if you run all your errands on one day or make all your phone calls during a set time period.

Why wait any longer to become a person known for his or her energy and accomplishments? Place one big thing at the top of your list and do it now.