Maximizing Your Day BALANCING LIFE’S ISSUES, INC.

Objectives Maximize your 168 hours this week Work smarter Decide when to say “NO” or “YES” Handle interruptions Multi-task vs. single-task Best practices for maximizing every second, every minute

Objectives “If we did all the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.” Thomas A. Edison

Work Smarter Plan your work and then work your plan Maximize your day from the moment you awake Establish and follow a daily routine  Eat a healthy breakfast  Maximize commuting time  Get enough exercise and sleep  Start your day the night before Prioritize and evaluate tasks Re-wire your brain to say: “I can do this”

Decide When to Say No or Yes When to say “NO” How important is this task?  Do I have to do this?  What happens if I don’t do it? I HATE this task:  Can it be shared or delegated or learned? When to say “YES” If it is good for you  Activities for healthy living: nutrition, exercise, sleep Going to push your career to a better place Important to a loved one

Handle Interruptions Be aware of how they are disrupting your day “Making a Cake” analogy Have a range of responses for interruptions  Know which one to use at the right time Use the “link and leave” strategy Discourage squatters Use body language techniques For the persistent: Be firm! Make technology work for you!  & cell phone strategies

Multi-Task vs. Single-Task Multi-Task Simple tasks that don’t require concentrated thought Single Task Cerebral tasks – things that require thought and concentration Benefits:  Allows full attention  Less prone to make mistakes  Task may be completed quicker Use both techniques throughout your day - just be sure to match the best approach for the task at hand

Best Practices for Maximizing Every Second, Every Minute Look closely at how you spend your day  Track your time and categorize how your time is allocated throughout the day  Evaluate if there are more beneficial and efficient ways to spend your time Keep on top of clutter and stay organized so you don’t waste time looking for things – everything should have its “place” Stop procrastination  Release the need to be “perfect”  Tackle toughest jobs first - “just do it!”  Recognize your own energy level Nip overload Accept the times when you just need to zero in and get things done Write your eulogy and live it

Maximizing Your Day “The bad news is that time flies The good news is that you’re the pilot.” ~Michael Altshuler

Maximizing Your Day