Archive for March, 2009

I Organize My Priorities

I organize my priorities into separate bins and pull them out one-by-one.

There is a reliable technique I use to manage my priorities.  Using this system helps me organize my life.

When I think about my priorities, I imagine a row of balls.  I pick up each ball, one at a time, and I label it with a goal or a task I hope to accomplish.

Then I take the ball and evaluate how important it is to my life.  Once I have carefully assessed its value, I place the ball in one of three bins.

The first bin is where I place every high-priority task. This bin contains every task or goal that is most important to me.

The second bin is where I place the balls that are labeled with goals I hope to accomplish ‘someday.’ The projects in this bin are not as urgent or important as my high-priority tasks.

The last bin is where I place balls that are ‘delegate or drop’ tasks. This bin is helpful to me because it allows me to remove the tasks that are unimportant so I can focus on my bigger goals.

Once I have sorted each ball into my bins, my life has a comforting sense order. When I am ready to take on a new task, I simply reach into a bin and pull out one ball at a time.

Approaching only one task at a time gives me confidence because I feel capable of accomplishing my goals.

This process has simplified my life.  I never lose track of the big picture and I always feel like I am accomplishing the things that are most important to me.

Questions of Reflection:

1.    Can I identify all of the tasks and goals I currently have in my life?
2.    If I examine each task, could I separate it into one of the three bins?
3.    Once I list and organize each task, which is the most important to accomplish today?

I Like the Way I Handle Stressful Situations

I like the way I handle stressful situations.

I do not fear stressful situations because I know I handle them in a healthy and productive way. I feel good about the way I handle stressful situations because I am strong and accomplished.

I take pride that I can rise to the top when there is a situation that is difficult to handle. I am able to remain calm and assess the problem at hand quickly and effectively. I intuitively understand what is going on and what needs to happen in order to resolve the problem quickly. I have a skilled and steady hand that can overcome any tense dilemma.

Taking charge of challenging situations and delegating responsibilities to others is my specialty. My strong suit in life is how I am able to handle stressful situations with ease.

Today I will take on any challenges that arise and I do so with patience and diligence. I take pride in how I handle challenging circumstances and I will take necessary measures to smooth out difficulties.

Questions of Reflection:

1.    How comfortable do I feel in handling stressful situations?
2.    Who will I delegate responsibilities to during times of stress?
3.    How am I able to use my strengths?

I Leave Work at Work

I know when to leave work at work.

I have clear boundaries for my work because I want to enjoy the other aspects of my life.  No matter how hard I labor, work will always be there.  I keep work separate from my personal life.

While at work, I use my time wisely so I can get things done at work, then I can relax once I’m home. After all, my body and mind needs both work and play.

It’s better for me to finish a project at work then to bring it home because my home is my sanctuary.

In my list of priorities, relationships always come first. I am not in a relationship with my job.  My family always comes before my work.  When I spend time with my family, all thoughts of work are squeezed out of my mind.

When I caress my baby’s soft skin or my partner’s hair, I am reminded of how fragile life is.  Knowing that I don’t have forever with my family helps me place my life into perspective.  My desire to get just one more thing done is not stronger than my desire to be with my family.

I need time for myself so I don’t lose my identity. Taking time for myself helps me recharge so I can continue to be happy, healthy and productive.  During my time-off, I am creative and I pursue my other passions because it rejuvenates me.

Life is all about balance. My soul needs a balanced diet just like my body.  Allowing myself an occasional sweet treat helps me to stay on track.

Questions of Reflection:

1.    How can I better manage my time?
2.    Have I been neglecting any of my passions?
3.    How can I make the most of my time away from work?