Stress Management Techniques and Self Improvement

Nick was rushing to a very important appointment in the city! This deal could take the company to the next level! Nick was stressed about getting there on time. He was hurriedly looking for a car park. Finally he parked and rushed off to the appointment. He got to the foyer to find the lift was being serviced – his meeting was on the 5th floor. That didn’t stop Nick – he headed straight for the stairs. Up he went, fast at first, then slower, but always moving. Finally he gets to the 5th floor, rushes to reception (only a minute or 2 late) and says “I have an appointment with Michael Erwin.” The receptionist looks at Nick and says “I’m sorry there is no Michael Erwin here”. Nick steps back and looks around. “Is this Time Creation?” he asks? “No. I’m sorry” she replies “they are in the next building!”

Nick was “active” during the whole process of getting to the wrong office!

We regularly find many people in our programs (and many others who probably should be in the programs) are busy being busy. They are rushing up the stairs, but they are not sure if they are in the right building.

Step 6 in creating an extra hour a day (email me for the 7 steps michael@timecreationcoaching.com.au) is about recognising that doing things is not the same as achieving things.

Achievement and effectiveness are about doing things that move you toward your most important goals. Doing whatever is in front of you is easy compared to doing what creates real progress.

Today we are asked to more in less time, often with less resource. This makes it much easier to mistake activity for achievement. Yet, in these circumstances, is it even more important to achieve progress – not just be busy.

This week do an effectiveness audit. Each morning and each evening take 5 minutes and reflect of the activities you did today. Rate them from -5 to +5 (+5 = major advancement to achieving your goal; -5=major movement away from your goal; 0=no movement either way. If you have been following the 7 steps to create and extra hour a day, you will have defined what you really want in life and business, so it will be easy to determine whether you are moving towards or away from your goals. What will your NET SCORE will be?

Remember this is not about activity or effort, it’s about progress and achievement. Nick was working very hard, but moving away from his desired destination! (effectiveness audit score -4)

Email me (michael@timecreationcoaching.com.au) your net score and I’ll send back on average of all responses.

Michael Erwin is a Time Creation Coach who helps managers and sales people achieve effortless high performance. His clients, including Channel 9, Coles Myer, and Hoskins Wallace Real Estate, have improved effectiveness by up to 50% and increased sales by as much as 70%. For more information go to Time Creation Coaching.

Time Can Be On Your Side!
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