March 2005

ften it seems we're so busy putting out daily fires that we don't ever get to accomplish anything of real significance—those things that would make us happiest in the long run. Life becomes something to "get through" instead of an exciting path to greater fulfillment.

The efficiency of technology only increases the pressure we feel to do even more than ever before. All of it leaves us feeling too busy and robbed of a sense of accomplishment. So what can we do to increase personal productivity? Below are some tips to help you to get more done in less time—and do what you really want to be doing.

Mission possible
Often busy-ness is a cover for not really knowing what's the best thing to be doing. To get around this, you have to know what your priorities are in the moment. To determine this you need know what your larger life priorities are.

Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, suggests writing a personal or organizational mission statement, a statement that summarizes your higher purpose and goals in life. Here's an example:

To create a balanced, healthy and value-driven life by creating nurturing relationships and guiding others to see their full potential through my work as a therapist.

Without a mission, you won't be able to say no to tasks. You can only know what to say no to when you know what to say yes to first.

Self-motivate
We can learn all the self-management tricks in the book, but none of them will be worth a dime if we don't follow through and use them. That's where self-discipline comes in. There's no easy, painless way to enforce self-discipline, but if we don't utilize it, we will be left forever unfulfilled.

< continued on page 2 click here >