Sheila Moran ~Broker Bits~: ~Changing my habits in 9 weeks! ~ Week 3, Managing myself, not time!

If you missed the story,  check it out here

And part 2 is here  

So, if you missed Part 1 & 2 it's above.  

Part 3 is the best part of all.  

This weeks lesson was about MANAGING MYSELF, NOT TIME.  

How many times have I walked around complaining that there is only one of me and not enough hours in the day?  Too many to count!  I'm sure you can relate.    

Well, as our Coach and Mentor Dane Bauerle walked us through this weeks lesson I could hear him saying again and again how my ability to control my time (and not let it control me) was the key ingredient to a productive day.  Sure who wouldn't want to get more things done in less time or without staying late at the office again and again?  I was in.  

We talked about common time wasters:  trying to do too much, not actively listening, inability to say "NO", lack of, or ineffective delegation.  The list goes one and I'm sure everyone could add a few of their own ideas to this list.  The key was to IDENTIFY them.  Know which time wasters were mine and then eliminating them.  

We also talked about identifying and staying in HIGH PAYOFF ACTIVITIES  (got it Dane, HPA!).  Identifying them was fairly easy.  We should all know what our natural talents  are and work on exploring and strengthening them.  We should also know what we suck at (sorry, couldn't come up with a better word, but it's the truth!) and that someone else could do better.  For me this was a hard one.  I'm was so used to being a one woman show for so long that I struggle RELEASING those tasks that I'm not good at.  But for the sake of learning and growing was I willing to at least try?  You bet.      

After this process we were given this (really fancy) notebook.  It's got sections for appointments, memos, PRIORITY lists, phone calls to make, my daily Top accomplishments, etc. etc.  It was a little overwhelming.  Now, I still keep my calendar in one of those old spirals (thank you Chicago Title), but this thing had ALL OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES!    My first glance at it said, looks like I will be planning my life away instead of actually doing something about it.    HA HA, Dane had another plan in store for us.  

Not only were we to implement this sucker, but I actually had to accomplish the tasks and priorities that I was to write in this book.  HUH?   

Let's just say that is when the real drama started.  Notes on the wrong days, still sticky notes, writing in my old Chicago book and I was only half trying to be consistent the week that followed.  Until 2 things happened:  I missed 2 VERY IMPORTANT APPOINTMENTS.  Auuuggghhh!  What the heck?  Here I'm trying to be more organized and I end up missing something pertinent!  How did this happen?   

Very simple.  The next class I walked in with both of my calendars and started complaining that I wasn't comfortable using the new system.  Why you ask?  Because the old one was a habit and this new system was a change and I DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE.  How funny is that?  I sign up for a class to make changes with my habits and mid way realize that IT'S ME THAT IS HOLDING ME BACK!  Dane picked up my book and asked if I liked it and I nodded yes (well, there was some good points to it) so, he basically threw it down in front of me and said "use it".  I left the class realizing what his actions had waken me up to...I was unwilling to fully participate!  (Thank you, Dane)  

I went back to my office cleared out everything that was vital in my old book and transferred it into my new book and quietly tucked the old one is a safe place, but one that I won't see everyday.  Out of sight, out of mind was my thought.  Then I made the transformation and started to condition myself that this new book was MINE and I had better make it work.  

So you ask what is in my book?  My calendar, priorities, calls to make, my accomplishments, notes to people in my office of items that I need to discuss with them, what I learned, what I'm grateful for and who I encouraged ALL IN ONE DAY.  Is it easy?  No.  The real question:  is it working?  Yes!!    

I challenged you to prioritize your day, reduce, delegate or eliminate those tasks that you know (you suck at), keep yourself in your highest payoff activities and DON'T TRY TO DO IT ALL!   It's a challenge (I can attest to that) but, well worth the CHANGE and the REWARDS that you will reap.

If you want to have your own story of how you can change your habits I encourage you to contact Dane Bauerle at www.TheDynamicLeader.com or 210-240-2575.

If you interested in buying or selling real estate I would love to help you!

We have been serving the real estate needs of San Antonio, New Braunfels, Schertz, Cibolo since 1987!  For a proven results oriented team call 210-325-6962.   Sheila Moran, Broker/Owner of RE/MAX Access. 

Buy or sell a house with me, use the truck to move for free !  www.SistersThatSell.com