3 Methods to Overcome Procrastination

When tasks like shining my perfume bottle lids and alphabetizing my spices seem urgent, I know I’m procrastinating. The jobs that make me say “Ugggh!” need to be done. So I trick myself into working on them by these methods to overcome procrastination:

·         Only Fifteen. I say, “I’ll fold laundry (clean the bathrooms, answer emails, change the cat litter) for fifteen minutes. Then I’ll quit if I want to.” After fifteen minutes, the voice of procrastination quiets down and I’m motivated to finish the job.

·         Baby Steps. I break the chore down into baby steps. I think, “If I write one page of this boring report each day for five days, I’ll finish by the deadline.” That tactic keeps me from being overwhelmed with the enormity of the job, and I’m more likely to start working.

·         Promises, Promises. I promise myself a reward when the task is finished. Reading a chapter of a novel, playing on social media, or a piece of chocolate usually motivates me to at least begin a dreaded job.

Even though I realize I’m using self-psychology (is that even a thing?), these methods work for me. The only danger I can foresee is that I’ll someday procrastinate on purpose to get a chocolate kiss in the end. 

What methods have you found helpful in overcoming procrastination?

Award-winning writer Bob Hostettler's Best Time Management Secrets & Strategies

Did you ever wonder how best-selling writers make time to get all their writing done? Today, award-winning writer Bob Hostettler shares his best time management secrets & strategies:

“My best technique or strategy is an old one, ancient even: Morning prayer. Praying before I start work organizes my day for me, sets (and sometimes utterly rearranges) my priorities, and saves me from the tendency I have to think and act as if I must accomplish everything alone.

"The other thing that came to mind immediately is this: I use reminders and alerts on my iPhone and computer, but they have not replaced an analog tool that has helped me make the most of my time and efforts: a "bring-up" file (sometimes called a "tickler file") comprised of 43 folders--twelve labeled with the names of the months and the rest numbered 1-31. Every morning I pull out that day's numbered folder, which will contain any paperwork remaining from the previous day (allowing me to start every day with a clean desk, by the way), hotel or airline reservations, birthday cards to send, bills to be paid, and so on. On the first of each month, then, the contents I've been filing away to remember during that month will be divided up into the 31 numbered folders, and the process begins again. It's easily the best mnemonic and time-management tool I've ever used. I rely on it.”

              
Bob Hostetler, award-winning writer, editor, pastor and speaker. His twenty-six books, which include The Bone Box and American Idols, have sold millions of copies. He has co-authored eleven books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling Right from Wrong and the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at The Door. He has won two Gold Medallion awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and one Amy Foundation award.

www.bobhostetler.com

--This is an excerpt from my latest book Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creatives. The final chapter is entitled "Ask An Expert," and includes tips and secrets from successful authors, editors and agents, including Bob. 

How do you save time in your busy life? 

Award-winning writer Bob Hostettler's Best Time Management Strategies

“My best technique or strategy is an old one, ancient even: Morning prayer. Praying before I start work organizes my day for me, sets (and sometimes utterly rearranges) my priorities, and saves me from the tendency I have to think and act as if I must accomplish everything alone.

"The other thing that came to mind immediately is this: I use reminders and alerts on my iPhone and computer, but they have not replaced an analog tool that has helped me make the most of my time and efforts: a "bring-up" file (sometimes called a "tickler file") comprised of 43 folders--twelve labeled with the names of the months and the rest numbered 1-31. Every morning I pull out that day's numbered folder, which will contain any paperwork remaining from the previous day (allowing me to start every day with a clean desk, by the way), hotel or airline reservations, birthday cards to send, bills to be paid, and so on. On the first of each month, then, the contents I've been filing away to remember during that month will be divided up into the 31 numbered folders, and the process begins again. It's easily the best mnemonic and time-management tool I've ever used. I rely on it.”

              Bob Hostetler, award-winning writer, editor, pastor and speaker. His twenty-six books, which include The Bone Box and American Idols, have sold millions of copies. He has co-authored eleven books with Josh McDowell, including the best-selling Right from Wrong and the award-winning Don’t Check Your Brains at The Door. He has won two Gold Medallion awards, three Ohio Associated Press awards, and one Amy Foundation award.

www.bobhostetler.com

--This is an excerpt from my latest book Shock the Clock: Time Management for Writers and Other Creative, which is on sale for only 99 cents! The final chapter is entitled "Ask An Expert," and includes tips and secrets from successful authors, editors and agents. 

How do you save time in your busy life? 

Myth or Reality? 7 Tall Tales about Productivity

I was sent this lovely graphic on 7 Tall Tales about Productivity, and wanted to share with you:

Click to Enlarge Image


Infographic by Quill

Which of the 7 do you find most helpful? 

Five Holiday Time-savers

#savetime #keepyoursanity #morehoursinyourday

Need more hours in your day? I can help. The following list is an excerpt from my presentation entitled Time Management Secrets for Part-time Writers, which I've taught at two writers conferences, and will be available in booklet form in 2014.

I chose the ones I believed would be most beneficial to help you keep your sanity through the Holiday season.

1. Ask yourself, “If I only had time to do ONE thing on my list, what would I do?”

2. Learn to say “no” without apologizing.

3. Laugh frequently. Find things to make yourself laugh. Hang around funny people. Laughter releases the same endorphins that exercise does, so it keeps you healthy and relieves stress.

4. Don’t underestimate the power of five, ten, or fifteen minutes of work to whittle away at a huge project. Even God created the entire universe in six parts.

5. Take something with you to put away when you walk to another room, to keep clutter at a minimum.

What time-saving tips do you use during the holidays--or any time--to keep your life manageable?

Two Years to Live--What Would You Do?

#Timepressure #Prioritites #Twoyearstolive

My friend Cammie had some great advice when I whined to her about time pressure and discombobulated priorities. She asked, “If you knew you had only two years to live, how would you be spending your time?” My answer was immediate: “I would not be cleaning house!”   

What I would do, however, if I knew I only had two years left is:  

 

• Spend more time with my family, 
• Tell everyone I met about my Jesus, and
• Publish as many heart-warming articles, stories, and books a possible. 

This little exercise helped me see where my heart lodged, and what means the most to me.

Now it's your turn. If you knew you had only two years to live, what would you do with those 104 weeks, 730 days, 15,330 hours?

Top Ten Time Thieves that Attack Writers (and others)

Top Ten Time Thieves that Attack Writers

When someone stole our credit card information, we cancelled the card. But when time thieves break into my writing schedule and steal precious time, I shrug and say, “I’ll do that tomorrow.” Too many of these robberies lead to unfinished projects and blocked goals.

Your time stealers may vary, depending on your personality. But I imagine you can relate to at least some of these productivity robbers:

1.      Shallow chitchat. Long conversations—whether in person, on the phone, or online—about meaningless topics rob my creative energies.

2.      Checking emails more twice a day. Yes, I’m eager to see if that editor bought my article or offered me a book contract, but I’m not THAT important that I can’t wait a few hours to find out.

3.      Unrestrained time on social networking sites. Because I’m a people person, Facebook and Pinterest can purloin huge chunks of my time. Before I know it, ten minutes has turned to thirty. Unless I’m using these sites to market my book or brand, I end up wasting time.

4.      Answering the phone during writing time. If I don’t monitor calls, I lose my momentum, and then it takes awhile to get back into the muse.

5.      Arguing, fussing, and fighting. Of course, we need to discuss why he thinks I shouldn’t quit my day job yet and why I think I should’ve quit yesterday. But when discussions lead to strife, it may take me hours to recover my composure enough to write a decent sentence.

6.      Distractions. I walk into the kitchen to get a drink of water. I see cat bowls on the floor and pause to put them in the sink. I realize an eggshell left from breakfast needs to go down the disposal. While it’s grinding I look out the window and notice the glider, which needs to be put away before cold weather comes. I pop outside, etc, etc, etc. Too many of these impulse activities, and I’ve lost a huge chunk of productive time.

7.      Taking care of clutter and possessions. The more I have, the more maintenance my stuff requires. If I de-junk and de-clutter on a regular basis, I think clearer and create more.

8.      Saying “yes” when I should say “no” to tasks and activities the Lord never called me to do. Again, my people-pleasing style comes into play here. I think I’ll be making others happy if I say “yes.” I’m really spreading myself too thin, which leads to mediocre work.

9.      Not delegating. If I try to do everything myself, I don’t give others the opportunity to help. I also become crabby from overwork and stress, and my muse languishes.

10.  Negative emotions. I waste more time than I care to admit on anger, frustration, and despair. When I yield to these thieves, they steal my joy and squelch my ideas. Thankfully, I’m learning to resist them in Jesus’ name, and kick them out of my brain and my day! 

 

Can you relate to any of the above time thieves?

Do you wrestle with others not listed here?

Even if you’re not a writer, what solutions have you discovered that help you stay on task and focused?

Five Tasks You Can Accomplish in Five Minutes

You only have five minutes before you zoom out the door for DS’s soccer match, a hair appointment, or DD’s dance lesson. What can you accomplish in that short amount of time? You may be surprised how five little minutes can make a big difference in your life. 

v  Pray for guidance, protection, our nation’s leaders, your family, and your kids’ teachers. If you home school, you need all the prayer you can get!

v  Writers: revise one paragraph or sentence of your WIP. Readers: devour a quick snack of the novel you’re reading.

v  Open God’s Word and see what wisdom, love, or new ideas pop out as you meditate. 

v  Write a thank you note to a fellow blogger, teacher, or mentor who’s inspired you.

v  Answer an email from a friend. Since you reap whatever you sow, God is sure you send you a morsel of encouragement the next time you need it.

What ways do you make the most of wee snippets of time?

 

 

Five Things You Can Accomplish in Five Minutes



Do  you wrestle with time, or use it to your advantage?

You have only five minutes before you zoom out the door for DS’s soccer match, a hair appointment, or DD’s dance lesson. What can you accomplish in that short amount of time? You may be surprised how five little minutes can make a big difference in your life. Here are five things you can accomplish in five minutes:

v  Pray for guidance, protection, our nation’s leaders, your family, and your kids’ teachers. If you home school, you need all the prayer you can get!

v  Writers: revise one paragraph or sentence of your WIP. Readers: devour a quick snack of the novel you’re reading.

 

v  Open God’s Word and see what wisdom, love, or new ideas pop out as you meditate. 

v  Write a thank you note to a fellow blogger, teacher, or mentor who’s inspired you.

v  Answer an email from a friend. Since you reap whatever you sow, God is sure you send you a morsel of encouragement the next time you need it.

What ways do you make the most of wee snippets of time?

Five Way to Stay Sane While Raising Cain & Jane

 

When a fellow blogger with little ones asked me to write a post for moms juggling careers, kids, and kisses—chocolate or otherwise—I was happier than a cat with dirty paws on your car hood. Although my kids are done being kids, I’ve learned a few secrets—mostly the hard way—of managing my time when I had only scraps of it to manage.

1.      Give God the first portion of your day, He’ll give back to you the time you need to accomplish your goals. Giving and receiving works for time as well as money, and you cannot out give the Lord. You can read your Bible while baby naps or sits in her bouncy seat at your side. You can pray while you do laundry, cook, and take a shower.  God is your best ally in the war against insanity and overload!

 

 

2.      Utilize wee snippets of time to work on big projects.  Of course, you’d rather have three hours at a time than ten minutes while Daddy bathes Sophie. But never underestimate the power of little chunks of time to accomplish big goals. Even God created the universe in increments.  He is able and willing to help you create your masterpiece in portions.

3.      Flush the perfect house fantasy. Be willing to let the bed go rumply, hubby to make supper, or the laundry to pile up for a few days. I don’t mean it’s okay to live like Jonah in the whale’s belly—with seaweed in your hair and nothing to eat—but if you need a pristine abode, you’ll have to wait ‘til Claude and Claudette grow up to start a writing career.

4.      Simplify your environment and life. The more clothes to clean, toys to pick up, and meetings to attend, the more discombobulated you’ll feel. And the less you’ll accomplish. Get rid of half your junque and most of you memberships. Now you’re free to focus on people and your dreams.

      5.   Put no more than five items on your to do list each day. I know it sounds crazy, since you have 100 things to accomplish each day. If you write down 45 and only get five done, you’ll beat yourself up for not being productive. But if you only write down five, when you get those done, you can add more, along with a feeling of accomplishment.  

What time monsters attack you most often? What secrets have you found for managing your days?  Whether you have kids at home or not, how do you stay sane in this too-much-to-do world?

P.S. The above is an excerpt of the syllabus to my class entitled Time Management for Part-time Writers. Please email me at jeanette(at)jeanettelevellie.com to get your copy.

3 Secrets to Getting More Hours in Your Day

 

Too Busy

 

When I told someone "I'm too busy" for the thousandth time this week, I heard that wee, gentle Voice in my heart say, "Quit saying you are too busy."

Oops. I knew the Lord was trying to help me out of my time crunch pit--a place I seem to fall into way too often.

You too? Okay, let's work together on overcoming those nasty time stealers. I'd like to share 3 Ways of Getting  More Hours in Your Day. These are Secrets I've discovered over the years that work every time... when I work them.

 

Three Easy Secrets

1. Start the day with prayer. When we put God first, He makes sure we get everything done that needs to be done. Notice I didn't say "everything we want to do." Sometimes I have lists of items He never told me to do. I have to be careful that I seek Him, or I bite off more than I can handle, then wig out when I feel pressured to do it all.

2. Identify your challenging areas that trip you up most often and waste your time. These could be watching too much TV, overly-long phone conversations, or hours on social media sites. None of these are wrong; they might be eating more time than we realize, though, leaving us with not enough to do what really matters in our lives.

3. Ask for help. It's okay to hire someone to clean your house, bathe your dog, wash your car. If you have kids at home, they can help with chores and cooking, even run errands once they start driving. We do our families a disservice when we try to be supermom or superdad and do it all. When we work as a team, things get done faster. Then we can concentrate on relationships more.

Do What Works



I know, I know. These aren't really secrets. But they work. Try them and see if you don't have more hours in your day. Then let me know if you have other ways to get out of the time crunch pit we all seem to put ourselves into from time to time.

What is your favorite way to save time at your house/workplace?

7 Time Management Tips

If you have trouble managing your time, I like you. You remind me that we all struggle with similar issues, and that makes me feel not so alone. From my syllabus on Time  Management Secrets & Strategies, which you can order here, I give you seven helpful tips:

1.        Don’t spend time with negative or lazy people. They’ll bring you down and hinder you from reaching your God-given dreams and goals.

2.      Learn to say “no” without apologizing.

3.       Always put your keys in the same place. ALWAYS.

4.      Organize your closet, either by type of garment or color. This will streamline choosing an outfit.

5.      Exercise. The best way is to find a sport or strenuous activity you enjoy, and do it regularly. Park far from the store entrance to make yourself walk. Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Do tasks standing up instead of sitting to burn more calories.

6.      Laugh frequently. Find things to make yourself laugh. Hang around funny people. Laughter releases the same endorphins that exercise does, so it keeps you healthy and relieves stress.

7.      Pray instead of complaining. Griping weakens you, both physically and mentally.

Which is Your Favorite?

More Time Management Secrets

You DO know that speakers choose topics they most need to hear, right? This is why I'm speaking on Time Management for Part-time Writers at the Inland NW Christian Writers Conference March 16-17.

I need all the help I can get to focus, keep writing when I'm tempted to watch re-runs of Monk, and keep my booty in the chair. You too?

Here are a few tips from my syllabus: 

Make your goals realistic and measurable. Put dates on them, so you can check them off or erase them when you reach them. 

Know your distracters, so you can avoid or manage them. Mute your phone and email notification; put a Do Not Disturb sign on your door; go to the library, café or park—whatever it takes to get the muse flowing.

As a seed, give some time helping another writer accomplish his or her goals. Expect the Lord to give you a harvest of time to write.

Be accountable to someone you trust. Say, “I will start the article for Messy Moms Magazine by March 31st.” Ask them to call you and make sure you followed through.

Ask the Lord to reveal to you what deeper need in your life is overriding the need to become organized and to manage your time wisely.

Any you'd like to add?

 

Multitasking, Juggling, or Just Plain Craziness

• When is multitasking productive?
• When is it unwise to juggle several jobs at one time?
• Do you-as a parent of little ones, a writer, an artist, a home-based business owner--find it more challenging to multitask as you grow older?

What Works for YOU?

      In preparation for the upcoming workshop I'm teaching at the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference in March, I'm researching Time Management, and would like to know what multitasking techniques work for you. Or, if you are someone who needs to focus on one task at a time, how do you keep your focus and avoid going bonkers when you're interrupted and/or distracted?

Not Worth Ruining My Marriage

How Do I Resent Thee?

I resent people telling me things I’ve known since I was four. Wait, that was a lie. I resent my husband telling me things I’ve known since I was four:

 Kangaroos originate from Australia

 Chocolate comes from cacao beans

 The sky’s color is a reflection of the sea.

When he tells me little facts like these, it hurts, offends, and angers me. My brain fills with all kinds of unkind thoughts. Sometimes they spurt out my mouth. Like, “If I’m such an idiot, why did you marry me?”

It’s Not About Me

I know it’s not about me. He doesn’t think I’m stupid. He has a teaching gift, and needs to explain things, or he’ll burst. I’m handy, so he explains to me. It never occurs to him that I may already know that it’s the man who determines the gender of a child, or that it’s against the law to marry your first cousin.

Someday I’ll Grow up

Someday I’ll grow up, and get over my touchiness. Or perhaps Kevin will find a friend he can explain all these little tidbits to, who won’t resent them (that’s my preference, but the Lord doesn't alwys do things the way I'd prefer). It’s certainly not worth ruining our marriage over.

What I Do Love to Hear

What I do love to hear is writing and/or time management advice that works for you. Agent Chip MacGregor had some excellent posts about this topic recently, and they got me to thinking about you. I’d love to hear your best writing/time management advice. Because I’m not married to you, I promise I won’t be offended if I’ve already heard it a dozen times, or if I’m currently using it.

And did you know that a cat’s brain is the size of a pea? Which explains why dogs are smarter than cats.

5 Time Saving Tips to Ease Stress and Get More Done

Need more hours in your day? I can help. The following list is an excerpt from my presentation at the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference, coming up on March 16-17, 2012 in Spokane, WA. I chose the ones I believed would be most beneficial to aid you in keeping your sanity through the Holiday season.

1.        Ask yourself, “If I only had time to do ONE thing on my list, what would I do?”

2.        Learn to say “no” without apologizing.

3.        Laugh frequently. Find things to make yourself laugh. Hang around funny people.   Laughter releases the same endorphins that exercise does, so it keeps you healthy and relieves stress.

4.      Don’t underestimate the power of five, ten, or fifteen minutes of work to whittle away at a huge project. Even God created the entire universe in six parts.

 5.       Take something with you to put away when you walk to another room, to keep clutter at a minimum.

What time-saving tips do you use during the holidays--or any time--to keep your life manageable?

I Need More Than One Brain, Please

May I pick your brains a bit today? I’ve been invited to speak at the Inland Northwest Christian Writers Conference in Spokane, WA, directed by Jan Cline, in March, 2012. My topic is Time Management Strategies for the Part-time Writer. I have my outline prepared and a long list of my own ideas, but I’d like your input on ways you manage your time. What works for you? What doesn’t work? What tricks do you employ that best fit with your personality style? I’d love to incorporate some of your tips into my presentation, if you don’t mind. I think my message will zing if I have more than one brain at work!

Five Things to Accomplish in Five Minutes

Ready? Set? Five!

You have only five minutes before you dash out the door for DS’s soccer match or DD’s dance lesson. What can you accomplish in this short zipper of time? You may be surprised how your use of five little minutes can make a big difference in your life and writing career:

1. Pray for guidance in your writing, protection for yourself and your family, direction for our nation’s leaders, and wisdom for your kids’ teachers. If you home school, you need all the prayer you can get!

2. Revise one paragraph or sentence of your WIP.

3. Read a page or two of God’s Word, a craft book or a devotional for writers.

4. Write a thank you note to a fellow blogger or editor who’s inspired you.

5. Answer an email from a friend, encouraging them on their writing journey. Since you reap whatever you sow, God is sure you send you a morsel of encouragement the next time you need it.

What ways do you make the most of little snippets of time?

P.S. Please join me Wednesday for an interview with author Christine Berry along with a drawing for a chance to win 10 books!