Tag Archive for better life

Why Communication Is Such An Important Life Skill

April 17, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

As you progress through life, communication plays a major role. You might say it gets you where you want to go. 

Get on board with GenuLines as we take a closer look at this thing called communication. 

Why Communication Is Such An Important Life Skill

communication tower
 
 
Your communication skills can help take you far in both your career and your personal life. Now, you might be thinking technology makes these skills outdated.
 
But in today’s world, they’re even more important.
 
Come along with GenuLines as we show you what good communication can do for you.
 
 
 
 
Improve Your Social Life
It’s obvious that being a good communicator can improve your social life. It impacts loved ones, from friends to significant others to family members.
 
When you communicate well, you also tend to listen well. The two go hand in hand.
 
You tend to have fewer disagreements, dramas, and fights. You’re better prepared to make your feelings known in a clear and concise way.
 
You’ll be more able to get to the source of your problems instead of letting them linger or spiral out of control.
Improve Your Professional Life
Successful people tend to blend good effective leadership with good communicating ability. Leaders at work are responsible for guiding, informing, and managing their workforce.
 
They have to be able to communicate what they need to do, how they need to do it, and then make corrections when necessary. It takes excellent communication skills to get that job done.
Make You a Better Person
As we said earlier, excellent communication skills help you to be a better listener. and have less conflict because you’re better prepared to resolve issues. This improves your friendships and relationships, making them stronger and longer-lasting.
 
You listen more and better and you don’t hold on to bad feelings. You communicate them and do it well.
 
You’re a good friend, employee, leader, and a better person all around.
Get things done
This includes how you work through problems, discuss issues, and finish projects. Constant electronic contact may cause you to neglect your communication skills.
 
But you need those same skills to succeed in electronic communication as you do in person. Work on these points to improve your relationships, your career, and your life on the whole.
 
Honing your communication skills can do a lot to improve your life and make you a better and happier person.
 
JohnK 4/17/2023
 
stick man hears about communicationOverheard: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place”
                            ~George Bernard Shaw
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for communication
 
 
 

5 Questions To Determine If A Change Is A Good Idea

January 30, 2023 John Uncategorized No comments

Something needs to change in your life. But you’re not sure if it’s a smart thing to do. 

Use these GenuLines questions to help you make the wisest decision. 

5 Questions To Determine If A Change Is A Good Idea

Change is synonymous with living. It may come into your life out of the blue and take you by surprise.
 
Other times you know it’s coming and you rush to prepare.
 
sign symbolizes change
 
 
Yet even though change may be your choice, it still may feel scary and overwhelming. You may find yourself wondering: should I make the change or not?
 
To help you, GenuLines offers 5 questions to determine if a situation is something you can change. The idea here is to make you feel more in control of your life.
 
These questions can help you decide which situations you should change, and which aren’t worth your time or effort.
 
Let’s get started.
 
 
1. Will it Make Me Happy?
Before you commit to any change ask yourself: will it give my life meaning? Will it make me feel happy?
 
To answer that question, you have to know what it is you want from life.
 
One way to do that is to consider your beliefs and your core values. Include those dreams you had for your life when you were younger but forgot about when you got older.
 
2. Can it Help Me Reach My Goals?
Now that you know what makes you happy, it’s time to take a look at your life goals. Start by making a list of all the realistic goals you want to achieve in life.
 
Then, divide them into three categories: short-term, medium, and long-term goals.
 
The final step is to take action. This may force you to step out of your comfort zone, but if that’s what it takes to make a change for the better, why not?
 
It takes a positive attitude, a bit of patience, and a whole lot of self-love.
Also, remember that your goals themselves may change.
 
So, it’s important to stay flexible, especially when you’re setting new goals.
 
3. Is This Something I Want?
We’re programmed to try and always please as many people as we can. It can be exhausting.
 
You spend time wondering if people like what you’re doing or if they’re satisfied with your work. If you’re going to change any aspect of your life, make sure it’s for you and not to please other people.
 
After all, it’s your life. No one is going to live it for you.
 
Another thing to remember is that the only person you should compare yourself to is you. There’ll always be someone who’s better than you or is more successful than you.
 
The best thing to do is to focus on your progress. Be proud of how much you’ve achieved and concentrate your energy on where you’re going next.
4. Will It Improve My Life?
You might be thinking of moving to a smaller house or changing your job. Change can also come on a smaller scale.
 
You could be thinking of upgrading your security system, Or planting a garden,
 
Whatever it is, think about all the ways it can improve the quality of your life. Any type of change you pursue must make your life easier, less stressful, and a lot more fun.
5. Am I Letting Fear Hold Me Back?
Being afraid is natural, but letting fear control you isn’t. We’re all afraid of failing, of uncertainty, and a whole bunch of other stuff.
 
Yet, there’s one thing that successful people don’t do; they don’t let their fears take over their lives.
 
They learn how to face whatever it is that’s putting those butterflies in their stomachs. Then, they take a deep breath and jump in.
 
Whether it’s fear of public speaking or fear of heights, you have to muster some courage. Then power through the fear, no matter what the outcome is.
 
You’ll come out the other side a stronger, more experienced individual.
Conclusion
Everyone goes through a wide array of changes in their lifetime. You can either join in and embrace all the good that change has to offer, or you can stay behind.
 
If you choose to stay, you’ll always be standing on the sidelines of life. Living with discontent, never fulfilled.
 
So, draw a deep breath and take the plunge. Who knows?
 
You might even come to enjoy the ride!
 
JohnK 1-30-2023
 
stick man hears about changeOverheard: “The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do”
                                        ~ Steve Jobs
 
 
 
 
Article image by Markus Spiske on Unsplash
 
 
disclaimer for change
 

What Am I Doing with My Life? Tips for Figuring Things Out

December 5, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You’re in charge of your life, but it doesn’t exactly come with an instruction book! Feels like a Rubik’s Cube sometimes. 

It’s a puzzle that GenuLines will do it’s best to help you figure out. 

What Am I Doing with My Life? Tips for Figuring Things Out

Do you often find yourself wondering what you are doing in life? Many people reach a point where they feel they lack direction in their lives.
 
footprints of life
 
 
 
Instead of living life to the fullest, they only go through the motions.
 
If this sounds like you, there are things you can do to help you get out of the rut you’re in. Below, you’ll discover some useful  tips for figuring out what it is you want from life.
 
 
 
 
Consider Your Passions
If you want to know what direction to go in, it’s helpful to think about the things you’re passionate about. The things that motivate and inspire you will change on a frequent basis.
 
For example, what you want today may look very different to what you wanted a few months ago. You change and adapt over time according to your experiences.
 
You want to keep assessing what it is you want.
 
Figuring out the things you’re passionate about will help you to understand where to go next. And what you need to do to get there.
 
Address Your Fears
Even if you know what it is you want to do, you might be stuck in fear. It’s one of our most powerful emotions.
 
Fear can stop you from going after the things you want in life.
 
So, if you’re going to move forward and figure out what it is you’re doing in life, you’re going to need to address your fears.
 
Figure out where the fear is coming from. Then, be willing to work through them so you can stop them controlling your life.
 
Assess Your Current Goals
Do you have any goals you’re working on right now? Chances are, if you aren’t sure what you’re doing in your life, you won’t have any goals to work towards.
 
This can contribute to the problem.
 
You need to set goals to keep motivated and positive. When you have things to work for, it gives you a purpose each day.
 
As you see yourself progressing you’re more motivated to get where you need to be, Make sure you set small, specific goals that are easy to achieve.
 
You Don’t Need To Have It All Figured Out
There will always be doubts and things you want to do better. You don’t have to have it all figured out all the time.
 
In fact, going with the flow can open you to a lot of opportunities you would otherwise miss.
 
Feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing in life can be lonely and frustrating. The above are only some of the things you can do to figure out what it is you want..
 
JohnK 12-5-2022
chiforyourself.com
 
stick man hears about lifeOverheard: “What I do today is important because I am exchanging a day of my life for it”
                                       ~Hugh Mulligan
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for life

Do You Need Mentors?

November 14, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Mentors can help you find your way through life. But how do you go about finding the mentor?

Use these directional guides from GenuLines to better get your bearings.

Do You Need Mentors?

You can’t know everything there is to know about how to get where you want to be in life. While it’s possible to learn the needed skills, this will take time and likely a lot of money.
 
Instead, what if you had someone (or a group of people) who can help guide you to success?
 
A mentor in action
 
 
A mentor is someone who right now is where you want to be. The relationship you have with a mentor can be an official one.
 
Or it can be informal such as following in the footsteps of someone you admire.
 
Mentors have experience and have gone through the growing pains towards success. They will know what kinds of training you may need or skills to develop.

Feedback

Best of all, mentors can provide feedback. They’ll let you know what you’re doing right and wrong during your development.
 
This kind of advice is invaluable.
 
You don’t want a mentor who will hold back. Make sure you give them full permission to be completely honest with you.
 
Most worthwhile mentors will have no problems doing this for you. It may be a hard pill to swallow, but you’ll be better off than having mentors who sugarcoat your progress.
 
That won’t help you in any way.

Matching up

The mentors you choose should have the experience or skills you desire to learn. Be sure to ask lots of questions about what they expect from you and ask what you can expect from them.
 
This expectation is important.
 
Otherwise, you won’t know whether the mentoring relationship is working. Someone you’re considering to mentor you may take issue with these questions.
 
If so, this is a sign they may not be right for you. It can also be more difficult to sever the relationship once it’s begun.

Should you pay for mentors?

It depends on what you currently have available at your disposal. And what you intend to receive from this kind of arrangement.
 
If mentorship is available free of charge then consider going ahead with it. Then again, paying for someone to help you lets you hold them accountable.
 
This is a crucial aspect of mentoring.
 
Without it, you could be spinning your wheels, going nowhere. You don’t want to waste time.
 
The whole reason to take on a mentor is to save time and get you further in your development.
 
JohnK 11-14-2022
 
 
stick man hears about mentorsOverheard: “If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”
                                   ~Isaac Newton
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for mentors
 
 
 
 

What Are You Doing with Your Life? Tips for Figuring It Out 

October 3, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Yo want to make good life choices. But you can’t figure out where to start. 

Get some ideas today from GenuLines and then get going and start mapping it out. 

What Are You Doing with Your Life? Tips for Figuring It Out 

Do you often find yourself wondering what to do with your life? Many people reach a point where they feel they lack direction.
 
Instead of living life to the fullest, they only go through the motions.
 
sign says live life
 
If this sounds like you, there are things you can do to help you get out of the rut. Below, you’ll find some fabulous tips for figuring out what it is you want from life.
 
Consider Your Passions
If you want to know what direction to go in, it’s helpful to think about the things you’re passionate about. The things that motivate and inspire you will change from time to time.
 
For example, what you want today may look very different from what you wanted a few months ago. We change and adapt over time according to our experiences.
 
This means to keep a direction in life, we need to assess what it is we want. Figuring out the things you’re passionate about will help you to understand where to go next.
 
And what you need to do to get there.
 

Address Your Fears

Even if you know what it is you want to do, you might be stuck because of fear. It’s one of our most powerful emotions.
 
Fear can stop you from going after the things you want in life.
 
So, if you’re going to move forward and figure out what it is you must do in life, you’re going to need to address your fears. Figure out where the fear is coming from.
 
Then, be willing to work it them so you can stop it controlling your life.
 

Assess Your Current Goals

Do you have any goals you’re working toward right now? Chances are, if you aren’t sure what you’re doing in your life, you won’t have any goals to work towards.
 
This can exacerbate the problem.
 
You need to set goals to keep you motivated and positive. When you have something to work toward it gives you a purpose each day.
 
You generate more motivation to get you to where you need to be. Make sure you set small, specific goals that are easy to achieve.
 

You Don’t Need To Have It All Figured Out

Nobody has everything in life figured out. There will always be doubts and things you want to do better.
 
In fact, at times going with the flow can present you with a lot of opportunities you would otherwise miss.
 
Feeling like you don’t know what you’re doing in life can be lonely and frustrating. Let the above points help you figure out exactly what you want.
 
JohnK 10-3-2022
 
 
stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans”
                                   ~John Lennon
 
 
 

 

disclaimer for life

What to Do When You Feel Stuck or Trapped in Life

September 26, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You’ve heard the saying “life is tough, then you die.” It’s like you’ve been bound and gagged all your life.

Let GenuLines help you get un-stuck with this look at some countermeasures.

What to Do When You Feel Stuck or Trapped in Life

When you feel stuck or trapped in your life, it becomes almost impossible to be happy. You tend to feel depressed, frustrated and dissatisfied.
 
man trapped by life
 
 
The truth is life is full of ups and downs. There will be times of great change, and times where nothing changes at all.
 
Feeling stuck at some point in your life is normal, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay that way. Here, we’ll look at some of the best things you can do when you feel stuck or trapped in life.

 

 

 

 

Make That Tough Choice

There’s a reason why you feel stuck or trapped in life, and it’s often down to avoiding making a tough decision. For example, if you feel trapped in a job you hate, the tough choice would be to leave that job.
 
If you’re in a relationship that isn’t working, the hard choice would be to walk away.
 
What choice are you avoiding changing? Sometimes, the only way to move forward and be happy is to have the courage to make the difficult decisions.
 
You deserve to be happy, so never be afraid to do what’s right for you, no matter how hard it is.

Begin With Small Changes

Making changes in your life can be overwhelming. So if you want to get out of your current situation, start with small changes. Do this until you feel comfortable and confident that you’re making good decisions.
 
Think about the things you want to change and then figure out the steps you’ll need to get there. Working on change one step at a time prevents it from becoming overwhelming.
 
You’ll see steady progress as you make smaller changes. And you’ll gain the motivation to carry on making bigger ones.

Work On Self-Improvement

How you feel about yourself can hold you back. If you do feel stuck or trapped, could it be due to a lack of confidence or self-belief?
 
Working on self-improvement can help you to view your life in a more positive way. You’ll be able to recognize opportunities.
 
You’ll be more likely to work through any challenges keeping you from your dream life.
 
Think about your current flaws. What can you improve about yourself to be a better person?

Commit To Being Yourself

The problem could be that you aren’t being yourself in life. Many people find they struggle to be themselves around other people.
 
If you’re trying to present a fake version of yourself to others, you’ll never be happy. Only by being your true self will you be able to live a fulfilled and happy life.
 
Feeling stuck or trapped in life is common, but it doesn’t mean you need to stay stuck. The above tips and advice can help you to start moving forward and living the life you deserve.
 
You may feel trapped, but this is an illusion. You know what you need to do.
 
Now build up the courage to do it.
 
JohnK 9-26-2022
 
Stick figure hears about lifeOverheard: “Life isn’t a matter of milestones, but of moments”
                                     ~Rose Kennedy
 
 
 
 
Article image by Zachary DeBottis: https://www.pexels.com/photo/silhuoette-of-a-person-2953863/
 
 
disclaimer for life

What Is Personal Mastery?

September 19, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Your road to personal mastery can be long and winding. And it can be a frustrating process. 

GenuLines has been on this road before, and today we’ll make some of the “stops” along the way. 

What Is Personal Mastery?

Personal mastery is about approaching life in a different way. People sometimes refer to it as a journey towards continuous improvement.
 
Tiger showing mastery
 
 
Certain key principles can guide you. These include vision, purpose, creative tension, and commitment to truth.
 
Add to those an understanding of the subconscious mind.

 

 

Vision

One of the most important fundamental aspects of personal mastery is personal vision. Combine these two and you get a guiding philosophy.
 
This can be your operating system throughout life. Supplement with books, tapes, and courses for continued growth.
 
Personal mastery is about loving yourself and expressing your gifts to the fullest. It’s not about control or limiting yourself.
 
The more you suppress things the tougher it is to overcome them.

Take Responsibility

Personal mastery is self-discipline. It’s about taking responsibility for the direction that your life is going to take.
 
You come to realize that you can do anything with the aide of your skills and talents. Discipline can clarify and deepen your perspective in life.
 
And it can help you develop patience and a healthy view of life.

See The Signs

Personal mastery can actually help you become successful in life. A sign of progress is starting to understand your strengths, talents, and purpose in life.
 
Personal mastery makes you inspired, energized and happy with your life. You start to show a sense of commitment in changing on how people perceive life and the world.
 
Important qualities to include on your journey are integrity, humility, justice, and industry.

A Long Road

Reaching personal mastery has no shortcuts or no quick fixes. The process can take a lifetime.
 
You’ll detach from self-interest or selfishness. You’ll encourage people to care about and serve others.
 
And you’ll see the connections in your surroundings and everything in general as a whole.
 
Proactive behavior is another product of personal mastery. You base your actions and services on maximizing your skills in a creative way.

Summary

Personal mastery guides you to awareness of your beliefs, attitudes and behavioral impacts. It also enables self acceptance, and responsibility for your action, attitude, and thought.
 
It’s living with integrity and purpose. And it’s all tied together with your ideals, standards, and behavior
 
JohnK 9-19-2022
chiforyourself.com
 
 
stick figure hears about masteryOverheard: :”The happiness of a man in this life does not consist in the absence but in the mastery of his passions”
                                    ~ Alfred Lord Tennyson
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for mastery
 
 
 
 

Live Your Best Life: Focus On What Matters Most

August 22, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

You’re living a pretty good life. But there’s room for improvement.

Ratchet things up a bit with this GenuLines look at where you’re putting your focus. 

Live Your Best Life: Focus On What Matters Most

Have you ever noticed how fast our days seem to race by? We wake up, bombarded with an insane amount of things we have to get done.

Then, before you know it, the day’s done. Having the world at your fingertips doesn’t help to slow things down.
 
It only adds to the chaos.
 
Today, I want to focus on what matters most in our lives. That could mean different things for different people.
 
man living life
 
Still, each one of us has certain things we value more than others.
 
So, read ahead to find out how you can live your best life by focusing more on the things that matter.

The Most Important Things in Life

Having status and designer shoes are great and everything. But having them won’t make you any happier or healthier than the average person.
 
Another thing we tend to obsess over is what we don’t have. Sometimes, it becomes our driving force that can lead to negative habits and behavior.
 
Let me ask you this: do you want to live your best life today and every day? This is what you can do:

Identify What Matters the Most to You

First, take a step back and look at your life from a different vantage point. Next, try to dissect each aspect of your life.
 
Which areas should you pay more attention to? Which should you cut back on?
 
To lead a balanced, well-fulfilled life, consider having one, or all, of the following. You might even add a couple of our own to the list.
 
A healthy body and mind
 
Family and friends
 
Money in the bank
 
The drive to always learn new things
 
A place to call home 
 
Realistic goals and a purpose in life
 
So recognize that what matters most in life has nothing to do with material possessions. Better to appreciate what you have.
 
Reconnecting with these things can lead to a better, happier, fuller life. It can also boost creativity and lower stress.
 
It also gives you control over your happiness. This is much better than allowing external factors to affect your inner peace.

Listen and Pay Attention

While it’s important to listen to those close to you in life, it’s much more than that. It’s also about listening to yourself and paying attention to your likes and dislikes.
 
This is a measure of your true worth and how much you love yourself.
 
Self-love requires practice, but it gets easier with time. When you’re at peace with yourself, you love others in a healthy, mature way.
 
The takeaway: Show yourself the same kindness and compassion you show others. When you look in the mirror, focus on the good rather than the bad.
 
Treat yourself to nice things and be happy with who you are.
 

Be in the Present

Too often, we find ourselves regretting the past or worrying about the future. But, what matters the most is the moment we’re living right here and now.
 
Connecting with the world around you makes you appreciate what you have. The more you’re in tune with your ‘present,’ the more you’ll realize how precious life can be.
 
As Earl Nightingale said: “Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Think how very precious the time is you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored.”
 
The takeaway: Being self-aware helps bring tranquility and happiness into your life. In turn, the happier and calmer you are, the more things you’ll find to be thankful for.

Find a Hobby

Hobbies are the things you do for fun in your free time. They can range from knitting to deep-sea diving to jumping from airplanes.
 
Your experiences in life are what make it worth living. They give it meaning and shape the way you see others around you.
 
Doing something you enjoy can be one of the very best stress reducers. You can also use it to push your boundaries a bit and step out of your comfort zone.
 
Sometimes, the idea of doing something new can be terrifying. If this happens to you, recognize your fear.
 
Then, tell yourself it’s okay to be nervous about something new.
 
The takeaway: Live your life. Be eager to try out new experiences. They’re what add fulfillment and richness to your life.

Practice Positive Habits

Identifying positive habits and carrying them out daily brings order to your life. Good habits also result in good physical and mental health.
 
Stay with routine. You can reduce distractions that stand in the way of your accomplishing things.
 
They also help steer you towards making better decisions.
 
Studies show that routines and good habits boost your life, health, and well-being. The trick is to be authentic to your values and beliefs.
 
Let’s be honest, that can be hard to do in this media-frenzy world we’re living in. Yet, having confidence in who you are can help shine the light on what matters most in your life.
 
The takeaway: Your words express your thoughts and, down the line, your actions. Those actions turn into habits, so make sure you stick to enforcing positive habits in your life.
 
Final Thoughts
These five things are some of the ways you can focus on what matters most in your life. At the end of the day, what it boils down to is that to live your best life, you have to focus on certain things over others.
 
Remember, what matters more to you may not be as important to others. So, stay true to your values and hold on to the things you treasure more in life.
 
JohnK 8-22-2022
 
stick figure hears about lifeOverheard:  “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little nameless, unencumbered acts of kindness and of love”
                                              ~Wordsworth
 
 
Article image by Aziz Acharki on Unsplash
 
 

disclaimer for life

How to Develop Lifelong Excellence

July 18, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Targeting excellence in all you do is a wise decision. It’s a target you can reach. 

Keep reading for some GenuLines ideas on how to stay there once you reach it.

How to Develop Lifelong Excellence

Have you ever felt intrigued or even jealous of how some people seem to excel at everything they do? You have to understand that although nobody can be perfect, it is possible to be excellent. 
 
 
A great way to develop excellence is by directing your energy into your projects. As long as you acknowledge that you’re doing your best, you’re excelling. 
 
You can’t sit on the couch and at the same time become an excellent runner. You have to get out there and work on running by putting your best efforts into it. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mastery
Another way to develop excellence is to learn how to master things. This applies to learning new skills, such as how to run a new software program, for example. 
 
You need to commit if you’re going to excel. Before taking on a project or committing to a goal, prepare to commit and follow through with it. 
 
Life is full of challenges
 
These can be the ones that you set for yourself, or they can be the kind that life throws at you. With any challenge you’re going to make mistakes, and there’s nothing you can do to avoid this.
 
What you can do is to learn from your mistakes.
 
Chin Up
When something goes wrong, don’t put yourself down. Instead think of what happened and learn from it. This way you’ll be more prepared the next time. 
 
Another way to challenge yourself is by setting high standards. Don’t feel satisfied with only doing those things that come easy to you.
 
Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone. 
 
To develop lifelong excellence you want to be open to learning. This may include learning from books or by taking courses.
 
But it also includes learning from life and adapting to things as necessary. Be open to becoming a reader of life! 
Know Thyself
Before you can develop your excellence you must understand what you are all about. Do you know what your strengths and weaknesses are? 
 
Developing a lifelong habit of excellence does not happen overnight. You need to be aware of your journey.
 
Take in your surroundings, as well as the people you surround yourself with. 
 
Be open to new experiences and be willing to learn from your mistakes. This will move you in the direction of fulfillment, happiness, and yes, excellence.
 
JohnK 7-18-2022
 
stick man hears about excellenceOverheard: “Excellence is a continuous process and not an accident”
                             ~ A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for excellence

Time Management: Key to a Better Life

May 23, 2022 John Uncategorized No comments

Time can be a merciless tyrant when you let it get the upper hand. But things go much better when you’re the one in charge 

Here are some ideas from GenuLines on how to become master your time. 

Time Management: Key to a Better Life

Time management is pretty much about focus. The Pareto Principle is also known as the ’80:20 Rule.’
 
It tells us that 80% of efforts that are not time managed or focused generate only 20% of the desired output. But 80% of the desired output can result from only 20% of a well time- managed effort.
 
(The ratio ’80:20′ is only arbitrary. It’s used to put emphasis on time management’s effect on gains or losses.)
 
Some look at time management as a list of rules. They can involve scheduling of appointments, goal settings, and thorough planning. It can also include creating to-do lists and prioritizing.
 

man wasting time

 

But There’s More

There are more skills involved in time management than the core basics. You also need to see the big picture.
 
Your efforts are meaningless if you have the wrong goals. Other personal growth must-haves are decision making, clear vision, and critical thinking.
 
Personal time management involves everything you do. No matter how big and no matter how small, everything counts.
 
Take into consideration what you learn, advice you consider, and skills you develop. And make life-style balance the desired result in your personal time management.
 
This is a part of personal time management that many of us overlook.

Stress?

For some people, time management seems stressful. They think it means that they must not ‘waste time’ by doing anything they don’t enjoy.
 
But that’s not it at all. In fact, it can be closer to the opposite.
 
Time management is making time for the things that matter to you, not about being busy.
 
There are six areas of life that personal time management can improve. These are- physical, intellectual, social, career, emotional and spiritual.
 
The physical aspect involves having a healthy body, less stress, and fatigue.
 
The intellectual aspect involves learning and other mental growth activities.
 
The social aspect involves developing personal or intimate relations. Add to that being an active contributor to society. 

Time Management and Choices

The career aspect involves school and work. The emotional aspect involves recognizing appropriate feelings and desires and manifesting them.
 
The spiritual aspect involves a personal quest for meaning.
 
Some of these areas lend themselves well to basic time management skills like to-do lists. But determining which area isn’t getting enough attention is important too.
 
Each one creates the whole you.
 
For Your Consideration
One permanent improvement step to consider is reviewing your goals. This is the case whether it be immediate or long-term goals.
 
A way to do this is to keep a list that is always accessible to you. This is not a to-do list but a list of your goals.
 
You can add to it as you like. Remember, you have goals in all aspects of your life.
 
In fact, everything you do moves you toward one of those goals. Even if it is a goal you did not know that you had. 

Get Physical

Another aspect of time management is recognizing your physical abilities and needs. For example, everybody has peak times of day when their concentration is at its best.
 
For most people, this is around the middle of the morning. Use that period to work toward one of your goals that calls for concentration and sustained effort.
 
It would be wasting that peak time if you spent it sitting and watching TV. Yet sitting and watching TV for an hour in the evening may not be a waste of time at all.
 
It can be a good way to wind down for a restful night’s sleep. You can include most every kind of activity that you enjoy in your day.
 
But make sure it keeps its proper place.

Get To It

It’s important not to procrastinate, or put off the things that need doing right now. If something is your top priority for the day, then get started on it right away.
 
If you start doing other things first it will become harder and harder to tackle the main task. You’ll end up without much achieved.
 
So the night before, decide what will be your top priority for the following day. Then tackle it as soon as you can when the day comes.

Be In The “No”

Learning to say “No” to some people or activities is important if you’re going to make the most of your time. It could mean telling your boss that you’re not the best person to do a certain task.
 
Or that if you do this, you won’t be able to do that more important thing that he also wants from you.
 
It could mean telling your kids that you can only play with them at certain times. It could mean turning down an invitation.
 
Or rescheduling a meeting to make way for something more important.

Remember Your Priorities

None of this will be a problem as long as you make it clear to other people that they’re important to you too. When it’s time for work, you don’t play with the kids.
 
And when it’s time to play with the kids, you give that your full attention.
 
You don’t act in a way that makes them think that you would prefer to be working. Remember, time management does not mean prioritizing your work above all else.
 
It means making room in your life for everything that is important to you.
 
JohnK 5-23-2022
stick figure hears about timeOverheard: “The two most powerful warriors are patience and time”
                               ~Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
 
 
 
 
 
 
disclaimer for time
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