time management

Unraveling the Tapestry of Ultra-Busy Lives: A Coaching Perspective

 in quote  tagged busyness / coach / coaching / delegation / quote / support systems / time management / ultra-busy
A drawing of a tidy work desk with folders etc neatly arranged on shelves. An empty chair is pushed in under the desk. Behind the desj is a graph where the trend is generally upwards and 5 round clock faces all showing different times. The text reads: "Perhaps, after all, there is something in the theory that only the ultra-busy can find time for everything." (James Agate)

Today’s quote of the day:

“Perhaps, after all, there is something in the theory that only the ultra-busy can find time for everything.” (James Agate)

As coaches, this quote invites us to explore the intricate balance between managing a myriad of tasks and finding time for personal growth and development. Let’s unravel the layers of this thought-provoking statement and consider its implications for our coaching practice.

Coaching the Ultra-Busy:

If you have a coaching niche, you might find yourself working with individuals who juggle a multitude of responsibilities yet somehow manage to carve out time for their own development. On the flip side, some clients may come to you precisely because they feel they don’t have enough time, and they seek support in navigating the complexities of their busy lives.

Then there is the aspect of you as a business owner – are you trying to juggle everything yourself? Is that a conscious choice or because you think it is how it “should” be done?

Support Systems and Delegation:

From my observations those who consider themselves ultra-busy often have support teams and systems in place. This is a crucial aspect to ponder as coaches. Are our clients thriving in their busyness because they have effective support structures, or are they struggling to manage everything on their own? Exploring this dynamic can uncover opportunities for coaching interventions. I find that sometimes cclients will be very open about if they are struggling, whilst others may feel a sense of shame and not be as open to admitting that – to themselves as much as to you, especially if you are in the early stages of your coaching relationship.

The Illusion of Busyness:

Another facet illuminated by the quote is the illusion of busyness. Some individuals who perceive themselves as ultra-busy may spend a considerable amount of time in mental gymnastics—trying to work things out in their heads. The repetitiveness of this internal struggle can become a barrier to progress and growth. As coaches, we have the opportunity to guide clients towards more effective and sustainable approaches to time management and decision-making. Not to mention freeing on mental space to access their own wisdom rather than constantly worrying at a specific issue like a dog with a bone.

Recognizing Human Limits:

While the ultra-busy may seem superhuman in their ability to manage multiple tasks, it’s essential to remember that even they have human limitations. The quote serves as a gentle reminder that there’s a threshold beyond which adding more to an already brimming schedule can lead to dropping whatever is being juggled. Exploring this with clients fosters a realistic and sustainable approach to personal and professional commitments.

Reflecting on Your Practice:

As a coach, reflect on how this quote resonates with your coaching practice. How do you navigate the complexities of working with clients who perceive themselves as ultra-busy? If a client shared this perspective during a coaching session, how would you respond? What insights can you extract from this quote to enhance your coaching approach and support clients in optimizing their time and energy? Is this post and quote a nudge to look at something around your coaching business that

Join the Conversation:

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Do you resonate with this perspective on ultra-busy lives? Why or why not? Let’s engage in a meaningful conversation and uncover valuable insights that can enrich our coaching practice in the ever-evolving landscape of busy lives.

About Jen Waller

Jen Waller

Jen Waller is on a mission to support, nurture and encourage coaching skills and talents from non-coach to coach and beyond.

As an experienced coach and trainer Jen is happy to utilise all skills at her disposal to assist clients from getting out of their own way and making a difference in the world with their coaching. Find out more about the support Jen provides here.

5 Productivity Habits That Will Help You Get More Done

 in Guest Post  tagged get things done / how to be more productive / productivity habits / Shawn Lim / time blocking / time management

As coaches you may be encouraging your clients to use some/all of the habits Shawn Lim shares in today’s guest post, but are you remembering to use them yourself?

5 Productivity Habits That Will Help You Get More Done

By Shawn Lim

"5 Productivity Habits That Will Help You Get More Done" by Shawn Lim

Want to learn how to be more productive and get more done? This is exactly what you will discover in this article. Most people are having a hard time trying to dig more time to get more of their tasks done, unfortunately, having more time does not equals to being more productive.

Some people spend 20 hours and get nothing done, while some people spend 5 hours and get a lot of things done. It depends on how you use your time and how you manage yourself.

Here are the 5 productive habits that will help you get more done. Use these techniques wisely and adopt them as your habit…

1. Nothing Beats Planning

If you want to get more done, you definitely have to plan for your day. When you did not plan for your day, you will go through your day in reactive mood. Doing whatever comes to you instead of being proactive and getting things done.

Most people find it difficult to plan. Planning can be as easy as writing down 3 or 5 most important tasks before you start your day and get them done as soon as your day started.

2. Use Productive Language

Do you know that your language, the words that you use and the way you talk to yourself can affect your productivity? When you need to get something done, notice what is the first thought that comes into your mind? Is it, “Gosh, this is too much and I just can’t get it done in time.”

If you think about it this way, you will never be productive. Next time, try to adopt this thinking, “what is the one thing that I can get done within 10 minutes to settle this task?” When you think it this way, you automatically focus into small chunks of work you can do within 10 minutes and get it done straight away.

3. Time Blocking

Time blocking is one of the most powerful techniques about productivity that anyone can leverage on. Simply time block your calendar or your day-to-day schedule for the task you want to get done and do it when the time comes.

For example, when you write down you wanted to call 20 clients from 10am to 11am that is exactly what you are going to do. No excuse and you will not do other things except that. That 1 hour time slot is for you to call your clients. This is what it means by time blocking.

4. Undivided Focus

Forget about multitasking, it is not a great method to get more things done; instead, it will drag you down and slow you down. A lot of people thought that multitasking is the way to go, but in fact, it is not a good strategy to be productive.

You will only be more productive when you are in the flow and when you tap into your potential to do things naturally. However, if you multitask, your mind will switch from task to task, from one thought to another thought, back and forth. This will slow down your creativity and break your flow.

5. First Thing First

Do the most important thing first when you start your day. Pareto Rule says that 80% of your work contributes to 20% of your result and vice versa. Therefore, the first thing you need to get done once you started your day is to do the 20% work that will give you 80% of the results.

When you get your most important task done early in the morning, you will feel more accomplished and you will feel satisfy. And when you feel satisfy, your confident will boost and you will be able to get more done since you have got the momentum going.

These are the 5 productivity habits that will help you get more done. Remember, you need to focus in your task and put in 100% of your concentration if you want to be in the flow. Plan your day either the day before or early in the morning before you start you day.

More importantly, think and talk to yourself in a productive and positive way. Use time block to stay focused and do the most important task first.

About Shawn Lim

Shawn Lim is the founder of Stunning Motivation. He has more than 7 years of experience in the personal development industry and has helped countless hungry seekers to achieve outstanding success in life.

To learn more about him, visit www.StunningMotivation.com now.

Article Source:  5 Productivity Habits That Will Help You Get More Done

Ezinearticles expert page: Shawn Lim

Coaches Need Coaches Too

 in Guest Post  tagged Angus MacLennan / business coach / business coaching / Business Essentials / business plan / charging / client / clients / coach / coaches / coaching / coaching courses / coaching entrepeneurs / coaching qualifications / coaching skills / coaching techniques / coaching the coach / coaching training / executive coach / financials / leadership coaching / life coach / life coaches / life coaching / marketing plan / message / nlp coach / performance coaching / personal coach / personal development / successful coaching business / time management

In this week’s guest post Angus MacLennan shares his expertise and thoughts about what a coach should have if they want to succeed.

Angus is also offering a special offer to readers of Coaching Confidence, the coaching blog. You’ll find the details at the bottom of this page for you to read after this post.

Coaches Need Coaches Too

By Angus MacLennan

Every coach should have a coach if they want to succeed! I have a coach and I have coached many coaches over the last few years. Coaches who were great at helping their clients get the results they need but not so good at making a living from coaching. The reasons tend to be the same – they need help with what I call the Business Essentials.

Some of the basics that need to be covered in any coaching business are:

  • Clear Message – have a clear and concise message.

Many coaches try to be all things to everyone they meet. You need to have a good answer when someone asks you what you do and you need to get it across quickly. I recommend you have a niche and know how to pitch to them – across social media and face to face. If you can’t explain your offering and how to buy it in four points then you are overly complicating it. Keep it simple and interesting and people will want to know more.

  • Business Plan – without a plan you are guaranteed to struggle.

Keep it simple. A one page plan is a good place to start. Make sure you answer all the questions you need to in that one page and you will know where your business is going and what you need to do to get there.

  • Marketing Plan – you need a marketing plan to succeed.

Coaches who want to be successful need to create a plan and work it consistently. Something simple is what I recommend. If it is longer than one A4 page then you are going into too much detail. It should cover online media, networking, referrals, direct marketing, newsletters and advertising. Focus on where your target market “hangs out”. Remember that action gets results and massive action gets massive results.

  • Financials – always be on top of your incomings and outgoings.

Have a simple schedule to invoice and a procedure to follow up with anyone who pays late. I personally ask all my clients to set up their retainer payments by Standing Order payable at the beginning of the month. Charge fees that reflect the actual cost of doing business. The money you charge for one hour actually pays for the many hours you put into the client including your preparation time and follow up time.

  • Time Management – manage your time or it will manage you.

If you are not getting the results you want then go back to basics. Have a prioritised To Do List, SMART 90 day goals and make sure you manage your interruptions. I recommend the Spinning Plates Process. It’s a great process to get your business and life under your control. Create a weekly schedule that includes all the key results areas in your business and then stick to the plan until you start seeing the results.

Running a successful coaching business is not easy but it can be simple. Focus on the Business Essentials and make sure you have someone to hold you to account and you will get the results you deserve. Get yourself a coach!

For an introductory Coaching Session follow the short link http://bit.ly/bLrhrM

Have a great day.

Angus MacLennan

About the Author/Further Resources

My name is Angus MacLennan and I am a Business Coach who gets results with motivated Entrepreneurs and SME Business Owners by providing practical no-nonsense support.

I enjoy writing articles about Business Growth and Development and I am lucky enough to be published in the UK, USA and Australia and to have my work incorporated into multiple training and support programmes.

My mission is to deliver a quality service to help every client develop their business and enable them to have the work/life balance they want.

Over the past 7 years I have had hundreds of hours experience coaching business owners across three continents.

I am a Master Practitioner of NLP, a Master Results Coach and have a Degree in Industrial/Organisational Psychology and a Post Grad Dip in Personnel Management.

Special Offer

Angus is happily setting aside time for anyone who comes via here for an Introductory Coaching Session. He will also give 3 readers 1/3 off his 3 month program if they sign up before the 8th July.

Get Everything Done and Still Have Time to Play

 in books / Resource  tagged coaches / coaching / get everything done and still have time to play / mark forster / resources / time / time management

Get Everything Done and Still Have Time to Play [Amazon.co.uk link]
Get Everything Done: And Still Have Time to Play [Amazon.com link]

If you feeling pressured with having too much to do in too little time you’ll be relieved to find that this book by Mark Forster is not only easy to read and is full of down to earth and common sense.

This is also NOT a time management book that is the size of a phone book! It is a short read so that you can start applying the content to your life to make a difference to your time crisis.