Monday, November 13, 2006

TIP: Stop limiting yourself by what you believe.

Ever found yourself saying "I can't do that", and then finding you didn't succeed? More insidious are some other limiting beliefs, such as: "I believe I'm selfish, "I need do things because I need approval", "I'm not not interesting", "I'm shy", " being hard on myself is good for me"...
We all have some limiting beliefs, some people managed theirs out of their lives, others realise they have them and are limited by them, whilst some people don't even realise they have them (and are limited by them).


The subconscious will automatically trigger a limiting belief when it thinks you need protecting! The result, you don't do as well as you hoped, the belief becomes stronger and the subconcious "protects" you even more the next time!!

Limiting beliefs can be changed, first start to recognise them for what they are; list them, along with where you got them from, who gave them to you, how much they cost you and how much better your life would be if you changed that belief. This is the first step to reprogramming the subconscious so you can have useful beliefs to replace them.

Then re-frame your limiting belief, write it down, read it to yourself look for evidence that reinforces your new belief and keep reminding yourself of the new belief.

Last year I needed to change the one that said "I'm too old to leave a secure job and start my own coaching company"; it ended up as "this is the perfect age to change and I bring years of coaching experience from my corporate history with me". The rest is history!

Don't try to solve them all at once, but start looking out for those limiting beliefs and have a great month,

TIP "Time" management

I coach a wide variety of clients on a variety of subjects; many business related (communications being a common theme), often more personal issues (self confidence being a common one).
One topic that frequently comes up is "time management". Firstly, that's a stupid name for it; you can't manage time, only yourself! So from now on be more honest and call it "self management".



"Oh but I've read time management books before", well here are 3 tips, but don't JUST read them, take an action and get back some time.

Have a great month, with more spare time to start getting ready for Christmas!!!

Jon


Procrastination
Putting things off wastes your time, but more importantly your energy and thoughts. Most people I know who procrastinate spend their time thinking and worrying about they’ve not decided on! Then they give themselves a hard time for not deciding.
In the end the crunch time arrives and what you've been procrastinating over will still have to be done. Break that procrastination cycle, save your self time now. You know what you're procrastinating over, make your decision and move on.


"Me" time
Periodically you need to step back, evaluate and re- energise yourself to be effective. I know many people that 'try' to do more and more, thinking they're using their time better; the result is normally becoming less productive and not working on what's most important.
You waste time when you keep doing, doing, doing, without time for just being and listening to your inner wisdom. Just take just 5 minutes each day, sit and do nothing, allow your unconscious mind to help you. You CAN find 5 minutes, it will save you time.


De-clutter your life
Clutter zaps your energy and leaves you less able to work effectively; and it wastes time as you try to sort it.
I know several people who look through the same clutter time and again. It’s a distraction; anything that distracts isn’t an effective way to spend your time. De-cluttering will give you back time.
Take 30 seconds, list down 5 things that are cluttering your life either physically or mentally. Choose the one that is the easiest to deal with, decide how you'll deal with it and by when, write it down and then put that plan into action.


I CHALLENGE YOU...

Now you have some more clarity about the time wasters in your life, you can make a choice about what, if anything, you want to do about them. Without action nothing will change; if you eliminate the time wasters you've identified today you will gain time.
My challenge to you today is to pick one specific thing and then define the specific action you're going to take today to start getting back your time.
If you want the other 5 top self management tips, email me and I'll send them to you; but get started on saving you time, today.