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OCTOBER TOPIC: Not Enough Hours in the Day!
Michelle Bourque
Certified Life and Weight Coach |
OUR EXPERT:
Michelle A. Bourque is a veteran sales professional and Certified Life and Weight Coach. She specializes in helping professional women organize their time in order to gain control of their calendar, find their balance, and eliminate the stress and overwhelm. Michelle has worked in the sales industry for over 20 years, and, for the past 13 years, she has worked for Medtronic, the top medical device company in the world. Her work entails fast-paced sales, patient care, and operating room coverage (where Michelle works with physicians to ensure proper implant procedures). This is not a nine-to-five job, so she personally understands what it is like to feel out of control when it comes to managing time. Since Michelle began implementing the tools she now shares with others, she has not only started a new business as a Life Coach, but she has generated her top revenue grossing years in the corporate world as well. She has gained control of her calendar and has never felt more at peace. Michelle believes time is one of our most valuable assets - for our careers, for our families, and - most importantly - for ourselves. |
I have a hard time winding down after work. My mind is full of all the things I didn't get done during the day, and then I have a hard time focusing on family duties. Any suggestions? ~ Kelsey (CA)
Hi Kelsey,
This happens to so many of us. We have our list of things to do - and we usually have another list of ‘hope to do.’ Throughout the day, we have a number of distractions that pull us away from our list; everyone else becomes a priority, and we tell ourselves we will get to it later.
One of the things that has been a game changer for me is to take 10 to 15 minutes the night before to look at my list and put every single item in a time slot. Plan for RESULTS - not just to do. Write down each item in a specific time slot and for a specific amount of time.
Honor the commitments you put on your calendar. You will be amazed at what your brain can accomplish when you start putting limits on how long you give yourself to complete each task. Initially, you may not know exactly how long every action will take, but you will learn and adjust accordingly.
You should also schedule time in between as 'make-up,' and don’t forget to schedule time for YOU.
It is a different way of thinking, but when you start this process - prioritize, schedule, and complete - you will feel a greater sense of peace at the end of each day. Good luck!
I work from home, and there are so many distractions - packages being dropped off, phone ringing with personal calls, laundry staring me in the face, etc. Having a home office is flexible, but sometimes it's hard to stay focused on my job. Do you have any tips so I can get more done? ~ Renee (VT)
Hi Renee,
You are right! There are so many things that pull for our attention. The key to staying focused is to know the compelling reason why you want to. Take some time to really think about what you are doing in your job. Ask yourself why you are doing it. When you come up with that answer, ask yourself again why that is important. You may even be able to get a level deeper with another why. The reason this is important is because when you see the laundry, and your brain wants to go take care of that, you can remind yourself why you are doing the work you are doing - it has to be a more compelling reason than why you should do the laundry.
Our brain is designed on a motivational triad to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and do it as efficiently as possible. It makes total sense why you might not want to do some tasks in your job; instead, you want to take personal calls or get boxes at the door. Doing the uncomfortable stuff - like sticking to your work - is where all of the amazing growth happens. Your compelling reason ‘why’ will be your key to keep going during those times.
I literally have no time for myself! I have three kids still at home, a stressful job, and issues with my house. I'm a single mom...so there's that. 'Me time' is always last on my list - responsibility first. Is there something I'm missing? How do people do it? ~ Anonymous
Hi Anonymous,
Your question suggests taking care of you is not part of your responsibilities. It has to be your number one priority in order to be able to give to so many other aspects of your life.
As women, many of us have been taught to take care of others first - and often times at the expense of ourselves. We must question that. We must understand we are important - YOU are important. This shift alone is sometimes the most challenging.
Think of the airline analogy: The instructions say to put on your own mask first before helping others. Once you understand your importance, you begin scheduling time for you. Start small and build on it. I promise you that small changes over time will give you the results you're looking for, rather than trying to do one big change overnight.
Try the following: Schedule five minutes a day to just sit by yourself and have some quiet time. Put it on the calendar for a specific time and honor it like it is the most important meeting of the day. It will be. Doing this consistently will build the relationship you have with yourself, and everyone around you will benefit. Try it – it truly is like magic.
Hi Kelsey,
This happens to so many of us. We have our list of things to do - and we usually have another list of ‘hope to do.’ Throughout the day, we have a number of distractions that pull us away from our list; everyone else becomes a priority, and we tell ourselves we will get to it later.
One of the things that has been a game changer for me is to take 10 to 15 minutes the night before to look at my list and put every single item in a time slot. Plan for RESULTS - not just to do. Write down each item in a specific time slot and for a specific amount of time.
Honor the commitments you put on your calendar. You will be amazed at what your brain can accomplish when you start putting limits on how long you give yourself to complete each task. Initially, you may not know exactly how long every action will take, but you will learn and adjust accordingly.
You should also schedule time in between as 'make-up,' and don’t forget to schedule time for YOU.
It is a different way of thinking, but when you start this process - prioritize, schedule, and complete - you will feel a greater sense of peace at the end of each day. Good luck!
I work from home, and there are so many distractions - packages being dropped off, phone ringing with personal calls, laundry staring me in the face, etc. Having a home office is flexible, but sometimes it's hard to stay focused on my job. Do you have any tips so I can get more done? ~ Renee (VT)
Hi Renee,
You are right! There are so many things that pull for our attention. The key to staying focused is to know the compelling reason why you want to. Take some time to really think about what you are doing in your job. Ask yourself why you are doing it. When you come up with that answer, ask yourself again why that is important. You may even be able to get a level deeper with another why. The reason this is important is because when you see the laundry, and your brain wants to go take care of that, you can remind yourself why you are doing the work you are doing - it has to be a more compelling reason than why you should do the laundry.
Our brain is designed on a motivational triad to seek pleasure, avoid pain, and do it as efficiently as possible. It makes total sense why you might not want to do some tasks in your job; instead, you want to take personal calls or get boxes at the door. Doing the uncomfortable stuff - like sticking to your work - is where all of the amazing growth happens. Your compelling reason ‘why’ will be your key to keep going during those times.
I literally have no time for myself! I have three kids still at home, a stressful job, and issues with my house. I'm a single mom...so there's that. 'Me time' is always last on my list - responsibility first. Is there something I'm missing? How do people do it? ~ Anonymous
Hi Anonymous,
Your question suggests taking care of you is not part of your responsibilities. It has to be your number one priority in order to be able to give to so many other aspects of your life.
As women, many of us have been taught to take care of others first - and often times at the expense of ourselves. We must question that. We must understand we are important - YOU are important. This shift alone is sometimes the most challenging.
Think of the airline analogy: The instructions say to put on your own mask first before helping others. Once you understand your importance, you begin scheduling time for you. Start small and build on it. I promise you that small changes over time will give you the results you're looking for, rather than trying to do one big change overnight.
Try the following: Schedule five minutes a day to just sit by yourself and have some quiet time. Put it on the calendar for a specific time and honor it like it is the most important meeting of the day. It will be. Doing this consistently will build the relationship you have with yourself, and everyone around you will benefit. Try it – it truly is like magic.
