Rocks in Your Time Jar

Time is NOT money. When you run out of money, there is always a few ways to generate more. When you run out of time as Bugs Bunny says, "That's all folks."

Ever reach the end of your day ready to put on you pajamas and discover that you really have not accomplished anything worth while all day? Ever face yourself in the mirror as you brush your teeth before bedtime and realize that you wasted your time all day?

You cleaned your desk, fiddled with papers, answered emails and surfed the web but did not do one concrete action to move your life and your business forward. Ever vow not to continue that nonproductive activity only to discover you did it again the next day? What did you do to change the pattern of activity? Nothing? "Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again but expecting a different result," said Einstein.

Resolve right now to make tomorrow not only different, but better. Tonight before you turn out the light and drift off to slumber land, write a list of five action items to complete tomorrow. These are your top 5 priorities for tomorrow.

Next write a list of the 5 next most important activities; these are the secondary tasks. The fine pebbles and grains of sand drift in last.

Every life encounters various size rocks. In "Rocks of Life" I wrote about the big rock in the field of our life. In "Attitude Rocks" I wrote about the importance of your attitude in every situation. "Grains of Sand" talks about the minor irritations in life which polish us into fine gems. The time has come for the rocks to be assembled in the jar of your life.

Set your priorities. What are the biggest and most important elements of your life? Is your family your primary importance? In this time of severe economic challenge, for some of you it may be earning a larger income, and for others it may be a physical or academic goal. Clearly define the five most important rocks; these major elements must consume the primary time block of your day. These are the 5 action items which you determined were the top priorities for the day. Put these large rocks in your life jar first.

Second what things would you like to do, time permitting? Community activities, social activities, and entertainment are the secondary time commitments. You set your own priorities and schedule your time accordingly. Secondary "to do" items must only be tackled after all 5 of the major "top priority" items are completely finished. No fair starting things, putting them down, picking them up and putting them down. Handling things does not count, only finishing counts. Only after the five major items are cleared and checked off the list can you even look at the second list of five. These medium sized rocks occupy the next layer in your life jar.

The top layer becomes the small pebbles and grains of sand. These are interesting and nice but not as critical to your success and peace of mind. These incidental activities drift in and around the major and secondary tasks. Trips to the kitchen for a cup of coffee and a meal are little pebbles in your day; important but certainly not instrumental in moving your business forward.

You only have 24 hours every day in your time jar. Fill the jar with the significant rocks of life first. Prioritize your day to be absolutely certain you block time for income producing activities first. Clarify your priorities and refine them into their significance within your life and your day.

One way to do this is to say to yourself, "If I were leaving town for a month tomorrow, what is the one thing that I must do before I leave?" If I have time for one more, what would it be? Repeat the process until you have your five biggies. The next five are important but absolutely secondary to the first five. No mixing and mingling. Top 5 first and then the next 5.

Layer the rocks in your time jar carefully. Unless you put the big rocks in first, there will never be room for them. Rocks are important regardless of whether they are hurdles in life or priorities to be accomplished. Attention to the rocks in your life creates success.

Setting Priorities

Life contains a series of choices. Each and every choice we make reflects our priorities.

When the phone rings, some people look at the caller identification and decide whether to answer or allow the answering machine to take it. I have even known many people in the home based business industry to proudly acclaim that they do not answer their own telephone. Unfortunately most Americans and probably other countries as well, become so involved with their daily lives that personal communication falls off the priority list.

It is easier and faster to dash off a quick email rather than write a personal note. Yes, it takes a few more minutes to hand write a note, place it in an envelope, address the envelope, stamp it and walk it out to the mail box. How do you feel when you receive and email? How do you feel when you receive a hand written note? The note feels so much more personal than the email. Granted, an email provides more value and immediate response than the “intend to get around to writing the note procrastination” response. An email therefore provides more than intending to write the note but not doing it.

Everything comes down to our priorities. Ask most people what they value most and the response centers around friends and family. Caring about people constitutes an excellent priority. Be honest with yourself. Look carefully at your daily calendar. What do you see on the entries in that day timer? Are the entries truly reflecting the priorities you declare?

Your day timer, whether it be electronic or hand written, reflects where you schedule your time. Do you block off time for your children’s activities? Do you block off time for “date night” with your spouse or significant other? Do you block off time for community and spiritual events? If we are truly honest with ourselves and others, we will probably have to admit that our calendars reflect business. Our priorities in writing do not reflect the same priorities which we state verbally. Examine your life. Examine your priorities. Play the match game.

Truly, I am guilty of working far too much and not scheduling my “play” time. Whenever my son calls and even hints that I may have an opportunity to see him and see my grandsons, I jump at the chance. I am guilty of not scheduling that time on a frequent basis. Family time by unscheduled opportunity does not equal family time scheduled as a priority in my daily life. How about you?

We all use the same “I am working hard to provide for my family” excuse. Yes, providing for the family motivates most of us. Providing material necessities and comforts represents only part of our responsibility. The element which seems to slip on the priority list is the emotional component.

A group of junior high youth was asked about their greatest desire in life. One twelve year old young man wrote that his parents give him every material possession he desires. His friends consider him very fortunate to have such generous parents. He stated his greatest desire as receiving more of his parent’s time and less of their money.

Ouch! How many of us does that provide an eye opening realization? Our responsibility as parents constitutes more than material provision for our family. We also have a mental, emotional and quality time responsibility. Perhaps our priorities are a bit askew.

Examine your priorities. Look honestly at your entire day, week, month and annual calendar. What priorities are reflected on your calendar? Where is your time scheduled?

Self-examination may not be fun; however, examining life objectively does reflect our true priorities. Good news. Today begins a new day. If your written priorities do not match your stated priorities, you have the ability to make changes until they do match.

For more inspiration, thought provoking ideas and opportunities to step up your game of life, join me at www.Elaine4Success.com. Let me assist you in creating the life of your dreams. Achieve your goals. Live your true priorities.