Escaping Mediocrity

Chelsea great post. I use time blocking everyday and recommend to everyone. My faulty pattern is sometimes being stuck in my head. I will start to outsource to help combat this issue. Thanks Sarah for implementing 28 days.

I am raising my hand ~ not so good on the outsourcing thing. Thank you, Chelsea, for the reminder. And today, and tomorrow, and continuing… time is blocked… reason for celebration! YAY!

This has to be one of my biggest challenges. I have been trying to block time for tasks the last couple of weeks and have noticed an increase in my productivity, but I still slip. How many days does it take to form a new habit? My problem is that I love the “social” side of social networking and enjoy chatting and helping friends get their sh*t done then mine falls through the cracks. With all I have going on, I really can’t afford to let time slip by.

I think this in combination with Mark’s post yesterday about doing less is the key for me this year. Now to write everything down to see what gets erased.

I do well at this in fits and starts. I block time and work well for a bit, then find myself overbooked and falling off course. Then I get back on track. The problem comes when I start to transfer tasks and responsibilities to others. Either I’m underestimating the amount of time it takes to transfer these issues (because I’m used to doing them myself and know how long it takes ME to do them), or the people I’m delegating to are the wrong people.
Maybe a little of both.
I DO know that when I kept an activity log it was MUCH easier for me to see what exactly I needed to delegate. I share that tip with my own clients, too, because it works so well. But if I could figure out what my sticking point is in getting things FULLY off my plate, life would be grand. Suggestions, as always, are welcome.

Great post Chelsea. I am a VA and often do the type of tasks you mention for clients. When it is client work I am extremely focused and work very quickly and deliberately — after all, my clients are paying me by the hour and they deserve nothing less. The problem is when I do those same tasks for my own business I am easily distracted. I have found time blocking a very effective tool but have also taken the radical step this year to outsource some of those tasks for my own business — yes, the VA has hired a VA. It is the same reason that it is easier to clean out a friend’s closet than to clean your own. Things that are straight forward tasks to someone else can trigger all kinds of *oh look, squirrel!!!* reactions for me and I find myself working on something entirely different than intended.

Guilty here I been a Hamster spinning my wheels for way to long. My sh*t list was looking all fancy schmancy – like you say I had my dreams – vision and creativity all loaded up ready to rock and roll. The hill I was looking up was to me looking steep and scary. But I was ready!! O’boy was I ready.. Until someone told to start climbing you need to take ACTION.. Now why in the world did I start feel like and elephant facing a mice, it was the scariest mountain I ever seen.

ACTION was just like BUDGET – one of the scariest words we find in the dictionary.

And the funky part is that I really know what I need to do to do it. And still ACTION looks more like NO REACTION.

So I have to started to ask myself ‘What kind of response can I do today towards my sh*t list that will make a difference?’ – RESPONSE is a word that speaks to me. I am no longer dizzy spinning the wheel. But starting to get it all together.

Thanks for implementing this info into my sh*t list

Cheers.. Are

Oh Jeez. I knew there was a catch to this program. Now you actually want me to get up and DO SOMETHING???! What a slave driver you are Chelsea.

I have a ton of stuff on my plate right now. I’m a programmer by skill and an encourager by heart. So I’m planning out a blog that will allow me to be an encourager, and working on my first Mac app. So I’m having to learn a whole new set of programming skills. If I look at that mountain as a whole, I can get really overwhelmed. And I was until a few weeks ago when I listened to a lecture on productivity by a real estate consultant. He gave me a technique that really helped me a great deal.

He called it the 50-20-50 technique. He said you pick the most important item you need to work on for the day. Then you set a timer for 50 minutes. You focus completely on that task for 50 minutes (meaning turn off the email, social media, TV, phone etc.). When the timer goes off, you immediately reset it for 20 minutes and take a total break from what you are doing. Go get a cup of coffee, read, take a walk or whatever you need to do to break and renew. When the timer goes off, immediately reset it for 50 minutes and go back to solely focusing on the task you were working on.

You get the idea. I started implementing this a couple of weeks ago, and I’ve been blown away at the amount of work I’ve gotten done. I’ve read through a bunch of programming material that I thought I’d *never* get through, and now I’m moving on to actually begin the design of my Mac app. I didn’t think I’d ever get here, but the technique really worked for me.

So, Chelsea, I thought I’d share that as a testimony of how blocking out time for focusing your activity really does work and is really important. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us.

As an advisor to college students, I often ask those students who do well how they do it. I mean the type of student who is taking 20+ units and is the president of a few clubs, works in a research lab, spends quality time with their family and friends and gets A’s. The answer is 99% time the same, they create a schedule and stick to it like glue! They plan out everything they want to accomplish and when they are going to accomplish it and then DO IT. They succeed because they’ve used a tool that allows them to do so. #2 and #3 are two items I’ll be using more in my work with the non-profit I’m involved in. Accountability partner is something that the director and I tend to do with each other in spurts and short starts. If we commit to doing this more we’ll see more results – I’m sure. Outsourcing would be a great way to get more volunteers involved who want to work with us but don’t have much time. One volunteer could be in charge of one event or one social site, etc. That way we aren’t all doing everything and then nothing gets done. Wonderful reminders and a great kick to go DO IT.

I try to block off my time as much as possible, but a lot of my work is pretty constantly changing priority (at least in client’s eyes) and I am not great yet at setting boundaries around that. So, when I get a panicked email I usually respond as quickly as possible, even if it messes up the rest of my day.

I also have a tendency to allow projects to get drawn out too long. I need to get better at timelines and sticking to them so that a one month project isn’t drawn out for three months.

The outsourcing is a tough one for me as I find that the VA/OBM/help get shit done market has been increasing their prices quite a bit over the past year. So, the tasks I need to outsource, I don’t actually bill out enough for those to pay someone and not break even or even take a loss. I am currently switching gears and thinking of heading to my local high school to see if I can’t get some help for some of my “should be delegated” tasks there.

I do agree though, that those tasks drain energy that could be much better used elsewhere. That low level task list just stares at me some days, and I lose all focus.

Jeremie

Outsourcing is a very interesting topic. At first blush I thought that what I do would not lend itself at all to outsourcing. BUT…. I started thinking about how I just don’t want to take the time to learn WordPress so I can launch my own sites. Well why not outsource that? If my time needs to be utilized elsewhere, and it is that important that I get the sites up that I want, then it may very well be worth the actual cost.

Very thought-provoking. Thanks!

Wow! What a fabulous post Chelsea. Sometimes we don’t spend OUR important and precious time on the things that we are GOOD at..instead doing the things that take up all of our time. It is time to get SH*T done and make it happen. Inspiring.. Thank you

Chelsea,

I’m definitely going to try time blocking. It’s hard to stay on task, so I think I’ll start small and make time blocks of only 30 min-1hr each. If I start getting bored of something or just can’t get in the flow, I tend to start looking for distractions. And, I am easily distracted! Hahahaa!

As far as outsourcing tasks, I highly, highly recommend it. I have a virtual assistant that handles all the stuff that I personally don’t need to do. You just have to make sure you give clear instructions of what you want, how long it should take and what you want the final outcome/product to be. Makes life a whole hell of a lot easier and let’s me focus on what matters.

Great, great tips on getting things done!

Hey, Chelsea!

Thanks for this great post. Expect no less from you. Yep, stuck in my head — stuck, stuck, stuck. I do peek out every so often but not enough to turn my ideas into cold hard cash — or even cold bronze pennies.

I definitely get distracted, easily distracted. I like the idea of time blocking but do still tend to get distracted. So here’s what I’ve thought about trying:

Block the time, know the task, and save that block of time to work on that task and ONLY that task, meaning working on that one task, allotted for that time, is the ONLY thing I have permission to do with that time. So I get to choose. I work on the stated task or I do nothing. I can’t check email or Facebook or Twitter or empty the dishwasher or walk the dog or make that phone call or, for that matter, do anything else that might be productive for my business.

It seems a little crazy but I have GOT to learn how to focus even when it is on something that is challenging or scary or just plain boring. And if I allow myself even to do some other something that is productive for my business, I am allowing myself to get distracted and be scattered, hence still not giving anything the focused attention it deserves and requires. (If, that is, I want to get to and consistently stay in the place that generates that cold hard cash part, which is the goal of a business, after all.)

Does that make sense?

Shannon

Great tips. I struggle with #1, but do it. I have accountability partners–yay. Also set up time with people to be on the phone live but working on whatever each of us needs to work on–greatly helps me with #1. Outsourcing to come…

I am without a doubt 100% terrible at everything that you suggest. Other than at work, I don’t use time management, I’d prefer to do everything myself, and I’d much rather not have to consult an outsider/outsourcer if at all possible.

I’m too stubborn, also.

Its probably why I don’t have my own business right now. But, I like it this way, truthfully. My day on the clock is so regimented and planned down to the minute by someone else, so when I’m off the clock, I just wanna do my own thing.

At first read, “Hire an accountability partner” sounded like “oh, ask the wife or my best friend to help.” But, yeah, a few moments of thought cleared that up.
(Wonder why Project Managers don’t freelance this way…?)

And, Outsource, eh? The Vitruvian Man within (who often conspires w/ my arrogant side) balks at that idea, but there are people who are better at X than me, and X really doesn’t interest me anyway.

Good stuff! Yeah, gotta do the shmit to get my shmit together… OK, gonna go do now.
Thanks Chelsea!

Great post. Accountability is important whether to yourself or to someone else. One of my favorite mentors reminds her tribe that you should plan your schedule the night before (be the employer) and then the next day work that plan (as an employee). Respect and honor your schedule just as you would respect and honor someone else’s.

Thanks again.

Hello Chelsea,

Great ideas and thank you for sharing them. There is a small circle of close friends and associates that I have named to my own personal board of directors. We each, in turn, sit on each other’s boards. We meet regularly to discuss each other’s progress, and it’s been a great way to keep all of us accountable for what it is we claim we are going to do. We challenge each other and don’t allow any of us to make excuses. We push each other, coach each other, and inspire each other. I highly recommend an accountability figure or figures.

Thank you for your efforts in creating and sharing your gift!

Peter

Right on, Chelsea. I’ve been doing pretty good with #1 lately, but I can certainly improve. The first part of my day is nicely blocked off for writing, checking Hootsuite, and checking email. I need to start including the other stuff though, but this has been a great start.

Regarding #3, I’ve been toying with the idea of outsourcing some of the *stuff* I find is on my plate that I really don’t want to deal with. Honestly, one of the areas that I want to streamline is the consumption of industry news. I’m subscribed to a bunch of email lists, blogs, etc., and wading through it all to get to the good stuff is time consuming. It would be worth it to me to hire someone to surface the most important articles so that I could read only the ones that are pertinent to my business and the work that I am doing.

And, I’ll go ahead and say it – #2 frightens me! Yep, I’m chicken. lol

Thanks for the tips!

Chelsea,

You are, in a word, a genius.

If I have no problem paying someone to sweep my chimney and repair my fireplace, why would it be problematic to hire someone to do all the things re: my business that I – a) Am not trained to do. b) Do not want to do. And, c) Don’t get paid to do?

Genius. Period!

Blocking time seems to be the key thing to do in order to get more productive. I’ve tried to set up a schedule and stick to it since last Friday. Well, I did it every now and then before that but since Friday I’ve been really aware of it. I successfully used Gini’s tips and turned off my email alerts and kept social media to a minimum (three short time blocks a day). Getting up early to have time to read and write before everyone else is up and running has been a challenge as I worked late every day and was simply too tired.

One hurdle for me with the time blocks is that my boss usually teleworks and we keep in touch over phone and email. If I ignore the phone I feel guilty; if I have my boss on the phone it can suck up two hours. What would be a good way to deal with this? I feel like I can’t cut off my boss on the phone but on the other hand it’s often not very productive. Any advice would be very welcome.

I see this and the previous post as compliments to each other. Do everything you can to maximize personal productivity, but understand that even so, life can intercede. Thank you Chelsea.

Didn’t block of my time to read this post yesterday…LOL!… so I’m a day late.

And that’s it for me… really creating a plan, blocking time and then sticking to it… that’s what I’m taking on right now and challenging myself to get a LOT better at. Things in life have shown up that are really forcing me to do this… so this post is perfectly timed.

I also like the idea of creating that list of everything I do… so I can begin to see places I might want to outsource in the future. But first it’s for me to better use the time I have. Thanks Chelsea!

Yes, wow! This topic is like one of the comments I made on an earlier day: Always planning, never doing. (well, STOP IT & get focused & moving forward!)

Great post Chelsea thanks for sharing your tips. I have to admit though I’m pretty pants at sticking to doing just what I’m supposed to be doing when I block out time, I really can procrastinate for England!

Similarly having an accountability partner works to a certain degree but I’ve yet to meet anyone in my life that scares me shitless enough for me to completely keep my word, even when it’s nothing more than just a promise to myself. I think the problem there is that I generally manage to get a fare share more done than most so I just end up disappointing no one but myself. 

And as far as outsourcing goes I am so definitely up for it but funnily enough my bank balance kinda says otherwise. A bit of a chicken and egg situation. No funds to pay to get the things done by an expert that would help me earn enough money to pay for outsourcing – if that makes sense. Lol!

But hey I’m pretty happy with my lot at the minute, I’m happy, things are starting to get stable money wise, things are moving forward, and my business Sh*t is coming together albeit a little slower than I’d like but hey moving forward nonetheless. And of course thanks to the lovely Ms. Robinson here and the gentle kick in the backside and nudge in the ribs almost everyday from you guys I have every faith things are gonna work out just fine eventually. : )

Thanks again Hun, looking forward to checking out more of your sh*t! Hee hee.
Best wishes,
Always. 
Zoe

Blocking off my time is the HARDEST thing for me… I always get lost in surfing or daydreaming or.. or… or…

I’ve often thought that having a partner to do the stuff that I find hard to do would be the best thing… doing it is something else – gotta find that right person!