How to focus and accomplish things?

[sparklefairy]

I have important things to do and have no external deadlines. Not a good fit for me, but that's how things are right now. So what are your ways of focusing on things when you have to be your own boss?

Thanks in advance.

[anon_abroad]

It depends if these are material things or spiritual things.

You can make your own deadline for material things by sitting down and listing what needs to be done to get from A to B: example, re-do bathroom 1) look at magazines, etc and make list of what you would like bathroom to have; 2) contact a contractor/arhcitect for feasibility; 3) permits from city hall; 4) funding, how will you pay for it; 5) at this point you will start seeing deadlines coming in from contractors/cityhall/bank...and will have an idea of where you're at and what your timeline looks like.

Spiritual 'dealines': can't really say 'I will be healed by Christmas', or whatever, but some things like 1) having a conversation with someone that you've been putting off can be 'scheduled' (you can say, by the end of September I want to sort things out with so-and-so); 2) you can start making/implementing changes (ex. no more gossiping, etc).

I kinda' get what you mean, but as you are 'your own boss' you can also invent your own dealines and back up the deadline with a reason, like, it would save you money or time, or it is required by regulation,..

Hugs

[sparklefairy]

This is more paperworky stuff right now.

Today, I am choosing something, setting a timer, and working on it until the timer sounds.
 

[Linda on the move]

I use a timer, too.

I make a list, estimate a time for each, then use the timer. I only plan 1 hour at a go, and then give myself a break, drink of water, etc, then I plan the next hour. The less I want to do something, the smaller increments I need to break it into.
 

[ElsieLC]

I have been wondering about this, too. Lately I've had good luck framing things in terms of the weather or the season (the weather's good today, so it's the best day to mow the lawn), but they're not "paperworky" things (love that term!).
 

[pek64]

How do handle making a phone call that you're nervous or worried about? I usually wait until it can't be put off any longer, then it *does* go badly, because the other person is annoyed that I waited so long.

[Danu78]

Google 'Getting Things Done' - it's a book that worked wonders for me and my productivity... Maybe you can get some hints from there.

My trick for dealing with uncomfortable phone calls (and I LOATHE uncomfortable phone calls): I write myself a reminder, but not on a small yellow post-it, but on a letter-sized piece of paper and I use bright markers, and then put that reminder (or more of them) on a door or wardrobe or in front of the toilet seat... Anywhere, where it would annoy me more than the actual phone call. It actually works :-)

[pek64]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Linda on the move]

Originally Posted by pek64 

How do handle making a phone call that you're nervous or worried about? I usually wait until it can't be put off any longer, then it *does* go badly, because the other person is annoyed that I waited so long.

I would only do one such phone call per day and I would give myself a reward afterwards. Something like a nice cup of hot tea and a half hour reading with NO GUILT!!!

[artekah]

Speaking of books, "Eat That Frog" is also fantastic!

[pek64]

Another great phone call idea!

OP -- here's one for you. Have a friend be the "boss" and check to make sure you've done the task(s), by e-mail or phone.

[Linda on the move]

Confession -- right now I'm supposed to be doing some work for a not for profit board that I am on. I sat down on my computer to do. But I don't wanna do it. So I'm farting around on mothering instead. The sad truth is, I'd rather write advice to other people than to do my work. 
 

[pek64]

Well, work 15 minutes before you post again.

[Linda on the move]

OMG -- I made it for an hour and a half without coming back to mothering! Yeah for me! 

And I did spend the time working on what I needed to

(but it isn't finished yet )
 

[pek64]

Celebrating with you for what you *did* accomplish!

[journeymom]

Thread crashing...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda on the move 

I use a timer, too.

I make a list, estimate a time for each, then use the timer. I only plan 1 hour at a go, and then give myself a break, drink of water, etc, then I plan the next hour. The less I want to do something, the smaller increments I need to break it into.
 

Love this!

Speaking of books, "Eat That Frog" is also fantastic!

Thanks, I like this too! 

I manage to eat the frog first thing in the morning sometimes.  The problem is I feel so relieved to get it over with I've lost all urgency to go on to the next priority.  "Yeah, I did that. This was a huge task, and I'm awesome for getting it over with. But that was stressful and now I need to decompress. I deserve a little break..."  And then that's it for a few days/weeks/months until I desperately whip myself into action again.

Edited by journeymom - 9/14/12 at 10:39am