David S. Finch

How to Be On Time

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photo by:moriza

Let's face it, being on time can be quite the challenge. You would think that with all the technology that is available, punctuality would never be an issue. However, being on time requires learning new habits. Here are a few tips to help you be on time... every time.

1. Don't set your watch ahead
Do you think this actually works? What really happens is that you tell yourself that you have an additional amount of time and then you compensate for the extra minutes. This usually leads to just a stall tactic that gives you enough time to still be late. Set your watch to the exact time and live in real time.

2. Don't hit the snooze button
Your alarm is not a tool to keep you in bed, but it's there to wake you up. When your alarm goes off, get up and move away from your bed. Create a habit that you do every day that tells yourself, "I'm up."

3. Expect Delays
Plan for delays and give yourself an extra fifteen minutes to every scheduled event. Make it a practice to arrive fifteen minutes early for everything. If you arrive early use this time to read, make a phone call, finish a task.

4. Be Organized
Often times one of the most frustrating time thieves is simply by not being organized. Have you ever been late because you couldn't find your keys? Being organized and having a place for those things that you carry with you will cut down dramatically on tardiness. Being organized will also cause you to rely more on planning than just reacting to everything.

5. Say "NO"
Stop trying to squeeze "on more thing in." This is a sure-fire way to be late every time. By incorporating the fifteen minute rule to your schedule this can help when you want to finish that one last thing.

6. Be committed to being on time
Tips are great as well as gadgets, but the only way punctuality will be important to you is if you are committed to it. Being on time won't happen over night, but the more you work at and make it a daily habit you'll notice that being on time becomes easier and easier.

What keeps you from being on time? If you once struggled with punctuality, what where the things that helped you? Leave a comment and be a part of the conversation.

Technorati Tags: personal development, productivity, self-help

Three Simple Ways to Attack Procrastination

Let's face it procrastination can really suck! Nothing can steal momentum like sudden bursts of procrastination. Have you every been getting things done like a productive warrior, to then come to a screeching halt? I have, and there's nothing more frustrating. How about this, "Have you ever planned out your day the night before to be thrown for a loop while watching the morning news?" Two hours later you've chased the procrastination rabbit and all energy to "do" anything is gone.

Here are a few simple exercises you can do to get the upper hand on procrastination. I have found them to be extremely helpful in my many moments of being assaulted by the procrastination thugs.

Remove All Distractions
No one plans on not getting anything done, it just happens. However, nothing really just happens. Many times it's some type of distraction the begins the paralyzing effect which leads to procrastination. When you can identify what is your distraction, then it can be easy to remove.

For me I have to shut off the internet. No IM, no feed readers, no email. I can't count the times I been completely blind sided by email. Also, when I really need to get something done I'll shut off the phone.

Shutting an office door and letting others know that you have a very important task to complete can be very productive. The list of distractions can be countless, the important thing is that you know what distracts you and eliminate it.

Go to Your Productivity Studio
I'm constantly amazed at the work of great artists. While looking at their masterpieces I often wonder the surroundings in which they created such breathtaking pieces. What was their studio like? What tools did they use and how did they care for them? How long did it take and what productivity demons did they have to fight off? If you listen to many artists you'll discover that their studio was a creative work zone.

Do you have a productivity studio? For me I always work best at a cafe where the lights are low a little jazz in the background and the smell of coffee feels the air. This is my productivity studio. One of the best ways to beat procrastination is to have a place that when you go there it's a place that stimulates productivity and creativity. It doesn't have to be much, but for you it's your studio where you get things done.

Worst to First
The third thing to do is to attack... That thing you hate to do the most. Do it first and then move on. Take the first hour and get the things out of the way that you hate to do.

For me, it's making phone calls. I can email all day. I have no problem networking in person and meeting people, but I hate talking on the phone. For me the phone is always the last resort.

For you it may be the phone or something else that you dance around all day, but whatever it is put it at the top of the list and get it done. End your day on a high note doing the things that you love to do most. You'll find that eventually this will become easier and easier.

End the day rewarding yourself and watch as you attack this dreadful enemy. Many times it's not the hard stuff that trips us up, it's the little things. Now, "Let's go get something done."

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Technorati Tags: Getting Things Done, howto, lifehacks, procrastination, productivity, self-help

Making Room

Today, the last day of the year we decided to throw away, give away and organize. This can be really fun especially when your find your groove and your motivation turns to see how much you can get rid of. It's kind of cool going into a new year knowing that the clutter is gone and you can start over.

With all the giving and organizing it got me thinking about other areas that I could make a "clean sweep." What negative ideas can I let go of? What fears need to go? What obstacles need to be torn down and thrown out? I think you get the point.

With a new year upon us and the possibilities limitless, removing the clutter seems like it can be a mental launching pad for a wide open future. Jump in to the game and starting giving away, throwing away and organizing for a new year.

What are you letting go of? Leave a comment or send an email and let me know.

Technorati Tags: self-help, simplicity

Open Source Living: Making Community Work

In our time where we are making history there seems to be an outcry to build authentic community. From religious conversations to technology and media, everyone is vying to develop channels, tools and opportunities where individuals can connect. I'm sure the main reason is because the human touch and community interaction has been scheduled out of our busy lifestyles. However, there seems to be push toward building community where there is interaction and collaboration.

In the field of technology there is a term used by computer programmers called "open source." Open source describes practices in production and development that promote access to the end product's sources. In other words open source allows anyone access to the nuts and bolts of the program so anyone can add to the product to benefit it's end results.

What if we took this same thinking and integrated it in to our daily lives? What if we came to grasp with the facts that all our success and future plans and goals are only obtained through open source living? Living in a manner where others are included, invited in and counted on to achieve all our intentions. What if we looked for tools and outlets to connect with others?

Here are a few of my thoughts on how to include "open source" thinking in to our daily routines.

1. Agree upon the fact that life is meant to be shared and there are things that can never be achieved without the involvement of others.
2. Intentually look for ways to connect with others. Online forums, networking, local clubs, joint efforts and projects.
3. Let go of the adolescent way of thinking that "all is mine" and that be open to all I have can be shared.
4. Invite others to have access in to our lives that we have kept roped off. Open source living takes away our security blanket for the good of the community.
5. Shut off the TV and computer and weekly "go out" with the intentions to connect and network with others.

Online tools to develop open source living:
Skype
Wiki
Blog
Instant Messenger
MySpace
Meetup
LinkedIN
Moo: MiniCards

What are you thoughts? How do you feel we could integrate open source living in to our lifestyle? What tools and options would your recommend? Leave a comment, email, join the conversation.

Technorati Tags: blogging, open source, self-help, simple living, simplicity, social media

Inch by Inch

“Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, life is hard.” Mac Anderson, Founder of Successories

The hardest life lessons to learn are those that my mean slowing down, pausing, starting over, and living life one moment at a time. In a success driven society where more means everything and speed has more value than integrity this can be one hard principle to swallow. However, fighting, kicking and screaming the whole time life is helping me to learn how to live "inch by inch."

Technorati Tags: simplicity

How to Change Your Circumstances

Have you ever asked yourself, "How can I change where I'm at?" I know I have and at times it seemed like my rut was larger than my possibilities. However, there are things that you can do to change things around you. No matter how impossible it may seem, it can be done.

I know what your saying, "You don't understand where I'm at!" My answer to you is, "I may not be where your at, but I've been there and there are proven principles that can aid in helping change the things around you." Sometimes these ruts can become such a distraction that they grow and seem almost impossible to get out of. Making yourself chained to the circumstances with no energy to free yourself. A trap or bottomless pit of misery where no hope is visible.

These things (traps, ruts, pits etc) are nothing that we ask for or ordered at the fast food for life club. They usually happen because of events that seem out of our control. Divorce, death of a loved on or friend, the loss of a job, surroundings of constant negativity are just a few examples that can cause these overwhelming feelings of fear and motionless. These events always take us on long rides with our emotions. They even speak to us and forecast our future. Sometimes they like to be prophetic and tell you what others are saying even when it's far from the truth.

Before long the things that you've enjoyed now no longer seem fun. People that once where close don't seem to be able to relate. Within time, little by little these events cause you to begin to enter into shut down mode. The mode where dreams don't exist and future seems hopeless. The longer you stay here, the lack of reality draws near. Anger, guilt, fear, mistrust and depression becomes your friend and the pit or rut seems more like home then true reality. Within yourself you know that you can't stay here, but your depth perception of reality is skewed and you can't make wise decisions.

There are things that you can do. A few action steps that can point you in the right direction towards finding you and releasing yourself in to you future possibilities. Here are just a few and as you read you may be able to customize them to fit you.

1. Read and Listen to Positive Literature.
Whether we like it or not we are deeply influence by things that we see and hear. It's amazing while in this rut you've become and magnet to negative words. To be able to change this habit you have to exchange the negative for the positive. Go to your local bookstore or library and find books that build the whole person. Search the web for podcasts and audio content that build up self-esteem.

The importance of this material is to rebuild what has been broken down. These circumstances have tore down your faith, your belief system, your dreams and hope one brick at a time. To be able to resurrect who you are you have to eliminate the negative influences from your life.

2. Exercise
When I say exercise I don't necessarily mean become an marathon runner. What I mean is do something that gets the blood moving. Go for a walk, run, ride a bike, play basketball. Do something that gets your heart rate up. This increase in blood flow has been proven by many to be a great aid in overcoming depression and hopelessness.

3. Change Your Diet
Isn't it amazing that when life seems to suck, so does our diets. Junk food becomes a staple and fast food seems to be our little heaven on earth. Doctors have proven over and over again how are diet plays an interval part in how we feel. In other words, "We are what we eat." You don't have to make drastic changes over night, but perhaps a good place to start is cutting down on the sugar and adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.

4. Plan Getaways
You'll be amazed at how much you stay home in your own little world, secluding yourself from the unknown. It's important that you schedule getaways! Little day or hour trips. Rides in the country, walks along waterfronts, a visit to your favorite cafe or bookshop, all these can be little tools to helping you change your circumstances.

5. Get Involved in Your Community
You'll be surprised how your rut seems so small when you find yourself aiding others who are in there own ruts. Volunteer at the YMCA. Help with Habitat for Humanity. Get involved at a local soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Join the PTA. Be a room parent at your children's school. Get out of the house and get moving in the world around you.

6. Get Around Positive People
Within our communities are places and events where positive people hang out. Bookshops, small business events, online meet-up groups, religious gatherings, local gyms. Usually where people are trying to attain a goal you'll usually find individuals who have a positive outlook on life. Try to meet someone new everyday.

7. Find a Hobby (or began do again the things you enjoy)
Gardening, Fishing, Trail riding, stamp collecting are just a few of thousands of hobbies that all of us can enjoy. Not only does this get our mind off of all the little details of our rut, but it puts us in around others that enjoy the same things. It's an entry way into a community of people that who knows that possibilities that could come from it.

8. Restore Within Yourself a Place of Spiritual Centeredness and Balance
Quiet moments of prayer, contemplation and meditation are great tools in being able to see our circumstances from a different place. It's at these times comes a peace from within that we are not alone.

9. Get Involved in a Project
I'm sure it wouldn't take long to find a project that could use your assistance and abilities. There never seems to be projects around the house as well as in the community that are waiting for you to get on board.

10. Go Back to School
In circles of education are constant activities of learning and creativity. Universities are seed-beds for possibilities. Breeding grounds for dreams to be birthed and friendships to be made. In this atmosphere the future is a place to be conquered and never a place to shy away from.

11. Rediscover Your Goals and Dreams
Get out a piece of paper and began to dream again. Number your paper 1 to 100 and list your dreams as if money wasn't an issue, time wasn't a factor, obstacles were no concern and you were in the driver's seat just waiting for them to happen. You'll be surprised the movement that begins to take place as you write them down, say them aloud and read them often. Which leads us to my last point.

12. Change Your Speech
Whether we like it or not and no matter how gimmicky it may sound, you attract what you say. "Garbage in, garbage out" still holds true. Just by changing some of the things you say and replacing them with positive words, your positive words will lead to positive actions which will aid you on your road to changing your circumstances.

I know that there are no magic formulas that with the wave of wand everything will change. I do know that there are many people that have been down on their luck and seemed like there was no hope and found a way to make it on top. They all seemed to find a community of people, a place of spiritual renewal, they surrounded themselves in atmospheres of possibilities. It wasn't long that we a little movement on their part things began to move around them. It may seemed like a few days, for others it was weeks and months, but with true faith everything is possible.

© 2006 by David Finch. If you find this article helpful, please leave a donation for David because then you can enjoy the spirit of giving too.

Technorati Tags: Getting Things Done, self-help, spirituality

Learning to Re-create Yourself

One of the hardest things for individuals that are goal driven is to relax. Many feel like they are cheating themselves and often feel guilty if they do anything outside of attaining their goals. I'm sure the success society that we live in can blur the lines between achievement and relaxation, but to be able to fulfill purpose, goals, vocation etc. there must be frequent moments to re-create yourself.

Last night while talking to a friend I conveyed that in the past two years I haven't played one round of golf neither have taken any time to fish. As I hung up the phone I realized that I've done little to re-create myself. It seems like most of my time has been spent working, catching up, doing for others. It makes me wonder and possibly answer some of my own questions.

Perhaps today I'll began a sabbath or even a sabbatical. Take some time and put away the books, silence the questions, break up my routine and invest in a moment (or days) to allow myself to be re-created. No set time or agenda to fulfill, but whatever it takes to burn with passion concerning the dreams that burn within me. A time to regain balance and live in true rhythm. A time to quite my mind, relax my body and breath the freedom of simplicity.

Lessons Learned

Over the past two years, in spite of an incredible hectic schedule, I've learned a few life lessons. While they may not be profound, they have been eye openers for me. Here are a few of these lessons I've learned since moving to Kentucky.

• Life is to be lived one bite at a time.
• Many times Christianity is more concerned with building the empire rather than building the community.
• The word friend is a verb.
• Country ham is a food staple.
• A Hot Brown has nothing to do with Cleveland.
• Catholic is not a curse word.
• Any time spent with family is priceless.
• White people do have rhythm if it's lived out rather than danced to.

The Simple Life Series v.1-13 2005

The Simple Life Series 2005

The Simple Life Series is a series of posts filled with ideas to aid in simplifying a chaotic lifestyle during these chaotic times. Over the next few weeks I will post daily tips, challenges and thoughts to how we can simplify our lives. My goal is to approach living simple in a holistic way that can be a benefit not only spiritually, but in every facet of life.

v1. Removing the Clutter
v2. What is Mine is Yours
v3. Slow Down, Please Slow Down
v4. Finding your Daily Rhythm
v5. Spirituality and the Simple Life
v6. Simplicity
v7. A Simple Life = Simple Health
v8. A Simple Life is a Life Together
v9. Simple Living: Simple Word
v10. Harnessing Unnecessary Activities
v11. How to do Nothing!
v12. A Simple Life is a Life of Humor
v13. Simplicity: A. Hanson