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Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-30-2008 11:30PM
October 1: Welcome to October! For most of us, there are certain times during the day when our minds are most productive. Early morning works well for some, while others are more focused in the afternoon. Take a moment to reflect on when your most productive hours are and try to structure the projects that take the most focus during that time.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-30-2008 9:14AM
By Dave Ulacia For enthusiastic fans of FranklinCovey’s world-famous time management approach—with its smart ABC-123 prioritizing method—it might seem silly to wonder whether disciplined scheduling and goal setting are worthwhile. After all, dyed-in-the-wool FranklinCovey Planner users have enjoyed the results of this careful, studied approach for years now. But some people aren’t so sure—and they have every right to question whether there really are measurable time management benefits. And the answer to their questions lies in pizza. Yes, scrumptious, scrumptious pizza. Whether you love plain ol’ pepperoni, veggies, five different cheeses, or barbecue chicken, pretty much everyone agrees pizza is one of the seven wonders of the culinary world. Likewise, FranklinCovey knows there are as many approaches to planning your personal and professional lives as there are to top a glorious pizza pie. That doesn’t mean we’re not proud of our traditional planning approach—that we’re not thoroughly convinced of its power to help you get more out of life. It just means we also understand that people think and plan in various ways—ways that are equally creative and effective. So what are the benefits of time management? It really boils (bakes?) down to what you want them to be. It’s probably safe to bet that, since the beginning of time, every ambitious person on the planet has wished for more time to fit important projects or leisure/family activities into their day. When you plan things out, you inevitably find ways to filter out unnecessary activities or rearrange dates or times so you can fit in the things that matter most—today. A planner can also help you save money on gas, groceries, and miscellaneous errands by giving you a fast, easy view of your schedule for the week so you can see where to combine trips. But that’s just the beginning. With all the responsibilities and distractions we face in modern society, who couldn’t use a tool to keep birthday and anniversary reminders, as well as notes and contact information handy? And if you’re the type who puts detailed plans for achieving your loftiest ambitions into writing for future reference, there’s still nothing that tops a FranklinCovey Planner with powerful back-end content like The 7 Habits, Leadership, and Cornerstone Planners. The list of benefits could go on and on. When you find the planning technology and method that fits your style, you’ll be amazed how you squeeze more not just out of each day, but out of your entire life—from work and play to treasured relationships. Whether you prefer software for your laptop, smartphone solutions or a slim-profile paper planner, and whether you simply want to track important meetings and events or strategize ways to advance your career, you can find what you want to do in the way that best suits you.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-29-2008 11:51PM
September 30: Distractions—they’re everywhere. Which distractions keep you from getting less done than you could? Is it the internet? Maybe it’s that one person who always stops by your desk to chat and ends up wasting an hour of your time. Take time today to write down your top 5 distractions and a game plan of how to avoid them.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-29-2008 3:59PM
By Dave Ulacia For enthusiastic fans of FranklinCovey’s world-famous time management approach—with its smart ABC-123 prioritizing method—it might seem silly to wonder whether disciplined scheduling and goal setting are worthwhile. After all, dyed-in-the-wool FranklinCovey Planner users have enjoyed the results of this careful, studied approach for years now. But some people aren’t so sure—and they have every right to question whether there really are measurable time management benefits. And the answer to their questions lies in pizza. Yes, scrumptious, scrumptious pizza. Whether you love plain ol’ pepperoni, veggies, five different cheeses, or barbecue chicken, pretty much everyone agrees pizza is one of the seven wonders of the culinary world. Likewise, FranklinCovey knows there are as many approaches to planning your personal and professional lives as there are to top a glorious pizza pie. That doesn’t mean we’re not proud of our traditional planning approach—that we’re not thoroughly convinced of its power to help you get more out of life. It just means we also understand that people think and plan in various ways—ways that are equally creative and effective. So what are the benefits of time management? It really boils (bakes?) down to what you want them to be. It’s probably safe to bet that, since the beginning of time, every ambitious person on the planet has wished for more time to fit important projects or leisure/family activities into their day. When you plan things out, you inevitably find ways to filter out unnecessary activities or rearrange dates or times so you can fit in the things that matter most—today. A planner can also help you save money on gas, groceries, and miscellaneous errands by giving you a fast, easy view of your schedule for the week so you can see where to combine trips. But that’s just the beginning. With all the responsibilities and distractions we face in modern society, who couldn’t use a tool to keep birthday and anniversary reminders, as well as notes and contact information handy? And if you’re the type who puts detailed plans for achieving your loftiest ambitions into writing for future reference, there’s still nothing that tops a FranklinCovey Planner with powerful back-end content like The 7 Habits, Leadership, and Cornerstone Planners. The list of benefits could go on and on. When you find the planning technology and method that fits your style, you’ll be amazed how you squeeze more not just out of each day, but out of your entire life—from work and play to treasured relationships. Whether you prefer software for your laptop, smartphone solutions or a slim-profile paper planner, and whether you simply want to track important meetings and events or strategize ways to advance your career, you can find what you want to do in the way that best suits you.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-28-2008 11:40PM
By Alicia Rockmore & Sarah Welch As we get older, one of the tougher things we must come to grips with is the fact that our parents are getting older as well, and after years and years of being taken care of by them, it is now our turn to return the favor. It’s a task that goes much deeper than just organizing, and will probably involve more feelings than anything you’ve had to tackle in a long time. No matter how hard it gets, however, the choices you make will go a long way in making both your life, and the lives of your parents, much easier, happier, and productive. Whether it is something as simple and straightforward as helping them organize their belongings and their home, or as complex and gut wrenching as dealing with Alzheimer’s or nursing homes, you’ll be glad that you came to the task prepared and knowledgeable as to what choices there are. Alicia on “Keeping Them In The Loop”
“Control. It’s one of the biggest issues that looms over the whole process of taking care of your elderly parents. Nobody wants to relinquish control over their own well being, especially when they still feel like they can do everything on their own. Ideally you will come to a philosophical decision with your family well before it needs to be implemented so it will be easier to act on when the time comes. Keep in mind that illnesses such as dementia and Alzheimer’s will wreak havoc with parents memories, so they may not remember the decisions you made when they were cogent. I learned this the hard way with my mother, who now needs around the clock care but can’t remember she signed up for Assisted Living a few years ago. It’s hard being the bad guy some days, but it’s easier knowing that it was what she said she wanted when she still had her memory.” Sarah on “Check In With Yourself”
“Growing older is a tough reality, not just for your parents, but also for yourself, as the knowledge that the role of caretaker has suddenly switched places can be overwhelming and oftentimes depressing. So, in the middle of all the day-to-day care-giving you are now compelled to do, you also have to come to grips with the fact that you too are getting older. Understanding your own feelings about aging is just as important as taking care of your parents. So make sure you set aside some “Me Time” to think, to relax, to bring perspective to the situation. The stronger and more confident you are, the better care you can take of your parents, and the better care you can take of yourself.” Remember, the process isn’t going to be easy. But here are a few first steps to help you make it easier: #1: Talk to Your Friends
Every family is different, of course, but this is one instance when getting advice from friends is invaluable. Talk to anyone you know who has gone through the same process and see what worked, what didn’t work, where you should start, and what to expect. By getting in touch with others in the same situation, you are not only getting great firsthand information, you’re also getting a sympathetic ear to which you can turn at every stage. #2: Get Everyone Involved
Don’t feel like you have to take on every decision by yourself. If you’ve got brothers and sisters, uncles or aunts, get them involved in the process as early and as often as possible. By sharing the load with others in the family, nobody gets “surprised” by any decisions, nobody feels left out, and the chance that you can be viewed as the bad guy is eliminated. #3: Remember: They’re Still Your Parents
After spending a long period of time dealing with everything from wills, to property, to nursing homes, to insurance coverage, etc., etc., it’s easy to lose track that you’re dealing with people here. Not just people, your parents! Remember that they’re going through a process that’s scary and very humbling, and your love, caring, and attention to them is more important now than it has ever been. Thanks Alicia and Sarah for your insight on this topic!
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-28-2008 11:39PM
September 29: Be optimistic! When a task falls behind at work or at home, keep your head up. Being positive will inspire those around you to be optimistic, and in turn the whole atmosphere of your office or your home will change. Making an effort to be positive will keep you happy in both mind and body, giving your life just the extra boost it needs.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-26-2008 2:35PM
October 3: What better way to enjoy the colors of the changing season than taking a walk during your lunch hour? Not only are you giving yourself a much needed break from work, you will also rejuvenate your mind and body with a little bit of exercise. Consider it a little boost to get you through the rest of the day.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-26-2008 2:34PM
October 2: Did you know that a great time to plant is in the fall? Fall is the best time to plant landscape perennials, shrubs, and trees because it gives the root systems the autumn months and most of the winter to develop. They also require less water to establish roots. Without the stresses of summer heat, plants can produce plenty of nutrients, and grow well into the winter months giving them quite a head start. And, because it’s late in the season, you can find all sorts of great bargains and discounted pricing on plants and gardening tools.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-26-2008 2:33PM
October 1: Welcome to October! For most of us, there are certain times during the day when our minds are most productive. Early morning works well for some, while others are more focused in the afternoon. Take a moment to reflect on when your most productive hours are and try to structure the projects that take the most focus during that time.
Submitted by GOAdmin on 09-26-2008 2:30PM
September 30: Distractions—they’re everywhere. Which distractions keep you from getting less done than you could? Is it the internet? Maybe it’s that one person who always stops by your desk to chat and ends up wasting an hour of your time. Take time today to write down your top 5 distractions and a game plan of how to avoid them.
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