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	The Secret To Getting Things Done With Ease

	by Leslie Cunningham

Did you clear your dishes? Yes… you heard me correctly, and no this is not your mother speaking. Tell me…what was the last thing you did yesterday when you quit working? Seriously, take a moment to REFLECT. Did you finish a major project, and with a huge sigh of relief turn off the lights and close the office door? Did you finish working with a client and rush home to tend to your evening tasks of making dinner or doing laundry?

HUH?

In other words, how do you end your work day? Did you end it CONSCIOUSLY? Because if you didn’t, you left grimy dishes on the table. And you know what happens when you leave dishes on the table overnight don’t you? Of course you do! You wake up to find that –- no, the little elves did not clean them they are still there, just more DIFFICULT to clean.

STARTING THE DAY IN OVERLOAD

Do you sometimes feel BURDENED when you start your new day? Do your tasks feel jumbled in your head and overwhelming? And then the inevitable happens -- the phone rings, and before you know it, you’re frantically racing around putting out fires. Meanwhile, feeling increasingly STRESSED because your important tasks haven’t been taken care of. So you hurriedly scribble down a to-do list. But because you’re preoccupied you can’t think clearly.

A SECRET THAT WILL INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

I’m going to let you in on a simple secret that can improve your productivity. I call it "clearing the grimy dishes." In other words, What unclean dishes do you need to tend to in your business before you leave for the day? I’ll give you a hint: the most effective dish clearing task is to write a to-do list for the NEXT day. We’re all familiar with this concept, right? But, do you do it? And do you do it consistently?

THE BENEFITS OF PLANNING AHEAD

If you were to write out a to-do list at the end of your work day you gain instant SATISFACTION and relief in knowing that what you didn’t accomplish today will be taken care of tomorrow. It also allows you to SUBCONSCIOUSLY mull over certain tasks. Sometimes a more creative solution will come to you overnight. And the extra time allows you to prioritize your tasks.

PRIORITIZE

First, write down the things that need to be done. Then prioritize and RANK your tasks. Put a number beside each task with #1 being the most important. Accomplish your tasks in that ORDER.

DO THE MOST DREADED TASK FIRST

Often we put off the task that we dread the most. However, if you accomplish it first, you will feel ENERGIZED and have more energy to accomplish your other tasks -- which will all be much EASIER by comparison.

WRITE A NEW LIST DAILY

Instead of RECYCLING the same list, write a new list each day. This will give you a clean slate each morning. Write down any tasks that you didn’t accomplish from the previous day and additional tasks that you hope to achieve that day. Start FRESH each new day.

WHAT ELSE NEEDS TO BE TENDED TO BEFORE CLOSING SHOP?

Besides writing a to-do list what are some other simple ways to clear your dishes? Maybe its straightening up your desk or filing papers. You’d be surprised, these simple tasks can make a huge difference in your productivity and freeing up mental CLUTTER.

KEEP IT SIMPLE

Be careful not to OVERLOAD yourself with a multitude of tasks to accomplish before you quit work for the day. Keep it simple. Writing your list should take less than 10 minutes. And it should take you less than 20 minutes total to accomplish any other end of the day tasks.

CLEARING THE DISHES CLEARS YOUR MIND

Now you can wake up in the morning and feel MOTIVATED and organized. You’ll know exactly what to focus on and no longer waste time on non-priority projects. If you find yourself faced with a SURPRISE task you’ll know exactly which project to dive into once you deal with your crisis. Not only will you be more productive, but you’ll feel more relaxed and in control. I guess Mom really knew what she was talking about after all!

Leslie Cunningham, CTACC, "The Financial DatingTM Expert," is dedicated to helping couples build wealthy relationships and turn their money & lifestyle stress into inspired action. Leslie has over 17 years experience as a service professional, leading groups, speaking, and helping individuals and couples achieve success. Sign up for free money and lifestyle tips like these by visiting her site at www.springwindcoaching.com.

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