Are you tired of hearing yourself say things like, “I just don’t have enough time,” or “It feels like I worked all day and got nothing done?”

These things can be signs that you are being distracted. In today’s digital world, it is common for distractions to keep us from getting at the things we want to accomplish. In fact, it is possible that we are being encouraged to accept getting distracted as part of normal daily life. Do you ever turn off your phone? Or do you leave it on just in case—just in case you get the message you have been waiting for?

Measuring Distraction 

After examining some of the research on distraction, I learned that the amount of time spent being distracted is measured in several interesting ways. The amount of time we spend in sustained activity is measured in two performance factors: accuracy and kindness.  Distractions can and do affect both of these measurements. Researchers are also interested in learning when we recapture focus and attention on a task after a distraction.

What is Distraction?

A distraction can be something like glancing over to check your phone to see what’s happening now on your Twitter feed or seeing if you have a reply from a friend. A distraction can be an interruption from your phone or a knock at your door. In short, a distraction takes your mind away from the task at hand.

Does Getting Distracted Matter to Your Productivity?

Are you engaged in tasks that demand intense thought? Is your speed at performing a task or how much time you spend on the task factor into your productivity? I didn’t want to believe what you were about to read. According to research at the University of California, getting yourself back on track with a task that requires your full attention after being interrupted takes just over 23 minutes. This finding suggests that even a few distractions can set you back a whole hour or more at the end of a day.

This study also concluded that distracted or interrupted people tend to work faster to meet benchmarks and deadlines, but working faster with interruptions may come with costs.  It found frequently interrupted people experience workload-related stressors, frustration, and pressure.

Before you disagree with the amount of time lost due to interruption and change of focus, another online article said it took about 25 minutes to get re-focused. It went on to say that our current attention span is about 11 minutes. How long can you stay focused on a task? How long does it take you to get back into the groove?

Is Our Attention Span Changing?

I next went to find out more about our attention span these days. I had read that note that even a goldfish had a longer attention span than a human. Really? Reports vary. One article said our attention span has dwindled to about five minutes from 12 minutes ten years ago. I encourage you to monitor your own situation. If you are a parent working from home, interruptions may be the order of your daytime hours, and you may choose to get your work done after the children are in bed.

What if We Classified Attention Span as Purpose?

What if you are bored? Does your level of interest play a part? The amount of time you focus on doing a jigsaw puzzle in a single sitting might have no relation to the amount of time you spend focusing on what is said at the weekly office meeting, reading an engaging book or answering your email. And sometimes, we divide our attention between two things, such as what’s happening in the kitchen and what is being reported on television. So some factors influence sustained attention, and there are situations where our focus shifts and alternates our attention between two activities.

Does it Matter if We Get Distracted?

What do we value most when it comes to paying attention or focusing on the task at hand? Would that be:

• sustained attention?
• the ability to be interrupted and get back to home base?
• the ability to shift attention with accuracy?
• the ability to make the best choice about where attention should be directed and ignore everything else?

What do you value being able to do?

Avoiding Distractions

If you are feeling frustrated about not getting your work done or that you can’t keep your mind on your work, here are three distractions that you should avoid:

• Avoid constantly checking your email. How would your work life be different if you only checked your messages once an hour or twice a day? Checking those pings on your smartphone and impatiently checking your inbox takes you away from your intended activity. And avoid your email immediately after you wake up each morning. Let your brain remain calm.
• Avoid performing Drive-By Reading (DBR). Skimming text is not DBR. Skimming is an activity you perform with your eyes to locate the thing you are looking for with a quick visual examination. I define DBR as fishing where you are looking for something that captures your attention. DBR can have you bouncing from topic to topic as you navigate down many Internet rabbit holes exploring URL after URL without going too deep. Mere seconds will do. Some call investigating rabbit holes surfing. It’s not okay to do when it replaces the time you could otherwise spend on your intended activity. Furthermore, going slow has a better chance of capturing and sustaining your attention with focus than speed.
• Avoid doing two things at once. Is it really possible to do two things at once? Probably not. You are likely moving back and forth from one activity to the other. Even listening and writing has your attention divided between the two activities so you move quickly from one to the other. You may feel better about your outcome if you choose one, finish it, and start the next.

Who might care if you can hold your attention on a thought or a task?  You might be saying, “Does it matter? I get stuff done, don’t I?” Persons who are unsupervised while working, for instance, in remote or hybrid positions of employment, may find themselves wanting to log their own activities and assess their own work behaviors to determine if distractions are occurring and, if so, at what frequency.

Distractions do cost. The more you continue to allow yourself to be distracted, the more likely it is that you will experience feelings of frustration for not getting done what you intended to get done. Managing distractions is a crucial aspect of choosing the things you spend your time on. You can’t buy back time spent, so make conscious choices.

Will you stick to your priority or choose to monitor the pings and dig rabbit holes? I invite you to challenge yourself to extend your attention span and limit distractions.

__________________

Resources:

Keefe, Rose. “How to Get Back on Track When You Get Distracted.” Last updated 13 September 2022. Web. 20 March 2023

Mark, Gloria et al. “The Cost of Interrupted Work: More Speed and Stress.” Microsoft Word – chi1038-mark.doc. Web. 20 March 2023

Plumridge, Nicole. “Is the internet destroying our attention span?” 3 January 2020. Web, 20 March 2023

Donna Dahl is an author, executive empowerment coach and speaker. Through her proven system, she helps leaders develop strategies for self-mastery and confidence in their own inner guidance systems. She skillfully and collaboratively draws out their strengths, resources, barriers, and goals. Her thought leadership in developing solutions is based on sound research, effective practice, and findings in neuroscience. She says, “How useful is what I do? As someone with a reputation for keeping current on best practices and thinking outside the box to create new ideas, even a single conversation with me to explore your needs could make a difference. Let’s chat.”

Check out her profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnadahl/

The subject of time management has been around for decades. Managers with a penchant for micro-managing people and projects were quick to adopt practices that required people to be accountable for their time on the job . . . every minute of it. Productivity could not be sacrificed because of a measurable lack of respect for the value of a single minute.

Historically Speaking

Time was when there were no clocks. Time was when people rose with the sun’s rising and retired with its setting. Time was when the original alarm clock was more organic than mechanical. The drinking of a large amount of water before retiring, for example, would encourage early rising due to the need to empty an overly full bladder.

Time was when North America entered its industrial revolution by manufacturing such items as automobiles. The large assembly plants required a workforce numbering in the hundreds and sometimes even the thousands. They punched in and out on a time-stamp clock to keep track of each employee's exact contribution of time. That timing apparatus was an invention that resulted from the need to monitor the precise time spent on shift for a large contingent of labourers without having a human do the record keeping. Work hours could then be calculated, and the workers paid accordingly.

Do We Manage Tasks and People, or Do We Manage Time?

To be clear . . . it is possible to manage people, and it is possible to manage tasks or the production of products, but it is simply not possible to manage time. Time continues with or without management. It does not stop. It cannot be slowed down or speeded up. It was not possible to set the time stamp clock back if someone was late for shift.

Time is time. It can be measured in terms of its passing as in the amount of time that has lapsed. We can describe what took place in that period of time, and we can report on whether or not we employed the time as planned. But time itself is not manageable.

What Can we Manage?

• We can set boundaries on the length of time we are willing to spend doing something.
• We can devote time to a hobby or to learning something new.
• We can estimate the amount of time that a task will take.
• We can choose the number of months or years to spend working before taking retirement or finding greener pastures. 
• We can make choices about how we spend the next hour.
• We can donate our time by volunteering or performing acts of kindness. We can give of our time in support of campaigning for a cause or caring for a loved one.
• We can share our time with family and friends.
• We can celebrate our wins when we accomplish what we set out to do. Those wins might have been attached to a timeline; thus, we may also celebrate the completion if accomplished within the targeted amount of time.

Does Time Have Monetary Value?

If time did not have value, there might not be any such thing as an hourly wage or an estimated return on investment over time.

Is your time for sale? If you are being paid for your time, are you more easily motivated? Perhaps your time may be purchased as in contracting for your services with a payment agreement.

We can record our use of time by keeping a log and determining our hourly worth.

Spending Time Investing in Ourselves

Is there something you have wanted to learn? Taking classes is one way to invest in yourself, whether you are enriching your mind or expanding your skill set. Hiring a coach, watching how-to videos, and reading books are other ways to invest in your abilities and grow your knowledge.

Is it okay to squeeze the life out of every working minute of every day? Perhaps. However, using a portion of your time for leisure and recreation, too, can prove to be a valuable investment in your physical and mental health.

Active or Passive? 

Our time may be spent passively or actively. We can be bystanders or participants. We can be engaged physically or mentally, or both. Our level of engagement can vary. We can be present as silent observers or as active listeners without contributing a single word. We can partake in the discussion by asking questions and sharing information. Regardless of your participation, time will not be put on hold.

But Time Management?

It’s not about managing our time. It’s about setting our priorities. Prioritize. Decide what’s important. What needs to get done today? Now?

We can rent out our time. We can save time when we package activities. And certain projects can be completed faster with the right equipment rather than doing them by hand. That can save time, too.

How About Managing Your Use of Time?

I am reminded of the question, “What is the best use of your time right now?” Is that making a phone call to a friend or taking a nap? You get to decide.

You are the manager—the decisionmaker—regarding how you use your time. Is it necessary to have something to show for every minute and even every second of your time? Maybe so if you are a gamer testing a new avatar for release by a deadline or engineering the launch of a rocket within a window of good weather. Maybe your income per minute matters if your return-on-investment increases with every additional product you can manufacture in an hour.  Seconds can matter in the saving of a life. Fortunately, not every decision about the use of time is a life-or-death situation or threatens failure.

Making Changes

What are your priorities for the use of your time in the coming year? Will you read more? Will you play more? Will you start a new project? Will you be more physically active?

Will you pare down your “Things To Do” list or make it longer? I am reminded of the book The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan. What is the one thing that, if you get it done today, will make everything else you do today a bonus? You might even try making a Things-To-Do list in reverse by writing down all the things you did today rather than building the list before the fact.

Time is a Gift

Time is a gift. We have but to decide what we do with it. We can choose to set priorities for our time week by week, day by day, or hour by hour. We can even schedule our time by the minute. We can choose how we will spend it and then carry out our plan.

Yes, time is a gift. It is passing by now as you read this article. It cannot be replaced or substituted. May you take command of your choices, and may your choices bring you satisfaction and fulfillment.

Donna Dahl, M. Ed., is more than an empowerment coach. She is a leading executive strategist and catalyst for change, working with leaders, teams, employees, and entrepreneurs. Through her neuroscience-based approach, she is well-poised to disseminate skill development, empowerment, and engagement. Her award-winning track record speaks for itself. She is the author of Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise, a five-star rated book designed to gently challenge the reader to consider a change. She welcomes opportunities to discuss your challenges. Check out her profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnadahl/

Ever heard of a cat or dog being distracted by something that catches their attention, like a squirrel, and they lose focus?  That happens to humans in business as well.

The problem is when we are doing work, multitasking and distractions come into play. We may not even realize or notice we're a victim of distraction. We commonly feel like we're getting work done and being productive when we are not.

Did you know that when we are distracted or multitasking, that takes our IQ down to that of an eight-year-old child and increases errors?

¹Source: https://www.talentsmarteq.com/articles/Multitasking-Damages-Your-Brain-and-Your-Career,-New-Studies-Suggest-2102500909-p-1.html/

We need to remove as many distractions as possible from our day. We're never going to get rid of them all, we're not robots, and there are things we can't control.

Here is an overview of where distraction may occur in business.

Staff - Staff coming into your office, calling, or messaging.

Training - You can be interrupted to provide training for a staff member that needs your help.

Meetings – Meetings can be distracting when trying to do other work and trying to do other work can also distract you from hearing what is being said.

Once distracted, we feel like we're back at 100 percent, yet the brain hasn't quite refocused yet. Did you know that it takes 23 minutes for the brain to refocus on a task when you're away from it?²

²Source: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_94.htm#:~:text=How%20Long%20Does%20It%20Take,10%20IQ%20points%20%5B2%5D.

Customers - People joke that life would be great if it weren’t for dealing with customers. Customers are our lifeblood, and it is paramount that we care for them as it keeps our business running.

We don't always know the challenges we are going to face, and they may leave us feeling like we're going in ten different directions, distracted.

As individuals, we have lots of distractions that may include:

Gadgets - Your phone, computer, apps, email, texts, and notifications. Some devices or apps are great and helpful but can still be distracting.

Environment/Noise - Neighbours or workers is something you come across occasionally in an office environment but working from home increases this distraction especially when in a zoom meeting.

Social Media- Have you experienced scrolling for a few minutes, then you’re still there an hour later?  I've done it myself. Social media is essential if you use it for business. However, we need to structure our time on social media and not go down a rabbit hole.

World Events - The Russian invasion of Ukraine, Covid 19, high gas prices, or climate change discussions are important world occurrences we have no control over. They touch us, some more so than others.

Mental Fog – Often, fog is caused by too much going on in your head. We realize we're not focused because of something happening at your child's school, someone not well in the family, or a big event. It makes mental noise when it distracts you from what you are doing.

Money - Most of the distractions around money are typically negative. It'd be wonderful to experience the distraction because of winning a million dollars. Unfortunately, much of the time, the distraction around money is the scarcity or resolving what to do with money.

Vacation - Surprised to see vacation on my list of distractions?  Vacation is something that we think of as unique or rejuvenating. It's beautiful, yes, and if you're like me, you're due for a vacation.

Think about what you do before and after your time away before we're racing and working on getting things done. We're, trying some of that multitasking that we shouldn't do. We can get distracted from the focus of what we need to do. When we come back, not only are we catching up, but our brains might still be on holiday. We work to get ourselves back into focus on what we need to accomplish.

These are some individual distractions that create challenges for us. Many of these distractions crossover into other areas as well.

The following are where we often see crossover distractions occur with Family, including:

Work/business - When we're at home, we might feel like we should be at work. We might feel like we should be at home at work. That distraction could also become mental fog if the situation is dire enough.

Commitments - Responsibilities we're not used to having on our plate, such as picking the kids up at school, taking the pet to the vet, or driving someone to an appointment, are distractions we must manage. If you have family commitments on your mind, they will prevent you from being able to focus.

Guilt/Overwhelm- You might suffer from guilt related to family tasks. It’s human nature. You might feel guilty being with a client when you think you should be home and distracted.

Overwhelm is something that ties into all kinds of elements in our lives. It can be business, friends, or family. It can create frustration from not handling things we should be able to address and distracts us once again.

Looking at our business, individual lives, and family, what we do about all these distractions is change some habits and adopt new approaches. We can't remove distractions entirely, but there are methods we can look at to address them.

We're going to explore keys to addressing distractions: Organization, Structure, and Wellness in “Discover 3 Keys to Stop Suffering from Squirrel Syndrome in Your Business | Part 2” next week

https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:6945903148590931968?updateEntityUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afs_updateV2%3A%28urn%3Ali%3AugcPost%3A6945903148590931968%2CFEED_DETAIL%2CEMPTY%2CDEFAULT%2Cfalse%29

Overall, health and fitness always played a part in Michelle’s life and continue to be part of her consulting approach today, differentiating her from others in the industry. Michelle guides business owners to develop a self-sustaining business, generate more revenue, and take back time to do things that excite them!

Raised by a strong, independent single mother, Michelle’s vision and values were instilled early. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey started in the 90s in event planning and speaking. In addition to Michelle’s over 30-year Corporate career in Media, Logistics and Financial Services, her passions shaped Michelle’s experience, providing innumerable opportunities to give back as a volunteer.

Passionate about making a difference, Michelle is on a philanthropic foundation, “Board of Advisors,” building sustainable schools in developing countries and supporting Digital Samurai’s efforts, an entrepreneur focused on reducing youth unemployment in Africa through apprenticeships.

Michelle’s 35 years as an Account Executive spanned credit card processing and financial services, transportation, logistics, media, and consulting, with many projects including managing consultative alliances, live event management, and sales team leadership. In 2021 Michelle completed Wardell International Advisor training and had recently undertaken S.O.S. Sales Objection System group training with renowned trainer Joe Marcoux. Her career and entrepreneurial ambitions have taken Michelle outside Canada, providing extensive experience in multiple markets in North America and beyond.

You can find Michelle Ricketts on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/michellericketts 

Do you have a coach? | Why have a coach? | Would a coach make a difference as you grow your business?

If you have a coach

• Is your coach someone you are developing a relationship with?
• Or is your coach more like your confidant. . .someone who is a professional listener. . .someone who is strong at asking those pointed questions that have you calling upon your experience with your blinders off and thinking?
• Is your coach good at helping you build confidence in your role?
• Is your coach someone you depend on for training in a particular skillset or mindset?

Coaching has significantly expanded over the past several decades to the point that it is now a multi-billion industry worldwide. From corporations to individuals, coaching has become a respected approach to facilitating change. No matter what you want help with, I can say with reasonable certainty that you should be able to find a coach to work with you.

Does Coaching Make a Difference?

Be you an individual, a solopreneur or an organization, coaching may mean the difference between success and failure. Coaching may make the difference between growth and stagnation.

What results might you expect? According to studies done on the impact of coaching in the business environment, three things are likely to improve: engagement, productivity, and results. Check out the article written by John Brubaker. He reports you are more likely to have strong business results when you work with a coach.

Who should have a coach?

Everyone should have a coach. That’s what Eric Schmidt said. Eric was the CEO at Google at the time. Eric thought so highly of his coach that he participated in writing a book about him.

What made Eric’s experience with his coach so positive? I can only guess but I believe that these four characteristics, as cited in an article by Stacey Alcorn, must have had a significant impact on his attitude and success. To her, good coaches are people with whom you build a relationship. Everything flows from there. She adds the following elements:

• In the first place, your coach should be interesting. If you are not looking forward to the time you spend together, something is terribly wrong. Are you enjoying the time you are spending with your coach?
• Secondly, do the ROI evaluation. What are you getting out of your coaching sessions? Are you fulfilling your purpose? That is, are you working toward accomplishing the objectives that you targeted for achievement?
• Thirdly, does your relationship with your coach go beyond coaching? Are you both experiencing other professional benefits such as referrals or introductions?
• And lastly, Alcorn asks if your coach is more than your coach. My clients tend to become lifelong friends. Do you regard your coach as your friend?

Should you DIY or Hire a Coach? 

Do you tend to be a DIYer? Are you the kind of person who likes to figure things out for yourself? Or are you the kind of person who seeks answers from reading books and articles? If you tend to be a DIYer who plays with your ideas by talking about them, would it be helpful to entertain your ideas out loud in a conversation with someone you know, like and trust? You can still be a DIYer with a coach. Your coach may be the mirror or the sounding board that keeps you from getting distracted.

As a leader in an organization of one or of many, no matter how many things you are being challenged to deal with at any given time . . . no matter how many areas you are focusing on, . . . a coach can be the bright light in your life to raise your spirits, challenge you to improve and increase engagement.

Your coach can be your cheerleader, your challenger and your champion. Your coach can challenge you to go beyond your pre-conceived limitations. Coaches can simultaneously be your accountability partner, your change agent, your strategy consultant and your professional listener. It’s the job of your coach to push and prod and poke and praise and help you achieve the outcomes you seek.

By Donna Dahl

Donna Dahl, M. Ed., is more than an empowerment coach. She is a leading executive strategist and catalyst for change, working with leaders, teams, employees and entrepreneurs.

Through her neuroscience-based approach, she is well-poised to disseminate skill development, empowerment and engagement. Her award-winning track record speaks for itself. She is the author of Lessons I Learned from the Tortoise, a five-star rated book designed to gently challenge the reader to consider change. She welcomes opportunities to discuss your challenges. https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnadahl/

Have you ever heard "Nobody Can Do This but Me! I must do it myself" in your business or personal life? It may have even been you who said it. We often feel that we're the only ones who can do something and do it best. This is probably the most challenging area for business owners to get their heads around when starting, setting themselves up to scale, adding people to the business and removing the reliance on themselves.

Delegate to Others and Scale Your Business

Typically, you cannot scale a business on one person. It is essential to delegate to others, whether employees, contractors, or outsourced workers. Unfortunately, many business owners are standing in their way. They don't realize that they are holding themselves back by not embracing delegating.

Outsourcing

You can have an employee, intern, or outsourced worker handle tasks at a fraction of the cost. Look at your value. What's your hourly rate, $100, $500, or more? If you're wearing all the hats, you are not getting the value of your hourly rate. Business owners don't often look at it this way. They only think it will take them longer to show someone else how to do the task. They may as well do it themselves. Owners must get around this mindset to succeed.

Many entrepreneurs started with nothing and worked their way to being successful, like Oprah Winfrey, Howard Schultz, and of course, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, to name a few. ** Of course, they started on their own, but there was a time when they had to add others to the team to succeed. In these cases, we know it turned out well.

In early 2020 with the pandemic started, many business owners found themselves with the weight of the world on their shoulders, having to do everything themselves because staff couldn't come in. Many soon realized that the knowledge of the business was in the head of the team member doing the job, and nobody else knew exactly what they did. This highlights two challenges that entrepreneurs face. The first is wearing all the hats and doing everything themselves. If something happens to them, the business stops. The second challenge is their key worker knows how to do their job, but if the process is only in their heads, others don't have access to it, and you're in a whole pile of trouble if the employee is not available. Realizing this, consider setting up your business with the end in mind, documenting processes and systems that others can follow when given the information.

McDonald's has approximately 200,000 staff worldwide, many teenagers, who follow processes and procedures every day. It's about having the correct information at their fingertips to follow a process to get your product or service from creation to client with success.

Determine the Tasks

Admittedly, delegating to others is a challenge. It is frightening to hand tasks to someone, especially when you are not familiar with their skill level. However, there are steps that you can follow to assist with your success;

• Make a list of activities or tasks you do regularly
• Prioritize what is to be done first, order of importance, or other criteria
• Look at what you must do, meaning absolutely no one else could learn to do it. Be honest with yourself!
• Outline the steps needed to do the other tasks
• Indicate the frequency for the task to be executed
• Determine a benchmark for the time to complete the task
• Determine a model for the acceptable quality of the work
• Evaluate viable options to delegate each task, e.g., staff, contractors, intern, strategic, partner etc.
• Assign the task as applicable, and start with a trial task first
• Assign additional tasks as skill and time permit, removing them from your plate
• Understand there may be a margin of error initially. Remember, you didn't start perfectly either.

I've never worked at Macdonald’s, but I'm confident each step of serving each item is documented. They are leaving nothing to chance or interpretation, and neither should you.

Challenges

It will be challenging to give up the reins at first. Over time you will see the reward and may even find a better way to do something. The more you delegate, the better you will become at giving instructions and outlining the process. This process becomes your "System" for the task. Tasks may include giving a presentation, handling sales, or setting up social media. Whatever the job, it has its process and system. Once you set up these systems, you should be able to hand over the information to delegates. Following your instructions, they can get the job done.

Discover more about Managing for Growth https://books.wardell.biz/2-Management_1/1-chapter_1#managingforgrowth

Here is some additional guidance so you can set up systems

https://books.wardell.biz/5-Finance/8-chapter_8/1-systems_review

**Source: https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/10-successful-entrepreneurs-started-with-nothing/

By Michelle Ricketts

Overall, health and fitness always played a part in Michelle’s life and continue to be part of her consulting approach today, differentiating her from others in the industry. Michelle guides business owners to develop a self-sustaining business, generate more revenue, and take back time to do things that excite them!

Raised by a strong, independent single mother, Michelle’s vision and values were instilled early. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey started in the 90s in event planning and speaking. In addition to Michelle’s over 30-year Corporate career in Media, Logistics and Financial Services, her passions shaped Michelle’s experience, providing innumerable opportunities to give back as a volunteer.

Passionate about making a difference, Michelle is on a philanthropic foundation, “Board of Advisors,” building sustainable schools in developing countries and supporting Digital Samurai’s efforts, an entrepreneur focused on reducing youth unemployment in Africa through apprenticeships.

Michelle’s 35 years as an Account Executive spanned credit card processing and financial services, transportation, logistics, media, and consulting, with many projects including managing consultative alliances, live event management, and sales team leadership. In 2021 Michelle completed Wardell International Advisor training and had recently undertaken S.O.S. Sales Objection System group training with renowned trainer Joe Marcoux. Her career and entrepreneurial ambitions have taken Michelle outside Canada, providing extensive experience in multiple markets in North America and beyond.

You can find Michelle Ricketts on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/michellericketts 

Do you remember when Mind Maps were all the Rage?

Even when they were simple, mind maps proved beneficial. But they have come a long way since then and are worth taking a second look at again. I use this program to create my course plan, develop organization charts, plan my business, social media schedule, etc. It is inexpensive and simple, and I love all the features.

Mind Meister Program

These are the maps available, and with a bit of creativity, they can be used for anything, such as course development.

• Mind Maps
• Organization Charts
• Project Retrospective
• Product Launch
• Monthly Blog Schedule
• Cornell Note Taking
• Knowledge Map

It is Also Fun!

You can assign tasks, add attachments and images, comments and notes. Plus, fun stuff like colours, fonts, emojis, and icons help clarify what you are doing.

Are you working on a project together? Send an email invite so others can work with you. Add a zoom meeting to work together, then save it in different formats or share.

My Life Before

Before getting this program, I used paper notebooks that quickly became messy, and I had to redo them with so many changes and scribbles. Sharing - not my scribbling. I tried the programs I had, but they were slow and limited. Creativity knows no boundaries, and I needed something flexible, fast, and inexpensive that I liked using.

Here is my Affiliate Link to Mind Meister if you are interested in the free version and want to learn more.

Happy Mapping!

By Cheryl Erickson

Imagine having your emails/calendar handled efficiently, a professional presentation, and business-wide assistance.

As an Executive Assistant and Professional Organizer, Cheryl helps individuals protect and grow their business efficiently. With her broad range of skills and high standards, she is ready to handle the details freeing up your time.

Cheryl Erickson
Website: https://cherylerickson.ca
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/visionary-business-organizer/

Cheryl Erickson for CIBN

Overwhelmed and Stressed

Lack of Money

It wasn’t that long ago I was working 16+ hours, seven days a week, wishing I had help and definitely “needing” to find more money. I did not realize that my lack of money thoughts affected my abilities, confidence, and other areas. It just added to the pressure, and I made more mistakes. I know I need to focus on my clients, marketing and sales, or there is no business. It sounds strange since that is what I do for others. But focusing on lack of money was the only reason that prevented me from getting help.

Make Changes

Once I realized that I needed to change my focus from lack to having money flow freely towards me, I started to think differently, and my business changed.

No miracle happened where I had the money come to me, but adjusting my living expenses to accommodate an assistant allowed me to focus on what matters with my business so the money would flow freely.

Good Things Happened

I have been able to get the final part of my business up, more time for marketing and sales, and some me-time, which is very important for maintaining good health. If I am unhealthy, my business will be too. Best of all, my confidence grew, and I got my reasoning back for doing the things I do—this business isn’t about me.

When looking for an assistant, I had to ensure my values and standards were a part of it. I wanted to help someone starting out and hopefully from my networking groups. I knew this meant I would pay a bit more, but having that connection has other benefits.

Has the sacrifice been worth it? At this time, definitely. Time will tell if I do have the right individual, but I won’t go back to carrying the entire load myself.

Cheryl Erickson

Imagine having your emails/calendar handled efficiently, a professional presentation, and business-wide assistance.

As an Executive Assistant and Professional Organizer, Cheryl helps individuals protect and grow their business efficiently. With her broad range of skills and high standards, she is ready to handle the details freeing up your time.

Cheryl Erickson
Website: https://cherylerickson.ca
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/visionary-business-organizer/

Photo: Dominic Sansotta
Michelle Ricketts for CIBN Connect 2022
I credit a Gary V podcast with the title of this article. I thought of different ways to say it, but it says it all.

How Much Sleep Should We Get?

I typically sleep 6 hours Monday to Friday and 8 hours on the weekend. I've been doing this for over 30 years. Some practitioners or scientists say everyone should get eight hours. I say listen to your body and do what makes sense for your life and business.

Sound sleepers get great rest every night. Others are light sleepers and wake up when a feather hits the ground. Those who've experienced hot flashes know what I'm saying. Over the last few years, I've had the pleasure of experiencing hot flashes. These make sleep a whole new experience and disturb many years of blissful deep, restful sleep.

Mange Your Time to Sleep Better

Are we productive when we sleep? Not really. It is about what you do when you're awake. You need to manage your time, or your time will manage you. That doesn't mean scheduling every minute of the day. That is not realistic or attainable. It means getting enough sleep to function at the level you need to succeed. Schedule your day/time blocking, including "Me" time, whatever that means for you. I schedule my workout in the morning and plan to get off my devices 30 minutes to 1 hour before bed. I am still working on this second one.

I am a huge advocate of self-care. I believe you should have leisure and family time and self-care. We need this. It prepares us for the hard work we do the rest of the day. I'm not saying you spent hours in front of the TV, video games, or a week away with family when you have a $100,000 deal on the table. I am saying manage both. It comes back to walking your talk. If you want to achieve success, your actions need to be appropriate. Sitting around and watching TV is not going to get you there.

I stand behind making sure the time you spend when you are awake is valuable and productive. Those who would rather work on their business than in their business have many ways to ensure productivity. I'm excited to offer tools for those looking for help.

@Mark Wardell is sharing his knowledge and over 20 years of expertise https://books.wardell.biz

Michelle Ricketts

Overall, health and fitness always played a part in Michelle’s life and continue to be part of her consulting approach today, differentiating her from others in the industry. Michelle guides business owners to develop a self-sustaining business, generate more revenue, and take back time to do things that excite them!

Raised by a strong, independent single mother, Michelle’s vision and values were instilled early. Michelle’s entrepreneurial journey started in the 90s in event planning and speaking. In addition to Michelle’s over 30-year Corporate career in Media, Logistics and Financial Services, her passions shaped Michelle’s experience, providing innumerable opportunities to give back as a volunteer.

Passionate about making a difference, Michelle is on a philanthropic foundation, “Board of Advisors,” building sustainable schools in developing countries and supporting Digital Samurai’s efforts, an entrepreneur focused on reducing youth unemployment in Africa through apprenticeships.

Michelle’s 35 years as an Account Executive spanned credit card processing and financial services, transportation, logistics, media, and consulting, with many projects including managing consultative alliances, live event management, and sales team leadership. In 2021 Michelle completed Wardell International Advisor training and had recently undertaken S.O.S. Sales Objection System group training with renowned trainer Joe Marcoux. Her career and entrepreneurial ambitions have taken Michelle outside Canada, providing extensive experience in multiple markets in North America and beyond.

You can find Michelle Ricketts on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/michellericketts 

Cheryl Erickson, February 2022

Change Your Love/Hate Relationship with Emails

Image your emails and how you feel about them. Are you frustrated, overwhelmed, or find it a chore? Most people are just like you and have a love/hate relationship with emails. There are ways to organize it and be in the know.

OUTLOOK

Folders

Using the inbox only for emails you are currently working on provides a space for action. Creating folders/subfolders for completed emails also makes searching and archiving easier.

Categories and Flags

Categories and flags are tools to manage emails and can be searched by category. If I have a Webinar category, click in the “Search” tab, select “search for categories,” and the category wanted. Flags are also searchable. I also use flags when something important requires my attention. With both, you can create your own.

Rules

Rules automate emails. If I have a folder for each subscription, create a rule to automatically move it from the inbox to the correct folder. That also keeps it unread to know what isn’t read.

GMAIL

Creating a Label adds a new folder and can also be used in searches and rules. There are Gmail Categories, but you cannot make your own. Select “More/Manage labels/Labels” from your folder list to set up your preferences. Clicking on an email gives you the option to star, mark as important or remove the label from that specific email.

Filters

Filters create the rules to automate your emails. Selecting “More/Manage labels/Filters and Blocked Addresses” from your list or choosing Settings/See All Settings/Filters and Blocked Addresses gives you the option to add rules.

OTHER TIPS

Regardless of your email system, there are similar options to organize your inbox, freeing up time and making searches effective. It is beneficial for communicating between you and your assistant, having a quick overview and knowing what to address.

If you have more than one email address, add them to one system for a quick review to transfer from one email address to another and save time.

Imagine having your emails/calendar handled efficiently, a professional presentation, and business-wide assistance.

As an Executive Assistant and Professional Organizer, Cheryl helps individuals protect and grow their business efficiently. With her broad range of skills and high standards, she is ready to handle the details freeing up your time.

Cheryl Erickson
Website: https://cherylerickson.ca
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/visionary-business-organizer/