be happy. – Rob Ryan | Small Business Chronicles

Expert Time Management Simplified, Part 3

Rob Ryan — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 18:49:33 +0000

How would you like to become a list-building virtuoso? Well keep reading on here, ‘Expert Time Management Simplified, Part 3’.

In the 3^rd and last part of our series on professional time management, we’re going to expand our collection of guidelines on list-building to ensure that you will be able to maximize the benefits of this “life hack” technique.

The Best Practices in Creating To-Do Lists

1. Keep It Short & Sweet – I understand that many of you have a lot on their plate and initially, your to-do lists will be long and complex.

However, as you continue refining your grasp of prioritizing tasks and delegating work to others, you will soon discover that life (like your to-do list) can be so much simpler.

Strive to make your main to-do list, day list and future list short and concise. If your to-do lists become too detailed, you may feel demotivated to accomplish each of the items.

How many items should be in your to-do lists?

As a rule of thumb, I often limit my total to-do items to 20 items. If I have to add one more to this list, I often check off 5 or more to get ahead.

Again, listing down things won’t make you a good time manager. The list is the tool that will help you manage your time more efficiently. However, if you end up procrastinating or abandoning your to-do lists, then they won’t be any help at all.

2. Don’t Add Commonplace Activities – A to-do list is actually a way to manage your time when additional activities begin to pile up.

What shouldn’t you put in your to-do lists?

With this in mind, you don’t have to add things like “have breakfast” or “drive to work” on your to-do lists. You already know for sure that you’re going to perform these tasks, so it is actually counterproductive to list them as “to do” items.

Instead of adding activities and events that are bound to happen because they always do, focus on upcoming tasks that require more time than your usual tasks, like going to the dentists or getting an appointment somewhere.

3. Hammer the Hard Tasks First – There was a time when I focused too much on the easy tasks that I had little or no time left for the more difficult ones. It was very challenging to get back on track because the items left on my to-do list were all difficult and time-consuming.

You can avoid this scenario completely by balancing tough tasks and easy tasks. The first thing that you should try to accomplish in your day should a difficult or time-consuming task.

Keep working on a difficult task until you’ve finished it or you finished at least 50% of the work needed to complete it.

Don’t start on a task only to leave it a few minutes later because it’s difficult. The difficulty level of a task is a big determinant of how much time you should spend working on it. As a task’s difficulty increases, so does the time you need to accomplish it.

4.Be Flexible and Adaptable – Flexibility is the most important trait that you can develop when you are managing your time. If you are inflexible with your own schedule, you may feel overwhelmed and frustrated at all the important things that you have yet to accomplish.

I know that I just asked you to perform at least one difficult task per day, but you must apply this guideline only when you’re prepared for the work ahead.

You know yourself better than anyone else on the planet so be mindful of how you feel and what you’re thinking when you’re planning the days ahead.

5. Work With Your Organic Schedule – Each person’s organic or natural working schedule is unique. Some individuals feel pumped up to work right after lunch time. People like me work better in the hours that lead to midnight. And still some individuals are more efficient workers when they set out to do their tasks after having breakfast.

If you are extremely productive in the evening, schedule your most difficult tasks in a way that they coincide with your “wave of productivity”.

Easier tasks should be reserved for those times of the day when your energy is a little low and you can only handle smaller tasks.

Of course, some people don’t have the option to move their work around. You can remedy this problem by putting “rest gaps” in between difficult tasks so you have a recovery period. This will ensure that you will not be overwhelmed with more difficult tasks even if you’re not mentally conditioned to do them at a particular time.

Another Resource I`d like to share with you is “The 12 Week Year” by Brian P Moran and Michael Lennington, New York Times Bestseller.

Why Mindfulness Is A Top Key To Improved Health And More?

Rob Ryan — Tue, 04 Oct 2016 09:06:30 +0000

Mindfulness is a practice being massively adopted by an ever increasing mass of people from all walks of life and countries all over the planet. So it is very relevant to ask this question “Why mindfulness is a top key to improved health and more?

This is the first of a series of articles over the next period of time where I will share personal views and the views of attitudes of a diverse group of others.

This first article from BuzzFeed asks the question “What is Mindfulness and Why you should try it” This is an informative and light-hearted and hugely valuable entree into the topic. Yet at the same time renews and adds to the information about for the mindfulness practitioner.

A portion of the article follows, while there is a link to the original source and the end. Further information about “mindfulness” will be published on a daily basis.

Mindfulness is a growing movement that encourages people to take a minute to notice their body and its surroundings. To get a little more information about mindfulness, what it is and isn’t, and how people new to mindfulness can begin practicing awareness, we spoke with Cheryl Jones — one of Aetna’s wellness program strategy leads, who is trained in mindfulness and completed the Teacher Development Intensive in Mindfulness-Based-Stress Reduction (MBSR).

What is mindfulness?

Cheryl Jones: Mindfulness is paying attention or noting whatever is happening in the moment with a gentle and open mind. It involves being present in the moment, the one you’re in right now. Mindfulness doesn’t involve chanting, bowing, sitting cross-legged, or burning incense.

How do we practice mindfulness?

CJ: Mindfulness can be practiced formally through meditation where we pause and notice breathing, thoughts, feelings, sensations and surroundings. It can also be practiced informally while driving, during conversations, while exercising, and as you’re eating.

What are the benefits to practicing mindfulness?

CJ: Mindfulness can help lower stress and builds resilience so you can meet the demands of your day with more ease. It allows you to have more clarity to solve problems. Mindfulness can help you be patient with yourself and others. And it can make you more effective and feel happier.

The complete article can be accessed here https://www.buzzfeed.com/aetna/ask-an-expert-what-is-mindfulness-and-why-should-you-try-it?utm_term=.hlzl95EPN#.iiRaJyrvx

Personal Development Journey To Success

Rob Ryan — Sat, 14 Nov 2015 00:22:36 +0000

Personal Development Journey To Success … is about trying hard to succeed? (yes it`s about changing)

>> Well – are you changing how you are? Purposefully!

No? Think again.

Until you change how you are, it is always going to be too difficult to succeed. Generally we change ourselves either out of desperation or for inspiration.

It’s a fact, to be happy and wealthy, you need to work really hard …yes and that too on yourself, and not on the job.

NB: Action is important for success – and it is more important if you are wanting ‘big success in your life, business and relationships’.

Unless you change how you are, you’ll always have what you’ve got. (Jim Rohn0 May 17, 2015)

We generally change ourselves for one of two reasons: inspiration or desperation.

Well, the late Jim Rohn aimed for the inspiration, always emphasizing the importance of taking responsibility for self-improvement and showing people how to reach for bigger, better lives.

Who inspired him? His mentor, Earl Shoaff, who told him this: If you want to be wealthy and happy, learn to work harder on yourself than you do on your job.

And so began Jim Rohn’s belief in the importance of self-improvement. ……

You can read much more about Jim Rohn and any number of his books and videos.

Just click here to access this great resource!

8 Lessons Learned Studying World-Class Achievers

Rob Ryan — Wed, 07 Oct 2015 02:51:34 +0000

What We Learn From World Class Achievers – 8 Important Lessons about why a fit, fit body is a key pillar to Personal Development and Growth .

I have always been curious – what makes achievers different from us? We all have our own aspirations in life; we are almost ready to do anything to fulfill our dreams – but what happens – why do we fail?

Why do most of us fail and just a few move ahead to be ‘world class achievers?’

Well, a lot has been researched on this!

Indeed – achievers do things differently! Discipline is the Number One factor to succeed. World class achievers lead the most disciplined life. They have a set mission and they are not ready to compromise anything for their mission.

They are truly different and this is what makes them achievers! Learn more about the lives of these achievers.

So … What’s On Your Bucket List?

Creating a bucket list of things you want to do before you die won’t do much good if you’re not healthy enough to follow through on them. So before you make good on your plans to run with the bulls or swim with the dolphins, why not make a separate fitness bucket list?

Each of the following challenges targets a different aspect of fitness, from endurance to flexibility and strength. Once you’ve mastered one, strive to go to the next level by adding intensity, time, or reps. For example, once you finish a 10K, try training for a half-marathon. Read on for seven goals every fit woman should conquer and expert tips on the why and how.

Mastering the ability to perform 25 pushups is a very reasonable, realistic, and reachable goal for most women, says Timothy L. Miller, MD, assistant professor at the Ohio State University Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, OSU Track and Field Team Physician, and co-director the OSU Endurance Medicine Team. Benefits include upper-body strength in the chest (pectorals), shoulder girdle (scapular stabilizers), and arms (triceps).

Do 25 Pushups

Run a 10K (6.2 Miles)

You can see the rest of the other moderate physical development recommendations by clicking the link just below …. See how and why to …. Master 3 Yoga Poses, Add Sprinting to Your Routine, Master 3 Plyometric Moves, Learn to Swim and Do 5 Pull-Ups!

Thanks to Shape.com click this link now! And Good Luck!!

Do Toxic People affect you and others round you?

Rob Ryan — Thu, 17 Sep 2015 00:16:34 +0000

Do Toxic People affect you and others round you? Do you feel negative, low or depressed when in the company of someone in particular?

Toxic people spread negativity, pessimism and undue stress.

The more you stay away from them, the happier you are going to be.

>> So, who are these people?

>> How will you recognize them?

>> Check out more about some types of toxic people you need to be aware of.

>> Judgmental people – you will find them criticizing anything and everything.

>> Envious people – they are jealous and will never feel happy for you.

Toxic people are completely exhausting to be around and they can have a negative impact on your forward momentum, so it is best to avoid them.

You probably know a few toxic people — they might work for you, you might be friends with some or you might even live with someone toxic. The sooner you remove them from your life, the better.

>>>> Here are some tips and info you need to know.

So how to categorize these “people who make you itch on the inside … continuously”.

1. Those who are judgmental

Judgmental people will find a way to criticize anything and everything they come in contact with. You could take the time to explain something to them in great detail but it goes in one ear and out the other. They come to their conclusions before they hear any facts — they don’t listen well and are horrible at communicating. Asking for advice or feedback from a judgmental person is a complete waste of time.

Related: 12 Ways Successful People Handle Toxic People
2. Those who are envious

Being an entrepreneur can be a very bumpy journey filled with highs and lows — while it’s important to have a strong group of supporters in your corner during the low times it’s also important to have supporters that are there to congratulate you when you hit the high points. Envious people will not be happy for you — ever. They feel that it should happen to them and nobody else.

There are more groups …. as you know!