September 2011 - Issue 86 - www.clareevans.co.uk
Hello ,
Welcome back after the Summer break.
How was it for you? Did you manage to take a break from work or
have you been juggling work and family over the last few weeks or too busy
working to take a break?
It's the start of a new school year and it's also a great time to refresh or Kick Start your business, as we move
into the last few months of the year.
What could you learn, what would you like to change or do differently between now and the end of the year?
I've got a great offer for you this month to get you moving in the right direction or to make those changes you've
been putting off or just haven't quite found the time for.
Limited Offer: Book a Kick Start Programme this month and get an extra session free - five sessions for the price of four. A fantastic way to get motivated and see instant results in a short-space of time.
Click here or email me for more information.
You can now book a free Strategy Session online via Tungle. Just select a couple of available time slots and I'll get back to you with a confirmed time.
Keep in touch and get extra news, offers, tips and info from my blog, on Twitter or connect with me on Facebook or Linked In
Enjoy the rest of this month's newsletter.
Clare
P.S. Feel free to pass this newsletter on to friends and colleagues. Thank you.
Create Better Boundaries
One of the biggest factors in improving your time habits, is to create better
boundaries for yourself and others.
Creating boundaries and setting expectations allows you to make better
choices with your time and prevents misunderstandings and confusion.
Define the limits of responsibility and behaviour that you're happy to
accept. Decide what you'll do if these boundaries are crossed. It's no good having boundaries if they're not
going to be defended.
Demands on your time come from many different directions - your boss,
your colleagues, your staff, your partner, family, friends.
Make your boundaries clear, so people know what's acceptable and what's not and don't make assumptions.
Define Your Boundaries
Set clear boundaries at home, at work and in your personal
and professional relationships, to protect your time and space.
- What are your working hours? These may be defined by your boss and part of your contract or define them for your clients and customers.
- Do you need to work evenings and weekends? It may be a necessary part of your business but it doesn't mean working every evening and weekend.
- How much social time do you have? Set boundaries outside of work too - allow for switch off time, as well as time for friends, family and interests outside of work.
Working from home, may give you greater flexibility
around start and finish times but it's just as important to make sure you
create boundaries and structure to your day.
Avoid the temptation to work long hours. Just because the office is in
the next room doesn't mean you can't switch off at the end of the day.
Let family and friends know when you're working and when you're
not. Try something simple like a note on your office door when you're working and don't want to be disturbed.
When you get interrupted - let them know if it's not convenient and
you're busy.
You have a choice as to how you spend your time - set clear
boundaries and people will learn to respect your time.
Set Expectations
When working with clients, customers and colleagues, things often go
wrong when you haven't clearly set expectations.
When setting expectations:
Who - is responsible for getting the work done?
What - specifically do they want you to do or what is it you want them to do?
When - does this need to be done? Giving a timeframe enables you to
manage your work.
How - is there a particular way in which this task needs to be completed? If you have an idea of how this is going to be done does it match what
they want?
Why - providing a reason and benefit for the
what, when and how can create a sense of commitment and motivation.
It's important that expectations are communicated clearly. Summarise what's been requested - check-in
every now and then to make sure nothing's changed and you're on track.
Having problems with your boundaries and want to manage yours and others expectations better? Give me a call.
You'll find more time management strategies including setting boundaries and
expectations in the Take Control Of Your Time e-course.
Until next month.
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