Coaching Corner: Next project please!
By Marilou Butcher Roth
First, make a list of all projects that come to mind -- you can separate home and business now if you want to or just wait until the list is done. Or, you may choose to keep them together. Once you feel your list is complete (which it probably isn't), identify how you want to track these items. There are countless ways, depending on what works for you. Personally, I have experimented with many methods, currently using a book I found at Staples with a page for each project. It is definitely important that you track these but how you do it is up to you.
Now you separate each project, giving ample space to create small steps for each one. Yes, I do mean that small. Let's go back to the example of the packet for your listing consultation. Steps involved might be to (1) look at what you are currently using and decide if any of the pieces need to be deleted from the bunch or updated, and which ones you want to keep, (2) see what your company has available that isn't part of your current packet, (3) look on your local, state and national association websites to see if there are relevant articles you might like to include...etc. So, each project will have a breakdown of action steps ready to take, not necessarily on the same day.
Next, create some structure with your project work by slotting it into a day (or two) of the week. It doesn't need to have a specific time, just a day. So, let's say you have decided that Thursdays will work best for project work. Next Thursday rolls around and you are overwhelmed by paperwork and have convinced yourself that you do not have time for your project actions. I totally get that, and, that is exactly why I wanted you to break these steps down as small as you can. You may only have about 5-10 minutes that you feel you can devote to this -- that's OK! Look at your list and decide what you can do in that period of time -- and do it!
What is most important here is the consistency, not the quantity. Creating this consistency will lead to accomplishment and then results! You can always change the day you have this plugged in, what is important is that you keep with it, even if you are only tackling small steps each week.
Another part of this is to make sure when you have one of your brilliant ideas of something to do that you get that idea out of your head and onto the project list. The tendency is to have the thought, and then another, and another. Before you know it, your head is filled with mental clutter which works against us, so write it down!
This is an easy and fun way to make sure you get those tasks done that sometimes get moved to the bottom of the pile under the pretense of “not enough time.†As always...enjoy!
Marilou Butcher Roth
Marilou Butcher Roth is the owner of The MBR Group, a coaching and training company working primarily with REALTORS who have a desire to work and live from a more inspired place. She is also the Broker/Owner of Group REALTORS in Cincinnati.
Marilou is a member of the Ohio REALTORS Board of Directors and past chairman of the organization’s Communications Committee.
