Coaching Corner: Is your time managing you?
By "Coach" Marilou Butcher Roth
This topic is always so interesting to me. Time Management -- what the heck does that mean? Well, I think it means different things to different people. At this time of year, I see countless people creating plans and looking at how to “manage†their time in a more effective and productive way. Some plans work for some and not for others. We are all wired so differently that there is not, unfortunately, a master plan for all of us. Remember back when the Franklin-Covey system was the way to go? Now our computers assist us greatly with endless planning apps and programs.
We do want some control over our time to make our lives easier, and yet sometimes we choose a plan that creates even more work! So today, I am going with a “keep it simple†idea that may be something you can use to generate an easier feel to your schedule. This piece is geared to your projects. Your repetitive activities will remain the same.
- Make your master plan based on projects that need to happen. For example, you may want to begin a more consistent method of finding new business. Or, your information you leave at your listing consultations needs to be updated. Hmm, perhaps you need to purge your office.
- Get ready for action! This begins in February so its time to get rolling! Ask yourself what items you want to have completed in the month of February. Look at your master list and determine the importance of each item on your list. You may find several that need to have your attention. Here is the thing -- each project on your master list MUST be broken down into smaller chunks. Using the example of a more consistent method of finding new business, you may determine that in the month of February you want to identify WHO your target market is. This may be quick, depending on your direction. If so, you can add another step -- WHERE you will find these people. If you have landed on a geographic farm for your WHO, you will need to complete your data base.
- Next step, break it down again. Choose a specific day of the week that you revisit your plan to see what small doable steps will be done for that week. Think consistency, not quantity! Do a little (or a lot if you are so moved) at a time. If you are cleaning your office, for example, do a drawer at a time. Please, keep it simple!!
This idea is certainly far from rocket science, however, it is a way to find your way through our lists, mental and otherwise that nag at us. My hope is that this will help some of you and if you feel it might but it doesn't quite make sense, feel free to email me and I will get you over the hump!! 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.
