Caldwell Evolution
  • Home
  • Organizing Services
  • Coaching
    • Mindfully, I AM Evolving Coaching Programs
    • Mentored for Momentum Business Coaching
  • Courses
  • Blog
  • About
  • Contact

Archive for Time Management

corner of day timer with to-do list title at top of page against blue folder and coffee cup on desk.

The Successful To-Do List

Posted by Carolyn on
 September 3, 2024
  ·  2 Comments

Looking for the successful To-Do List? Does a successful To-Do List even exist?

Yes, it does. However, there are key factors to make it successful.  Many years ago, I prepared this list of seven factors as part of a “Where are they all” series. Here is how to check off all seven.

1. Are all your To-Do Lists in one place?

Let’s start with how many To-Do Lists you have and where you keep them all. Are they all in one room? Frequently, clients complain they can’t keep track and the lists end up spread out across the house, office or desk.

Put all your lists, if you have more than one, in one place.

2. If they are in one room, are they all in one location in that room?person writing "to-do list" with ink pen on in small note book

Ideally, you use only one, or a maximum of two lists. If you are using two, the first is a brain dump of all the things you can imagine you need to do. This list is a way of emptying your brain and to stop the thoughts from swirling. The second is the short list of things to do TODAY. Give your lists a designated home and make sure they get back there.

3. In that location, are they on one piece of paper, one file, one book or in one file folder?

There is not one single, perfect method to contain the successful To-Do List. There are however, more helpful strategies. I recommend keeping the list in a small notebook. If you identify as a woman or keep a purse, ideally the notebook fits in that purse. It ought to be small enough to carry with you and large enough to keep track of the list, plus any additional to do’s that come up during the day. Using a planner serves the same purpose and keeps the information with your daily activities. It doesn’t matter if this is digital or paper version. Keep it together.

4. Are similar or related items actions listed together?Coaching can support productivity

One of the benefits of writing down the action items, is that related items can be identified. When our thoughts swirl in our head, these feel like unrelated, multiplying action items. Written down, those same items may only be one action with some qualifiers. For example the action item might be “pick up the birthday cake”. The qualifier might be “before 4 pm” or “and dropped off at party venue” or “pick up candles”.

5. Does each item start with a verb?

I call this “verbing up your To-Do List”. Our brains receive clear direction when the action item begins with a verb. If your action relates to getting organized, you might use words like sort, clear, purge, empty, or reduce. Your brain understands the clear action word and knows what to do. Using a verb to start each item removes confusion. On my To-Do List today is “complete weekly blog post on the successful to-do list”.

6. Are your To-Do List items sorted by date identified, date due, level of importance, level of urgency, relevance to your objectives?

Not all to do’s are created equal. Does your list help your brain understand which item to tackle first? Using the 2 list method, the “capture everything” list is just a brain dump of all your thoughts. It can be useful to sort this list by area of your life e.g. work, health and fitness. corner of day timer with to-do list title at top of page against blue folder and coffee cup on desk.The today list represents items that are scheduled for today, are urgent or time sensitive. If you plan your time using time blocking, your to do’s for today are scheduled into the time blocks.

7. Do you know when the items have been accomplished?

An effective goal is one that is clearly measurable. A measurable goal means you know exactly when it has been accomplished. The same is true for the successful To-Do List items. With the birthday cake example above, you know exactly when that item is complete; it’s 4 pm and either you have dropped the cake at the venue or you haven’t. Once again, items written with a verb, and built-in completion details, provide your brain with clarity. These items are easier to accomplish. Accomplishing tasks is faster when your entire To-Do List is built with clear action items.

The successful To-Do List is easy to keep track of, easy to follow and contains clear, actionable items.  “Verbed up”, your brain receives clear information about what it needs to direct you to do and when that task is done.

Clarity Organizing Strategies Productivity
Tags : Goals, Lists, organizing strategies, Time Management, To Do List
orange sunflowers in blue vase showing calendar to July. show time to plan the second half of 2024

The Power of Process and Outcome Goals

Posted by Carolyn on
 May 15, 2024
  ·  No Comments

orange sunflowers in blue vase showing calendar to July. show time to plan the second half of 2024. time to evaluate progress on our goalsCreating both process and outcome goals for your business can take energy and time. You will be glad you did and here is why.

Introduction

When it comes to planning for our business, many of us focus on the end result – the outcome we want to achieve; the destination to which we are headed. But what about the journey itself? The steps we take to get there? That’s where process goals come in. In this post, we’ll explore the difference between process and outcome goals, and why both are crucial for a successful plan and achieving success.

Outcome Goals

Outcome goals are the specific, measurable results we want to achieve. They’re the destinations we’re heading towards. Examples of include:

  • Increasing sales by 20% in the next quarter
  • Landing a major client
  • Publishing a book

Outcome goals give us direction and motivation. They help us stay focused on what we want to achieve and give us a sense of accomplishment when we reach them.

Process Goals

woman reading map. process goals are like a map to our outcome goals.

Process goals, on the other hand, are the actions we take to achieve our outcome goals. They’re the steps we need to take to get to our destination. Examples include:

  • Spending 2 hours each day prospecting for new clients
  • Writing 500 words each day to meet a book deadline
  • Implementing a new marketing strategy to increase sales

Process goals help us stay on track and make progress towards our outcome goals. They give us a sense of control and agency, and help us develop new skills and habits.

Why Both are Important

So, why do we need both process and outcome goals? Here are a few reasons:

  1. Outcome goals give us direction, but don’t define the task to get there.
  2. Process goals give us momentum. Without them, we can get stuck in analysis paralysis or procrastination.
  3. Process goals help us take action and make progress.
  4. Process goals help us develop new skills and habits: By focusing on the actions we need to take, we can develop new skills and habits that help us achieve our outcome goals.
  5. Outcome goals can be outside of our control, but process goals are within our control: Sometimes, despite our best efforts, we can’t control the result. But we can always control the actions we take to get there.

Conclusionwoman raising arms in success at tope of hill. both the journey and destination are important.

In conclusion, accomplishing our goals and a successful plan requires focussing on both the journey and the destination. Knowing our destination gives us direction and motivation. Enjoying and focussing on the journey helps us take action and make progress. By setting both types of goals, we can stay focused, motivated, and in control of our journey to success. Remember, it’s not just about the destination – it’s about the journey itself.

 

Planning Productivity
Tags : Goals, Planning, Time Management
person's legs with red running shoes lying on white hammock

Delay and Procrastination: Same or Different?

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 31, 2024
  ·  No Comments

How does one determine whether not doing something is delay and procrastination?

Procrastination is a one of the most common complaints and issues for all my clients whether they are seeking my support for decluttering, down sizing, business or life coaching. Curiously it all looks the same and the concerns are expressed the same way.

“Why do I keep procrastinating when I know I should be doing this (filling the blank with desired goal to accomplish)? Why can’t I just do it?”

Delay vs Procrastination: The Differencewhite balance scale with apples on one weigh plate.

Timothy Pychyl is one of my favourite resources on procrastination. His book Solving the Procrastination Puzzle has been a great resource and provided extremely helpful information.

Pychyl defines procrastination as “needless voluntary delay”. In other words an individual is choosing to delay action on an item, unnecessarily. He points out that other delay may be caused by factors outside of our control, resulting in a frustrating delay. For example we may need to wait for a supply back order to be available before starting on that fabulous DIY project. A delay may be caused by a shift in priorities. Instead of working on the project the weekend the supplies are available, you time is redirected to caring for a sick child. Balancing and juggling priorities is a day to day challenge for most people.

According to Pychyl all procrastination is delay but not all delay is procrastination. Some delay is waiting on another thing to be completed. Delay could activities out of our control.

Someday I Will Syndrome

Then there is the someday syndrome. Goals we have are unspecific. It is hard to accomplish something that is vague. When there isn’t an clear outcome, date and deliverable in place, often there is a lack of accomplishment that goes with the vagueness.

Solutionscalendar open to days of week with blue and orange market sitting on top.

Here are four key solutions that may helping with your delay and something thinking:

  • Write it down. Whatever it is you want to accomplish, get it writing down to make it real and tangible.
  • Break it down. Large vague project are really hard to move forward on. Make the project or item smaller and smaller into pieces and until you are guaranteed to e successful.
  • Schedule the action or project. Most likely unless it is a very small project, you will be scheduling pieces of activity that lead to completion.

Conquer Procrastination Cheat Sheet cover

 

 

For more help with procrastination strategies, pick up a free copy of the Conquer Procrastination Cheat Sheet.

 

Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Organizing Challenges Organizing Time Productivity
Tags : Goals, Procrastination, Time Management, Understanding disorganization
red sand draining through clear hour glass

We Manage Tasks, Not Time

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 25, 2024
  ·  No Comments

hands holding up analogue clock with red face and white numbersTime management is likely the number two complaint of my clients, right behind clutter. The reality is, we don’t manage time we manage tasks and ourselves.

Time Explained

We all have exactly the same amount of time. Time ticks by at exactly the same speed for everyone. Each second, minute, hour and day goes past the same for both you and I. While it might seem like some days fly by, time ticks along at the same pace regardless of our age, stage or needs.

The Uber Productive

So how is it then that some people just seem to manage time so much better than the rest of us? They get stuff done, accomplish goals and they seem unstoppable.

The answer is that these people have learned to manage tasks really, really well.

Manage Tasks, Not TimeManage tasks woman in black juggling blue balls

Do yourself a favour; stop trying to manage time. Time is out of your control and can’t be managed. Tasks can be managed and that you mostly have control over. Try these tips to get you jump started on managing your tasks. Then sit back and enjoy your accomplishments and goals become reality.

  1. Write down all the things you think you should be doing. Writing things down makes them tangible and more realistic. Always start the task with a verb when you write them down. The verb tells your brain that action is required and what action to take.
  2. Next, identify the top 3 items that will move your goals forward faster than anything else.
  3. Create a task list for your day with only these three items on the list, listed by priority. Not sure what priority to place them in? Ask yourself, if only one task was accomplished today, which one does it have to be to move your life, business, career, family or project forward?
  4. Book the first task into your day. If there isn’t time booked, the day will eventually slip away without those most important tasks getting accomplished.
  5. If the task doesn’t fit, break it down. Make sure each part of the task is small enough that you are guaranteed to be successful with the time that you have.
  6. Keep working on the task until it is finished. Have to move on to another commitment? Take that unfinished task and put it top of your list for tomorrow, before any other task gets on your to do list for tomorrow.

Use these to help you manage your tasks. Meanwhile, look like a pro at time management.

Organizing Challenges Organizing Strategies Organizing Time Productivity
Tags : organizing strategies, Time, Time Management, Time Tamers
view of setting sun over leeward deck of sailing yacht.

Take a Break

Posted by Carolyn on
 January 18, 2024
  ·  No Comments

Sail boat in choppy waters facing sunsetWhen Life throws us rough waters, we may need to step away or take a break from our business for a short time. An annual plan can support you to get back on course faster and easier.

Life’s Hiccups

They say that Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.

It might be events over which you have no control. Or the consequences of something you did or decided days, weeks or months ago.

Maybe you aren’t getting the business results you had hoped for and you don’t know why.

Perhaps the weather has you down or a relationship or loved one needs your attention.

Or, as I sometimes say, “The moon may simply be sitting on the wrong side of the sky today”.

Regardless of the reason, when Life turns calm waters to rough, we have to respond.

Take a Breaktwo stones in sand with curves in sand around them

Stepping away or stepping back may be the best solution. Rough waters may mean a timing change or detour from your plan. If the original plan didn’t work out, stepping back to reassess can provide insight.

When an expected result shows up, slowing things down to check your assumptions can lead to a better decision and better result the next time.

If and when you are tired, anxious or find yourself not eating or sleeping well, taking a step back may provide your body and mind a rest it needs. Taking a short break gives you time to refresh. You will return able to make better decisions and more resilient to challenges.

Have a Plan

When you have an annual plan, coming back after a short break goes smoother. Recovery is faster.

When the seas get rough, don’t change the goal, change the strategy.

A good annual plan has a four steps to help you step out of your comfort zone, step up to the work, step in to the tasks and step through the inevitable challenges.

Ship's compass with calm waters to get back on course.Step one is a compelling vision that keeps you focussed and reminds you of why you are pursuing goals in the first place. Next the plan needs a break down of the year to show where the revenue opportunities sit and where the expense obligations lie. Step three is a set of detailed process and outcome goals by quarter and month to identify what work needs to be done and when. Final step is a set of tools to which you can resort when the procrastination, perfectionist, and fear of failure – or success – gremlins show up.

With this four step plan in place returning from a break will keep you focussed on your compelling vision and why it is important. The goals don’t change; the timing may need to be adjusted. It’s easier to get back on course even if a detour or delay was necessary.

Taking a break is sometimes the smartest solution when life churns the seas and unexpected challenges show up. With a solid plan getting back on track is faster and easier.

Clarity Mindfully I AM Evolving Coaching Organizing Challenges Planning Productivity
Tags : Goals, Leadership, organizing strategies, Planning, Time Management

Time Tamer Tuesday – 5 Steps to Time Management at the Office

Posted by Carolyn on
 March 14, 2017
  ·  3 Comments

Time Management at the Office

Time Management, The Illusive Goal

Wouldn’t it be nice to know that time management was actually possible? Do you wish you could get more done at the office?

Unfortunately, despite all attempts otherwise, none of us can manage Time; that is the reality.  It continues to tick away – 24 hours in each day, 60 minutes in each hour and 60 seconds in each minute – each and every day of the year.  We can, however, manage ourselves.  We can manage ourselves to do more with the time we have available. Manage your behaviour around getting things done, and time will seem way more friendly – almost like you did manage it. Here are 5 steps to get help you out.

Step 1 – Commit to Behaviour Change as a Time Management Strategy

Start by committing to managing yourself in order to get time management under control.  Set the intention to become more productive with  your time.  With a commitment to your own behaviour change, time management becomes less illusive.  Make a pact with yourself to take responsibility for doing more in less time.  While time is not to blame for what you can’t get done, only  you have control over what you CAN get done.  So take back control.

This is the toughest step.  Get firmly planted in this direction, and the rest will seem much easier.

Step 2 – Identify Your Top Priorities and Tasks for each Day, Week, Month and Year

Time Management at the Office, Set Goals

You likely already have annual priorities identified as part of your annual planning, goals, performance objectives or other performance measurement or company planning strategy.  Are you an entrepreneur?   Have you got your business objectives lined up for the year/quarter/month/week?  Great.  Now turn them into goals for the month, week and day.  What do you need to get done by the end of the day, week, month, and then the quarter, to accomplish your annual goals?  The priority tasks for today will feed into your priority goals for this week.  The same is true for the month.  By the end of this week, are you a quarter of your way to your priorities for the month?  What has to be finished to get there?

Daily tasks are the key to keeping the productivity up.  Keep your daily priority tasks simple and short.  Now write them down.  Start with a verb to direct your action.  Rather than writing “Managers’ Report” write “Collect data, analyze and write Managers’ Report”.   Writing down goals helps set the intention and for many of us, helps lodge those goals into our brains to help keep us focused and pointing in the right direction.

Step 3 – Book Time in your Calendar to accomplish the Tasks

For time management book tasks into your calendar.

Each task takes a certain amount of time.  Estimate this to the best of your ability and book the time to accomplish the task into your calendar.

There’s a funny thing about tasks we want/need/should get done, especially some of the tougher ones.  If we don’t book time and protect that time, everything else, on everyone else’s priority list, has the opportunity to get

Step 4 – Commit to the Time Scheduled – and Let Everyone Know

Your time is committed; tell the people around you.   Close your door.  Ask not to be disturbed.  Put your phone on silent.  Turn off your email alerts. Turn off all your alerts except for any related to risk management that require you to drop everything and respond (are you on the Code Blue Team?).  This often takes some practice.  With time, however, people will come to understand that you commit to your time and expect them to respect that.  And they will love that you get stuff done.  Your boss knows that managing these boundaries helps you to get stuff done for her/him.  Reports are on time.  Your staff recognize that you get stuff done for them.  Schedules are on  time.  You approve vacation requests quickly.

Nice.

Step 5 – Commit to Running Productive Meetings

You’ve got a meeting to run?  Set an Agenda.  Send it out ahead of time.  Be clear on what you are trying to accomplish.  Remember, other people struggle with time management as well.  When you are clear on the agenda, people you meet with are grateful.  Stick to it your agenda.  Finish the meeting just as soon as the agenda is accomplished.  While we are all interested in someone else’s successes, their celebrations and someone else’s venting their frustrations, if all that isn’t on your agenda, it will have to wait for some other time.  You run a focused and productive meeting.

 

With a commitment to managing yourself, identified priorities, time booked for your key tasks, protection of your time and productive meetings, time management at the office is no longer illusive.  At least it will feel like you managed time.

Office Organizing Organizing Time Time Tamer Tuesday
Tags : organizing strategies, productivity, Time Management, Time Tamers
plan your time to get important things done

Plan in Minutes

Posted by Carolyn on
 March 1, 2016
  ·  1 Comment

You Can Plan in Minuteshands holding up analogue clock with red face and white numbers

It doesn’t take long. Plan in minutes to be more productive and accomplish more goals.

You are busy.  High on your To Do List is learning how to better manage time.  You just never seem to get there.

You Can’t Manage Time

The reality is you can’t manage time.  It ticks away at the same pace whether you are prepared for that meeting, unprepared for that exam or running early or late to your client’s home.  Time moves at the same pace.

What you CAN do is manager yourself. Each time you agree to complete a task you create a time commitment. It doesn’t matter whether you are committing to yourself or someone else. It’s still requires a plan and scheduling that time commitment.

Plan How you Use Your Time

plan your time to get important things done

We can’t manage time, but we can plan to get important things done.

Being even just slightly more prepared for the day will help you achieve more focus and purpose.  And with that, you can accomplish much more. Planning in just a few minutes each day, will set you up for success and help you accomplish more

15 Minutes to Plan

At the end of the day, spend 15 minutes writing down the top 3 things you want to accomplish tomorrow.  You’ll wake up with purpose and focus.

Organizing Time Productivity Time Tamer Tuesday
Tags : Goals, Lists, Time, Time Management, Time Tamer Tuesday, Time Tamers

Time Tamer Tuesday – Tax Tips

Posted by Carolyn on
 August 14, 2012
  ·  No Comments

Categorize your tax information when you receive it.  Compiling all the data required for your tax submission will be a lot easier. 

Organizing Time Time Tamer Tuesday
Tags : Bills, Taxes, Time Management, Time Tamers

Time Tamer Tuesday – Save the Size

Posted by Carolyn on
 August 7, 2012
  ·  No Comments

Children’s feet grow very quickly.  Next time you walk past a shoe store with your child, pop in and have his/her foot measured.  When your mom calls to say she found some great children’s shoes on sale she would love to buy for your children, you’ll know exactly what size to tell her to buy.

Organizing Time Time Tamer Tuesday
Tags : Children, Time Management, Time Tamers

Time Tamer Tuesday – Lighten up on the Commitment List

Posted by Carolyn on
 July 31, 2012
  ·  No Comments

Don’t over commit yourself. It’s better to do fewer things calmly and accurately. Tomorrow is another day. 

Organizing Time Time Tamer Tuesday
Tags : Time Management, Time Tamers
Next Page →
Carolyn Caldwell photo, Instagram logo and link to follow.

Banish those Gremlins!

Conquer Procrastination Cheat Sheet

Struggling with procrastination gremlins? Grab your free copy of Conquering Procrastination Cheat Sheet: 4 Procrastination Gremlins and the Tricks to Beat Them.

Name(Required)
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Caldwell Evolution | Copyright © 2025 All Rights Reserved
Website by Janet Barclay