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The top goal-achieving secret to use when planning next year

The top goal-achieving secret to use when planning next year

by EvieBurke, posted in Goals, planning

It’s the time of year where we start thinking about our goals for next year and contemplating everything we want to experience and accomplish in our business and life.

I don’t know about you, but I find this part so much fun! This is the dreaming part, the what could I do next year part.

Don’t stop here, though! Yes, you need to know where you want to go (the goal part), but don’t forget the how part that comes next. The how part is the process; this is where the work gets done.

This is the top goal-achieving secret: focus on the process, not the goal.

Yes, set your goals — you need to know what you’re working toward. But in your day-to-day, focus on the process.

The process part includes not only mapping out the details of how you’ll achieve that goal but also includes:

  • how you set up your day
  • how you keep track of everything you want to do and accomplish
  • your ability to stay on task

Again, focus on the process, the systems you use to accomplish your goals.

You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fail to the level of your systems.

James Clear (Atomic Habits)

Focus on the process, and you’ll achieve your goals.

If you prefer listening/watching, you can catch this on Facebook or YouTube.

background picture of child holding head in hand with text over top "How to quickly get started when you're feeling completely overwhelmed"

How to quickly get started when you’re feeling completely overwhelmed

by EvieBurke, posted in Overwhelm

Does this sound familiar: 

I have NO idea where to start, I never feel like I’m making progress, and I don’t know what to do next!

One of the Merriam-Webster definitions of overwhelm is “to cause (someone) to have too many things to deal with.”

And all of those things are living in your head. So, you start on one thing, then remember a couple of other things. They’re all important, but where do you start?!

So, how do you quickly get started when you’re feeling completely overwhelmed?

The quickest way to move out of this feeling is to write down everything that needs to happen in the next few days. 

Then put a mark next to 3 things that need to be done today. Yes, there is a lot that you want to accomplish, but pick only three right now. You can’t finish everything today. So, you’re choosing the next three things you want to do. 

When you complete those three tasks, pick three more. You might not finish all three today, but you’ll know what you’re starting with tomorrow.

Also, new things are going to pop up throughout the day. So instead of trying to do them, add them to the bottom of your list.

When you feel less overwhelmed, you can do more planning and organizing around your tasks and schedule.

For some of you, this is all you need. You might create a new list every week, and you’re good to go.

For others, this is a good start but a temporary fix. Reach out, and we can have a quick conversation. 

If you prefer listening/watching, you can catch this on Facebook or YouTube.

Marbles on a blue surface with the text "How to find more marbles for your bucket quickly"

How to find more marbles for your bucket quickly

by EvieBurke, posted in energy

Like we talked about last week, your energy has a massive effect on your productivity.

If you have low energy, it’s challenging to get much done. 

It’s important to be aware of how much energy is in your “bucket.”

The premise is you have a bucket full of marbles. The marbles represent how much energy you have for the day.

You want to save those marbles for your essential tasks.

Last week I shared how to prevent losing marbles before your day even begins.

This week, let’s talk about how to find more marbles for your bucket quickly.

Just like there are little things that can cause you to lose a marble or two, there are also things you can do to put more marbles in your bucket.

These things might be

  • getting enough sleep at night,
  • working off of a to-do list,
  • exercise or movement,
  • eating at regular intervals,
  • taking regular breaks,
  • daily meditation (meditation doesn’t have to take a long time),
  • or other things that give you a bit more energy than what you started with.

These small things can replenish your energy, thereby adding precious marbles to your bucket.

What things replenish your energy bucket? Comment below and let me know!

If you prefer listening/watching, you can catch this on Facebook or YouTube.

background of marbles with text of "You don't want to lose all your marbles before the day even starts"

You don’t want to lose all your marbles before the day even starts

by EvieBurke, posted in energy, tolerating

Your energy has a massive effect on your productivity.

If you have low energy, it’s challenging to get much done. 

It’s important to be aware of how much energy is in your “bucket.”

The premise is you have a bucket full of marbles. The marbles represent how much energy you have for the day, and you don’t want to lose all your marbles before the day even starts.

You want to use those marbles on your essential tasks. But there are little things that can make us lose a marble or two.

These little things might be

  • the paint chip that’s missing on the wall in the bathroom, 
  • the door that sticks or doesn’t latch, 
  • the online order you want to return and walk by every day, 
  • the sidewalk that needs to be power-washed, 
  • the messy office you walk into every morning, 
  • and any other small thing that you’re tolerating.

Those small things add up quickly, and suddenly you’ve lost a bunch of marbles before you’ve even sat down to start work.

One way to notice what you’re tolerating is the things that you do a small internal sigh about. It’s easy to miss. Sometimes it’s fleeting thought of, “I should take care of this later” or “I should ask my partner to do this later.” 

This week, make a list of what you’re tolerating. Then, commit to removing one of those things from your list in a week.

Then you won’t lose all your marbles before the day is out!

Let me know what how this goes for you!

If you prefer listening/watching, you can catch this on Facebook or YouTube.

Text: Two quick secrets about to-do lists

Two quick secrets about to-do lists

by EvieBurke, posted in Task List

To-do lists get a bad rap as bringing stress and overwhelm and taking SO MUCH TIME.

Here are two super quick secrets about to-do lists.

Secret 1: It’s just another name for goal and project management.
To-do lists are your system for keeping your business and life running smoothly and staying focused on what matters.

Secret 2: A well-crafted to-do list gives you time back.
It does! Because it’s tied to your goals and gives you permission to not worry about everything else. 

When you’re to-do list is crafted the right way, it does feel like everything is easier.

So, does your to-do list keep your business running smoothly? Does it give you time back? Or does it bring you stress and overwhelm?

Let me know if you want help creating a to-do list that keeps things running smoothly, gives you time back, and allows you to work less while accomplishing more.