I clearly remember my first day on my first professional job.  Just out of college, I was sent to a training which included an hour or two about time management.  The trainer, a much older and wiser woman, told us all to repeat a little mantra after her.  The time management mantra was "Do it now!" 

I wish I had a five dollar bill for everytime I remembered- and applied- the mantra over the last 20 years. It has been one of my guiding lights to superior productivity.

David Allen, of Getting Things Done fame, (one of my personal favorite books) also has a version of "Do it now!"  He teaches his readers to "Do it now" but only if it will take you two minutes or less. 

If the task will take more than two minutes, Allen encourages his readers to capture the idea on their project list to get it out of their head.   

It works for me!  Try it and see if it works for you.

Too much to do and not enough time to do it all? Are you rushing, rushing, rushing and getting nowhere fast?

Everyone that I am working with these days — from entrepreneurs to
corporate execs —  is feeling the pinch of being "connected" 24/7 by
technology while still being responsible for all of the other "stuff" in life.
Some people have tried to cope by getting up earlier and earlier each
day; or by going to bed later and later each night. This lack of sleep
only creates fogginess, a loss of focus and makes the problem worse. 

So, what can a person do?

Whether I am working with a person in a personal consulting
arrangement or speaking in front of a large audience, I recommend five
things to help people take back the control of their time which leads
to a happier and healthier life: 

1. Become self-aware — just how are you spending your time each day?
2. Identify habits — what are you doing consistently that is
   helping you achieve your goals? What are you doing that is getting in
   the way of your goals?
3. Create a plan — changing a habit can take some time and elbow
   grease. Hey, you didn’t get this way overnight!  Choose one habit that
   you want to strengthen or change and work daily for 40 days to "build
   those new muscles."
4. Find support —  research shows us that if we are involved in a
   supportive community then we are more likely to hold ourselves
   accountable for taking the action we need to take. Find a friend, or a
   personal coach, who can hold you accountable in a loving way. And, who
   can help you celebrate each small success on your journey to time
   freedom.
5. Pay attention to your self talk —  is that little voice in
   your head critical of your efforts? Change that voice to be caring and
   supportive of your new lifestyle habits.

With just self awareness, some focused attention on the habits you
are strengthening and the choices you are making each day, you, too,
can experience fabulous time freedom. 

Let’s face it. Executives and organizational leaders are busy, busy people. Some days life can be a blur of meetings and commitments. Things can pile up quickly until we feel like our personal and work lives are out of control.

What can we do to get our lives under control again? To feel productive again? To feel less stressed and harried? Try taking a time out during your day.

Time outs (also called meditation) can last as little as five minutes or as long as 20 minutes. The focus of a time out is to relax and rejuvenate your overworked mind and body. I like to take my time outs for 15 minutes each morning and evening. The result that I’ve had with regular time outs is that my days flow smoother, I am more creative and productive.

So, now that we know why we should consider taking time for ourselves, and what the benefits would be, let’s talk about how to make them happen.

There are many different types of meditation postures a busy person can use. Depending on how you posture your body during your time out, you’ll be able to access different qualities of your subconscious mind. You will learn about three body postures here you can do in the office or at home.

Sitting: The purpose of a sitting meditation is to call upon one’s inner wisdom. This posture is best used when you are grappling with a tough problem that you need guidance for. During this time out, sit comfortably either on the floor with your legs crossed, or in a chair with your feet flat on the floor. Allow you arms to rest with your hands palms up on your thighs. Close your eyes and focus on your breathing. Notice your breath coming in and going out. Ask for inner guidance and wisdom. If you have a thought, simply notice it and return to focusing on your breathing. Stay in this position for five minutes. Work your way up to 15 minutes.

Standing: If you’re getting ready for a tough meeting and need to access your inner authority, then a standing meditation could be very helpful. This posture can assist you in dealing with things from a place of self-respect and self-esteem, setting limits without guilt. During this time out, simply stand with your arms and legs uncrossed, your feet flat on the floor and your eyes wide open. Focus on your breathing. Notice your breath coming in and going out. Ask for your inner strength and personal power to show itself in your tasks today. If you have a thought, simply notice it. Continue to focus on your breath. Stay in this position for five minutes. Work your way up to 15 minutes.

Moving: Sometimes we need some help getting our "creative juices" flowing. A moving meditation can do just that. During a moving time out you could be walking, jogging, biking, dancing, or taking part in any other activity that you choose to help you listen to your inner voice. During this time out, keep your body open and uncrossed. Focus on your breathing. Notice your breath coming in and going out. Ask for the ability to be more creative. Continue to focus on your breath. You’ll notice some intuitive insights and creative solutions that begin to appear spontaneously. Stay in this moving meditation for five minutes. Work your way up to 15 minutes.

A happier, more productive life is waiting for you. All you have to do is take the time to ask!