SMARTER NOT HARDER

We've all heard the old saw, "work smarter not harder." And yet we often continue adding more and more to our plates never stopping to ask how we might accomplish that mission. Actually, before you jump into finding ways to save time, ask yourself a few questions: What would my life or business look like if I was really working smarter not harder? What would I use my "extra" time for? Family and friends, hobbies, reading, travel...something else? Would more time free me up to write the book, read more books, develop the new product or launch the new marketing program?

So as one year draws to a close and a new one dawns, I offer the following suggestions to help you gain clarity, momentum and focus to do what really counts in your life and business. And if you have a great "smarter not harder" idea to pass on, I'd love to hear from you at bettym@dynamic-coaching.com.

1) Outsource. Find others to do the things you can no longer afford to do. That's right I said "things you can no longer afford to do." So often people refuse to hire support saying they can't afford it. The truth is, if you're really ready to leverage your strengths and leave your stamp on the world, there are probably things you can no longer afford to do.

Whether it's finding someone to clean your house, do your invoices or dozens of other chores, there are professionals waiting to take that load off your shoulders; people who love to make a living doing stuff many of us dislike, don't have time for, or simply realize we've earned the right to stop doing. Did you know there is an organization that can help you find a virtual assistant, someone who works for you on an as-needed basis, (although not with you in your office) that will handle everything from the most basic tasks like invoicing and mailing stuff, to more creative challenges such as putting together marketing pieces or editing your newsletters? It's the International Virtual Assistants Association (www.ivaa.org) and these folks are waiting to help you work smarter not harder! House cleaning, yard work, filing and errands (think standing in line at DMV-yuk!) are all tasks that are more easily and efficiently handled by someone else and there are people out there ready, willing and able to handle them for you. You've got better things to do with your time; what's holding you back?

2) Automate. Do you really still balance your checkbook by hand? Do you still pay bills by writing checks, licking envelopes and sticking on stamps? Do you think there's only one way to send out a personal greeting card or thank you note to a client, prospect or even a friend? Well think again! Programs like Quicken and Microsoft Money are so easy to install and use that even a techno- peasant (like me) can have them up and running in no time. Almost every business or company you do business with can be paid on line either through their own bill-paying center, your bank's bill- paying program or via similar services through Quicken and Money.

Even sending out a personal note or greeting card can now be handled through services such as www.sendoutcards.com (contact me for a free trial account). These are actual--not electronic--cards you customize with your personal message; someone else does the stamping, licking and mailing. They will even create a personal font with your handwriting! Don't forget that your computer comes loaded with hundreds of ready-to-use templates for everything from a basic letter to newsletters and Power Point presentations. Why reinvent the wheel? I'm probably preaching to the choir here, but my point is that technology is our friend when it comes to creating more time to do what we love.

3) Systematize and simplify. I owe one of my long-time coaching clients for this succinct slogan. Find a way to systematize and simplify everything you do. Systematizing might mean clustering all of your phone calls at one point in the day rather than spreading them throughout the day. It could mean creating a simple- to-use wardrobe system (or hiring a professional to help you) so you never again have to stand in your closet wondering what to wear. Maybe you waste too much time on errands and don't want to pay someone to do them for you. Then find a way to systematize the process so it takes you less time or is contained in one block of time on a set day. Did you realize that there are websites that will put together weekly shopping lists for you so you don't have to spend time wondering what to buy at the store? Of course, you can have someone plan your menus that way too...the possibilities are endless.

As for simplifying, there are numerous ways to simplify your life and take a huge strain off. Start by cancelling subscriptions to magazines you rarely read. If you really want to read something in a magazine, buy that issue of the publication (or view it on line) rather than roping yourself into a 12-24 month contract and suffer the monthly guilt and clutter associated with unread publications. This also goes for buying books (except those that are keepers for your personal collection). Quit buying and instead use the library your taxes help pay for! Ask to be removed from catalog subscription lists and/or develop the discipline of tossing catalogs before they ever make it in the house. In journalism, (my first career) we were taught the KISS principle: Keep it simple, stupid! A simpler life is usually a less-stressed life, so constantly ask yourself, "is there a way to simplify or systematize this process or activity?"

4) Finally, have a plan! It surprises me when I talk to people who have no specific plans for their lives or businesses. They use no time-management systems, go from day-to-day doing whatever pops up or handling the crisis du jour. Even a poor plan is better than no plan. So take the time to set out what you want to accomplish every year, month, week and day, and include both personal and professional goals.* Identify your top daily priorities and work through your list. And most of all write them down! Something written down takes on a life of its own and stands a much greater chance of happening than something swimming around in your head. As someone has said, "the dullest pencil is still better than the sharpest mind." With the amount of information flowing to us, through us and at us on a daily basis having a plan is an absolute essential for working harder not smarter.

I recently attended the International Coach Federation conference and heard author Daniel Pink (A Whole New Mind), set forth the premise that the economic future belongs to those who combine what he calls "high concept" with "high touch". The right brain with its creative, synthesizing, wholistic, empathic, emotive capacity provides the capital for the future. That means that many of the old left brain, analytical, technical functions are more and more being managed by those who are either better equipped or economically motivated to take on the tasks that no longer fit the new paradigm.

So if you're ready to take your quality of life and/or the quality of your business product or service to a whole new level, you'll need to clear out mental and physical hard-drive space to make room for a new way of thinking and business management. If you're ready to launch yourself into that brighter future, it's time to start working smarter not harder, beginning now.

"Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius."
~~George Bernard Shaw

*Best Year Yet...coming soon! The new year is the perfect time to create the game plan that will propel you to personal and professional satisfaction and success. Join me in Las Vegas on Jan. 12, 2007 for the first Best Year Yet public seminar of the new year. For additional information send a blank email with "BYY info" in the subject line. And if you've previously attended a BYY program ask me how you can save almost half off the regular registration fee!!

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