The 2 Essential Steps of Time Management

I have read hundreds of books on the topic and have recently been studying time management. There are all kinds of systems out there for managing time, and many of them are good. But really what it all comes down to is two essential steps:

• Step 1: Identify the most important thing to work on.
• Step 2: Work on it until you have finished it.

Effective time managers do these steps and repeat them regularly. All other time management literature is useful if it helps you you accomplish these steps. So, what is the most important thing for you to be working on, right now?

You Must Become Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable!

One of the most important things you will ever do on your road to becoming a finisher is to become comfortable with being uncomfortable. In the recent past I set a goal to complete a half marathon and a full marathon. However, if you ever met me in person, you would probably NEVER think of me as a runner. I am short, stocky, and shaped like a large fleshy brick. My body is genetically designed to lift large things, not run distances, yet I met my goal and have finished both a half and a full marathon.  

Here I am finishing the Bear Lake half marathon. It was difficult to achieve this goal, but it was an exciting success. 

So, how did I do it? I became comfortable with being constantly uncomfortable. I trained, stretched, received physical therapy, massages, and chiropractic services all to the end of reaching my goal. It was painful and unpleasant at times - I spent hundreds of hours running along roads and trails over hills, and mountains. But along the way I began to enjoy the challenge of the training. It became invigorating and inspiring to see my progress, to improve my health, and to move forward with great success.

Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable!

Just like training to run a marathon, your path to becoming a finisher will likely be uncomfortable. Working toward new goals and dreams is difficult and uncomfortable because it takes you out of your routine. It places strain on your mind and body that you did not previously have, and this can be painful. However, over time your body and mind will become stronger and your ability to succeed becomes more natural. Remember:

“That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed but that our power to do has increased.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Satisfaction in the Struggle

You will learn to find satisfaction in the struggle. Working toward a goal is often as satisfying as reaching the goal. Training to run a race can be as exhilarating and beautiful as running the race. Studying to pass a class or earn a degree can be as satisfying as earning the degree. To build muscle, you must endure the pain of training. Consciously and consistently placing yourself on the path to success is success itself, so learn to love the process and path of success.

Make Friends with Discomfort

If you want to change and improve your life, you will have to become friends with the pain of learning, action, and setbacks. In time you will learn to enjoy these difficulties as personal challenges and will welcome them as a way to improve yourself.

A Challenge: Do Something Difficult

What have you been avoiding but know you need to do? What one difficult thing could you do right now to significantly increase your success? make a goal to do that task today or soon, and do it! Success breeds success, so set out to do something difficult and worthwhile.

How to Have a Happy Boss

Updated May 2, 2016
Your supervisor can make your life great or make it terrible. I have had bosses that have inspired me and bossed that have stamped out my creativity, drive, and happiness. I've realized that I have significant power over how my boss perceives and supports me in my work. In this post, I will share strategies for having a helping your supervisor be a happy boss so that you can move forward in you work and career more effectively.

What to Assume About Your Boss
Before we get into the strategies for helping your manager be a happy boss, you must assume the following: Your boss is likely very busy. Your boss wants you to succeed. Your boss will give you benefits and opportunities if you do excellent work. If you observe that this is not true, then you may be in a toxic situation (see my posts about toxic coworkers and office zombies). If so, and these strategies are not effective, you may need to move on to a healthier work environment and begin applying the strategies below immediately.

Managing Your Boss Through Action
What do you want your boss and coworkers to think about you? Hard working? Team player? Problem solver? Positive? Good communicator? Ultimately, you really need to BE the kind of employee that gets respect, support, and earns rewards and opportunities. To do this, you must be willing to apply the strategies below to your work.

Here are the strategies:

1. Take responsibility for your work! The most fundamental you can do is do a great job at your work. Meet deadlines, work hard, and do everything you can to achieve your boss's expectations and the goals you set for yourself.
2. Build positive relationships! Positive relationships are pleasant and productive. Build these relationships with everyone you work with.  
3. Don't cause unnecessary problems! Avoid creating extra work for your boss. If there is a problem that needs to be brought to your boss's attention, share the problem and offer to solve the problem. This will go a long way to move your relationship forward.
4. Pay attention! What bugs your boss? What does she like? Figure out how to avoid irritating your boss.
5. Make your boss's life easier! Do everything you can to assist them in their work. Remember, your boss is likely overworked, so anything you can do to ease her burden will be welcomed.
6. Succeed! If you succeed, your boss succeeds. Do everything you can to help the organization achieve its goals, and your boss will be happy with you.  
7. Make your boss successful! Do what you can to move your boss and her organization forward. She will appreciate it and will think of you when greater opportunities come along.

If you would like to improve your relationship with your boss, start with number 1 and work down the list. You will be astonished by how things can change over time through consistent, positive effort.

What else would you add to the list?