Brain Storming

Brainstorming requires LATERAL THINKING. Initially the idea is to let the mind ponder, to allow any thoughts enter without disturbing your creative flow thus being a supportive tool.This method of managing your time works for when your thinking has become stale, an established way of thinking needs developing towards new ways of looking at things. By producing results we develop new opportunities with your existing approaches.

First you need a large BLANK piece of paper, coloured pens or pencils/Texas's- and the ability to spread out!

Once this is started fix your mind on the flowing ideas you desire to be the focus, at times music can either hinder the process or deepen it...depending entirely on your mood at the time.

Now that your concentrated the best next thing is to generate a sense of "no criticism"..."no judgement" and allow radical ideas to simply flow onto the paper in word format, or drawings, symbols...Whatever works visually, instinctively for you best. Some may be strange/odd maybe even shocking ideas, concepts or pictures-let them improve, change without cramping your natural flow and creativity. This now is beginning to look like a Mind Map. Mind Maps are an ideal way to map out, and brain storm away into the depth of your truest creative mind.

Feel free to be as creative as you want!!!

Goals - S.M.A.R.T.

Looking back to the last section of goal setting, my intent now is to help you with clear Goal Setting. If you look back to last months edition on Goals you had 7 steps to consider with 6 areas of your life, as a highlight. In time we all discover exactly what we want, so now that you have the opportunity to follow a particular formula, used by millions amongst us, go for it, here goes!!

The formula is SMART which is simple and effective."

S = "Be Specific", as specific as; To have completed my editorial by 31.July.2008 or, to be on my Holiday in Bali on/by the 31st.Dec.2008
M = "Is it Measurable?" So the goal has to have a time span, a life span and a way of measuring it's worth so as to manage it, ask questions like How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
A = "Attainable" literally means that you will begin to figure out ways in which your most important goals will succeed;they may be in the area of attitude, ability, skills, financial capabilities..etc. Once you have attained a few goals eventually, you begin to grow towards the ones that do not seem so attainable. It helps set in motion self-esteem and self worth. So reach for the sun, the moon and the stars, with a vengeance, a humble vengeance.
R = "Realistic" A realistic approach, as well an outcome needs to be employed here! No point in becoming your own worst enemy, however it is found that the higher you aim the more motivation you should generate towards accomplishing it! So with this in mind, you truly need to believe it can be done...a good way is to look back when you have accomplished something in the past and ask yourself what would have to exist to accomplish this goal now?
T = "Tangible" If you tangibly handle this goal-put timely on the same page as tangible. Without a time frame there is no urgency-hence no outcome and no goal! However if you anchor the time frame specifically, to for instance; loosing 5 kg, in "someday" category or, 5kg lost within 3 month period(get specific=By 31st Of March 2008) You will see results from the unconscious mind, working to achieve this goal by this time frame with the senses also working for you being-touch, taste, smell, sight or hearing!

Effective Scheduling

Having 15 minutes a day for effecting prioritising, scheduling and organisation of your To Do Lists (geared towards your SMART plan)-every day keeps you on top of your goals from a day to day perspective, and places you in a more effective position, towards your outcomes.

A Few Key Questions to Ask:

Are you treating things as being more important than they really are?
Have you set goals that aren't achievable/attainable with your time you have available?
Are you taking on too many additional activities?

Once you answer these on a regular basis to almost all your scheduled goals, not only does it become second nature but consciously you will begin to recognise and aspire to meeting your goals everyday with the reality set in motion.

What does effective scheduling involve?

Understanding realistically-what you can achieve with your time.
Planning time to make the best of your time.
Leave time-for things you must do.
Contingency time preserved to manhandle the "Unexpected"- Life.
Minimise stress by over committing to other tasks.

So each night or day spend 15 minutes to set out the next days goals and schedule them with your diary. :)