Not enough time to get it all done? Try these ...

A client told me today she had people in her office for 4 hours yesterday - FOUR HOURS! Multiplied times her hourly rate equals ... ouch. Additionally, her productivity was down and without question she was frustrated. She was finding herself in situations where colleagues would stop by her office with a question - and then not leave!

We created a short list of "get out of this conversation" actions: (1) Use a countdown timer on your computer. Set it to "ding" after 10 minutes, then excuse yourself to execute an activity that requires privacy (and for your visitor to shut the door on their way out). (2) Shut (lock?) your door. Route everyone through your assistant. (3) Use a "PWT" (private work time) object ... I learned this from an engineering client of mine who works in a cubicle environment. Whenever employees of his firm display a certain object (such as a mini orange work cone or even a sign) this was a signal they were using focused work time on something important and they were not to be disturbed. (4) Excuse yourself to check on a long-awaited fax or even to use the loo.

The mantra I hear often is: "I don't have time to do everything I need to do." When you set boundaries and keep them firm, you will find yourself with plenty of time to do everything you need to do ... and still have time to do the things you want to do.

Givers Gain - Why don't you HARO (help a reporter out?)

I subscribe to HARO - Help a Reporter Out - a list created by Peter Shankman to help writers, authors and publishers find sources and material for their articles, books and publications. I received this this morning:

So we broke 11,000 members last night. I sit here writing this with a cup of coffee in shock and amazement. So before I head out for my morning run, I want to share some good news. It never occurred to me that HARO might be worth something to anyone. I kinda thought I'd do it for fun, keep it up as long as I can, have a good time with it. But every day, more and more people sign up, and it shows no signs of slowing down. And with growth comes people noticing, I guess. I got a phone call last week from a friend of mine who works at an ad agency. It went something like this.

Friend: "Peter, do you know American Apparel?"
Me: "Yeah, they're that company in LA that makes clothing that I'm not hot enough to wear."
Friend: "Um... Right. Anyway, they want to advertise in HARO."
Me: "I mean, seriously, I'd have to lose another 20 or so pounds before I... Wait, what?"

And that's how it started. Remember how I've been putting those little "Helpareporter.com - better than Cats" lines at the top of the emails? Well, as of the lunchtime HARO, they're going to occasionally include special links to specific advertisers. Like American Apparel: http://tinyurl.com/4quk3p - So if you were all like, "You know, I need some new tops" or whatever, why not order them by clicking above? It'll make lots of people happy. Like, you know, me.

Peter personifies what happens when you are a giver first - without necessarily the expectation of receiving something in return. Kudos, Peter - and thanks for hooking me up with all of the great ladies I'm interviewing for my upcoming book, Success & the Single Mom!

Coach's Challenge: Is it possible for you to identify a need and fill it in this way? Spend some time today looking for a way to be a giver ... the good news for you is you will receive unexpected goodies in return (that's the way of the Universe). Of course, if you know a writer, publisher, author or anyone a list like this might be helpful for, point them here.

The transformations have begun

Ten brave and fabulous women - all single moms - met last night at the gorgeous MonteLago Village Resort at Lake Las Vegas ... the initial meeting of the Success & the Single Mom Program. Over the next 14 weeks (100 days) we'll be focusing on goals (setting and achieving), raising self-esteem, creating a support system, working smarter (so they have more time with their children) and much, much more.