Tips & Insights for Top Performance » Time Management

Run with it

admin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:51:54 +0000

“Let your life come fully and positively to life. You are here on this glorious day, so make the very most of it.

You have passions and interests, so pursue them. You have dreams and desires, so get busy and fulfill them.

You have unique perspectives and opinions, so express them. A magnificent, fascinating universe surrounds you, so experience it.

There are people about whom you care deeply. So give them your time, your attention, your love and fellowship.

You’ve already experienced yesterday, so don’t live it again today. This is a day to bring new and interesting and meaningful substance into your life.

On this very day you have the priceless opportunity to live. Take that opportunity, right now, and run with it as far and as high as you possibly can.”

Ralph Marston

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

What Can a Coach Do For You?

admin — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 18:30:42 +0000

I recently had to do a comparison of coaching and type of candy.
I picked Jolly Ranchers and my husband Mike wrote this poem about Jolly Ranchers and Coaching…

There once was a rancher named Molly
Whose Ranch was OK, but she not so jolly
The ranch hands were mad, cattle running amuck
Profit was dwindling, poor Molly was stuck

Inventory, weather, food for the cows
Get it all done, she didn’t know hows
She felt very busy, but spinner her wheels
It seemed like she was always back on her heels.

If I could be more productive, get teams to work
Perhaps the important I’d never more shirk
I’d love to know just how to win
To operate my ranch to bring more dollars in.

She needed a strategy to help her sort out
All things of import, the rest she’d toss out
She looked for some help, these topics to broach
And saw the best was to hire a coach.

The ranch became a team, all personalities tested
All working their strengths, while the others, they rested
When one goal was done another was made
The progress she saw, she never would trade.

It just goes to show when life gets a mess
It hampers your business, and just causes stress
So take home a lesson from Rancher Miss Molly
Hire a coach and make your ranch much more jolly!

Every business owner and executive is just like a rancher… with much to plan and manage.
If coaching can support you or a rancher you know, e-mail for a FREE sample session!

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Fulfillment Is Yours

admin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 18:39:06 +0000

“Fulfillment is yours

You’ve waited long enough. This is the day to take action.

The excuses are quite reasonable and understandable, and yet they have brought no value to your life.

Let go of those comfortable excuses, and step forward into the bright, direct light of achievement.

The hours in this day will quickly pass no matter what you choose to do with them.

So you might as well make full use of them to create meaningful value.

If you’re not sure what to do, take a moment and reach deep inside.

Remind yourself of the things that mean the most, and do what truly strengthens and supports those things.

If the disruptions and distractions erode your focus, reach inside again.

Commit yourself with your actions, over and over, to live true to your highest vision.

This is your life and today is your opportunity to make a difference.

Get busy, because fulfillment is now yours to create.”

Ralph Marston

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Tips and Tricks to Enhance Your Business & Life

admin — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 01:14:59 +0000

I don’t know about you, but this summer has been flying by! As I am working with many of my clients, we are designing what they want for the fall . August is here, a few people may still be trying to squeeze summer activities in before “back to school/work” time! This is a great time to get some work done that is harder to do when people are around and demands of your time are greater. A few months ago we talked about SPRING CLEANING. Now that you have all your cleaning done, it is a great time to assess your environment for maximum productivity in the fall. While this concept may overlap spring cleaning, the focus is on preparing for the fall. An exercise that is great to do this is visiting TOLERATIONS.

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer from Minneapolis, MN

Healthy Summer Balance

admin — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 19:34:40 +0000

As summer gets going – it can be a challenge to balance the on-going demands of work and the pulls of kids, family and warm weather calling you to summer activities.
Here are 4 or 5 tips on how to have a healthy work/life balance this summer:
• Have a FROG time in the AM – which is a one hour, power hour that you do the important things that otherwise get forgotten as you attend to urgent matters. The FROG time helps you feel more prepared, more focused and more on top of your game so you can have a productive work day and then get on with some summer fun!
• Make sure to take at least ONE full day off – no work. It allows your brain to shut off and really recharge. This is very important. Resist the urge to crawl back to your computer/office!
• Enlist some help. There are often a few tasks you can delegate or outsource. If you don’t have money to pay someone, consider other methods – i.e. can you barter or find a summer intern? Get some support to get on top of your work (summer projects).
• Set work hours. If summer means shorter work hours or an extra day off, plan for it and set summer hours. It will help you plan and work efficiently in the time you have rather than working hard and then leaving something important left undone.
• Have a summer game plan. What do you NEED and WANT to get done this summer? Do a brain dump of everything that is a priority this summer and draft out which projects you could do each week.
Summer is a great time to recharge and have fun. You can do both if you have focus and a plan!

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Focus and Purpose

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 20:09:00 +0000

“Effort alone does not create achievement. Somebody can put forth a lifetime of effort and not have much to show for it.

What counts is focused effort in the service of a meaningful purpose. Get that, and you’re really getting somewhere.

Just being busy is not going to make you successful. Instead of merely using up time, find a way to create real, desirable value with the time you have available.

Don’t comfort yourself with being aimlessly busy. Challenge yourself to get meaningful results from your time and effort.

Outstanding achievement and disappointing mediocrity are both built from the same twenty-four hours in each day. The difference is not one of time or even effort, but of focus and authentic purpose.

As long as you’re making the effort, as long as you’re using up resources, as long as you’re spending the time, make it all count. Make a habit of doing what really matters, and you’ll enjoy a life that’s really great.”

Ralph Marston

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

The Benefits of Coaching

admin — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 17:39:01 +0000

VISION – MOTIVATION – FOCUS – CLARITY – ENERGY – SPEED – PRODUCTIVITY – RESULTS – SUCCESS - and more.. What could you do with this?

VISION. You will have a clear idea of where you want to go and how to get there. Often we know the end result, but do not see what it takes to get there. This is critical for your success. You cannot do what you cannot see first. Coaching will ask you questions to make sure your vision is strong.

MOTIVATION. You will know what you really want and understand your unique values and motives to keep you moving forward. Stop procrastinating, delaying and putting off because of fears, perfectionism and doubts.

FOCUS. You will be able to operate with clear priorities, doing what is most important things which will allow you to excel In the midst of ‘urgent’ demands and busy chaotic schedules and lives.

CLARITY. Each coaching session deepens your learning about how you work and think. Coaching also prepares you for action and supports you in getting crystal clear on the steps to take. By work with a coach, you will get a helicopter perspective so that you can return to your business and navigate quickly because you have taken time to assess where you are going. You will be able to see what is right in front of you and developed a plan to forge ahead.

ENERGY. You will find yourself working at your optimum potential. Why? When you are operating in line with your values, life just simply comes together in an easy way. Coaching will give you with the encouragement, momentum, and natural dynamics to operate more efficiently and effectively. You cannot get more hours in the day, but if you have more energy, you will get more done and feel great!

SPEED. You will be more effective. Through planning and strategizing, you will be able to eliminate ineffective methods and enhance those methods that are most natural to supporting you in reaching your goals quicker.

PRODUCTIVITY. You will simply get more done. Coaching will keep your goals clear and in line with your vision. Next, it ensures that what you are doing is important to furthering the bottom line, not just want is urgent, easy or obvious. Then, the regular accountability provides a structure that will keep you moving forward, so you can really get it all done.

RESULTS. Through regular coaching and consistent follow-up, you will increase your bottom-line results. Profits. Clients. Personal Passions. Weight Lose. Whatever your objective is, coaching is a strategic partnership to support you in getting what you want as quickly as possible. If you are ready and motivated, you can actually double what you accomplish in a period of time.

SUCCESS. You will be more successful. Through keeping focused on what you want, the goals and the plan, coaching helps you keep the big picture in mind while you implement the small steps. While focusing on the goals, coaching monitors the balance in your whole life, so you are not distracted with life pulls but have all the elements of your life complimenting your actions. Before you know it, your goal is complete!

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Staying Organized on a Monthly Basis

admin — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 19:14:39 +0000

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to have more family balance and be more organized at home in 2011? Here was HGTV’s tips on staying organized on a monthly basis.

“STAY ORGANIZED CHECKLIST: MONTHLY

Bill Paying

Pay bills once or twice a month or set up automatic payments for recurring bills such as the mortgage, utilities and credit cards.

Paperwork

File paid bills in an accordion folder or similar filing system.
Update your designated file for receipts pertaining to taxes and deductions.

Bulk Shopping

Make a bulk shopping trip. Buy household items such as paper goods, cleaning supplies and toiletries. Purchasing these standard items on a monthly basis will streamline weekly shopping.

Calendar

Review the calendar at the beginning of each month to plan for upcoming events or gift purchases.”

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Staying Organized on a Weekly Basis

admin — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:12:30 +0000

Do you have a New Year’s Resolution to have more family balance and be more organized at home in 2011? Here was HGTV’s tips on staying organized on a weekly basis.

“STAY ORGANIZED CHECKLIST: WEEKLY

Grocery Shopping and Meal Planning

Plan out the week’s meals on Sunday afternoon and create a shopping list.
Designate a time for coupon clipping and commit to it. Recycle unused coupons.
Shop once a week for family meals, bringing your menu plan with you.

Family Schedules

Review the calendar for the week with other family members to ensure you have all appointments accounted for.

Laundry

Set up a routine schedule for dry cleaning. Many dry cleaners will pick up and deliver weekly; your office might offer a similar program.
Attempt to do as much washing, folding and ironing before the week begins. This will save time during the week.

Car

Remove trash, and organize must-haves for the car.
Find homes for everything that does not belong in your car.”

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN

Successful People Are Always Pursuing Balance

admin — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 22:50:30 +0000

I asked some of the successful and talented business owners and professionals I know, what they consider their key to success… here is what they said…..

“Successful people are always pursuing balance in their life. There are only so many hours in a day and it is important to prioritize every aspect of our lives instead of just our business lives. Family, marriage, spirituality, health, volunteering, etc. are all the components of a successful person – in business and in life. If you are lucky enough to pursue what you love then you will see success follow. People will want to be part of that success.”

Lois Cozart, Owner
My Girlfriend’s Closet
www.mygirlfriendsclosetnc.com

Christy Geiger, Executive Business Coach & Trainer, Minneapolis, MN