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Thursday, March 8, 2018

#ThursdayThoughts with DiAnn Mills!

Good Morning Friends,

Today's guest is a very dear lady and I'm proud to know and be a friend of hers. DiAnn Mills is a multi-award winning author and has graciously shared thoughts and treasures with us before so please give her a great, big, warm, WELCOME!



We’ve heard quotes about time:

“Hey, all you people who use emojis, what are you doing with the time you’ve saved?”

“The problem with saving time is that as soon as we get it, we spend it.”

“Time is a great teacher, but unfortunately it kills all its pupils.” Hector Louis Berlioz

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” Michael Altshuler

If we’re disciplined and scheduled people, time management is part of our operating process. It falls in line with the way our brain works. We’re on time with all we do, and we’re quick to tackle the next project.

But if we struggle with procrastination and lack the ability to stay productive, then we need tools . . . sharp ones. Our families are disappointed because we’re always late. Our employers are frustrated because we can’t meet deadlines. And we’re frustrated with ourselves for upsetting others.

Here are 10 ways to increase productivity:

1. Organize and calendar tasks
Investing in a calendar allows us to record tasks, appointments, due dates, and whatever else stalking us. I suggest an online calendar in which the user can request an audible alarm. For those who prefer a hardcopy calendar, we must examine it throughout the day.

2. Establish goals
We need goals to keep us moving in the right direction. They need to be attainable with measurable steps. Goals can be fun and rewarding as well as work oriented.

3. Commit to do the work
Unless we are determined to learn how to manage our time, no amount of reading helpful blogs, books, or investing in tools will prove successful.

4. Enlist an accountability partner
Changing habits is hard, and sometimes we need those whom we respect to keep us on task. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

5. Make a list
Write down each item that needs to be done in the order of due date and most difficult. Then cross through what has been accomplished.
         
6. Sleep 8 hours each night
No one is productive, creative, or able to apply new habits unless the person is alert and well-rested.

7. Learn to say “No” to time-zappers
Each one of us has a time-zapper. Mine may not be yours. Perhaps it’s social media, TV, other people, or unhealthy activities stopping us from managing our time. Saying “No” is difficult but we can master the art of priorities.

8. Eliminate multi-tasking
I’m most guilty of this . . . doing several things at once and not quite finishing one before starting another. We call it multi-tasking when research shows we aren’t doing any of the tasks well. Finish what we start then move on to the next item.

9. Practice healthy nutrition and exercise
This is a biggie for me. The more we devote to taking care of our bodies, the more our bodies reward us with strength and energy. Neurons snap to attention when we decide to eat nutritionally sound and move our bodies. Here’s a great article from the Mayo clinic about exercise: http://mayocl.in/2nNGcB7

10. Celebrate
Mark your successes with a festive occasion. It doesn’t have to be a party, but then again why not? Adding time management into our lives adds value and importance self-esteem.

Breaking from old habits and establishing new ones isn’t easy, but with the right tools, it can be done. 

What is your favorite tip for managing time?

Wow...all GREAT tips DiAnn! One thing that helps me manage time is to remember "Time is an illusion." Albert Einstein said that so when I've done all of the above and still feel as though I'm running out of time I take deep breaths and repeat..."Time expands to meet my needs." Might sound crazy but it works!

Thanks for sharing with us today.

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She combines unforgettable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels.


Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference and The Mountainside Marketing Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson where she continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on Facebook: www.facebook.com/diannmills, Twitter: https://twitter.com/diannmills or any of the social media platforms listed at www.diannmills.com.

Readers can read about DiAnn's latest release, High Treason, view a trailer, find resources for their book club, and even take a test to see if they are a true heroine. https://diannmills.com/books/high-treason/

Hope you enjoyed today's post and that you'll check back each week for Tuesday Treasures, Thursday Thoughts and Saturday Spotlight!

Until next time take care and God Bless.
PamT

14 comments:

Patricia Kiyono said...

Great post! I agree with them all, though I manage to actually implement half of them. I couldn't live without my calendar (thank goodness for smart phones), and I write a to-do list every night before I go to bed (or at least first thing in the morning). I've found that exercising every morning helps to energize me and I'm assuming it has something to do with my being more conscious of my health.

Vicki Batman, sassy writer said...

I like your post. I do a large paper calendar, not electronic. The paper one gave me a whole picture scope which I don't get with the electronic one. I rarely have scheduling issues. I like a good sleep and exercise, too. Thanks for visiting with Pam today.

DiAnn said...

Thanks, Patricia, we love the morning exercise to get our bodies moving!

DiAnn said...

Hi, Vicki, we all have our own methods of keeping organized. A paper calendar would never work for me, but I'm glad it works for you!

Gail Pallotta said...

Hi DiAnn,

Thanks for the tips. I take a stab at each of them. Some are a must. I'd be lost without the calendar, so I got that one. I have Lyme disease, so good nutrition and exercise are a must, but the rest probably need improvement.

Congratulations on all of your writing successes.

Ruth said...

YES! Sleep has made a huge difference for me.

marilyn leach said...

Thank you for the post. I'm so glad you were organized enough to take the time to research and write it for us. I feel so overwhelmed with the marketing part of a writing career, my actual writing time has suffered. I hope to try your suggestions and hopefully get a better balance. Cheers

Barbara Britton said...

Thanks for sharing your tips DiAnn. I think saying "No" is the hardest for me, but it's getting easier.

Jacqueline Seewald said...

Excellent, helpful advice for all of us!

Alina K. Field said...

Very good advice! I'm a paper-calender person and I couldn't function without my lists.

DiAnn said...

You are an amazing group! So appreciate your warm welcome and kind comments. So let's raise our banners high! GET ORGANIZED Happy writing and reading.

Susan Coryell said...

Helpful post about time-management. Saying NO to events that will soak up time is so important for retirees who have "nothing else to do" (except write!). Good luck and continued success with your writing.

Deborah Piccurelli said...

Great advice! This is something I need to implement in my own life.

Kelly Goshorn said...

Solid advice. I get organized but staying organized...that's the kicker for me! Thanks for these tips, DiAnn!