A message from Sandy. Managing your staff is one of the most important jobs of a leader, however, don’t overlook your other great challenge–managing yourself. It sounds simple, but you just may be the only thing holding you back from a big breakthrough. Unfortunately, there is no emergency line or  911 to call when dealing with our own problems–so you will just have to create your own game plan.

Here’s a few Do’s and Don’ts for managing yourself more effectively:

DO know yourself. You may be thinking– Duh! But most leaders spend so much time managing others that they don’t take the time to take a hard look at themselves. A 360 evaluation can help, but more importantly is just being open to feedback. Just because you have an open door, doesn’t necessarily mean that your mind is open to what you are hearing. What do you value? What are your blind spots? What have been your biggest mistakes and what did you learn from them?

DO know what you do best. Most people can rattle off a long list of weaknesses, but they are challenged to come up with a clear list of their strengths. If you think this is an exaggeration–be enlightened—sit down with a few of the people you trust most and ask them to give you feedback on what you do best. A few of the things you hear will shock you–in a good way.

DO take control of your career. It is fascinating  how many people are passive with the direction of their careers. They may wait for opportunities to fall into their lap as opposed to  creating their own opportunities. Each week try taking a small amount of personal time to focus on your career goals–you will be surprised how much you can accomplish.

DON’T get stuck in management. Management can end up being your destination each day–spending more time on those details than where your strengths lay and you could be more effective (remember delegation? I know–I know–this requires letting go!) If you find yourself dreading going to work each day, stressing over paperwork, tasks, staffing issues and ready to bite off the head of the first person you see—–it’s time for a change.

Implement some of these tips and people will be looking to you for advice on how to stay sane in a mostly insane workplace.

During times of economic stress and uncertainty, a business can benefit from developing a culture of high integrity, trust, and respect. An environment of negativity, cynicism, and mistrust of course is not as productive or satisfying as those of positivity, confidence, optimism, hope, and resilience. Encourage your team to set challenging, measurable, personally valuable goals, as well as realistic pathways and strategies to accomplish these goals and overcome obstacles—-this will enhance job satisfaction and performance—-”a different kind of bottom line.”

A message from Sandy. Micromanagement can be a concern for many team members, so consider this carefully. You may unknowingly be standing in a team members way by keeping tabs on every minuscule detail of their work. If this sounds like you—guess what? You are a micro-manager. The good news is——-there is hope for you to change your ways and by doing so, help your team become the best that they can be, and that will contribute to the overall success of the practice.

The major cause of micromanagement is a trust issue (probably–big ones). There is that constant doubt, concern, or fear that your team cannot achieve or complete things in the way that you would like. This in turn creates great pressure on the team and  morale suffers. (If you really believe the team member can’t do the job–maybe it’s time to re-evaluate that team members responsibilities.)  It’s funny——Wikipedia includes the word “symptoms” in describing micromanagement, as if it were an illness. If you really think about it, how successful has micromanaging your team been for you?–This behavior and lack of respect usually backfires and shows up in some form of undesirable behavior later.

Still not sure if you are a micromanager? How do you know if you have an addiction to micromanaging people? Watch for these signs:

1. You want to keep tabs on what everyone is doing—all of the time.
2. You leave no room for suggestions or ideas from your team.
3. Your employees avoid  having a one-on-one meetings with you.
4. You feel swamped at work, because you are not delegating to your team properly.
5. People are awaiting your approval, even for tasks that don’t require one.
6. You feel like you have to do everything yourself as no one can get the job done right.
7. You have high turnover in your staff.
8. Even if you have assigned someone the responsibility to head up a task, you feel you must still oversee it.

Imagine the negative impact. If you have ever been annoyed having someone watch your back while you attend to your daily duties, you will start to understand the feeling of being micromanaged. And that could be just the tip of the iceberg!

1. Your team members stop being straight with you because they are finding they are not heard, or stopped before they ever get started. This means you lose access to fresh ideas that can help your business and your team grow.
2. Your team members may become disengaged and will not go the extra mile to see your business succeed.
3. Your employees lose their confidence in doing a job well, and the fallout? It now diminishes their abilities to develop new skills that will help them work more efficiently and productively.
4. Apathy, confusion, resentment and anger seeps in as your employees lose interest. Imagine what that is doing to productivity.

You may be wondering is there a cure? (the first step– admit you are a micro manager–I am sure there is a support group) Behaviors can be altered, it’s just a matter of perception, a willingness to change and a huge dose of TRUST. It starts by unlearning the old ways and accepting that no one is perfect, but working as a team can help you put all of your imperfections together to come up with a flawless plan. There is nothing wrong with being detailed oriented, so long as you are not shutting down the lines of communication. Just pause for a moment and ask yourself, “Is it really worth it for me to spend the time micro managing and what is the long term impact?”

A message from Sandy. Life is full of transition and change. It is full of many moments where we learn about who we really are and what life really means. Much of the growth we experience usually occurs when we are able to overcome a challenge, move beyond our comfort zone, (hate that one!), and become a more knowledgeable and courageous person. Perhaps it is time to consider some ways during the difficult times to begin to look for opportunities among those challenges. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

• Growth by Adversity: Think back on a time when you experienced adversity. How did you handle it? Did you shrivel up and hide, or did you persevere and come away stronger? Adversity can appear in many ways—personal, professional, financial, or spiritual, regardless of what area in life we encounter the adversity–it offers us a chance for personal growth. Working through setbacks, trauma, or failure teaches us many lessons and we learn how resilient we really are.
• Growth by Awe and Beauty: Sometimes experiencing inspiration and pure wonder can lead to a change in how we view the world and our existence. Think if a time when you witnessed something so awe-inspiring, maybe the Grand Canyon, an amazing piece of artwork, a truly inspiring person, the mountains, or a favorite ocean view——the list goes on and on. Maybe an inexplicable spiritual experience left you feeling astounded. Whenever we are able to experience the vastness of the world and move beyond ourselves it provides us a chance to change how we see things and become more open to what is possible. Make time to notice and embrace the beauty around us everyday.
• Growth by Doing Good: Another way to grow is to explore how we can serve others. When we focus on others instead of ourselves we can begin to make a difference in the world around us. We are able to connect with a purpose and make a conscious effort to help others. The decisions we make will be based on our personal values and convictions that are aligned with our personal moral principles. We’re on our way to being our best selves!

Growth comes from personal transformation, whether it is intentional or circumstantial. As we change and become more courageous and humble, it will open our eyes to the fullness of life, and expand our willingness to put ourselves out there. When was the last time you bounced back from a problem and experienced personal growth?

Change your perspective--be more grateful

A message from Sandy. Many times we take things for granted. We tend to focus on what we lack and forget about all the things we have. Our lack of appreciation can come in many forms, we might wish we had more money, were in better physical shape, or were smarter. These areas where we perceive lack can be consuming and really steal our joy and satisfaction with life.

When things aren’t going well, and we are dissatisfied, we focus on the things that we wished were different. When things are going well, it’s easier to appreciate things and feel more satisfied. This in itself is a good reason to cultivate gratitude in order for us to experience greater satisfaction overall, and get off the roller coaster that may impact our satisfaction based on if things are going well, or not.

Satisfaction can be explored by examining the different aspects of our lives, such as relationships, health, finances, and spirituality. We may have varying levels of satisfaction in different areas, and by recognizing these areas we can gain greater awareness of where we struggle to be grateful.

There is an exercise for enhancing gratitude called 3 GOOD THINGS. This exercise is a simple activity where you reflect on your day and write down a few things you appreciate and are grateful for. It requires just a few minutes a day and can include anything from relationships, interests, or personal traits.

Here are a few questions to consider asking yourself:

• Who are 3 people in your life you are grateful for?
• What 3 things you are grateful for relating to your physical health?
• What are 3 things you are grateful for regarding where you live, or your home environment?
• What are 3 gifts of unique talent and skills that you possess?
• What are 3 things you appreciate about your work?
• What are 3 gifts of knowledge and experience you have been exposed to?

When we start to focus on what we are grateful for it can be an eye-opening experience. We can learn that even though we may not be where we want in life, we can still be content and thankful for what we have.

A message from Sandy. Many people don’t realize it, but stress is a very natural and important part of life. We need stress, but not to much stress for to long (which turns to distress.) Stress helps keep us alert, motivates us to face challenges, and drives us to solve problems. These low levels of stress are manageable.

Distress, on the other hand, results when our bodies overreact to events. It can lead to what is called a “fight or flight reaction. Such reactions may have been useful in times long ago when man was faced with life or death matters. Our bodies don’t really know the difference between a saber-tooth tiger attacking us or our boss correcting us in our work. HOW we perceive and interpret the events of life dictates how our bodies react.

When we view something as manageable, our body does not go haywire: it remains alert but not alarmed. The more we sense danger, the more our bodies react. If you have ever been asked unexpectedly to give and “off-the-cuff” speech and found that  your heart pounded loudly, and your mouth was completely dry–you were convinced you couldn’t do it–that would be– over-reacting.

Problems can occur if we over-react to daily hassles and the stress piles up, you may run into physical and well as psychological problems.Here are some techniques to care for yourself:

• RELAX: Throughout the day, take “mini-breaks.” Sit down and get comfortable. Slowly take in a deep breath: hold it: and exhale very slowly. Think of something positive——or at least try to find some humor in the situation that is stressing you out.
• PRACTICE ACCEPTANCE: Many of us get distressed over things we won’t allow ourselves to accept. Often these things cannot be changed, for examples someone else’s feelings or beliefs.
• TALK RATIONALLY TO YOURSELF: Ask yourself what real impact this situation will have on you in a day/week/or month and see if that helps put things in perspective. Think about whether this situation is really your problem or the other person’s. If it is yours–approach it calmly–if it is the other person’s there isn’t much you can do. Watch out for perfectionism–practice setting realistic and attainable goals. Remember–we all make mistakes. Be mindful of procrastination–break tasks into smaller manageable pieces to help get things done.
• GET ORGANIZED: Develop a realistic schedule of daily activities that includes time for work, sleep, relationships, and recreation. Use “to-do-lists,” use your time and energy efficiently.
• EXERCISE: Physical activity has always provided relief from stress. Now that physical exertion is no longer a requirement for most people to earn a living, we don’t get rid of the stress so easily and it accumulates quickly. Develop a plan to reduce stress before it becomes distress.
• REDUCE TIME URGENCY: If you frequently  check your watch–learn to take things a bit slower. Allow yourself plenty of time to get things done—practice “pace, not race.”
• DISARM YOURSELF: Every situation in life does not require you to be competitive. Adjust your approach to an event based on its demands. It is not necessary to raise your voice in a simple discussion——leave behind your weapons of shouting, blaming, putting someone else down, or having the last word.
• QUIET TIME: Balance  your family, social, and work demands with your own special private time. Unwind by taking a quiet stroll, soaking in a bubble bath, watching a sunset, or listening to calming music.
• WATCH YOUR HABITS: Eat sensibly–a balanced diet will provide all the energy you will need during the day. Be mindful of the effects of excessive caffeine and sugar on nervousness. Work on putting out the cigarettes—they restrict blood circulation and affect stress response.
• TALK TO FRIENDS: Friends can be good medicine. Daily doses of conversation, social engagements, and occasionally sharing of deep feelings can reduce stress quite nicely.

We could all use more practice approaching matters in more realistic and reasonable ways. Strong reactions are better reserved for serious situations.

A message from Sandy. Are you wondering how to better manage yourself? ( I knew you were) Well here goes: You are responsible for everything that happens in your life. Learn to accept total responsibility for yourself. If you do not manage yourself, then you are letting others have control of your life. These self-management tips will help “you” manage “you.”

• Look at every new opportunity as an exciting and new life experience.
• If you catch yourself worrying about an upcoming task, go ahead and do it now, so it is no longer a distraction.
• Get in the habit of finishing what you start.
• Give up “waiting time.” Have something with you at all times to work on.
• Avoid worry. The majority of the things we worry about, never come to pass.
• Agree with yourself in advance that you will have a good attitude toward the upcoming task.
• Hire a specialist to do the things you are not an expert in.
• Take a chance—–calculated risks pay off in entrepreneurial progress.
• Frequently ask, “Is what I am doing right now moving towards my goals?”
• Plan the future, but live in the present.
• Make a list of your accomplishments–they are greater than you think.
• Keep a time log , once every 6 months to determine exactly where your time is going.
• Try not accepting calls for the first 15 minutes of the day while you prepare your daily strategy.
• “He who kills time buries opportunities.”
• View all activities as a challenge.
• Schedule  a short vacation or long weekend at your next deadline–as a reward for finishing on time.
• Take time to be quiet and reflective for a few minutes each day.
• Be effective in everything you do, rather than just sporadically applying time management techniques.
• Tell someone else what you are doing to keep on schedule–it keeps you committed.
• Take time out to thank  yourself for doing a good job.
• Act with enthusiasm in all that you do.
• Operate knowing that there is good in everything. Every cloud has a silver lining—look for it.
• 90% of success is showing up!
• Practice self-determination–wanting to do it for yourself.
• Nothing takes the place of persistence–practice “stick-to-it-iveness.”
• Believe that you can be what you want to be.
• Operate under the philosophy, that what we give out is what comes back to us.
• Praise yourself for your progress.
• Be kind to yourself when all days don’t go as we desired.
• Do not criticize yourself as  having a weakness. There is no such thing, only an undeveloped skill, which you have the choice to change. There are no weaknesses—only untapped potential.
• Life is what you perceive it to be. Do you see it as boring or an adventure?
• Operate using the “and then some” manner–always do what is expected “and then some.”
• When working on a task that is very difficult for you—do it for as long as you can–then do something else and come back to it. Keep taking bite-size pieces until it is done.
• Challenge yourself to do things differently than you have in the past.It provides new idea and keeps you interested.
• Finish that last task before you end your day.

A message from Sandy. Self-management skills are those abilities that allow a person or team member to feel more productive when doing daily routine tasks, regardless of your work environment. Well-developed self-management skills will help you efficiently communicate with co-workers, patients, and family; help you make the right decisions, plan your working time, and keep your body healthy. It is highly important to develop self-management skills and abilities because higher productivity paves the way for personal and professional advancement.

The following is a list of the key self-management skills required to be your most productive self:

• Stress Resistance: The first and foremost skill of self-management refers to your personal ability to resist any stressful situations,being resourceful, and your ability to bounce back quickly, this is the way to avoid many mistakes that people usually make when they are stressed out. Stressful situations can block our ability to think and make rational decisions, coping with even the simplest of tasks can be difficult, creating frustration.
• Problem Solving: This self-management skill requires you to use your brain to make the right decisions. Even the hardest tasks and challenges can be efficiently handled if the mental process in your head is always in progress. Problem solving requires you to evaluate the facts, analyze the situation, review the problem, and find effective solutions.
• Communications: The way that you communicate information to others will determine your success. Communications is a key ingredient needed for both personal and work related issues. Being able to communicate information efficiently and with minimal distortion, in the fastest way possible. You learn to  understand the value of clearly and timely delivered information.
• Time Management: Producing expected results in a timely manner defines the success of our efforts. There are a great deal of  time management techniques available to help you develop this skill–just start researching this topic to see what ideas feel like a good fit for you.
• Memory: The ability to memorize events, names, facts etc allows a person to remember everything he/she needs to know to do their daily tasks and duties. This skill requires your personal effort  for developing your minds abilities to remember things that are important to your job and your life.
• Physical Activity: Keeping your mind and body in good shape is a critical self-management skill. When you feel healthy and have a positive attitude you can do more things and cope with more challenges.

Here’s a small check list for developing self-management skills and abilities:

• Make a Task List: You can’t efficiently plan anything without a to-do-list.
• Prioritize Tasks: You may have a lot on your to-do-list, so which task do you start first? To do this you need to consider all the tasks and set priorities (based on your current need or deadlines)
• Schedule Tasks: Scheduling allows you to set deadlines and time-frames. Most software packages or smart phones have scheduling programs to help with this.
• Be Flexible: Regardless of your intentions, there will be days when the outside world or circumstances won’t allow you to work your plan. Don’t get frustrated–just re-evaluate your priorities and get back on track as soon as possible.

Developing self-management skills can become the best management practice and activity for those people who have decided to be as productive as possible.

A message from Sandy. There is an old saying……………..”If the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning is eat a live frog, then nothing worse can happen for the rest of the day.”  (Ok it sounds gross, but you get the idea) So your “frog” should be the most difficult task on your to do list, the one you are most likely to procrastinate doing. If you do that task first, it will give you energy and momentum for the rest of the day. This lesson shows us what is vital to effective time management—- 3 D’s—-decision, discipline, and determination.

Here’s what author Brian Tracy who wrote Eat That Frog! says,  he reminds us the importance of the 80/20 Rule as one of the most helpful of all concepts of time and life management. This principle says that 20% of your activities will account for 80% of your results, 20% of your customers will account for 80% of your sales, 20% of your products or services will account for 80% of your profits, 20% of your tasks will account for 80% of the value of what you do. This means if you have a list of 10 items to do—2 of those items will turn out to be worth 5-10  times more than the other 8 put together.

Number of Tasks verses Importance of Tasks:

Each of the 10 tasks may take the same amount of time to accomplish, but 1-2  of those tasks will contribute 5-10 times the value. Often, 1 item on your list can worth more than all the others —this task is invariably  the “frog” you should eat first.

Focus on Activities, Not Accomplishments:

The most valuable tasks you can do each day are often the hardest and the most complex–but the payoff and rewards for  completing these tasks can be tremendous. For this reason, you must adamantly refuse to work on the tasks in the bottom 80% while you still have tasks in the top 20% to be done.

The hardest part of any important task is getting started on it in the first place. Once you actually begin to work on a valuable task you will naturally be motivated to continue. A part of our mind loves to be busy working on significant things that can really make a difference. Your job now becomes to feed this part of your mind continually.

Motivate Yourself:

Just thinking about starting and finish a task may help motivate you. Time management is really life management and personal management. It is really taking control over a sequence of events, having control over what you do next. Your ability to choose between the important and the unimportant is the key.

Effective, productive people discipline themselves to start on the most important task that is before them. They force themselves to “eat that frog: whatever is may be. As a result, they accomplish vastly more than the average person.

Your assignment, if you choose to accept it——- Eat That Frog!

A message from Sandy. Anyone can set goals for self-management——–the trick is setting goals and sticking to them. With a few tools, you can easliy keep on track with your goals.

Determine what goals you want to set for yourself: For example–do you want to set aside more time for your family? Save money? Lose weight? You must decide exactly what you want to do before your set goals for yourself.

Make your goals quantifiable. Saying, “I want to lose weight” is not enough. Instead, say “I want to lose 10 pounds in six months.” This creates a quantifiable goal that can be met.

Monitor your progress over time. As you get closer to achieving your goal, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and motivation to keep you moving forward.

Set a reward for yourself when you achieve your goal, or have continued with your goal for a period of time. For example, if your goal was to cut back to one hour of television per day, ( I realize this is hardly enough TV time to keep up with the Kardashians!)  and stick to it—-treat yourself to dinner out with friends.

Write your goals down and post them in places you would frequently see. For example, posting  a note on your computer may remind you to really focus on staying on top of your emails.

Make your goals part of your everyday lifestyle. By sticking to your goals on a daily basis, they will become natural and will not longer be a struggle. Encourage others to  join you in healthy pursuits, an allow their success to encourage you.

Don’t get discouraged if you slack off once in a while, just get back on track. Get an accountability buddy to help. You can do it!