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October 2003
WELCOME....to the first issue of InSite &
Solutions, InSite's monthly newsletter.
Each month we'll focus on providing useful strategies
for meeting challenges at work AND at home. We'll provide
tips on dealing with time management, work-life balance,
stress, difficult personal and professional relationships,
communication, and more! If there's something you'd like
us to cover, please send in your questions, ideas and
comments.
This month's issue is devoted to looking at how we each
manage...or mismanage our time. Be sure to check out our
Personalized Time Mastery Program under
"Don't Stress...Assess!!".
Our "Labor Pain" section answers the
questions you've e-mailed us about work-related
challenges. Just click on the title(s) of any article that
interests you, and.....Enjoy!
In this issue:
Are you feeling stressed out because it seems like you
just don't have enough time to get it all done? Things
keep piling up at work and at home? Are you tired of
rushing through projects? Is your struggle with time
starting to impact the quality of your work? YOU DON'T
HAVE TO LIVE LIKE THAT ANYMORE!
Don't stress... ASSESS your current time management
strategies and then take action! Check out our
Time
Mastery Profile.
The Time Mastery Profile is an easy to use self
assessment to help you to identify your time management
strengths and limitations. The Time Mastery Profile
enables you to enhance the quality of your work with less
stress and gain a sense of personal satisfaction and
accomplishment as you achieve more with your time.
 UNTIL 12/03/03 , InSite will be
offering a "DON'T STRESS... ASSESS!!" Personal Time
Mastery Program! Register and take the assessment online
by 12/03/03, and along with the assessment you'll receive:
- A Complete Personalized Report detailing the
results of your assessment in 12 categories of time
management,
- A Personalized Action Plan, and
- A One-on-One Telephone Coaching Session designed
to help you get started on your new time management
techniques.
Cost: $49.99
To register,
click on the registration link below. If you think your
company might be interested in a training session designed
to improve everyone's time management skills in the
office, feel free to contact us at 704.814.6784 for
a complimentary evaluation of your organization's training
needs.
Short on Time?? Create a spending plan!
Notice I use the term "spending plan" and not budget.
In this case, we're talking about what you can choose to
DO with your time vs. what you CAN'T DO because you don't
have enough...you guessed it... ENOUGH TIME…!
Time issues are really about control. How well are you
controlling your time? What's your plan? We've all heard a
million times that time is precious...once its gone...it's
gone!! What you do with your time is a reflection of what
you value. As we move through our lives time can be used
to measure our success. When you look back on your life,
how do you want to have spent your time? What will the
choices you made say about you? If you're not comfortable
with the answers to these questions, think about setting
up a spending plan for your time. With money we PLAN how
we'll spend, invest, save, or donate it. Why not do the
same with our time?!? Don't wait until the New Year to
make some positive changes in your life. Start now!
1) SAVE: Where and how would you like
to save time?
What things can you eliminate from your schedule that
will free up some of your time?
2) INVEST: How can you use your time
in a way that will be enriching personally and/or
professionally?
3) DONATE: Where can you use your
time to enrich the lives of others?
4) SPEND: How can you spend a portion
of your time everyday on activities that reflect what
truly matters to you?
Once you've answered these questions, figure out how
much time you want to spend in each area, and you're done!
Have you heard of the 4D Strategy for Time
Management…check out the synopsis from Jack Canfields
book, “The Power of Focus”.
(article) This system, found in Jack
Canfield's book, The Power of Focus, will work well
if you've already mastered several of the basic time
management techniques such as: delegation, scheduling,
planning etc.
1) DUMP IT
First of all check out your to-do's. Ask yourself, "Are
all these things really important?" "Why do I have to do
them?" Then if there are no compelling answers..consider
dumping it. So often we take on tasks that all about
"should". I SHOULD do this..or I SHOULD do that. Most
shoulds are items imposed by the outside world.
They don't at all reflect personal or professional values.
In that case, DUMP the shoulds and anything else remotely
like it.
2) DELEGATE IT!
Sure there are things that need to get done, but you
aren't necessarily the person to do them. Evaluate whether
completing this particular task is the best and most
efficient use of your time. Think about who else could
take it over. Have a team of folks that you'll ask to take
over tasks. Know who the go-to person is for a variety of
tasks you wish to complete or results you want to achieve.
Think about who you know that is a natural for handling
details, people, tight timelines etc. Nurture those
relationships and be ready and willing to completely
delegate to them at the appropriate times. Create a
"check-in" day and time and then leave them to get the
task done!
3) DEFER IT!
Not everything is URGENT! Figure out what must be done
based upon your work and personal goals. Choose a specific
date and time to handle deferred items.
4) DO IT NOW!
Certain important items and tasks may require your
immediate attention. Move forward on those pressing items.
If you like, reward yourself for handling matters promptly
instead of procrastinating.
LABOR PAIN
is devoted to addressing your work-related challenges.
Readers asked:
 QUESTION:
"I am ready to leave my current job but it happens to be
right during the office's busiest project.
What can I do to avoid burning bridges?"
ANSWER: Burning bridges should be avoided at all
costs. Yet, you need to weigh your career advancement
against the impact your resignation will have on your
current employer. Here's the bottom line. Employers
respond in a variety of ways when someone resigns. Some
understand that employees are going to seek better
opportunities. However, you can do some things to take any
potential sting out of the situation. Begin by making the
transition as smooth as possible. Leave your files in good
order. If a replacement hasn't yet been hired leave
information about where things are kept, next steps and
contacts with someone in the office. Its probably a good
idea to draft a memo that contains this information as
well.
Offer, if possible, to be available in person, by phone
or e-mail to whomever takes over your position. For
example say, " I made sure that "xyz" is handled so that
things will go smoothly when I'm gone" etc. Your employer
and co-workers will most likely appreciate your efforts.
QUESTION: I
have a director who seems to lack backbone or any
leadership skills.
In addition she doesn't seem to be able or willing to
think out of the box. What do I need to do to help her get
with the program?!
ANSWER: I know this can be frustrating. We do a
lot of work with individuals and organizations in helping
their employees succeed in their position and within the
company. Among other strategies, we frequently recommend
using the DiSC Classic, a behavioral evaluation
tool.
DiSC stands for the four behavioral types: Dominance,
Influencing, Steadiness and Conscientiousness. Of the four
types, there is a style that thrives on taking charge,
isn't afraid of conflict and is very results oriented. On
the other hand, there is another style that is a lot more
focused on working within existing structures (NOT
thinking outside the box), and PREFERS to be part of a
team instead of assuming leadership role. DiSC helps both
the staff and employer gain insight into how people work,
respond to stress, lead, communicate and more.
Now does that mean that the "work within the system"
style just described CAN'T lead? No, but it does mean that
this person will most likely exert her leadership in way
that is consistent with her behavioral style. Consider
having this person take a DiSC profile to determine her
behavioral type. Find out how she defines leadership and
how she has exercised leadership in the past. Think about
what skills, behavior and personality will be best suited
in her position. If you believe she is up for the task set
up some clear objectives and coach her as she works to
attain them.
Thanks for your questions and please keep on sending
them to LaborPains@InSiteCoach.com, we'll be sure to
answer a few every month!
Click on the link for more info on the
DiSC Classic
Profile. You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader
installed on your computer in order to read the brochure
online. If you don't have it installed, you can download
it for free from the
Adobe website.
This month, let me leave you with this thought:
"We make a living by what we get, but
we make a life by what we give."
— Henry Bucher.
Warm Regards,
Jatrine Bentsi-Enchill
voice: 704 814-6784
web: http://www.InsiteCoach.com
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See
Jatrine on the July cover of Today's Charlotte Woman magazine.
