Sometimes I feel like a hamster in a wheel. I just keep spinning and spinning but I'm not getting anywhere fast. This morning when I whined that I'm constantly working but not getting anything accomplished, Bertha snidely asked, "Are you taking care of 'Busy-ness' or Business?"

Well, of course, I initially said business but under closer inspection...it's busy-ness. You know, doing things that take 80% of my time and yield 20% of my results.

So being Bertha, she challenged me. What if I only did the 20% that would ultimately yield me 80% of my desired results? Then I could just play the other 80% of the time.

Well, that sent me into a tizzy of sorts. How could I only do 20%? Wouldn't that be incredibly lazy? Wouldn't I go broke? You get the picture...I was going off the deep end.

Bertha reminded me that I probably would have more money than I have now because I would be doing the things that were actually more productive. Here's her recommendations for how to get started:

Set aside some time to look at your activities and decide which ones are the most productive. Put the productive ones at the top of your to-do-list. Omit the others if you can, or put them last.

Look at your clients (if you have them) you probably spend 80% of your time tending to 20% of them...you know the problem children. Make a decision...do you want to continue to work with them? Is their business worth the frustration that they bring and the time they take? If the answer is no, then very politely inform them. This can be tricky but it's better to tell them straight up than to give them poor service. Now before you panic...they only giving you 20% of your results and they're taking 80% of your time. If you aren't ready to sever the relationship, at least be aware of it. That's the first step.

Look at your networking groups on and off line. Are you making good connections? If not, look for other groups or spend more time with the ones that are more beneficial to you.

Bertha said that an added benefit of doing this is that I would actually feel less stressed because I'd be getting better results.

Now, that sounded interesting. Hmmm...I could actually get better results, feel less stressed and have more spare time...hmmm...sounds worth a try!

I'm about spend some time making my lists. I can't wait to see what my 20% is so I can do it first!

Have a great week!

Jane

Jane Carroll, RN, BSN, Loving Life Coach,
Internet Radio Host, Author
"Bertha-Size Your Life"
"Where the Joys Are: Bertha's Guided Journal"
www.berthasize.com
www.lovingliferadioshow.com
info@berthasize.com

Who would you get if you crossed Lucy with a popular talk show host?  Why Bertha, of course!  A zany redhead, who is always up to something and drags her sidekick along with her while she's dispensing down-home wisdom and perky advice for finding balance and joy in one's life.  Throw in a conniving nemesis, an antagonistic cat, lime green spandex and high-heels and you've got a book that's sure to tickle your funny bone and leave you wearing your thinking cap as you read and reread each vignette.