The Prosper Way: Time Management

Everything you want is on the other side of fear.- John Canfield

John Canfield is an experienced business executive and coach who facilitates a wide variety of planning, improvement, and innovation processes globally. John Canfield has written several books for people like us; people that want to get things done.

So he probably knows firsthand how crippling fear can be.

We ask ourselves questions like:

• What if my dream fails?

• What if no one supports my event?

• What if no one buys a t-shirt?

• There are already 1,000,0000 self-help books, why would I write one more?

I like to think of procrastination as a symptom of fear.

We have to decide that our idea is great and worth going for. If we don’t believe it, no one else will.

So the first step in writing an effective timeline is to let go of fear.

Let's put fear aside and get started!

At the top of the timeline write the dream or project you want to work on.

Reflection Questions:

What are you afraid of? Write down at least one fear that is stopping you from getting started.

Now, please write one solution or reason the fear isn’t true.

William Shakespeare said it best, "Better three hours too soon, than one minute too late."

One strategy to finish early is to start with the end date in mind. When you think of this date build in setbacks. We all know setbacks happen. Why not build them into your timeline to avoid frustration later on.

Now when you fall off of the wagon there is a cushion there to save you. Knowing you built-in extra time helps you get back on track faster.

Please write a date of completion at the top of your timeline. Please make sure you build in time for setback and "life."

Also, please use a pencil to finish the rest of the timeline.

Gentlemen, I do one thing at a time. I do it very well. And then I move on.- Major Charles Emerson Wichester III, M*A*S*H

Don’t count the days, make the days count.- Muhammad Ali

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. - Auguste Rodin

It can be hard when figuring out a dream to be productive all of the time. I know we want to make continual progress, but this cannot be the case. When we try something new it might not always work in our favor and that's okay.

We have to reframe these moments in our lives as lessons. What did I learn from trying this new hashtag scheme? What can I do better next time?

Reflection Questions:

What is one setback you had in trying to complete this dream?

Now write what you learned from the experience.

Is there any good that came from this setback?

It doesn’t matter how slowly you go as long as you don’t stop.

Now that we have a workable timeline, how do we stay motivated to complete it?

In the next module, we will share some tips and roadblocks that stop us from staying motivated and learn how to move around them.

Please download the reflection questions below.

Ensure This is Your Goal

Sometimes we pursue ideas because others have told us this is a good idea.

Take a Break

Sometimes we focus so much on our goal that we stress ourselves out. Take a step back from the goal and rest your body and your mind.

Focus on High Impact Activities

Whether large or small, focus on activities that will create an impact quickly.

Certain parts of chasing our dreams can become redundant and boring. We challenge you to think of new ways of doing the same tasks. You can try a new coffee shop, visit a new thrift store, or work with a new group of people. The possibilities are endless! Switching up your routine gives you something to look forward to and can even spark creativity.

We can get bogged down with the daily grind of chasing a dream. Sometimes when working we lose sight of what our goal is in the first place. It’s important to visualize the end. What am I moving toward? It's even easier if we break it down into steps. You know where we want to be in 3 years. You should visualize where you want to be in 3 months. This makes the big goal attainable step by step.

Consistency is key! We’ve heard this saying before and it reigns true here as well. It is important not to take large chunks of time off. When we take inconsistent breaks it can be hard to jump back into the swing of things. Think of it like exercising, when you take a break for a holiday or vacation your first day back is usually harder than it was before you took a break. We want to stay consistent with our projects so we get into a rhythm that is comfortable for us.

Reflection Questions:

In the life of your project, what are your 3 day, 3 week, and 3-month goals?

What can I do to prevent inconsistency in chasing my dream?

Starving your distractions is hard quite frankly because we’re distracted. Our phones, the news, our friends, and loved ones can all distract us from our goals. While none of the examples listed are bad, they can slow us down in reaching our dreams and goals. We can’t ignore our family and friends all of the time but we must carve out time to starve these distractions. It is okay to put your phone on silent for 2 hours while you work on your goal. Ensure you set a schedule to starve distractions while still maintaining a balanced life. All work and no play is not what we're after here. We're looking to create time to dedicate ourselves to doing without interruptions.

Completing quick, easy tasks that point directly toward our goals gives us an extra boost when we want to quit our project altogether. These tasks make us feel productive while giving our brains and bodies a break from doing work.

Expecting obstacles and being flexible change the game! When you expect obstacles it doesn't throw you off when an issue arises. If you stay in the mindset that "life is full of surprises and I must adapt" it is easier to stay motivated. Flexibility allows you to be creative in problem-solving and stay motivated to finish.

Reflection questions:

What is distracting you right now? Is it easy to starve? If not, what is your strategy to give yourself a break from this distraction?

Honestly, do you consider yourself flexible? How do you handle problems when they arise?

In this activity, you will look at your present reality and find ways to fit your dream into it. We want you to think of your schedule and life circumstances differently. We want you to find new ways to fit this dream into your present.

The lack of money is the beginning of creativity. Even when you don't have any money, chase your dream! Do not allow money to hinder you from going toward your dream. If you lack money for a book cover design; you can barter with a designer using your bookkeeping skills. There is always something you can barter.

If we take care of our bodies they will take care of us. Exercising, eating healthy, and meditating are all ways we focus and allow our bodies to work at their highest potential. When our bodies feel good, our minds feel good, and we can get more doing done on our projects.

Working in groups helps you stay motivated with accountability partners. You know that at least once a week you will work with like-minded people. You can bounce around ideas and ask for support when you need it. Groups help you on the days you no longer want to work toward your goal.

Reflection Questions:

How can you get around the lack of money? Are there ways you can barter services for services?

Who are some people you can put in your group to help you stay motivated? Can you contact them today?

In this activity, we want you to think of everything you’ve done toward your goal. Even if it feels small, write it down. This activity will help you remember how far you have come. When your motivation is fading you can pull out this sheet and see your progress. Continue to add to your list as you get closer to the end. Your list will grow and so will your motivation to finish.

The number one thing on your list: Investing in this course!

From the first two modules, you now have a workable timeline; and created a rhythm that works; and can stay motivated.

In this last section, we will work through those things that stop us from completing our goals namely: perfection, people, and problems. We introduce strategies and activities to help you finish despite these obstacles.

Please download the reflection questions to use throughout this module.

Science Says 92% of People Don't Achieve Their Goals

These statistics are quite alarming. Throughout this section, we will work through some of the hindrances that stop us from finishing up our projects.

Reflection Questions:

What has hindered you in the past from completing your goals?

Are you now willing to work past these hindrances?

Complete:

Adj.

having all the necessary or appropriate parts.

(often used for emphasis) to the greatest extent or degree; total.

synonyms: absolute · out-and-out · utter · total ·

real · outright · downright

Verb

finish making or doing.

make (something) whole or perfect.

synonyms: finished · ended · concluded · completed · finalized · accomplished · achieved

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We are going to jump right into what it means for something to be complete.

In the adjective definition, we see that it says having all of the necessary or appropriate parts.

One of the reasons we don't complete our goals is because we're waiting on all of the necessary pieces.

Sometimes we have to work with the appropriate pieces of projects and all of the necessary pieces will come later.

Looking at the verb definition, the last word is perfect.

Another reason we don't complete our goals is we're waiting on the perfect color, or perfect person to endorse our product or the perfect marketing campaign. We are saying do it with what you have and strive toward perfection, but you don't have to be perfect.

Our next activity is tackling this question: What happens if our project isn't perfect?

This activity will help you decide what needs to be perfect versus what you can launch as long as it has all of the necessary components. In the left column, write everything that you believe needs to be perfect. In the right column, write what will happen if it's not perfect. It's important in this activity to remember we strive toward perfection, but we don't have to be perfect.

We can always move toward perfection but we have to be moving.

We have tackled why perfection isn't necessary, but now we must keep moving.

Physics teaches us that an object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest stays at rest.

We want our projects and goals to stay in motion. What seems to be a slow movement can lead us to finish up if we keep moving.

Remember we strive toward perfection, but we don't have to be perfect.

I once heard, "if you're afraid to start your business look down the bread aisle." On the bread aisle, you will find multiple businesses selling the same thing and being successful. Another reason we don't finish our project is people.

We compare ourselves to others. We see the bread company that has 6 varieties and immediately decide our 1 variety is not good enough to put on the shelf. We must remember that everyone starts somewhere. Every book that became a best-seller sold one book at a time.

The opinions of others stop us from completing our goals as well. The one thing we must remember is that not everyone will see your vision because it's yours. It's okay to ask a few trusted people but everyone will not understand your goal. Even people we love and respect may say something that discourages us but we must remember that this is our goal, and with some doing, we can Prosper.

Reflection Questions:

Is there someone you should start sharing your dreams with that can help you move forward?

Is there someone you need to stop sharing your dreams with that can help you move forward?

How do you overcome the opinions of others?

When it is obvious that the goals cannot be reached, don’t adjust the goals, adjust the action steps. - Confucius

We must learn how to pivot. On the road to reaching our goal, there will be several roadblocks. These roadblocks cannot stop us; we must find ways around them. We can take a detour, build a bridge, or dig a tunnel to get around this roadblock.

Pivots allow us to be creative, we have to look at the roadblock from another view and get around it. Sometimes this means our dream will look a little different than we first imagined and that's okay.

People doing similar things can be our most important asset in this. Google can be our best friend. Ask your community how to get over these roadblocks. Is there an easier way? Is there a smoother path somewhere?

Remember you are not the first person with this issue and you won't be the last. Learning how to pivot can change the way you view your dream and move you one step closer to completing your goal.

Reflection Question:

Is there someone you can reach out to right now that can help you move your dream closer to the end?

Ask yourself these two questions:

Am I able to do this?

Am I willing to do this?

Finishing up can be difficult if we are not patient and understand there is a human component to getting things done. Sometimes we quit because we do not immediately see the fruits of our labor. Other times fear and doubt can take over and stop us from moving forward. These thoughts are normal feelings to have. But in order to reach the 8% of the population that reaches their goals, we can't get stuck there. We must overcome so we can finish up, catch our dreams, and Prosper.

Reflection Question:

Which human component resonates with you most? Why?

Remember: “almost finished” gets you almost nothing.- Larry Windel

Lastly, we don't finish up and get to Prospering because it's no longer fun. The thrill of the dream is gone and now you have to work on the nitty-gritty parts. In this activity, we want you to write down everything you need to finish up and circle or underline the items that don't seem fun. The things you know you'll procrastinate. By doing this, you'll know when you'll need to ask for help to get to your finish line.

As always, Prosper Projects is here and we are willing to help you with any project you may have.

Thank you for completing this course! As a marker of our appreciation, we are giving you our Mini Guide to getting things done. This guide will help you to continue to move toward your goals.