Have you ever had a goal and it seems like you’re committed to it, but you never quite seem to get there?

Do you have a plan to drive it from start to finish so that you are sure to meet or exceed your goal?

Think of this article as a mini-workshop in which I am challenging you to put together a list of tasks to which you are totally committed. All of these tasks must fall under one major goal.

What happens to us as humans, is that we tend to work generally toward an idea, but we wander around trying a bit of this, and a bit of that, never taking the fastest path. Your actions might get you there, but you are taking the long way around to get to your final destination.

There is a fancy word for this called “circuitous”

Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary has two definitions
1: having a circular or winding course <a circuitous route>
2: not being forthright or direct in language or action <a circuitous explanation>

It is an adjective that seems to relate back to the root words “circle” and/or “circuit” (these are never ending loops!). If you look at these definitions, both of them describe our dilemma.

What we want is a bullet that will shoot straight and true to our target, not a winding road. Take out a large sheet of paper and write your major goal at the top. For our example, let’s assume that you want to take a vacation; you would write your goal at the the top of the page and make sure you include a date by which you want to accomplish it.

Goal: To go on a one-week vacation with my family to the beaches of Florida, before August 26th when the children have to go back to school

After that write down three actions that you can do regularly that will move you towards your goal. These actions need to be something that you can do consistently, and that your completely committed to doing.

For our example they might be:

I am committed:

• I will not spend any loose change. I will put all of my spare change into a “vacation jar”. Even if I have 75 cents in my pocket and a can of soda costs 50 cents, I will use a fresh one-dollar-bill to pay for my drink so that I will have $1.25 to put in my “vacation jar” when I empty my pockets

• I will run errands for friends and help with baby sitting to earn extra money, and I will put all of it into my vacation fund

• I will watch movies on TV or on a DVD I own, rather than going to the movies or renting a movie

Next we will create a score card to track your progress and record your results (give yourself one point per activity accomplished, if it’s a weekly activity, you get a “freebie” for the day so give yourself a point).

My score card:

My result: (write your result here)

At the end of the week rate yourself on the following scale:

This consistent effort propels you towards your goal, and your goal towards you. Be on the look out for things that can move you more rapidly towards your goal. Things like, getting a raise, getting an income tax refund, receiving an extra paycheck, or saving $10 on medication by switching pharmacies or using a coupon. Use this money towards your goal. This is the Universe helping you, so don’t squander your opportunity.

Your goal may not be to go on a vacation or deal with money, but you should be able to take the idea from this article to help you toward your personal goal. Just make sure that you make your goal and actions believable and that your committed to them.

Telling yourself that your going to exercise one-hour a day may sound believable, but unless your 100% committed to it, you are probably going to stop doing it before you get to your goal. Better to set smaller goals with easier steps, for example, committing to take the stairs rather than the elevator, or committing to walk for 15 minutes per day. That is not only believable but you can fit it into the busiest of days. Loosing 10lbs may not be as glamorous as 30lbs, but breaking your goal into chunks with real consistent action will get results. Luck isn’t necessary when you have a consistent system towards a realistic goal.

Please leave a comment if this article helped you, also tell us what you accomplished or are going to accomplish using this system.

The Internet is full of websites and tips for “time management”, productivity, and countless other personal development topics. You are probably subscribing to many of their Feeds and on countless email lists.

My question to you is “Are You Using Them?”

This question goes beyond “time management” tips, or even this website, it applies to any new information that you find useful and that you need to implement. Do you find yourself constantly gathering information but never putting it to use?

Remember: ONLY ACTION PRODUCES RESULTS

Here are a few tips to get you productive

1. Capture the idea - write them down or print it out
2. Put it on your “to do” list
3. Next put it on to your Calendar and on your “Today’s Tasks List” - remember these are things you are committing to doing
4. Take Action!
5. Measure your results. If it doesn’t help after doing it a few times, its time to scrap it and move on. If it takes more time than your saving, it really isn’t worth the effort!

If you are reading blogs and subscribing to email lists, make sure they are delivering good value, and also make sure you are actually using the information that they are providing.

One last thought to think about…if you are not using the information you’re receiving, then why even bother getting it?

What is that weird little flag key on the bottom of your Windows Keyboard? No it’s not the ANY key! It’s the Windows Key and it’s programmed by Microsoft to make your life easier!

Here are some shortcut keys for Microsoft Windows that by memorizing and using them throughout your day can save you time during your daily tasks. To run one of these commands hold down the Windows Key and press the other combination key/keys. For Example, to display the desktop, hold down the Windows Key and press the D key (both keys must be held down at the same time)

I have included some screen shots taken from my Windows Vista Computer. Just click on the thumbnail to see the larger image. I have marked my favorites in red

Windows Key+Break
Display “System Properties”

Windows Key+D (favorite)
Display Desktop

Windows Key+M
Minimize all open windows

Windows Key+E (favorite)
Open Explorer (My Computer)

Windows Key+F (favorite)
Search for files or folders

Control+Windows Key+F
Search for computers

Windows Key+F1

Display Windows Help

Windows Key + L
Locks the computer

Windows Key + R (favorite)
Open the Run dialog box

Windows Key + U
Open Ease Of Access Center

Windows Key + G
Opens the Windows Sidebar in Vista

I had lunch with an old friend, who by the way loves his Blackberry. He clung it like a little girl coddles her teddy bear. The thing kept going off and then he would clickity-clickity-click-send. Whatever conversation we were having would just stall while I waited for him to type his message with his thumbs. This is not the first time that this has ever happened to me, and while this time it was the Blackberry, it could have been a cell phone, or any other type of personal electronic device.

All I’m asking here is for him to be courteous and put it away while we talk and eat. If it is really that important, fine, but I can’t imagine what could have been going on at the office that couldn’t or wouldn’t have waited. Every time that thing went off, I got a little more irritated. You can’t have a discussion about business, or about anything with constant interruption.

So I’m asking you, please put your electronic devices away during lunch and pay attention to your guest. It’s courtesy and it just makes sense. Also, you never know if the person on the other side of the table is going to offer you a job or make a business proposal that by not paying attention and being less than courteous could cost you thousands of dollars.

And do me a favor, if you invite me out and your not going to put the thing away… don’t bother inviting me

I want to make TipsOnTime.com even better, however, I need your help. I want to cover all the topics that you want to learn about. The survey should only take a couple of minutes and I would appreciate your input

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Ok, I’m guilty, I’ve been known to work way too many hours in a week, trying to jam every hour full of work. I’ve worked all night long, and weekend-after-weekend, but I have learned that it always leads to BURNOUT.

Burnout is a state of being cooked, useless, and way overstressed.

Who caused my burnout? ME

I stayed late, I worked the weekend, and I burned the midnight oil. Now I’m not saying that there won’t be times when we might need to do this to get a project done or make ends meet, but this should not be our normal way of acting.

The scary thing is in our American corporate culture, we see working above and beyond as a badge of honor. The one who stays all weekend, the one who works through the night, is given the “employee of the month” award because he/she went above and beyond the call of duty.

I often wonder if their loved ones feel the same way.

Corporate culture’s subliminal message… “The more you suffer the more it shows you really care”

What about your mental and physical health? Why can’t you take 30-60 minutes for lunch or leave when everyone else does? Are you caring for your own health? Are you allowing yourself to spend time with the ones that you love? Why are you doing it, and is it what you really want your life to be about?

Much of what your facing may be thrust upon you, but you can choose how you are going to handle the stress, how you are going handle your life, and even how your going to handle working yet another late night or weekend.

Look at what your doing… is it what you want to be doing? If not, choose to change it.

To get productive, you need time to think, to reflect, and to plan. This week I’ve been getting some great thinking time by getting out of the office, and getting away from my computer. I’ve been taking some long walks and letting my mind get creative searching for ways to increase my reach and how I can provide you with even more quality information that you can put to immediate use in your life.

Something came to mind, that is, many of you may need one-on-one help with your business or personal life in order to achieve greater productivity, or maybe you need help getting organized, or knowing what to work on. So I’m going to offer a free 30-minute phone consultation to help you. With 15+ years experience as a professional, manager, and consultant, I want to help you achieve your goals and dreams.

When you email me at comments@tipsontime.com, leave your name, a callback number, and the best time of day to reach you. Because of my busy schedule I’m going to limit the number of callers, so act quickly if you want to talk to me for free. You will see results

This week I have spent some time focusing on the things that I want to accomplish in my life. I have so much experience in business and in life, that it excites me to think about sharing it with you.

TipsOnTime.com is more than just “time management”, it’s really about life management, where you harness your energy, time, and creativity in a way that is purposeful to accomplish your goals and dreams. I think that most of us want to have accomplishments in life, whether that is in your business, organization, or favorite charity. We also want to have time to spend on activities that stir our souls like art, music, poetry, and time with friends and family. These two feed each other and balance one another.

Think of what life would be like if we always worked, we would let our friendships die, our outside interests would grow small, and our lives would grow small (this can even happen when we allow television and the Internet to overtake our lives). On the other hand, if we spend all of our time, without regard of accomplishment, we may stop growing and stretching ourselves beyond our point of comfort. Once again, when we stop growing our lives become small.

Are you living your life in a state of balance? If not, what do you need to do to change? You may need to slow down, learn to take time away from work to spend with the people that you care about the most, or you may need to get your rump off the couch and start doing something that is meaningful to you and to others. How can you give back to your community?

I think this is what Zig Ziglar talked about not being a wandering generality but rather a meaningful specific. Having a plan for your life is what can help keep you on track throughout your day and give you time for what is most meaningful to you.

This week, I challenge you to start looking at what you want to accomplish, write it down.