Have you ever noticed how much you can actually get done just before you go on holiday? Why is it that time management is so easy at these times? Here’s what I’ve observed:

• There’s an immovable deadline (there’s no more stalling).
• It HAS to be done (there are no more excuses).
• You want to get that weight off your shoulders (and off your conscience).
• You want to leave with a clean slate (figuratively speaking).
• You have something to look forward to (the holiday).
• And as an added bonus there’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment (or exhaustion, in which case aren’t you glad you’re going on holiday!).

Speaking for myself, when I know the outcome I want and there’s a clear path of action then getting things done becomes easy. And it may not just be holidays. For example, I am the most efficient (and effective) person around when it’s time to pack up and move on to my next housesit assignment. I know what has to be done and by when and I fit it in with time to spare and staying (relatively) stress-free in the process.  It has taken some practice and I now have a set routine of planned tasks and a timeline that keeps me on track to carry out the said tasks in the set time. There were a couple of early near disasters when housesitting clients came home earlier than expected and I was really under the pump. I now minimise these risks by:

• Planning well in advance
• Confirming dates and times beforehand
• Communicating before my housesitting clients return and
• Being ready the day before.

Ask a busy person to do something and it gets done (original quote by Lucille Ball). When it comes to getting ready for your holiday, you are the busy person and what happens?

• You get focused.
• You get really good at prioritizing.
• You don’t waste time.
• You stick to the task at hand.
• You find it easier to say “no”.
• Getting it done beats getting it right (and it often turns out right after all).

Have you already stopped for the year? Or are you making that last minute dash to get everything finished?

Now is the perfect time to become the time management ninja you know you can be.

Still need a hand finishing off those final tasks in time for your holiday? Contact me to see how partnering with a life coach can help you with your time management and project success.