Top Time Tip #133
'No' Is Your Most Powerful Time Management Tool
10th March 2010
You might have noticed that we trialled something a little different over the last five weeks. I took a short break from the fortnightly ezine whilst a bunch of new growth strategies were being implemented. However, we wanted to still keep in touch.
So, instead you received links to the blog where we've been running a mini-series on delegating. It's been a very interesting experience to develop a blog. Have you seen the delicious movie 'Julie and Julia' which follows the experience of a young woman who blogged every day about her experiences cooking Julia Childs recipes? 
My experience has been nothing like that but it's been very interesting to notice that over time you do start to develop a following. Just this morning, for instance, this post arrived:
"I treasured to drop you a quick note to verbalize my thanks. I've been observing your blog for a month or so and have plucked up a heap of fabulous information as well as enjoyed the way you've structured your site."
However, what we discovered was that not everyone wanted just a link to a blog, no matter how useful the topic, so we're back on track with your fortnightly Top Time Tips ezine. If you're interested in keeping abreast of the blog you can organise your own RSS feed or email notification at http://blog.gettingagrip.com/ .
So, what has been going on while I was "missing in action"?
Some things will be shared later but one new product that might be of interest to you is the new Tele-Coaching Master Class.
My clients, dotted around the world, have been asking for some time for a coaching programme that could involve more than one person. So the 'Getting Fast Results' 8-week Tele-Coaching Master Class' has been developed, with small intimate groups of no more than 10 people per group.
If this sounds at all interesting, you might want to know that the current pricing will only last until June. Once I've done two or three groups and ironed out any wrinkles in the process, the investment will double. The second group starts on March 22 nd . Call Jill on + 64 3 351 2140 or email jill@gettingagrip.com if you want to book in, or there are full details online at http://www.gettingagrip.com/training/Tele-CoachingMasterClass.asp .
 It hasn't all been work. Last week I headed to Mt Egmont with a bunch of hiking friends. What a beautiful mountain it is. I've just recovered from a lingering foot injury so I did a more sedate bush walk on the lower reaches but my mates all climbed to the top - a worthy day's outing.
Cheers,
P.S. The GettingAGrip Inner Circle members' interview this month is with Shelle Rose Charvet, a Canadian friend of mine, a very experienced speaker and world specialist in how we communicate. I learnt heaps just through interviewing her as she explained why we make the choices we do and how we approach tasks.
If you're looking for ways to decode your clients', colleagues' and staff's motivation triggers so you can communicate with them in a way that gets the maximum productivity and buy-in, get your almost-free $1 trial and you'll get this month's interview - but hurry, we've only got a few spare CDs. (The silver membership gives you a CD; the bronze membership gives you access to download.) www.gettingagrip.com/products/membership.asp
Lead Article: 'No' Is Your Most Powerful Time Management Tool
I've made a study for some years on what makes some people successful when others who seem to have the same opportunities don't achieve their potential and struggle endlessly to get their head above the daily grind. So, when I was asked to address Mal Emery's Platinum Group of High Achievers in Sydney a couple of weeks ago it was the perfect environment to roll out a new speech:
The Top 5 Implementation Habits of High-Performing Entrepreneurs - How to make exponential leaps in your business, make more money, and still have a life!
I've identified 17 key traits but that will take all year to explore! Instead, over the next few issues I'd like to drill into just the top 4 or 5 habits. They make for very interesting consideration.
Key Habit # 1- Successful people know how to stay focused
Many factors underpin this simple statement.
- You know what's important - to you and your work.
- You're able to sort the wheat from the chaff when too many opportunities present themselves.
- You're able to push back on inappropriate requests, knowing that they're not going to fulfil your personal goals and objectives.
- You're clear what your goals and objectives are.
- Your self-esteem is high enough to say 'no' in some appropriate way, without getting hung up on guilt or a feeling of 'I mustn't (or don't want to) disappoint the requester'.
- You're able to ignore potential distractions, including email.
 This all comes back to having a clear list or picture of our goals and priorities, a topic I talk about in almost all my speeches, training courses and coaching. If we don't have clear goals or a vision for where we want our life and/or business to go, how can we possibly be sure we've made the right decisions on a daily basis when faced with multiple time choices ? That clarity gives us the confidence to prioritise effectively . In a business context it gives us the ability to stay strategic with our focus - keeping to task on the important few activities that will make the long-term difference.
Every day we have to make decisions. ' Shall I do this or shall I do that?' There is no shortage of good ideas and fascinating by-ways to distract us. (I promise you - I'm constantly tempted!) A clear picture of our possible future gives us far greater power to say ' no' or to push back in an appropriate way. (Not in a career limiting or a relationship limiting way, I hasten to add!)
Examples Of 'No':
- 'Sorry but my time commitments don't allow me to do that'.
- 'Sounds great but that's not the focus of my business right now.'
- 'I love the idea but I wouldn't be able to give that project the focus you deserve'.
- To a boss attempting to overload you: 'I'm on ?.. (projects) right now. I'm happy to take this new one on, but which of the others would you like me to defer?'
- Or: 'I'll be free to start this in ?. (Give a realistic time frame) . Is that ok or do you need to ask someone else to take this on?'
- To a family member or friend: 'I'd love to but I've already made a commitment to do something else.' (You don't necessarily have to explain what that other commitment is. It might be to have some 'me' time!)
- If you're working from home and have a young family: 'Daddy/Mummy has to work now. I'll be out to talk to you/play with you at ...' (name the time or show them on a clock, or set an alarm. And make sure you keep to your word or you'll soon use up your credits!)
- To someone wanting to have a coffee or luncheon meeting but their agenda is not part of your core focus. You're happy to be helpful but time is what you most need. ' That's a very kind invitation. Can I suggest that we do a phone meeting, rather than you having to drive across town? That will work better for me too.'
Two Great Questions Will Help You With This Clarity.
- Is this my highest priority right now ?
- Should I be taking on this project/opportunity/task or suggesting an alternative?
Today I Was The Overloading Boss! 
Mostly we don't realise we're doing it! We need our team to point it out!
I was delighted when I read an email from Sandie, one of my wonderful team, only this afternoon. She wrote: 'What order do you want me to put everything including the bits and pieces from the last four e-mails?'
It was such a great question. Not only did it clarify my thinking regarding her priorities but it also made me realise I was in danger of overloading a willing, but still fairly new staff member. She's enthusiastically and quickly learning a bunch of new skills but we all know how long it takes to master new processes. She wasn't actually saying 'no' but she was saying 'hey, there's more than I can manage with my hours. Give me help.'
Watch for opportunities to practice saying 'no'. It's amazingly freedom-creating.
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