Meeting your multiple commitments with ease, can seem impossible. Ask anyone how they are doing. What is the typical answer?
I’m so busy.
We all have full lives that can, at times, collide:
⋙ Managing your business (or several of them) or career
⋙ Attending family events
⋙ Focusing on self-care activities, like exercise
So, how do you powerfully satisfy multiple commitments with ease?
Systems thinking. Systems thinking is a holistic approach that focuses on the way parts interrelate within the context of larger systems. When using systems thinking, you consider how each area of life interrelates.
One of my clients couldn’t get traction on both her business goals and personal goals. From a human wiring standpoint, she was wired to perform functions in sequence. She would work on one thing, get it done, and move on to the next.
She saw each commitment as a separate from the other. Behaviorally, she also put her business goals ahead of her personal goals.
Using systems thinking, we explored options by looking at how seemingly separate commitments could be integrated. How could she get her self-care routine accomplished, be on time for that morning appointment, and forward what she was up to in her business.
There were a number of options we discussed, such as:
1. Write down goals in all areas of life.
As she wrote down her goals in all areas of her life, she also realized where she was being unclear about the outcome she desired. According to research, you are 42 percent more likely to achieve your goals if you write them down. Writing down goals also compels you to choose metrics so that you celebrate when you reach it. With this clarity, you can filter the most important activities and enroll others to support your goals (and release others that don’t).
2. Ask for assistance.
My client was naturally wired to want to figure out things for herself and be sequential about each task. Becoming aware of her natural default behavior, she learned to ask herself, “who else could perform this task?” That simple question prompted her brain to explore options and ask for assistance rather than take on everything herself.
3. Use Visual Cues.
Visual cues, like posting your goals or, in my client’s case, bringing her walking shoes to work gave her the visual reminder to put her self-care first. There are other ways to integrate exercise, like parking in the furthest spot from the door, use a stand-up desk, or take short breaks doing simple squats at your desk.
4. Delegate.
My client was of the mindset that it was just quicker to get a task done if she did it herself. However, in the long run, the tasks absorbed time better spent on forwarding another goal. She learned that when she didn’t give her team or her children opportunities to step up, she wasn’t allowing herself or others to grow.
Systems thinking expands the range of options to accomplish goals. Can you see how integrating small steps can have you take giant leaps over time and in multiple areas?
When you have multiple commitments, you may first want to ask if you’re really committed or just interested in that goal. When you are merely interested, you will do what’s convenient. When you’re committed, you’ll do whatever it takes.
Take a minute to ask yourself:
➥ Where in your business or life could you integrate commitments getting two things accomplished at one time?
➥ Where could you ask for assistance or delegate?
➥ Where could you take an easy task that would forward your goal?
Then, take action consistent with your commitment not the circumstance.
Invitation
If inspired to learn more about how to powerfully manage all areas of your life, join us for the Introduction to Scaling & Systematizing Your Business. Join us online or onsite.
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