You Only Live Once - Make The Most of Your Time! {Issue 04}
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Editor’s Note
Do
you dream of doing something more with life? Perhaps you've been
thinking about writing a book, starting a business, applying for a
better job, taking a trip abroad or volunteering in your local
community. Your heart's in the right place
but for some reason you never seem to find the time to make good your intention. Whatever your
worthy objective is, today's article shows you how to find the time
to make it happen... finally.
When I was a little
girl time virtually crawled before school holidays and special events
arrived; nowadays six months is like six minutes to me! Life is short
and
until you take consistent action nothing is ever going to change.
We've
also profiled two people (one from the UK, the other from the USA)
who've turned their passion into the most unlikely business
opportunities. Please continue to let us know what you'd like to read
in subsequent issues.
If you haven't entered our 'Passionate Careers' Contest then do so on
our
blog and you could win deluxe chocolates or a classy bottle of
champagne courtesy of our sponsors.
Keep well as always,
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FEATURE ARTICLE
How to Find the Time to Live Your Dreams!
Megan
always wanted to become a famous ballerina. She talked about it and
dreamt about it a whole lot. One day Megan woke up and it finally hit
her: she was 83 and never going to dance.
Many
careers are age restrictive - for instance, models and athletes start
to wind down when they hit their 30s. Some careers, on the other hand,
allow for better flexibility. For example, Mary Higgins Clark became a
best selling author at pensioner age and Gary Linekar became a BBC
broadcaster after he retired as a football player. Still it's never wise to
take time and opportunity for granted. If you're struggling to find the
time to achieve your goals, here are a few helpful tips to get you
going.
1. Stop Making Excuses -
'I haven't got time' is the biggest cop out in the book. Truth is,
we've all been given time in equal measures, all been allotted twenty
four hour days. Stride to your goals by accepting that you
have enough time to achieve them. Emphatically affirm the
following: 'I am the master of my destiny and choose wisely how I spend
my time. I am never rushed, never stressed out, never wasteful of time.
I will take consistent steps to my desired objectives starting now.'
2. Define Your Goal(s) -
So many people get caught up in 'time management' frenzy for no clear
reason whatsoever. They read time management books, attend seminars and
then expect their lives to tick like a clock henceforth. In reality,
efficient time management is worthless except you have clearly defined
goals. E.g. 'By managing my time better, I would like to spend 2 extra
hours per week with my family,' or 'by managing my time better, I would
like to write a 10 page short story every month.' Get the idea? If there
is no measurable goal that can be attained via better time management
then you may be adopting a military style regimen and stressing
yourself over nothing.
3. Find The Time - The
next step is to find out what you're currently spending all your time
on. Grab a sheet of paper and document your activities over the last 3
days. E.g. '6.30am: woke up, 6.30am - 7.00am: lay in bed snoozing the
alarm clock, 7.00am - 8.00am: got showered, fed and dressed, 8.00am -
9.00am: commuted to work... etc.' When that's done, analyse the
way you're currently spending your time. Think, 'is 30 minutes too much
time to spend 'trying to get out of bed? Gosh, am I watching too much TV?
Spending too much time with friends? Spending too much time daydreaming
or feeling afraid?' If you're in doubt, ask family and friends for some
helpful feedback.
4. Make The Time - When
you're done with facing up to the truth, the next step is thinking of
new and better ways to make the most of your time. Could you wake up
earlier for instance or tackle certain tasks whilst commuting? Resolve
to make the most out of the snatches of time at your disposal. For
instance, whilst he worked full time as a lawyer, best selling author,
John Grisham, finished his first novel by writing while he waited in
office receptions and court rooms. It also helps to break tasks into
small chunks and set realistic targets. E.g. 'I will finish the
first five pages of my business plan in the next 3 days' is better than
'I will write my business plan at lunchtime tomorrow.'
5. Keep The Faith - Even
with the best intentions and strictest discipline, there will be 'off-days' and times you simply
want to goof around. Don't be so hard on yourself. As long as you
remember your specific goal (e.g. writing a 50 page report in the next 30 days)
and the reason/s why it's important (e.g. sharing expertise with a
wider audience = extra income stream = more money for family = better
lifestyle), you'll always get back on track.
Life
is short and time doesn't wait around. If there are changes you'd like
to make in your life, career or business, then you're better off starting now.
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Inspirations from around the world!
Often
the reason many people are reluctant to get out there and create the
life and career they want is because they lack confidence in their
ideas. Do you think your business ideas are too far fetched? Well, the
excerpts below just prove that anything is possible with a little bit
of creativity and business sense...
Ordinary People Turning Passion into Profit...
Wicked Wickers! - Angela
Daniels was born in Bermuda and lived there until she was six years old
before relocating to Liverpool, UK. After she had a hard time finding
stylish hampers one Christmas, she decided to make her own. Angela soon
launched 'Wicked Wicker' - a company that approaches hamper packing as
a work of art and is poised to rid us all of the traditional basket and
chequered cloth ensemble. Popular ranges include: Hampers for Him/Her
as well as Wedding, Baby, Caviar and House-Warming Hampers.
Prices range from about £50 - £350 and customers can even create their own hampers at: www.wicked-wicker.co.uk
Angela's
second passion is travelling. "Next year I plan on travelling to St
Kitts-Nevis and trekking around the Great Wall of China!” She says, “I
would really love to hear from anyone who has done this. My ultimate
destinations are the Galapagos Islands and Havana."
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Armed and Fabulous! Tedd Hardy from Ohio, USA, sent this inspiring letter:
"Hi
Ogo, I read your newsletter and your ideas are quite
interesting! I started Hawkwolf's Armoury and Accoutrements from my
home 6 years ago. My wife and I love renaissance fairs and enjoy
dressing up to attend.
After
I created a costume for my wife, it occurred to me that a chain mail
headdress would make a unique addition to her wardrobe. Well, soon
after I finished that, a female work colleague (who was having a
mediaeval wedding) fell in love with it! Luckily I received my first
commission and was on my way to becoming a mail-smith.
I've
learned quite a bit the last 6 years and have added a few items to my
repertoire: jewellery, clothing accessories, chess boards, juggling
balls and just about anything you can imagine made from lots of
interconnected rings! Now I sell items from my self-built website and
work from a shop in town. I have also produced a catalogue, done my own
photography and organise a few shows every year in the state of Ohio.
I
feel that I am succeeding, slowly but surely, although sometimes I get
stuck. But that's normal, I think (LOL). I would love to get some
feedback both on my website and the products showcased..."
Do check out Tadd's unique range of chain mail accessories at: www.hawkwolfs.com
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Quote Me!
"All
men dream but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty
recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity; but
the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they act their dream
with open eyes in order to make it possible."
T.E. Lawrence
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Coming Soon!
More
'Inspiration from around the world', profiles of everyday people who
do the work they love, expert tips, success strategies and more…
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