Quick, I Need More Time Stat!

We are almost to the weekend and if you are anything like me, you're looking at your "to do" list and feeling like you just don't have enough time in the day. Can I get an amen on that one? Someone needs to invent a time machine, like yesterday!!

You might have missed it while your nose was to grind stone but someone finally figured it out for us and it could change everything about how we get things done.

It's called an alarm clock.

Before you get mad and leave, which can be oh so tempting when someone shares news you don't want to hear, hear me out. I promise it'll be worth it. Hey if its not, you can delete this tab. So win, win?

Think about it, what is one sure fire way to create more time in your schedule to get things done? If you said, getting up earlier you're exactly right.

We all know this, but how many of us take action on it?

We love our sleep like a fat kid loves sugar donuts and the thought of sacrificing any of it is painful. Most of that pain however comes from regret. The regret that comes from knowing that if we got up earlier we could change our lives.

I'm not going to waste your time making a case for why we all could benefit from getting up earlier. I'm just going to assume you agree with me and want to make some changes to your life. Isn't that why you’re here? 

So you want to get up earlier? Today I've got one ultra simple way for you to add one hour to your day in just one week with minimal suffering. We've all tried, and failed, to get up earlier through the years. We do really good for a few days, ok maybe we do good for like 2 days and give up, but for whatever reason we can't make the change.

So how do you make it stick this time?

Set multiple alarms on your smart phone.  

The introduction of technology into our lives has many benefits, especially in helping us create habits. No other device has been more impactful on us than the "smart" phone, specifically the iPhone. That little device in your pocket has enormous power and potential to help you change your life.

Sit down for one minute and set five alarms for the upcoming week, one for each day. Each day you will set the alarm for 15 mins earlier than the day before. You'll hardly notice getting up 15 mins earlier.

Your alarms should look like this:

Now that your all set. Don't give it another thought until next Friday when you set your alarms for the following week. If you want to keep rolling back the clock feel free to do so, or you can simply enjoy having an extra hour each day next week. 

How To Send Emails Straight To Folders In Gmail

How many of us receive hundreds of emails each day that clog our inbox or perhaps we just have a desire to better organize how we process email. I have written previously on this topic, but one area of automation that could be a complete game changer for you.

Wouldn't it be amazing if you could send some emails directly into a designated folder and never see them sitting in your inbox?

You're in luck, there is a handy little way to do this with most email clients.

Outlook does this especially well with what they call "rules". Back when I used Outlook, I had a rule for just about every type of email that came through my inbox. It was extremely helpful to me and my productivity at the time. Since making the switch to Gmail as my primary work email client, I have missed using rules for organization.

But I recently learned that you can do the exact same thing in Gmail!

It is easy and simple and can change your life in just a few short clicks. Below is a quick little guide to help you out.

Step 1: Open the email you want to send to a specific folder

Step 2: Click on the upside down arrow 

Step 3: Select "Filter messages like this" from the dropdown menu

You should see this screen next.

Copy the email address in the "From" field and paste it into the "Has the words" field. This should help also direct emails you send into that folder in the future.

Then click "Create filter with this search" and you will see the following menu.

Step 4: Select what you want to do with these messages when they hit your inbox. If you want it to skip your inbox and go straight into a specific folder, click "Skip the Inbox" and then "Apply the label". On the dropdown menu next to "Apply the label" you can select the folder you want it to go into or create a new folder for it.

You can also select to apply this "filter" to other messages or conversations in your inbox. This will process those emails you have already received according to this new "filter."

After you have selected all you want to do with these types of emails, click "Create filter"

Success! You have now set up your very first email filter!

One Sure Fire Way to Accomplish More in 2016

As we bring 2015 to a close and stand ready to welcome 2016 with open arms, I want to share one small tip that can help you achieve more next year. 

Don't wait until the calendar changes to start working on your goals.

Get a head start on them now.

The momentum you build these next few days before we turn the page on a new year can propel you into achieving more than you ever thought you could.

We often over estimate what we can accomplish in the short term, but rarely do we realize fully what we can achieve over the long term. 

Go into the new year energized and excited to tackle all you hope to accomplish. And while your at it give yourself a head start while you can.

I started attacking my 2016 reading list this past weekend and have been over joyed to have already completed my first book on the list.

What are your big goals for 2016 and who said you had to wait until then to start working on them? 

Templates Are Your Friend

While we all have a ton going on and can barely keep it all straight in our heads, one trick continues to help me get it all done and keep everything straight. And it can transform your life as well! 

What is it?

Templates.

From emails to journal entries to conversations I template as much as possible. I've spent some time designing how I want to handle many of the regular tasks I face. This keeps me from making unnecessary decisions and reinventing the wheel each time. It also ensures that I don't miss or forget things.

How will you benefit from creating templates for just about everything in your life?

The obvious answer is that you will save time.

However saving time is useless if you don't utilize that time in a productive manner. Templates allow you to be intentional with the most valuable aspects of each task. Instead of worrying about all aspects of the email, or conversation you can focus only on the most important. 

Do you have an email that you write all the time? Create a template for answering it.

Do you keep a daily journal? Consider creating a template of daily questions or prompts.

Are there important regular conversations you need to have? Create templates for what you want to say and resources you want to point to.

Whatever it is you do on a regular basis there is most likely a way to create a template to help you do it not just efficiently but more intentionally.

Be Intentional

It feels as if someone is grabing me by the head, shaking it side to side and trying desperatly to get my attention. I must be slow to catch on because the idea of being intentional is everywhere, and I mean everywhere, for me lately. And I can understand why. 

Being intentional is key. If you want good relationships or anything else in life you have to be intentional. 

People tend to live rather unintentional lives. They just go with the flow and take what comes their way. 

This is never more true than in the area of habits. Recent studies have shown that upwards of 40% of the actions people perform each day are habits rather than actual decisions. That means that nearly half of what you do today will be a result of habits you've formed. Many of these habits have been passively allowed rather than intentionally cultivated. If there is a habit you want in your life, you have to be intentional about cultivating it in your life.  

Intentionality sets you up to lead your life, not just accept your life. Being intentional puts you in an active rather than a passive mindset as you face your day. You will be looking for how you can help, love, serve and add value to the lives of others. 

Growth doesn't just happen, you have to be intentional. You can't just throw a goal out there and expect to accomplish it, you have to be intentional about how you pursue it. Not all roads lead to the same destination. Intentional action is required.     

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Weekly Experiment: Intentional Living 7 Day Experiment with John Maxwell

John Maxwell released his most recent book entitled Intentional Living this month and I immediately placed it on my reading list. In conjunction, John also released a great 7 day experiment to help you get in the habit of living intentionally. I just completed my 7 day experiment and it was truly life changing. I loved the active mindset this series got me in so much that I added a new question to my daily journal questions to ensure that I keep working to live intentionally long after my experiment has ended. Click the link above and sign up for the 7 day experiment. You'll be glad you did!