Efficiency Tips from World Experts
Part 1
by Susan Dunn
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Remember the "Type A Personality"? First labeled because a cardiologist found all the front ends of the seats in his waiting room were worn. The "Type As," so prone to heart attacks, couldn't sit back and relax for even a second.
Over the years, in working with Type A personalities (and lately, those with "Achiever" on the StrengthsFinder(tm) profile) who want to get more balance in their lives, I've learned the ways of the Super Efficient who lack balance, sacrifice pleasure and esthetics for efficiency, and know how to churn it out.
Say what you will, their trains run on time!
If you need more time, try these things. If this becomes a lifestyle, get some coaching.
1. Fix your hair once and for all.
Cut it all off or let it grow long so you can slap it up, or wear it any length and accept it in the wash and dry mode. Eliminate makeup.
2. Buy efficient containers.
Type As will tell you how much time is "wasted" in getting into things. It takes less time to flip a cap on the shower wash than to unscrew it; less time to pull-tab the coffee can than to use a can opener; less time to zip and Velcro than to button; less time to open a new CD with a CD-opener than whatever other d*** thing you try. And leave the top off the lotion tube. It won't dry out.
3. Eliminate needless decisions.
Fix your work wardrobe so it will work with one pair of shoes and one set of earrings. Have the same thing for breakfast every day. Make Saturday morning grocery shopping day. Wash the car every Sunday afternoon. No exceptions.
4. Focus on purpose and speed in daily maintenance regime and just get them done.
Awaiting an important phone call last week, which of course came when I stepped into the shower, I was out and clean -- including hair -- in time to catch it on the 4th ring. Why are you spending 20 minutes in there? Same soap, same scrub, I just didn't enjoy it. P.S. Get a good shower mat. Then you can really go fast. And buy thick towels; it takes less time to dry yourself with a good towel.
5. Streamline your searches.
Spend this week cataloguing the things you're always hunting for - and note how much time it takes. Then make a place for them and keep them there. i.e., get all the medicines in one place, get all the laundry supplies together, ALWAYS put your keys on the kitchen counter.
One Achiever I work with keeps all his clothes on shelves in the bedroom - no drawers to open, and he can see everything.
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Susan Dunn, MA, Clinical Psychology, The EQ CoachT, Susan Dunn, MA, cEQc, The EQ Coach™, Susan Dunn. Bringing the power of Emotional Intelligence to YOUR life through coaching, eBooks, and distance learning. Midlife, retirement and transition coaching, career and relationships. Email for free EQ ezine. Want to be a certified EQ Coach? Email for information on this fast, affordable, comprehensive, no-residency program. Products available for licensing to build your practice. Visit the best ebook library on the Internet - EBook Library.
Susan Dunn. Susan is the author of "How to Live Your Life with Emotional Intelligence." I offer coaching around emotional intelligence for career, relationships, resilience (the skill for this decade), transitions, retirement, and personal and professional development. I train managers and coaches to teach EQ. Mailto: sdunn@susandunn.cc for FREE eZines. For free daily tips on how to develop your EQ, send blank email to: EQ4U.