I am delighted that I stuck to my word and didn’t think about work or write any blogs for the entire 4-week holiday in Australia. I wasn’t sure if I could do this as I have never missed a single blog in 9 years, and I love writing them.
This was the best decision I could have made because it allowed me to spend quality time daily with my sister-in-law, Jenny and her husband, Tony. They are the most amazing couple, and how they looked after us was simply phenomenal.
Every day was an adventure, with daily road trips to breathtaking places along the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast. The planning that went into this was amazing, and I remember thinking how bad-mannered it would have been of me to spend time writing my blogs after all the effort they put into making it an exceptional holiday.
Tony and Jenny were amazing!
They spent months working on this itinerary, and we enjoyed every single day. This was a holiday of a lifetime and one we will never forget. The photo attached to this blog is from our bedroom window in Sydney.
We decided to have a remarkable view of this beautiful city because we are unlikely ever to return, so that the memory will live on. I believe it is very important in life to capture magic moments because life is short, and before we know it, we have run out of time. I want to enjoy life as long as I can.
Time management and planning
One of the keys to my being so relaxed and able to switch off completely was applying a few powerful time management techniques to ensure that there were no ‘loose ends’ that would have played on my mind. By ensuring everything was completed for my first week back, I could relax and entirely focus on the holiday.
When you are at work, ‘be at work’; when you are at home, ‘be at home’; and when you are on holiday, ‘be on holiday’.
It is so common for people to think about work when they are at home and think about home when they are at work. This is not healthy and can lead to an increase in stress and a deterioration in health. You must be in one place at a time. Crossing over between the two is counterproductive and leads to reduced production and increased levels of stress.
A brand-new Masterclass
My new Masterclass on Time management covers this in detail, ensuring a clear divide between the two. You may have heard of the book ‘The Chimp Paradox, ‘ which describes how we think and feel using the image of a Chimp representing our emotions.
When the Chimp is happy, we are happy, so my masterclass goes through a series of techniques to ensure we have a happy Chimp; one way is to make sure we start and finish our days correctly, which allows us to be at home when we are at home. We mustn’t think about work at home, and if you apply the correct techniques, you can achieve this consistently.
I have had so many people who have attended my time management masterclasses and coaching sessions tell me how their lives have changed because they have control over their work-life balance, and it’s a joy to read these.
Working on Important things
This was a 4-week holiday and could have been a real challenge, but it worked exceptionally well. One of the reasons for this was that I prepared 3 masterclasses, which I am delivering this coming week, in great detail to ensure that I didn’t have to do much when I returned home. I have enjoyed this week back, where I’ve fine-tuned the presentations and logistics.
I am delivering these masterclasses to two of my favourite clients this coming week; one is Rolls Royce and the other is Lake District Estates. I have three nights in the Lakes, and I am delivering two masterclasses in the beautiful location of Waterfoot Park near Penrith. They have put me in a stunning new apartment with a fantastic view overlooking Lake Ullswater.
At the end of the week, I deliver Masterclass 1 to a new team from Rolls Royce in Derby, which I am really looking forward to. The point I am trying to make here is that I have two big clients who demand excellence, and because I had taken the time to make sure every detail was covered, I could enjoy Australia without a single thought on work.
Excellent time management makes a huge difference
With excellent time management, it is possible to be super organised, in control, and enjoy each day as you achieve more than you have previously done. I experience a sense of satisfaction and achievement as I go through each day ticking off the Important things on my priority list, ensuring that I also work on future tasks each day.
Applying just one of the techniques I teach, which is how to finish each day, can have a considerable impact. Here are some benefits of finishing each day well:
Reduced stress: Concluding the day positively can help reduce stress and anxiety. By addressing your daily tasks and responsibilities, you can avoid the nagging feeling of unfinished business that often leads to stress.
Better sleep: When you finish your day on a positive note, you’re more likely to have a restful night’s sleep. A sense of accomplishment and closure can lead to improved sleep quality.
Increased productivity: Setting goals for the day and accomplishing them can enhance your productivity. Knowing that you’ve made progress and achieved your daily objectives can be motivating and help you stay focused.
Improved work-life balance: By establishing a clear end to your workday and transitioning to your personal life, you can maintain a better work-life balance. This boundary can help prevent burnout and promote overall well-being.
Enhanced mental health: Consistently ending your day well can improve mental health. It can provide a sense of fulfilment and satisfaction, reducing negative emotions and promoting a positive mindset.
Time for reflection: Wrapping up the day allows you to reflect on your achievements and any challenges you faced. This reflection can help you learn and grow, making you more effective in the future.
Goal setting: Ending the day by reviewing your accomplishments and planning for the next day sets the stage for setting and achieving your long-term goals.
Better relationships: When you’re more organised and less stressed, you’ll likely have better interactions with family, friends, and colleagues, leading to improved relationships.
Improved time management: By assessing your daily tasks and time allocation, you can identify areas where you can become more efficient and effective, leading to better time management.
Consistency and routine: Creating a habit of ending each day well can contribute to a more structured daily routine, which can help you maintain discipline and consistency in your life.
It’s changed my life.
Excellent time management has transformed my life and has led me to create this new masterclass where I have summarised every time management technique I have applied in my life. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. In the same way that the mental resilience masterclass has transformed my life, this new time management masterclass is proving to work amazingly well and is transforming people’s lives.
If you work for a company that could be interested in more details of this life-changing masterclass or one-to-one coaching, reply to this blog, and I will respond personally, as my life’s mission is to help people live happier, less stressed lives.
Thoughts for the week
- What are your thoughts about capturing magic moments in your life?
- Do you get through each day, each week, each year barely surviving?
- This week, think about your life and how quickly it is disappearing. 4 years have nearly gone since COVID-19 struck. That’s 4 years just gone in a blink of an eye.
- I will be 70 next February, and I know how quickly time is passing. That is why I am making the most of each day and capturing magic moments along the way.
- By doing this, I am enjoying each day and highlighting many positive things throughout the day.
Well, that’s it for this week, have a wonderful weekend and keep believing.
Warm regards
John