More time for yourself

Time starvation is one of life's great frustrations.
Top CEOs may have lots of executive assistance.
But even they don't have enough time for everything.
Working women have it worse than men.
They have to meet the needs of jobs, families, homes.
They shop, pay the bills, do the house and yard work.
They chauffeur kids to soccer practice, music lessons
Then they prepare dinner. They're exhausted by bed time.
Here are three solutions:
1. Make a written list of your priorities each day.
Many people suffer because they have no plan to follow.
Without a written plan, you're flying blind.
Nobody's memory is that good.
2. Schedule more time for each project.
Most people load up their list and then are frustrated.
They just can't get it all done.
Everything takes more time that you think it will.
If you figure it will take 15 minutes, make it 30.
Then if you finish early, take a 5-minute coffee break.
3. Learn to say no.
Most of us have more requests than we can handle.
It's OK to say "Sorry, but I just don't have time right now."
It takes discipline to do it.
It takes high self-regard to do it without feeling guilty.
If it's easier for you, say, "Let me think about it."
Often you won't be asked again.
After you've said "no" a few times, it gets easier.
Just do it.
To share a time saver, click on "comment".

Delivering bad news

I interviewed a forensic death investigator yesterday.
Laura Grimes-Gould is a former CIS investigator.
Now she works for our coroner investigating deaths.
She determines how, when and often why someone died.
It must be fascinating work if some times grisly.
Particularly if a body is already decomposing.
That’s not the toughest part of Laura’s work.
She has to tell their loved ones that they are dead.
Not by phone. Laura goes to see them in person.
She and her boss, Harry Harman, feel this is important.
It must be done with compassion and respect for the family.
If the family is out of state, Laura calls the coroner there.
She arranges for someone to tell the family, with compassion.
Many of us can identify with what Laura has to do.
I remember the first time I went to get a dead boy's photo.
The authorities had not yet notified the boy’s mother.
I was the one who brought her the bad news.
Delivering bad news isn’t fun. But it must be done.
You may have to discipline your child. Use compassion.
You may have to discipline an employee. Use compassion.
You may have to fire an employee. Use compassion.
Whatever you must do, follow Laura’s example.
Show compassion and respect for the other person.
To leave a comment, click on “comment” below.
P.S. An invitation for readers in the Lexington area.
Our annual Chronicle Open House will be Saturday.
Come by 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. for food and holiday cheer.
It’s at our office, 131 Swartz Rd., Lexington.
We're just off U.S.1 near the Lexington library.
I’ll be glad to autograph any of my books for you.
They make great Christmas gifts. Hope to see you then.