Make your time important.

All too often, people over commit and under deliver. In fact, as you read this, bring to mind a promise you have made to someone else (or yourself), and ask yourself if it has “been too long.” By too long I mean, you promised you would have had something done by now, and it’s not finished yet. If that is the case, stop worrying, do not ask yourself why it is not done, simply go on and do something about it.

It may be surprising how much you can get done if you set yourself up for success. There are many ways of doing this, here are a few I know work!

Say no once a day:
The more rejection letters I receive from editors and publishers the better. When they say NO to me, it just lets me know that what I am working on is not good enough, timely enough, or significant enough for them right now.

So, if someone asks me to do something that is not good, not timely, or not significant, I kindly tell them something like, “If I take on what you are trying to give to me, I might not be able to get it done at the level of excellence I want and you deserve. I have a lot of other high-priority actions and projects I am engaged in, can you find someone else who can do what you are asking?" (By the way, it may be you you say no to the most!)

Make yourself wait:
When I am asked to get something to a client (proposal, information package, etc) I always ask myself “WHEN?” When do I think I can get this to that person? Whatever the day, I usually add two or three days to the answer.

This way, if someone asks me for something on Monday, and I think I can do it that day or by tomorrow, I will reply by saying, “I think I can have that to you by Thursday. Will that be ok? They say yes, I write it down, and I get it done; usually by Wednesday or even Tuesday!

Coordinate a “Mentor’s Appraisal”
There are two things you need:
(1) a mentor willing to serve as your own board of directors, and
(2) a COMPLETE projects list. Ask your mentor to meet with you for a 120 “Prioritization Appraisal.” The structure of this meeting is to:

a.   Let your mentor know of your recent wins/accomplishments
b.   Share one or two goals (1 or 2 only!) for the next 90-180 days
c.   Review your projects list, one item at a time, and connect each project to one of your two goals

This can be an intimidating process, as your mentor should be asking you to rethink, reprioritize, and renew your projects. There may be things on your list you are not long pursuing. You may also be missing projects that you and your mentor decide MUST be on the list.