Archive for the ‘Psychology’ Category

You Are What You Think

Wednesday, August 25th, 2010

The saying “you are what you eat” comes to mind when I think about the article that I have chosen to share with you. Except, let’s change it up. Let’s say, “you are what you think.” Nell Collins, Clinical Psychotherapist and Certified Professional Coach, has explored how our reoccurring thoughts can determine who we are and how we act. In her article, How do you talk to yourself? she discusses ways to identify our negative thoughts so that we can replace them with positive ones.

It is absolutely amazing how our negative ideas of ourselves and our work can shape the outcome of our day and our relationships with others. This article shows us how we can use affirmative statements to retrain our brains and redefine our outlook. Are you ready to love who you are? Everyone else already does.

About Real Life E®

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach & professional speaker who helps men and women who are overwhelmed and frustrated because they want to achieve a life of peace and productivity but are struggling to make it happen.

For more information on how to move forward, feel peaceful and create a life of love, meaning and purpose, check out ScheduleMakeover.com

Elizabeth has been featured in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC, and is happy to be interviewed for your broadcast or publication.

E Note-Self Discovery Exercise

Thursday, April 8th, 2010

One of my FAVORITE parts of being a time coach is being able to work with Fabulous individuals such as Phil Lawler. You can check out the cool self discovery exercise he developed below.

Enjoy!

Elizabeth

Prepare to get your introspect on. (Self discovery)

Step 0: Set aside some YOU time during the day where you can be alone, and pensive. Schedule it in, so you don’t feel guilty that you aren’t working on something else, or forget to do it, or so you can just make sure your immediate to-dos are done and you won’t be interrupted.

Step 1 (Time Estimate: 10-90 minutes)

Think about the kind of person you would like to be: What would you like to change? What do you want to keep the same? (Because you can’t really change other people.) (Also, capture these things positively; don’t say, “I don’t want to dread swimsuit season,” or “I wish I wasn’t a super stressed parent,” or “I wish I didn’t have a total lack of will power.” Instead, how about, “I wish I was more fit” or “I want to spend more time with my son,” or, “I’d like to be a better Christian.”) If your heart sings at the idea of being an astronaut, but a voice tells you that you can’t do it – ignore the voice. Get it out there for show. Even if you can’t be an astronaut, it may be a clue to a direction that will LEAD to job/life satisfaction/passion, etc.

You can write out lists, mind maps, draw pictures, write a short story, make a photo collage, do a mock interview with a voice-recorder. Or pick out historical, fictional role models, or old photos you admire. Or you can make your own combination of things. If it helps, you could even write out a solo-play, pull out some props and video tape your mad-acting skills. Just be honest, and try to be positive.

Here are some questions to get the juices flowing:

* Would you like to change how you react to certain events?

* What adjectives describe you now, and which would you LIKE to describe you?

* Who are the important people in your life, and what do you wish to be to them?

* What sorts of things do you REALLY wish you had more time for?

* What fields or social causes or sciences or tools or skills do you wish you had?

* What do you wish you could spend LESS time on?

* Is there anyone (or thing) that you’d cut out of your life?

* What do you LIKE about your life right now?

* Do you like how you keep your living/work/travel environments?

When you’re done, you’ll likely have a huge chunk of unordered, subconscious detritus floating across several pages… so, now what?

After you’ve let yourself DREAM, the process continues with sorting, prioritizing and pursuing the ideas that you most want to make a reality.

To dreaming BIG and making it happen!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coachprofessional speaker who empowers individuals  who are overwhelmed and frustrated because they want to achieve a life of peace and balance but are struggling to make it happen.

She helps  them to clarify their goals, make an action plan, focus and prioritize so that they move forward, feel peaceful and have time for themselves and the people they love.

Elizabeth has been featured in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC, and is happy to be interviewed for your broadcast or publication.

If you want to receive helpful information on achieving a life of peace and balance & be “in the know” on my latest adventures, check out http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Note-I Chose To Say, “No.”

Friday, October 30th, 2009

I make the tough choices that I ask you to make.

I make the tough choices that I ask you to make.

I’m a time coach who aims to authentically live out my advice. That means I have to face the same challenges you do. Like this one…

Next month, I’m traveling to California, North Carolina, and the UP in Michigan for speaking events and taking some personal trips too. That means I need to carefully guard my time so I can prepare for and keep up when I’m on the road. I’ve been blocking out my weekly schedule, leaving room for big projects and setting limits on my work hours so I can take care of my personal responsibilities.
Well a couple of situations arose that gave me pause. One was with a fantastic young professional where we’ve been trying to meet face-to-face for months. She couldn’t meet during the time slot I had available and suggested some alternative times next week.

I waited a day to respond.

You see, I needed to face the internal struggle between wanting to spend time with this fantastic individual and wanting to complete my preparation for the coming month. (I average about two networking meetings or phone calls a week so I do make this important activity a priority.)
Finally I decided that I needed to stick with my original plans. I sent her an e-mail affirming that I wanted to meet with her but that it would need to be a phone call because my time was booked out for the month.
She kindly understood and we’re arranging for the appropriate follow up. I felt relieved because I had kept my schedule aligned with my values and wasn’t compromising the short term gain of making someone happy for the long term advantage of being balanced and feeling good about both what I accomplished personally and professionally.
How about you?
Are you aware of what’s on your schedule and making the tough choices with courage and confidence? Especially if you’re a small business owner, the success of your business and the maintenance of your sanity depends on consistently making tough choices aligned with your values.
If you need support in knowing how and when to make these tough choices, contact me about one-on-one phone or e-mail Schedule Makeover coaching or sign up for Schedule Makeover: To Build a Business course beginning on November 2.
It is possible to take back control of your time and your life and achieve work/life brilliance!

Elizabeth
Elizabeth was able to assist me in accomplishing one of the most important transitions in my life, starting a business. She helped me identify the obstacles and gave me helpful tips in overcoming them. Elizabeth is a wonderful person, and a breath of fresh air for every entrepreneur out there needing assistance with time management…

She, without a doubt, DELIVERS!!!
-Kameaka M Graves, Graves Consulting LLC, Virtual Personal/Administrative Assistance (thegravescompany@gmail.com)

Brilliant Resources

  • Receive a FREE $20 Starbucks gift card: When you tell a friend about Real Life E® and they choose to enjoy a Schedule Makeover™. You can ask them to let me know you introduced them to Real Life E® or send me their names to ensure you receive your ticket to free coffee.
  • Yes! I’m available for speaking and training events. If you’re scheduling a conference or event, be in touch to reserve a date.

About Real Life E®

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach & trainer who empowers individuals to build businesses and achieve work/life brilliance through Schedule Makeovers. Her empowerment coaching frees individuals from guilt, overwhelm, and frustration!

Discover how you can start enjoying your life TODAY! Look forward to talking with you!

Elizabeth has been featured in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC, and is happy to be interviewed for your broadcast or publication.

E Event-Teleseminar-How to Build the Right Business

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009

What if you got everything you wanted… and found out you STILL didn’t feel like a success?

Before you invest another minute in your business or career, listen in to this FREE teleseminar to make sure you are on the right track:

Building a Business (or a Career) That Fits Your Ideal Schedule:

Tuesday, October 6 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT/6 p.m. PT

Anyone can participate: Phone: 712-432-0600, Code: 775908#

Find out how to start and build a business that will help you to achieve work/life brilliance instead of keeping you from the people and activities that matter most to you. Coaching clients will receive a recording (Contact me at esaunders@RealLifeE.com to find out how you can start time coaching today!) Plus I will release details on Schedule Makeover: To Build a Business: a four-week course that will lead you step-by-step through the process of setting your schedule to start or build a business. You don’t have to do this alone!

Elizabeth Grace Saunders does Schedule Makeover coaching with clients throughout the country. If you’re struggling to stay focused and motivated, contact Elizabeth at esaunders@RealLifeE.com to get help today!


Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance. You can sign up for more info at http://www.RealLifeE.com/coaching or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Note-Time Block to Stay Focused and Motivated

Monday, October 5th, 2009

I stay focused so I can visit my cousins in Ohio, attend an Opportunity International conference on eliminating poverty, and visit my parents (pictured here). Why do you need to stay focused?

I stayed focused over the past month so I could visit my cousins in Ohio, attend an Opportunity International conference on eliminating poverty, and spend time with my parents. Why do you need to stay focused?

I wrote this guest post for Chic Entrepreneur — a great resource (by another great Elizabeth ;o) for women looking to start a business.

Although having a flexible schedule can seem like a dream, it can soon turn into a nightmare! That’s why as a time coach and trainer, I help people take back control of their time and then channel it toward their personal and professional goals.


Here’s how to time block your schedule to stay focused and motivated:

  • Decide on Start and Stop Times: Not only will setting your hours keep you from feeling guilty, but also it will keep you focused when you are working because you have established a time when you are free to stop.
  • Set Your Top Goals: Each week, Review your top priorities and write them at the top of your weekly calendar or put them in a visible place on your digital calendar. This will keep you thinking about what’s most important.
  • Time Block Your Projects: To keep moving forward on your goals each week, “soft schedule” blocks of time when you will complete projects or devote time to certain activities. For instance you could block out two hours on Wednesday to write up a proposal or set aside one hour each morning to answer e-mail.
  • Plan Your Day: Each morning, make a quick list of your meetings and your top tasks. Number your activities in order of importance and write down how long you think it will take you to do each one. Then start moving through your day, moving from one project to the next in number order. If a project is taking longer than you expected, reevaluate whether you should continue with it or move on to the next task on your list.

Time blocking is so effective because it:

  • Gives you a clear outline of what needs to get done and when you can complete it so that you feel less overwhelmed.
  • Keeps you moving forward on key priorities on “autopilot” instead of procrastinating and stressing out about big projects at the last minute.
  • Turns your days into quick sprints of work instead of never-ending marathons.
  • Allows you to feel good about what you accomplished
  • Helps you realize when you’ve overcommitted and need to scale back.
  • Gets you back on track quickly when unexpected activities arise.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders does Schedule Makeover coaching with clients throughout the country. If you’re struggling to stay focused and motivated, contact Elizabeth at esaunders@RealLifeE.com to get help today!

Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance. You can sign up for more info at http://www.RealLifeE.com/coaching or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Event: Help! My Business Has Taken Over My Home!

Wednesday, September 30th, 2009
This is what I would look like if I didn't shut up the voice of overwhelm!

What happens when you let your business take over your home!

If you’re a home based business owner struggling with guilt, overwhelm, and frustration, check out my recent Webinar on finding peace, focus, and moving forward: MyEntre.Net Webinar description.

Click on the link at the bottom of the page or click here to go directly to the Webinar.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a key note speaker, trainer, and does phone and e-mail coaching on time management for work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance. You can sign up for more info at http://www.RealLifeE.com/coaching or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Events-FREE Teleseminar & Webinar

Tuesday, September 1st, 2009

I’m really excited about sharing my passion for time management for work/life balance in a couple of Fun, Free ways this September. Please join me and invite your friends. Promise it will be worth your time!

  • FREE Real Life E® Teleseminar: “Freeing Yourself From Guilt: Respecting Your Capacity” Understanding the psychology behind your habits of overcommitment and your feelings of overwhelm can help you regain control of your life and achieve balance–without guilt. Join me for this 30-minute teleseminar, which will end with me answering questions e-mailed to me by Sunday, September 6:
    • Tuesday, September 8, 1 p.m. CT
    • Coaching clients will receive a recording (Sign up for coaching today!)
    • Anyone can participate: Phone: 712-432-0600, Code: 775908#
  • FREE Real Life E® Webinar: “Help! My Business Has Overtaken My Home!” My time management secrets for running a home-based business without having it overtake your life:
    • Thursday, September 17, at 12 p.m. CT
    • Log in to http://www.MyEntre.Net Web site and click on the “View Live Webinar” button on the upper right side
    • I recommend becoming a member of http://www.MyEntre.Net in advance so it doesn’t take extra time on the 17th. (It’s free and easy!) For questions, contact esaunders@RealLifeE.com or info@MyEntre.Net

Also, I want to give a quick shout out to two other Web sites that you should check out and who kindly are promoting these events: www.theworkathomewoman.com and www.mybusinessadventures.com. Thanks Holly and LeNesha!

Have a brilliant day and look forward to talking with you soon!

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a key note speaker, trainer, and does phone and e-mail coaching on time management for work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance and sales success. You can find out more at http://www.RealLifeE.com/coaching or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Note-Yes! I Was Nervous.

Thursday, August 27th, 2009
Elizabeth Grace Saunders Time Coach

Elizabeth Grace Saunders Time Coach

I focus on time management coaching but my clients naturally end up asking me about other topics related to their business and life. One question that recently came my way from a client who decided to pursue full-time entrepreneurship was: “How did you feel making the first steps into self employment? Were you nervous?”

I loved this question because it reminded me of the importance of authenticity in sharing about our experiences and supporting one another. Here was my response:

“So glad you shared your heart and I’m so happy to share mine back with you—

The answer is, Yes! I felt incredibly nervous when I quit my job without a clear idea of what was ahead. I remember feeling like there were two enormously strong forces inside of me: One was my heart telling me that I needed to do what God had called me to do. That following God and obeying what He was calling me to do was no risk at all because He is a good and perfect father. But on the other hand, my head was screaming at me that this was impractical and that I didn’t know what was to come and that I should just wait–that it wasn’t worth it.

But I followed through and left my job and was actually truly amazed at how supportive my personal and professional contacts were about the whole situation. Right after I started my business, I experienced fear again. Not because I didn’t have work at the moment but because I felt like the future was a black hole of uncertainty. But thankfully, the Lord has taught me to find my security in Him and to daily do His will.

I encourage you to stand firm, pray hard, and as you said, be careful with who you share your dream. You not only need practical advice but also lots of support and encouragement as you step out in faith and take flight.

Take care! I’m confident God has beautiful things in store for you!”

Elizabeth

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a key note speaker, trainer, and does phone and e-mail coaching on time management for work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance and sales success. You can find out more at http://www.RealLifeE.com/coaching or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Note-Sales/Life Brilliance

Friday, August 21st, 2009
Balance leaves time for summer pleasures like sailing

Balance leaves time for summer pleasures like sailing

Always in the car, on the phone, or in a meeting, sales people compete with entrepreneurs on who has the highest level of work/life imbalance.

Because they typically have flexible schedules, infinite to-do lists, and performance-based incentives, their work can easily consume their lives physically, mentally, and emotionally. (Ever wake up dreaming about your CRM tool?!)

If you’re in sales, you may wonder, “Is it possible to be in sales and still have a life?” Fortunately, the answer is, “Yes!” As a full-time entrepreneur for almost four years and a time coach to both entrepreneurs and employees, I’ve found these strategies can help you overcome overwhelm and achieve work/life brilliance™:

  • Set Your Hours: Clearly defining your ideal schedule, including when you start, stop, and take breaks, increases your productivity and focus during work hours and your freedom to relax when you’re “off.” You could start at 5 a.m. or 9 a.m., take a three-hour lunch or no lunch. When I help clients set up their ideal schedules during a Schedule Makeover consultation I emphasize that you need to develop a custom routine that works with your lifestyle and work preferences.
  • Plan Your Time: Laying out your day, week, and month helps you stay proactive and avoid last-minute stress. It also allows you to use your time efficiently so you can group out of office meetings in a similar location or make calls all at once.
  • Process Your Inputs: One of the easiest ways to get overwhelmed is to not set aside time each day to go through your inboxes and to-do lists and to not block out time for follow up on sales calls and meetings. If you know that it will take you two hours to complete a proposal but you book your day solid with meetings, you’ll inevitably end up working late.
  • Know Yourself: If you have a really hard time with setting limits, make commitments with friends or family in the evening that will force you to take a break or sign up for an exercise class that you have to pay to attend. If necessary, leave your laptop, Blackberry, or iPhone in the car or at the office. Accountability and boundaries are the best way to help you break the habit of working 24/7

Sales will always demand a high level of energy. But with the right time management for work/life balance strategies, you can accomplish more and have time to enjoy life. (Plus if you work with me on time coaching, I can help you overcome some of the limiting beliefs that could be holding you back from taking time to rest.)

To sales/life brilliance™!

Elizabeth

P.S.–If you’re in sales, check out Valerie Dennis’ blog where this article appeared as a guest post. Valerie is all about Sales Savvy!

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a key note speaker, trainer, and does phone and e-mail coaching on time management for work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance and sales success. You can find out more at http://www.RealLifeE.com or http://www.ScheduleMakeover.com

E Note-My Own Schedule Makeover Part II

Monday, July 27th, 2009

Sticking to my schedule allows me to enjoy a relaxed weekend with the awesome Simmons family!

Sticking to my schedule allowed me to enjoy a relaxed weekend with the awesome Simmons family on the East Coast!

Making a schedule is the first step to a life of peace and success, and keeping it is the second step. (To get a sneak peek at how I organize my time, check out Part I in this series.)

Once I’ve done my morning processing, I use these strategies to stick to my ideal schedule and complete the most critical tasks:

In the afternoon, I take a quick assessment of how many hours I have left and what needs to be done to hit my ending goal. This could mean moving on to a new project, pushing to complete an assignment, or revising my expectations for the day.

To really ensure I stick to my end time, I try to schedule activities right after work. It could be something as simple as a scheduled phone call, a walk with a friend, or going to a networking event. Knowing that I will cause inconvenience to someone else by working late really helps me stop myself. (My clients who have trouble starting work in the morning use this trick at the beginning of their day.)

As a final level of reinforcement, I time block out my evening. Like Tim Ferriss says in The 4-Hour Workweek, you have to clearly define what you will do to fill the void created by working fewer hours. For me that means inviting friends over for dinner or planning a specific projects like entering receipts in my budget or doing laundry. By giving myself a clear objective, I remind myself that working beyond my set schedule comes at a cost. If I procrastinate or over commit, I’m acutely aware that I’m keeping myself from doing other activities. This motivates me to plan my time and my responsibilities so I can stick to 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and then stop—guilt free!

You can move forward on important projects and keep up on mundane task by setting a schedule that works for you and then strengthening these new habits (kind of like training muscles with consistent lifting). If you need help with this process, contact me about a Schedule Makeover.

You don’t need to feel frustrated, overwhelmed, or guilty any more!

Elizabeth

If you’re struggling to set a schedule, check out www.ScheduleMakeover.com or contact me at esaunders@RealLifeE.com. I can help you develop a system for moving forward on your goals.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach and keynote speaker who empowers women in business to build businesses and achieve work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to offer you tips on savvy scheduling and time management for work/life balance and business development.