Fortunately,there are a few simple adjustments to your mindset and daily schedule that can make a big difference. In her newest article, “Why Does it Feel like I’m Always Working?” featured on Forbes.com, expert time coach and work-life balance master, Elizabeth Grace Saunders, discusses simple solutions you can start implementing today. Overcome feelings of guilt, and tactfully stop over-committing by setting boundaries. You can work hard but still have time to play hard- every day!

So take a break from your work, and check out Elizabeth’s Forbes Article now.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO of Real Life E®, which provides life coaching for individuals who struggle with time management.

Real Life E® empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished through an exclusive Schedule Makeover^TM process. Real Life E® also increases employee productivity, satisfaction and work/life balance through custom training programs.

Elizabeth has appeared in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of 2010 by Stiletto Woman and as a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Council featured in The New York Times, The Huffington Post, Mashable, and many other media outlets.

expert time coach Elizabeth Saunders never thought she would be an entrepreneur!

Now featured in TIME online, Elizabeth shares how her career journey has evolved. Best of all, Elizabeth divulges valuable tips and advice for budding entrepreneurs. Anything is possible…even if it’s not exactly what you had planned!

Read Elizabeth’s article, “Confessions of an Accidental Entrepreneur.”

About Real Life E®

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO of Real Life E® a time coaching and training company that empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished through an exclusive Schedule Makeover^TM process. Real Life E® also increases employee productivity, satisfaction and work/life balance through custom training programs.

Elizabeth has appeared in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of 2010 by Stiletto Woman and as a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Council featured in The New York Times, Forbes, Mashable, and many other media outlets.

I’ve had complete freedom over my schedule for more than half a decade.
During my first couple of years as a full-time entrepreneur, I didn’t set boundaries on when I worked and what I did when.

• Frustration when I just wanted to take an evening or weekend off but felt like I couldn’t.
• Guilt when I had any open time but wasn’t working.

Deciding to limit how much I worked and when I worked really changed everything. (I did experience withdrawal symptoms when I first started this process: Step away from the computer Elizabeth!) But I persevered in setting boundaries, and since then, I’ve been able to “let go of work” mentally and emotionally and enjoy free time without guilt.

One of my bedrock routines that gives me a sense of peace and control is daily planning and processing described in detail below. But first a few notes:

• Like with my Morning Routine, this is an example for you to gain insight from, not a template for everyone. Some of my coaching clients plan in the evening, others have fewer steps in their process, others use more tech tools–routines should be your personal servant not your master.
• This is my own variation based off of some of David Allen’s Getting Things Done philosophies. I found that I procrastinated when I only tried to do a big weekly review but can consistently do a daily review.
• Daily processing and planning does seem to take a lot of time, but it is the only way I’ve been able to keep on top of responsibilities with clients around the world and work 40 hours or less a week. It’s worth it.

See below for an inside look at how I start my work days…

Elizabeth’s Planning Routine

• Going through my morning processing and planning checklist is totally mindless. I don’t need to wonder what to do first when I start my day–it’s always the same. (This really helps when I’m unmotivated, tired or down.)
• My work is very dynamic and my priorities shift on a daily basis. I don’t feel comfortable making a final decision on my daily to-do’s until I’ve gone through all of my inboxes.
• I really don’t like answering e-mail or doing other mundane processing. Before I made clearing out my inboxes part of my morning routine, I always felt guilty and behind. Now I effortlessly keep on top of e-mail, voicemail, mail, etc.

When I start my day, especially if it’s a Monday, I don’t know what needs to be completed for the rest of the day. But I know that by the time I finish my routine, I’ll have found clarity and feel in control. I have many clients who are super techy (which is awesome), but I’m not. So my tools and methods are relatively simple.

On Mondays, I look over my Google calendar to make sure that there are no appointments from the prior week that I need to move or follow up on and that all of my current week’s appointments are in the calendar. Then I make a pdf of the current week’s calendar and print it out.

I know this may make some paper-free people shake their heads, but I find that having a custom printed out schedule of the week makes it much easier for me to visualize my schedule and priorities. So I do what works for me.

During my Monday weekly processing and planning, I also:

• Review my Personal Projects List
• Process all the mail from the past week that I collect in a lateral desk file.
• Confirm appointments and anticipate any scheduling problems.
• Schedule Facebook and Twitter updates on Hootsuite.com
• Review my Google Calendar To Do Lists: Professional Priorities, Professional Someday/Maybe, Personal Priorities, Personal Someday/Maybe
• Write out at the top of my printed out calendar my top personal and professional goals for the week.
• Sketch in on the calendar when I should have time to get my goals done.

• Review my printed calendar and if necessary, make alarm reminders for meetings. (I usually set them for 15 minutes before the start time.)
• Review my calendar Word doc where I keep supporting notes/links/thoughts for daily activities organized by day.
• Review my Professional Projects List organized by deadline.
• Answer all my business e-mail. (If something will take more than a few minutes for a response, I make answering the specific e-mail a to-do item to be completed later that day.)
• Answer the most important personal e-mail.
• Organize papers from the past day and look at my Tickler file.
• Listen to and respond to any voicemail or text.
• Check Hootsuite.com for any Twitter.com @replies or DM’s and respond.
• Comment on or share relevant time management posts.
• Make a final decision on my daily priorities and the order in which I will complete them.
• Ask myself: How can I bless my clients today? Then do anything that comes to mind.

• I don’t give myself a choice in whether I do these steps, but I have complete freedom in choosing what order I complete them. I bounce all around within these possibilities depending on what I feel like doing next.
• Not everyone needs this many steps–this is just what makes me feel in control and on top of life.
• All kinds of online and paper Calendars and To Do List systems can work. The important thing is that you stick with one consistently.
• This can take a long time: On a daily basis, I’m usually done by 10 a.m. at the earliest. On Mondays, it’s closer to 11:30 a.m.
• But… I have the whole afternoon free to execute without worrying about my priorities or what to do next.
• These routines are the magic cure for almost any type of ailment. I can start the day tired, listless, crying–whatever!–and by the time they’re done, my brain and heart are in gear and ready to take on the day.

One of my time coaching clients shared these thoughts with me, which I’m sharing with his permission, about why initially adopting these planning and processing habits is so hard:

“I’m getting more disciplined about time blocking (progress!).

But one of the things that good time blocking does is make you aware of how little discretionary time you actually have.  So, then I started thinking about “Where can I cut back on something I’m doing?”, and immediately I thought of exercise.  Most of my workout sessions (when you include travel, changing, showering, etc.) are 1.5-2 hours.  But then, almost instantly, I said to myself, “No, that’s not negotiable.  I’m not going to cut back on exercise, because it brings me so many benefits in terms of my energy level, my long-term health, and even the emotional value of the assertion of self-worth.”  Then it hit me — I’m struggling to “find the time” each day to purge my index cards, time block my day, and to do good weekly reviews.  But I’m not talking about hours a day:

I find the time for exercise. Why not time management?

I thought of a few reasons:

1.  At some level, I’m still not convinced that I’ll see the deep benefits.  Rationally, I believe there will be benefits. But since I haven’t experienced the higher state, I don’t have enough evidence to have a deep emotional connection with the benefits.

(Note from Elizabeth: I hope my deep emotional connection with the benefits encourages you in this area! They will come with experience.)

2.  I’ve worked at exercising for years, and seen the benefit of exercising, and the negative results of not exercising. I know how big the benefits are of exercising because of the contrast at various times.  I haven’t had the same history and experience.

3.  I know how to exercise, and I’ve done it enough that I’m good at it. It feels good, and I feel good about being good at it. I’ve got lots of things down to a routine, and set up to make it easy.  I own enough exercise clothes that I don’t have to worry about laundry.  I’ve had my workout routines designed by a fitness center trainer so I’m confident I’m doing things that will work.  I have my checklist for packing my exercise clothes, and it’s part of my daily routine.  I know what times of day I can usually fit it in, and part of looking over my daily landscape is figuring out when to fit it in.  I don’t really question whether or not I want to fit it in; it’s a “given”.

With time management, in many ways I’m still a novice, don’t feel like I’m really good at it, and just don’t have enough history and experience as to how to respond to the various challenges.

Therefore:

• I need to focus on simple things I can do, make them very concrete, and keep practicing until I get good.
• I need to be patient and gentle with myself, not set an extremely aggressive goal and then beat myself up when I don’t reach it.  It’s the equivalent of starting to exercise by walking around the block once, then twice, then working up to where you can do 20-30 minutes of intense aerobics.  It takes time, you need to be patient with yourself, and you have to have the belief that the benefits are there if you keep going, and holding on to that belief is one of the key challenges.
• Another thought from Drive was “Mastery is painful.”  To get really, really good at something, you have to have extremely disciplined practice over an extended period of time, like the NBA player who shoots 500 foul shots at the end of every practice.

Doesn’t he do an awesome job of describing the process of lasting behavioral change with time management?! I’m so happy for and proud of my clients when they share these ephiphenies with me.

I hope that seeing how someone whose mastered daily planning and processing gives you insight in how it could happen for you.

Your time coach,

Elizabeth

P.S.-If you need help in making this happen, reach out to me and we can set up a time to talk.

P.P.S.–Thanks so much for all of your fabulous feedback last week! Feel free to send me your thoughts on this week’s newsletter and to comment on last week’s morning routine posted on my blog.

Elizabeth in Bogotá

activities into lists so that they can move forward on them without feeling overwhelmed. (David Allen does a great job of explaining why this technique is so effective in Getting Things Done.)

As a special holiday gift to you, I’m sharing my personal travel check list, including bonus tips for international trips. Bon voyage!

Elizabeth’s Preparing for a Trip Check List

If Driving:

• Make sure oil changed and any car maintenance done.
• Make sure up-to-date auto insurance in wallet and car registration stickers on license plate.
• Confirm address.
• Get directions or check that comes up on your GPS device.
• Book hotel and confirm check in time.
• Put gas in the car.
• Grocery shop for snacks and/or bottled beverages.

If Flying:

• Book flight.
• Book hotel and confirm check in time.
• Coordinate pick up or transportation after arrival.
• Confirm flight time.
• Confirm when you will need to leave for the airport.
• Get directions or check that comes up on your GPS device both to the departure airport and from your arrival airport to your final destination.
• Coordinate rides or look into parking options.
• Grocery shop for snacks. If desired, bring an empty water bottle to fill up once inside the security checkpoint.
• Check luggage number and size (dimensions and weight) restrictions and fees
• Decide whether you will check baggage
• Make sure you have a quart-size Ziploc bag and 3-oz. or less size containers that fit in that bag.
• If desired, check in 24 hours in advance

Packing Strategy:

If driving:

• Determine how much luggage space is available if you are taking large objects and/or have many people in the car.

If flying:

• Decide whether you will check in luggage.
• Follow all airline standards for size and weight and items you can carry on. (An easy way to check the weight is to weigh yourself and then step on your home scale holding your bag.)

2-7 Days Before Your Trip:

• Decide what you will want to wear and/or bring
• Do any last shopping: food, clothes, toiletries, items to bring on trip
• Do laundry and/or dry cleaning

1-2 Days Before Your Trip:

• Check the expected weather conditions.
• Pack up all of the items in your bags to make sure that they will fit inside.
• Put liquids into a quart-size Ziploc bag.
• Go through your purse and other carry on items to make sure that you don’t have any prohibited items (sharp objects like scissors or liquids like lipgloss).
• Do online check in 24 hours in advance and print out boarding pass.

Morning of Your Trip:

• Do final packing of toiletries, food, books, etc.
  

  View from my window seat

• Double check the flight status and that you have your boarding pass and government id (passport if you are leaving the United States).
• Give yourself some “buffer time” so if you’re running late or hit bad traffic, you’re still OK.
• Enjoy!!

Packing List:

Clothes:

Use the weather report and any schedule events/activities to help guide your packing.

• Pants, shorts, dresses, and/or skirts
• Shirts, including one that would be nice for an evening event
• Sweatshirts or jackets
• Underclothes, socks, nylons
• Pajamas
• Work out clothes
• Shoes: dress shoes, workout shoes, informal shoes
• Swim suit and cover up (and if necessary, towel and goggles)
• Accessories: scarves, hats, gloves, jewelry, and watch
• Plastic bag for dirty clothes

Toiletries:

• Floss, tooth brush, tooth paste, mouth wash, skin care, moisturizer, deodorant, glasses, contacts, contact case, contact solution, and perfume
• Hair brush, curling irons, flat irons, gel, hairspray
• Makeup
• Vitamins and/or medicine

If not staying at a hotel or have particular preferences:

• Soap, shampoo, conditioner, razor, shaving cream, face wash, blowdryer

Miscellaneous:

• Wallet and government id
• Cell phone
• Camera (including extra battery and if applicable, device to upload photos to the computer
• Calendar/Planner/Notepad
• Books or other reading material
• Gum or other snacks or necessary foods
• All chargers for phones, computers, cameras, other electronic devices
• Print outs of insurance policies and all other travel documents
• Umbrella, boots, hats, gloves, scarves, sunscreen, etc. (depending on the weather)
• Computer
• Pens, paper, stamps
• Emergency contact numbers and addresses
• Any school work or other work materials
• Gifts and thank you cards for anyone who is hosting you
• Collapsible bag that you can use to bring home extra items

International Travel:

• Exchange money
• Double check passport up to date & visa OK
• Tell credit card company that I will be abroad
• Cell phone, calling card rates
• Access code for the country
• Give contact info to parents and roommates
• Go to travel clinic for immunizations, medicine and food precautions
• Ask about local customs in terms of acceptable/unacceptable dress and activities
• Ask about converters for electronics–voltage and/or plugs
• Buy travel insurance & emergency medical insurance
• Check that your carry-on items are allowed in each airport where you need to take a flight. (Restrictions can be different for different countries.)

I hope this helps you to have a Happy and Stress-Free Holiday Vacation.

Feel free to leave your tips!

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is the founder and CEO of Real Life E® a time coaching and training company that empowers individuals who feel guilty, overwhelmed and frustrated to feel peaceful, confident and accomplished through an exclusive Schedule Makeover^TM process. Real Life E® also increases employee productivity, satisfaction and work/life balance through custom training programs.

Elizabeth has appeared in Inc magazine, The Chicago Tribune, and on NBC. She was selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of 2010 by Stiletto Woman and as a member of the Young Entrepreneurs Council that includes HootSuite CEO Ryan Holmes and Ramit Sethi of I Will Teach You To Be Rich fame.

Wow! It’s an honor and a privilege to have been selected as one of the Top 25 Amazing Women of the Year by Stiletto Woman Magazine.

“Through Stiletto Woman hopefully women can see that anything is possible—that life has a way of twisting things upside down, but we have the opportunity to adjust, and make it work to our benefit,” says Karlena L. Wallace, founder & CEO of Stiletto Woman.

For 25 Inspiring Stories of Amazing Women, check out: Stiletto Woman Magazine Summer 2010.

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.

She empowers  them to set priorities, set expectations and set routines so that they move forward, feel peaceful and create lives of love, meaning and purpose.

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

Here’s what students had a chance to say about my speech, “The Best is Yet to Come!” on how to turn every difficulty into an opportunity to succeed:

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

She also does women in business keynote speeches about how to have confidence, present yourself professionally, and work effectively with men and women in the business world.

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

Tamara Mickelson-Founder & CEO of Nannies Galore

Being a parent is a wonderful privilege and an incredible responsibility. Nannies Galore founder and CEO Tamara Mickelson shared these time management tips for succeeding as a working parent:

1.  Keep Lists! If you are like me, you keep a list for everything.  Grocery list, chores, bills that need to be paid, etc.  Lists seem trivial to some, but are a lifesaver to me. It is a habit that I formed years ago, and has proven to work over and over again. Crossing things off of my list gives me a sense of accomplishment, leading me right into my next task.  Keep a list!

2.  Say No! When I started my own nanny website, it was pretty easy at first.  But as the weeks went on, businesses began calling and asking for favors, articles, money for advertising, events to host; basically asking for my time.  Working full time outside of the home, raising my daughter alone, and operating a website business are things that I need and like to do, but I have to structure my time to make it effective and harmonious. So, when it comes to scheduling parties, events, charities, etc, I just learned to say no (thank you) to those that I truly cannot commit to.  Say No!

3.  Breathe! If you are not in an exercise program yet – you need to be.  I understand that gyms and classes cost money and our economy has left most of us without any; however, you can do a lot of things at home.  You can run or jog around your neighborhood and even do yoga.  Just simple stretching to music that calms you will help tremendously – you can meditate at the same time.  Look for free downloads on the internet on exercise, yoga and meditation. Schedule time to breathe!

Tamara’s Web site is filled with nanny profiles from all over the United States so families can find quality childcare: Nannies Galore Check it out & read more about her story below.

To your work/life brilliance!

Elizabeth

A bit more on Tamara:
I am a single mother working full time and raising my child alone.  Due to unfortunate circumstances a few years ago, I found myself in desperate need of a live-in nanny for my one year old daughter. I logged onto a nanny website and was lucky to find one right away. She worked for me for 6 months. It was a wonderful experience and we still keep in touch.

Since then, I have been hiring my nannies and babysitters from websites just like this one.  Being a member of several nanny sites gave me plenty of choices when it came to the right care. As a parent, I like having choices when it comes to hiring someone I trust to take care of my child.  My daughter is now 4 years old, and we still have a live-in nanny.

In 2008, I developed a strong desire to create my own nanny website, so here I am! I will be hiring my next nanny and babysitter from nanniesgalore.com.  Will it be you?

Good luck with your search!

Nannies Galore is featured in the January 2010 issue of Sacramento Magazine ~get your copy at Starbucks or your local grocery store.

Here’s what one of the audience members had to say about what she learned:

Entrepreneurship Panel at Lake Erie College

I thought you might like an update on some of my recent travels!

“I loved Elizabeth’s energy & authenticity. She was able to share very well with both the students and professionals.”-Angela B.

“I absolutely loved the section about what you wear making a difference.”-Jennifer G.

Thank You again to all of the Fabulous organizers of the SWE event at UNC! (Also many thanks to Mya who took these photos.)