How to make the most of your time to tackle big projects

Determination and creativity can be pretty potent driving forces, but very often when they come up against that pesky roadblock called time, they can really lose their drive. Whatever project you want to complete, carving out enough time for it can sometimes be the biggest challenge. You may have a full-time job or kids, or both, to try and juggle or even if you are at home during the day while kids or at school or with a childminder, you can quickly find your precious time being devoured by a number of chores and errands.

So how do we manage to get enough time to complete our dream projects? Here are a few tips to make sure you have enough time to get the job done.

Make the most of the mornings

This is the time of the day when you are going to have the most energy and focus. It’s not just that you have had a good night’s sleep, but it is also the time of day when you have most time in front you. If you have kids and do a school run, try to time discipline yourself to start work as soon as you get home. This may mean getting up a little bit earlier to get all the household chores, but will help you focus and concentrate once you are ready to start.

Set yourself mini challenges

You’re not going to write a novel in an afternoon and you know that. But, setting yourself a challenge to have set amount of words written by a certain time gives you a manageable task. Hit it, then make another one and all of a sudden you are further down the road than you realize.

Don’t wait for inspiration

If you have zoned off some time, but the creative juices aren’t flowing, don’t sit around waiting for inspiration to strike. Go for a walk, make some coffee or just brainstorm some ideas to get your mind in gear again.

For more inspirational ideas check out the books from www.upspirity.com.

How you can give positive criticism

No matter how positive an outlook someone may have, none of us are very good at taking criticism. Even if it is well-meaning, having your faults pointed out can immediately trigger defensive instincts and we end up feeling antagonism towards the person rather than listening to and focussing on the points they are making.

However, when it comes to criticism, there are ways to be constructive and helpful without making an enemy of someone. Here are some ways you can make your feedback more constructive.

Begin with praise

You can get off on the right foot by providing some positive feedback. You may still intend to point out faults, but pointing out what a person has done well will not only cushion the blow, it will let them know that they are at least on the right track.

Avoid the ‘but’

When you are doling out praise, the recipient may understandable be waiting for the ‘but’ and the kick pivot into negative criticism. How you couch those negative comments is important. So, by saying something like ‘you have done a great job on the plot in this short story and your characterization will improve the more you write’. Replacing ‘but’ with ‘and’ allows you to point out a problem, but do so in a positive manner, giving the person the confidence that they can improve on those areas which need more work.

Reinforce improvements and set targets for them

Operate on the assumption that the person is capable of making the improvements they need and set that as a goal for them to achieve. Convince them that they are already the person who has achieved the sort of improvement you are suggesting and they’ll have something to aim for.

For more uplifting content check out the books at www.upspirity.com.

How to make the most of your time to tackle big projects

Determination and creativity can be pretty potent driving forces, but very often when they come up against that pesky roadblock called time, they can really lose their drive. Whatever project you want to complete, carving out enough time for it can sometimes be the biggest challenge. You may have a full-time job or kids, or both, to try and juggle or even if you are at home during the day while kids or at school or with a childminder, you can quickly find your precious time being devoured by a number of chores and errands.

So how do we manage to get enough time to complete our dream projects? Here are a few tips to make sure you have enough time to get the job done.

Make the most of the mornings

This is the time of the day when you are going to have the most energy and focus. It’s not just that you have had a good night’s sleep, but it is also the time of day when you have most time in front you. If you have kids and do a school run, try to time discipline yourself to start work as soon as you get home. This may mean getting up a little bit earlier to get all the household chores, but will help you focus and concentrate once you are ready to start.

Set yourself mini challenges

You’re not going to write a novel in an afternoon and you know that. But, setting yourself a challenge to have set amount of words written by a certain time gives you a manageable task. Hit it, then make another one and all of a sudden you are further down the road than you realize.

Don’t wait for inspiration

If you have zoned off some time, but the creative juices aren’t flowing, don’t sit around waiting for inspiration to strike. Go for a walk, make some coffee or just brainstorm some ideas to get your mind in gear again.

For more inspirational ideas check out the books from www.upspirity.com.