Time management

As I sit here writing this I am laying in the sun on Maehama beach in Miakojima, Japan. The picture above is the location just after getting out of the car. Am I sending you this from my vacation? No. Technically, I’m working.

For those who have been following this blog for a while know that I gave up my job in Tokyo, got rid of all my stuff, and moved to the beautiful island of Miyakojima to do Internet marketing. For those interested in doing something similar, check out the 4 hour work week.

Today, I actually want to talk about how important it is to get out of the office and especially, away from the computer.

Regardless of the job, it seems that most of us spend a lot of time punching away at a keyboard. It has become so common we don’t even consider working somewhere there isn’t a computer. Unfortunately, working on the computer isn’t always efficient or creative. It can also be quite distracting.

If you are using a computer, then there are a lot of distractions. It can be difficult to focus on work, when a failblog video is just a couple of clicks away. This of course is after you read through the endless unimportant email. And even when you do get to work, you switch between several tabs and projects. What is it that computers actually help us do again.

So what can you do? Get away from the computer. Turn it off. Remember what you did before you had a computer? A lot of projects we do on the computer can be done ( better and more creative) another way. This works especially well for projects that have several parts. Most projects have a part you need to think about and create. If you do that away from the computer and in a place you like it doesn’t feel like work.

Lastly, consider substitutes. Today’s smart phones can do quite a bit. If you have to be in front of a “computer” take it with you. I say this as i am typing on my Iphone. Work doesn’t seem like work if you are sitting on a beach.

And with that I think it is time to end this post. The sun is getting kind of bright.

How many of us have done this. I have done it so many times I can’t even count. I come up with a new plan, a new workout schedule, study schedule, and get all excited about it. I run through all the details and actions in my head and plan it all out. I can’t wait to get started. And yet, I never do.  Even though I am so excited to start whatever it is I am thinking about, I never do.

If you also have this problem, then I have a simple trick that might work for you. Take the first step now! The first step doesn’t have to be huge. It just has to be enough to get your feet moving in the right direction. If you want to join a new club, it may be the first phone call just to get information. A new workout program could start with you doing your first 5 minute walk right now.  It can even be something as simple as writing down the thing you are thinking about and how you will accomplish it. I often do this if I am thinking about something before I go to sleep. If I write it down there is a good chance I will start and finish it. If I don’t I will usually forget by morning.

Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Just taking that first step sets the wheels turning and the steps after that just seem to fall into place.

Get started now!

Think of that one thing you have wanted to start or need to get done and write it down how to get started.

I would love to hear how this method works for you and what methods you use that you have found helpful.