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Showing Our True Colors

Over Time

by Mary Miscisin

The previous article on time and True Colors described time habits related to personality styles. Even if you did not get a chance to read it, you should be able to pick out which guidance will be most helpful to you. Here are some suggestions for the various color styles.

GOLDS

	Know when enough is enough.
	Go home when your shift ends, call in sick when you are not feeling well. The house does not have to be clean-clean all of the time.

	Focus on what you really can control.
	When things around you seem to be unraveling, notice the areas that you have power over. One of them is your perception of the situation. Pay attention to the words you are using. Do you label it a disaster or an opportunity to learn something?

	Be prepared for change.
	Let's face it-- things don't always work out the way they are supposed to. Be mentally ready to switch gears. Don't waste time getting mad or feeling sorry for yourself because your task of the moment has to take second place.

BLUES

	Resist the urge to be everything to everyone.
	There is only one of you. If you continually let yourself get stretched to your limits, there will be nothing left of you to give!

	Foster growth in others.
	Be careful not to promote others' dependence on you. Sometimes we dig ourselves in so deeply doing for others that we don't leave them any other option but to depend on us.

	Take a stand.
	It is not mean or harsh to state your expectations or set boundaries. Contrary to what you might expect, people will respect you for it if you do so with caring firmness.

ORANGES

	Stay focused.
	Decide your priorities and stick to them instead of letting your attention shift to whatever catches it at the moment. If possible, designate a block of time for taking and returning calls instead of answering the phone every time it rings.

	Follow the rules.
	Be aware of your tendency to take shortcuts. It may seem to help temporarily, but adhering to established systems and procedures will save you and others more time and frustration overall.

	Get organized.
	Clean out the clutter that may be getting in your way. Sort some junk and create systems for easy access of what you really need most. Learn how to use a planner. It will help you remember deadlines, appointment and priorities.

GREENS

	Smile.
	This may sound like strange advice at first, but it works. Greens have a tendency to get so involved in their work or task at hand that they can forget their surroundings. A smile opens up lines of communication and creates rapport, which will save you time accomplishing your goal if it involves others.

	Put off procrastination.
	Pay attention to how much time you are spending researching information to make the perfect decision or take the precise action. Go for it! You may want to argue the point, but you do not have to be totally competent in everything you do.

	Find diplomatic ways to prevent others from infringing on your time.
	Set up a system for letting others politely know when it is ok to approach you and when you need your time. Since it often takes about three weeks to break a habit, give yourself at least that long to adapt a more effective pattern. Choose one time management habit you would like to change and decide now to change it!

Mary Miscisin is the author of SHOWING OUR TRUE COLORS - A Fun, Easy Guide for Understanding and Appreciating Yourself and Others.

(c) 2002 Mary Miscisin, All Rights Reserved. www.PositivelyMary.com
Permission to duplicate this article is granted ONLY with the copyright and contact information intact.

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TIME MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES

	1. Write down the habit you are changing.

	2. List all the problems you created in the past with your old habit.

	3. List the benefits of changing.

	4. Write your goal in the finished form. Focus on the results, not the process.

	5. Make your results measurable. How will you know you have accomplished your goal? Visually rehearse your new behavior.

	6. Enlist the support of others. People probably will notice right away that you are doing things differently. Their reactions may surprise you. Your actions may make them question themselves. Sometimes others are so uncomfortable with change that they may unconsciously sabotage your efforts. Stay firm. Be consistent. Ask for their support.

	7. Reward yourself. Focus on what you have accomplished so far. Give yourself a treat, whether it is sleeping in, taking a break or even buying something. Lavish yourself with praise for a job well done!

		Is there someone in your life that you would like to understand or get along with better?

		Do you ever wish others would understand and appreciate your way of doing things?

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Showing Our
True Colors
by Mary Miscisin

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Copyright 2008 by Mary Miscisin & Ed Redard MD. All rights reserved. No Reproduction Without Permission.