Although I'm not a huge fan of comedian Larry, the Cable Guy - I do love his tagline - "Get 'R Done!"  The fact is, in order to get the right things done, you have to focus and schedule time to make it happen. Without a plan, you'll get tossed around by the winds of chaos and never finish anything.

1. Schedule action steps into your calendar. To really get things done on your to-do list, you must have a block of time slotted in your calendar. Treat this as an important appointment you can't cancel or miss.
2. Set regular time for "return phone calls." One of my clients, a realtor, was frustrated when a whole day would go by before she could get to return phone calls. So she created 9 to 10 a.m. as "call time."
3. Block out weekly "work on business" times. If you find that months go by before you have had a chance to work on marketing or planning, you need a block of time for it. I recommend setting aside a couple of hours minimum, one day a week.
4. Leverage your time with "open call" times. This gives you time to make and receive calls - maybe once or twice a week or even once a month if you are particularly time challenged. Leave the days and times on your voice mail.
5. Be ruthless with project time. Create a project day that you leave open to work on specific tasks or projects. Make co-workers or team members aware of this so they have lead time to get information or materials to you in a timely manner.
6. Have regularly scheduled client days. This allows you to focus your time productively  and not feel distracted by other priorities.
7. Have an appointment-free day where you plan nothing. Mine is Monday (if I can help it) so I can handle any urgent situations and clean up projects. I need space to think clearly and not feel rushed or overwhelmed..

A caveat:  If you need to reschedule an appointment with yourself, you must reschedule the date sometime that week. The problems begin when you let yourself off the hook and just don't do it.

Now, put at least two of these time-tested techniques into action - and GET 'R DONE!

To achieve maximum results with priority (goal) management you must make your goals crystal clear and keep your vision clear in your mind.  Your blueprint for success? The SMARTEN UP method to bring your broad vision into focus.

Your goals must be:

• Specific:  Your goal must be absolutely clear and well defined.
• Measurable:  Quantify what you want to achieve.  Your brain needs a clear instruction.
• Appealing:  A goal that is not attractive to you will not motivate you.
• Realistic:  Is this goal realistic for you?  Be sure you are setting yourself up for success.
• Time Specific or Time Bound:  Timed milestones insure focus and eliminates the tendency to procrastinate.
• Enthusiastic:  Be excited about the entire journey you take to get to your goal.
• Natural:  Your goal must be in tune with your intuition and values - not someone else's.
• Understood:  It must be clearly understood by the key players in your life.
• Purposeful:  What unique gifts and talents do you bring to the world?  When you are in alignment with your individual purpose (and passion!) you experience the greatest fulfillment.

Choose a goal and apply the criteria above, step by step, and you will be on your way to clarity and confidence.