teaching productivity

On Saturday I went up to London to teach my very good friend the principles of Accelerated Productivity.  When I arrived she had amassed a VAST pile of stuff that was bothering her, piling up files, and folders, and brochures, and old work and college notes, and a long list of things that weren't as she wanted them to be.  From photo frames that didn't stand up, to tax returns that hadn't been done for..... way too long.  It was almost a whole room

So we got stuck in.  And I think she got it.  She really got it.  At the end of the day.  Her bed was cleared, everything had found a place (a lot of it was in the bin!) and she had a clear idea about what her next steps were on everything.  And where to find those next steps.  Her inbox was empty.  She had several key things entered into her calendar.  I think she was quite amazed.  It was hard work, but it was very satisfying.

"I can't belive its all been put away.  I was expecting to rearrange the piles a bit.  I think I was expecting a time management prioritisation techniques, not that it was lacking in that, but I was really pleased to be able to put it all away, that everything has a home.

I feel like I have achieved so much  - even though I haven't really done anything yet.  I know what to do and where it all is. Its like everything is doable, from building a new house to getting a tax disc for my bike, the next step will be taken.  I have to admit I feel clear, and by the time you arrived this morning I was quite stressed out.

It was nice that there was the reward at the end (wine!!) I felt I deserved a treat."

From my point of view, I think I got it all across pretty well.  As she was a good friend, if I backtracked and had to re say some bits at a later point to clarify, she didn't mind at all.  I was knackered by the end of it all.  It required a lot of concentration, pulling her back to focus on what she was doing, and what her decisions were going to be.  Its a clever system.  You basically do all your thinking at the front end.  So that the doing becomes easy and lightweight.  And trackable.

Anyway, I will be checking in with her in a week's time to see how she is getting on.

On a personal level.  I am definitely more on the case.  It was lovely to get back to actually doing some creative stuff yesterday (I am trying to post a picture, but its just not going through right now).

ah, I am tired this week, I have actually got a lot going on right now.  Ah, but there is no rest for the wicked, or for mums who are trying to set up their own income streams!! Speaking of which, I am in the gallery today.  And I have had time to do some research for my art business.  Hence, I have signed up for (yet another) e course.  I waivered.  But I was hooked.  Cleverly its with Beth Nichols  - she of the Do What you Love art retreat (and blog and website and ecourse) and Kelly Rae Roberts, whose Flying Lessons e course so influenced me last year.  Yup, its not cheap, but here we go.  Its a business expense isn't it.  And goodness knows I just need another course on my plate!!  If you are interested its called Hello Soul Hello Business.  And they promise that if you don't earn the money back in increased sales you get your money back.  ooh they ARE clever.