Category Archives: Self Improvement

8 ways to use the extra hour from day light savings

It is not uncommon to think what you can do with the extra hour you get with the change in day light savings. I like to make every hour count, so if you are like me, you are eagerly looking for ways to make use of the extra hour you get

Get some additional rest: With the clock changing time past midnight, you are probably in deep sleep. Sleep an extra hour and let your mind and body relax. An extra hour of sleep can do wonders, especially if you are the type who hits the snooze button often. A well relaxed person can contribute more effectively, like you have just returned from a vacation.
Arrive early at work: Impress your boss and colleges by reaching early and doing some extra work. Be sure to convey that you did not miss the day light saving but were eager to use the extra hour to help the company.
Make a breakfast: If you have not been getting a chance otherwise to make your own breakfast and coffee / tea in the morning. Why not do so today. Chances are you got your full sleep and still got up an hour earlier. Use this time to cook a healthy breakfast for yourself.
Go for a run: If you have been putting off working out because you dint find that extra time, grab this opportunity. Go for a run or workout. If you are just starting out, do not overdo it.
Organize your day: How often do you get a chance to organize your day before your start it? I like doing this while taking a subway ride or while taking a bath, but today can be different. With the extra hour today, take a look at where you plan to spend your time, see if you are using time effectively and prioritize your work.
Spend the time with your family: With work and other commitments taking up most of the time, we all find very little time for our families. Why not take this extra hour and create some memories for the family. Spend time with your kids. If you spouse prepares kids for school, take over that responsibility today.
Perform a quick financial checkup: Update your net worth calculation, your budget. Ensure you have paid your credit card and utility bills.
Take a longer bath: If you only find time to take a relaxed bath on weekends, you can take one today! Like an extra hour of sleep, taking a relaxing bath can also release tension and the freshness will help you perform better throughout the day.

So how do you plan to use the extra hour you get today? Let me know in the comments.

photo by: JonathanCohen

How to Set Goals and achieve them – Going beyond the SMART framework

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If you have ever read about how to set goals, you are sure to have encountered the SMART framework for goal setting. SMART is a very useful framework for setting goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time bound.

Specific: Specific goals clearly state what has to be done. There are no vague words in specific goals. Nothing can be misinterpreted.

Measurable: The goal you set should be measurable. If a goal you set is not measurable, how will you know if you have achieved it or not? What cannot be measured cannot be accomplished.

Achievable: One main problem of goals is that when people are setting them, they are not actually thinking of how they can achieve them. Goal setting is not going to be fruitful if you set goals that you cannot achieve; you are setting yourself up for failure.

Relevant: The goals should be relevant to your needs, the needs of the company or the project you are trying to complete. If a goal is not relevant, it does not matter if you have achieved it or not.

Time-bound: You must set a timeline to achieve a goal, if you have not set a timeline, it is likely that the goal never gets prioritized and you are bound to not get to the target.

So SMART is a very basic and well established approach to setting goals. If you stick to the SMART goals framework, you are most likely to set goals which you can accomplish. However SMART does not show you a way of achieving your goals. You can you use these three main steps to overcome this disadvantage.

Develop a plan

Once you know what you want to achieve the next task is to lay out how you want to achieve it. Devising a plan will keep you on track towards your goal. A plan acts like a road map and will bring you on the route whenever you are lost. Be sure to set milestone in your plan. Reaching milestones will give a sense of accomplishments and motivate you to go after your goal.

Align the resources you need

If you have designed a well thought out plan, you will know what you need and when you need it, in order to achieve your goals. Make a list of these resources and see how you can have access to these resources when you need them. Resources can be financial, people and intellectual in nature. So planning ahead will definitely help you become aware of what you will need to be successful in your goals.

Work as planned and Review it

Now the only task remaining is to actually follow the plan you have created for yourself. Get started and be sure to review it at multiple points to see what’s working and what’s not working. Revising a plan or even a goal is no shame and shows that you can adapt to changes around you.

Setting SMART goals is a good way to get started but then devising an action plan, gathering the resources, following the plan and reviewing it is crucial in achieving the goals.

Have you had success in achieving your goals? What works for you and what does not? If you are looking to be better at achieving your goals, try this method, I am sure you will see results.