How often do you hit the pillow wondering what you’ve got to show for the day? It’s a widespread problem. Busy does not always equal productivity, which explains why we can end the day with a to-do list barely touched.  So what’s the alternative? How can you set yourself up to Win The Day so that you can feel accomplished?  The answer is to sharpen your focus - something these seven tips will help you do. “I don’t care how much power, brilliance or energy you have, if you don’t harness it and focus it on a specific target, and hold it there you’re never going to accomplish as much as your ability warrants.”- Zig Ziglar  1. Set the right goals Focus is all about directing your thinking, your attention, and your energy in one place - instead of taking a scattergun approach.  The benefit of focus is that it allows your brain [and your being] to concentrate on one thing at a time. In turn, your thinking isn’t fragmented. Your mind isn’t spread out over a million different things, which allows you to be more creative, think deeper, and solve bigger problems.  One of the most powerful ways to direct your focus is to set your goals.  When you know the direction you want to go, it’s a lot easier to push off the opportunities and asks that risk stealing your attention and pushing you off course.  When you have a clear goal, you have a barometer that allows you to check if your decisions are in alignment with where you say you want to go.  That’s powerful.  2. Focus on what you CAN do, not what you can’t  When a task feels difficult, or something goes wrong, it’s easy to get stuck in a ‘poor me’ mindset. But focusing on the problem can keep you stuck and cause you to go around in circles.  There’s a better way to invest your focus... Instead of focusing on what’s wrong, concentrate on what you want to create: • What CAN you do now? • What do you want to experience? • What are the possibilities open to you right now? This solution-based focus will empower you to come up with new answers and ideas. When you can see a new direction, you’ll also feel energized to get going.  In the words of Anthony J. D’Angelo, “Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.” In turn, you’ll inspire yourself to get more done.  3. Eliminate distractions Be honest; you knew this tip would be on the list, right?! We all know that distractions divert our attention down threads of thinking that keep us from the task at hand. Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against us. Social media and entertainment options are all designed to keep us tapped in.  When it comes to your focus, distractions are deadly.  Not only does a quick look at social steal your time, but it disrupts your thinking too. Plus, when you turn back to the task at hand, it will take you a while to get back into your flow.  If you want to get more done, switch off your notifications, turn off your phone, and put a ‘do not disturb’ sign on your door. Do what you need to do to protect your focus so you can finish your tasks and create the possibility of deeper work.  “One look at an email can rob you of 15 minutes of focus. One call on your cell phone, one tweet, one instant message can destroy your schedule, forcing you to move meetings, or blow off really important things, like love, and friendship.”- Jacqueline Leo 4. Put constraints on your time  Deadlines can be potent motivators. When the pressure is on, it can be easier to get stuff done - because you have zero choices but to make it happen!  You can leverage the power of deadlines through zero-hours scheduling.  Instead of giving tasks an open window for completion, allocate a specific timescale for completion. Commit to this timeslot by scheduling tasks into your planner [in the same way you do with your meetings and appointments]. Make yourself accountable to timeslots and allow that deadline to sharpen your focus.  5. Prioritize When you have more tasks than time, it’s easy to feel stressed and anxious. You worry about who you’re going to let down, what others might think about you, and what ‘sacrifices’ you’ll have to make to feel back in control.  Here’s the thing… Worrying doesn’t help you check through your to-do list. In fact, worrying steals your creative energy and your bandwidth, making it even harder to accomplish what you want to do.  It’s as the author Jodi Picoult says, “anxiety is like a rocking chair, It gives you something to do but it doesn’t get you very far.”  When you’re feeling overwhelmed, the best thing you can do is just get started.  And to minimize the fallout that you find yourself worrying over, prioritize your tasks.  • Which task is the frog? • Which tasks are dependent on you completing something else first? • Which tasks can you delegate? • Which tasks can you streamline?  Direct your focus towards the tasks that will make the biggest dent and start there.  With those tasks out of the way, not only will you feel a million times better, but you’ll re-energize yourself for tackling everything that’s left. 6. Give yourself breaks Deep focus can get tiring! It takes a lot of mental energy to solve problems, imagine new ideas, and check through tasks and projects.  Keep yourself fresh by taking breaks.  Work in 30-minute Pomodoros, take a walk in nature or stretch your body with some yoga.  Give yourself space away from your work station so your brain can relax and recharge.  What’s more, when the pressure is off, you may find that some of your best ideas bubble up.  7. Use external brains Your brain is an incredibly creative tool and problem solver.  Your brain can conjure up the most imaginative ideas - and one of those ideas could change your world.  What your brain isn’t quite so good at is remembering stuff. It takes a lot of mental energy to remember things; valuable energy you could use more productively and effectively.  Imagine… While working hard on an essay, you're also conscious about remembering your 2 pm coffee date. Imagine how much of a distraction that date creates.  External brains allow you to extract the details and information that you want to remember and store them elsewhere.  In turn, nothing is stealing your focus - helping you to get more done.  Here are some examples of external brains that help to sharpen your focus by freeing up bandwidth:  Your daily planner - for managing and scheduling your workload Your calendar - your keeping tabs of your appointments, meetings, and dates Your notebook - for capturing thoughts and ideas that you don’t want to lose Your to-do list [or Weekly Action Pad] - for keeping track of your weekly tasks  Your Project Action Pad - for project management Focus is one of your most powerful assets - because where your place your energy is where momentum grows.  If you can sharpen your focus in an increasingly fragmented world, you’ll give yourself a substantial competitive edge.

When it comes to goals and becoming your best self, time is your most critical resource. Time represents potential. Each day you’re allocated another 1440 minutes to do whatever you like. Direct it towards the right things and magic can happen! But time management is tricky and life can make peak productivity feel elusive. Everything from distractions, to stress, chaos and confusion can squander your time and keep you from your finish line.But that doesn’t mean things can’t change. The reality is your time is always in your control. And if you learn to master these three critical timescales, you’ll be well on your way to thinking bigger, achieving more, while you enjoy today. 1. 13 weeks “The trouble is, you think you have time.” Jack Kornfield How often have you set a goal and then NOT achieved it? Here’s a scary truth… you’re in the minority if you successfully take a goal across the finish line! Achieving goals is hard because there’s so much that can get in our way.Which creates a new question.. How can you stack the odds in your favor? One proven way is by working within a 13-week timescale. 13 weeks is the goal-setting sweet spot because this timescale is long enough to achieve something significant, yet short enough to fend off procrastination. When you give yourself too much time, it’s far too easy to procrastinate. Life happens and that means a finish line that’s years off creates too much space to delay and dither. It’s all-too-easy for that internal dialogue to talk you out of taking action. “I can do that later” is a persuasive argument when you have a truckload of tasks competing for your attention! You don’t get that procrastination luxury with a 13-week time limit because your deadline is always in plain sight. If your why is sufficiently powerful, a tighter deadline will force you to get focused and do the work that closes the gap.But that’s not all… Imagine how much more you could achieve and how much further you could go if you crushed an important goal every 13 weeks? In this way, the 13-week strategy doesn’t just increase your productivity; it’s also a way to quadruple your output every year. So if you’re looking for a fast-track to more success, 13-week sprints could well be it! 2. Win the Day “The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” - John C. Maxwell Have you ever hit the pillow feeling super frustrated because you’re not sure what you actually accomplished - even though you were super busy all day long? Unfortunately, being busy is not the same as being productive. It’s possible to be snowed under and continuously on it, and still not move the needle. That’s because productivity is about working on the right stuff rather than any old stuff! If you’re constantly checking off the easy tasks or getting distracted by other people’s priorities, your goals won’t happen. Harsh, but true. Win The Day is a mantra that can inspire you to be more discerning about how you spend your 1440 daily minutes. Imagine how much better life would feel [and how you’d feel about yourself], if every day made a dent. You can achieve this when you’re clear on the bigger picture tasks that make a difference. Instead of fire-fighting or checking through a list of to-dos, get clear on what tasks matter. Then plan your day to ensure these tasks have your top priority and don’t get pushed. It’s so easy to delay your goals because other things shout louder. But you’ll forever be stuck in the pattern of “I’ll do that later” UNLESS you take a different approach. Remember, not all tasks are created equally. Pareto’s Law states that 80% of your results will come from 20% of your actions. Put Pareto’s Law to work and you could Win The Day. And if you Win The Day every day - you’ll also win the week, the month, the quarter, the year, the decade [you get the picture!] 3. 30 minutes "Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time." - Jim Rohn Time is not renewable. You can’t hit the pause button and you can’t rewind. Once the minutes have passed, they are gone forever. So why are we so willing to squander our minutes and give them so little meaning? While 13-week planning and the intention to Win The Day takes care of the bigger picture stuff, the biggest shifts happen when you master your minutes. And for this, 30-minute time slots are a game-changer. Instead of tackling your day as a whole unit, break it down into 30-minute sections. This granular planning allows you to approach your day like a jigsaw puzzle. When you know how long each task will take to complete, you can fit these tasks into your day to create maximum results. Parkinson’s Law is critical here! This law states that a task will expand to fit the time window you give it. In other words, if you give a 90-minute task the entire day, that’s how long it will take you! Zero-hours scheduling is a powerful technique that will help you stretch time - so you can get more done in less time. However, this isn’t about packing so much into your day that you soon burn out. Use your daily 30-minute timeline to plan EVERYTHING. Your daily plan should be a combination of work PLUS dedicated, quality time for wellbeing, relationships, hobbies, passions, meditation, learning, reading - whatever your best self needs to feel fulfilled. When it comes to your goals, time can be your best friend. You just have to figure out how to make the minutes work for you. Focusing on these three timescales will inspire a massive leap forward. And if you want to put these timescales to work, the Self Journal’s structure has you covered.

“Just saying yes because you can’t bear the short-term pain of saying no is not going to help you do the work.” - Seth Godin. The odds are stacked against you when you set a new goal or commit to a new habit. Studies prove over and over that once the initial enthusiasm has waned off, people struggle to achieve their goals. Overwhelm is a big reason why...In a busy world that’s fast-paced and highly pressured, there’s always more we can do. With plates stacked high and to-do lists exploding at the seams, it’s not uncommon for goals to take a back seat. It’s not that you don’t want to work towards them. Instead, you have to clear some space first - then you can focus on that goal. But the reality is the to-do list rarely shrinks! As soon as you check something off, something else gets added - and it’s not just work stuff either. Family life, errands, and other roles and responsibilities pile on the pressure too. With so much day-to-day stuff to take care of, you struggle to get to the bigger-picture goals and projects that could change your life. Fortunately, there is a productivity tool that can help you create the time, space, and energy you need to do more of what you love. It’s a two-letter word. And it’s saying NO. The hyper-productive word we’re too afraid to speak It comes from saying no to 1,000 things to make sure we don't get on the wrong track or try to do too much. - Steve Jobs The ability to say NO puts you in control of what you do [and don’t] have or do in your life. No allows you to control the size of your to-do list by turning down opportunities, tasks, and responsibilities that you haven’t got the time, energy, or inclination to do. No allows you to maximize your energy by directing your reserves towards the things you care about - rather than someone else’s priorities dictating the allocation of your resources. No allows you to state your own priorities and to protect your time. If you’re able to say no at the right time, you can create the space you need to focus on the goals that matter to you. If only it were that easy! “If something is not a ‘hell, YEAH!’, then it’s a ‘no!’”— James Altucher NO may be a two-letter word, but it’s often hard to say. In fact, it’s so hard to say that we often say YES [even when we don’t want to], which steals time and energy away from the things you want to do. There are plenty of reasons why people feel uncomfortable saying no. • We’re a people pleaser.• We don’t want to let people down or disappoint others. We’re worried about saying no to our boss in case it affects our job prospects.• We feel guilty saying no to our partner, kids, and other family members - especially when they rely on us.• We don’t want to be rejected or judged.• We don’t want to look inadequate or incapable.• We’re worried about creating conflict [and not being able to handle it]• We don’t want to be labelled selfish• We want to be seen as a ‘nice’ person The list goes on! And it’s a problem, the more you say YES, the less time you’ll have for the things that move life’s needle. How to say no without feeling bad “No is a complete sentence," Shonda Rhimes If the word NO doesn’t come easy to you, rest assured you can change this. You can learn to say NO confidently and comfortably and without worrying about what someone else is going to say to you or think about you. Here are some tips: JOURNAL. Ask yourself why you struggle to say no? What are you worried about? What would it take for you to be able to own your time and energy to the extent that you can say no confidently? GET CLEAR ON YOUR PRIORITIES. What are your red lines? Where are your boundaries? One way to define this is to create your Personal Statement. BE KINDER TO YOURSELF! In the words of Lori Deschene, “You can be a good person with a kind heart and still say no.” YOU DON’T HAVE TO JUSTIFY YOURSELF. As Shonda Rhimes said, “NO is a complete sentence”. You don’t have to explain yourself. If you feel called to say no, that is often enough. STICK TO YOUR GUNS. If people are used to you saying yes, they may be pushed back by a change in tack. Resist the temptation to back down because the other person’s response has made you feel bad. Remember, this is about protecting your time and giving yourself the space to fill your life with what you care about most.  Whether you’re saying no to a client or your boss, telling your kid that can’t have another cookie, explaining to your parents why you can’t go for dinner, or turning down a night out with a buddy, the confidence to say NO [when you want to say no], puts you back in the driver’s seat of your life. Remember, say NO and achieve your goals! What will you turn down today? It’s a simple, but highly effective strategy to reclaim your time - and possibly your life.

Who doesn’t love a to-do list? It’s a simple, yet effective strategy that helps you get your head around the day - so you can get more stuff done in less time. Well, that’s the plan anyway!But more often than not, our best-laid plans can go out the window! It’s a common problem. Procrastination, stress and anxiety, unexpected interruptions, new demands… they can all put the brakes on your plans, leaving you feeling deflated and disappointed with your output. What’s more, you also increase your workload for tomorrow, which piles on the pressure further. The good news is there are some practical things you can do to keep yourself on track. Life doesn’t have to be a collection of half-finished to-do lists. Instead, you can empower yourself to stay on top of your to-do list and actually get it ALL done.Let me show you how... 1. Be realistic Right now, we’re all dealing with uncertainty and chaos. Life is more challenging than usual, which can make it harder to stay focused and do what you need to do. When you have a lot on your plate, it’s tempting to try and get it all done today. In the back of your mind, you imagine you’ll feel a little less stressed if your master to-do list was a little shorter. But is that goal realistic? Is there genuinely enough time in your day to clear your entire list in one go? If not, own that reality - because if you try to complete a level of work that isn’t practical, you’ll only set yourself up to fail [which will only make you feel bad]. Much better to be realistic. Much better to create today’s to-do list with the number of tasks you can actually cope with. If you make this simple shift, you’ll relieve some pressure and set yourself up for that all-important win. 2. Prioritize Once you accept you can’t get everything done today, your next step is to identify the biggest levers on your master to-do list. What tasks are due today? What tasks are most important and most urgent? What tasks will take a weight off your shoulders if you’re able to tick them off? This Eisenhower Matrix will help you make these important distinctions. When you’ve figured out your priorities, put all your focus on getting those tasks checked off first. That way, your day is already a win - and if you get more done, well that’s a bonus. 3. Time estimates How do you know if your prioritized to-do list is realistic within the time you have available? Here’s how...Take each task in turn and estimate how long they’ll take you to do. For example: • 2 hours for a blog post• A 30-minute sales call• 90 minutes for your powerwalk• 45-minute team call• 30 minutes for responding to emails etc.  Then add up the total time - the examples above amount to 5hrs and 15mins.With this grand total you can gauge this workload against your day. Does your schedule have enough time for everything? If not, make adjustments until it all fits. 4. Schedule tasks to a timeslot One mistake people make is to work from their to-do list. You’ll be far more productive if you transfer those tasks onto your planner by allocating them specific time slots - like the example below [using a Self Journal]. Remember to add in your breaks (you can’t work flat out), and also build in a bit of slack in case you overrun on certain tasks. This step ensures each task has a deadline (based on your time estimates). This works wonders for productivity because it ensures tasks don’t extend unnecessarily. Give yourself a time span to work with and you’ll focus better and work more productively. There’s another benefit…If you stick to allocated times you can see at a glance if you’re on target to get everything done by the end of the day. If you are, great! If you’re not, you can take action to get yourself back on track before it’s too late. 5. Schedule tasks to energy levels Ever noticed how some tasks fill you up and some tasks pull you down? Use this knowledge to your advantage when figuring out the order in which you’ll tackle your to-dos. For example, put an energizing task after lunch to help you push through the afternoon slump. Try doing a draining task when your willpower and motivation is at its highest. Work with your energy levels and you’re less likely to waste time needlessly. When the pressure is on, you can ill afford to waste a single minute! 6. Make a list of quick errands As well as the day’s chunky tasks, make a list of the quick errands and to-dos you’d like to get done. For example, phoning a friend, sorting the laundry, or paying a bill/invoice. With your list already drawn up, if you do find yourself ahead (or if you have some minutes spare), you can crack on with these too. It’s a simple way to get more done - with less pressure. 7. Stick to your plan There will always be other things you could do. There will always be people who want you to prioritize their work over what you planned to do. Don’t get dragged into or distracted by the ‘urgent’ tasks that can wait. There will be times when you have no choice but to change your schedule to accommodate someone else. But don’t make that decision lightly. Check in to ensure you’re clear on what really is the most important thing.You are allowed to say no :-) 8. Plan tomorrow, today When you’ve got a full-on day ahead, you need to maximize every minute you’ve got. You can’t afford to spend time at the beginning of your day planning it all out. Far better to get your head around what you’re going to do the night before. That way, you can hit the ground running - clear on what you need to get done and by when. When life is as busy as yours, every minute counts. Unfinished to-do lists make life stressful. Finished to-do lists let you end the day with a win and a big motivational boost. So set yourself up for success. Follow these simple points to craft realistic to-do lists and you can feel more productive and more accomplished every day.You’ve got this :-)

Unproductive days can creep up on us for a whole host of reasons. Stress, distractions, anxiety, confusion, tiredness overwhelm, boredom, lack of motivation or focus - to name just a few! But whatever the cause, the results are always the same! You keep promising yourself that you’ll crack on after you’ve - brewed a coffee, checked your social feeds, cleaned the windows, tidy your desk, or tackled any other mindless task that excused you from getting on with the task at hand.Then before you know it, minutes have turned into hours and the day is at risk of disappearing into the abyss. That wasn’t your intention when you woke up. But now, instead of a smaller to-do list, you face playing catch-up for the rest of the week. You feel guilty too because time is tight and now you’ve just made it a whole lot worse for yourself. But don’t worry... Even if it’s late in the day, there are still things you can do RIGHT NOW to turn a mess into a win. And if you keep reading, I’ll show you how... 1. Give yourself a reality check Procrastination is comfortable. When you avoid doing the thing you know you have to do, you feel better - in the moment at least. Procrastination gives you instant gratification. It’s easier and more fun to do the things that don’t need much thought or focus. So to kick-start your day, you have to get real with yourself about what you’re actually doing. You have to label the endless cups of coffee as the distraction they are. It’s going to feel painful owning the excuses that sabotage your day. But once you take ownership you also take back your power because now you’re in a position to create different choices. 2. Break the pattern Procrastination takes you down the spiral of nothingness! Owning the excuses is the first step to turning the screw the other way. But you can speed up this process by tapping back into your goal. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Whether your goal is to grow your business, get a promotion, make more time for your kids, save for your holiday, or launch a side hustle, reminding yourself of the bigger picture will help change your thinking. Unlock your passion and you’ll unlock a flood of motivation that will help you get stuff done. 3. Focus With a chunk of your day gone, you have limited time to create a win. You won’t be able to do everything, so instead revisit your to-do list and identify the one task that’s going to make the biggest dent. Estimate how long that task will take to complete, block out that time in your planner, and put all your effort into getting it done. If you finish the task quicker than expected or you get a second wind of motivation, awesome! You can move onto something else. But that comes later.For now, pick the one task that once done will still make the day feel like a win. Then set yourself up for success... 4. Create the right environment Make it as easy as possible to finish the task you’ve picked by eliminating ALL distractions. That means turning off your phone, switching off notifications, closing down any tabs you don’t need, and telling people not to interrupt you. Clear your workspace so the only thing in front of you is the task you have to do. If you’re already flakey and unfocused, the last thing you want is a distracting thought drawing your attention away. If you lose your train of thought (when you’ve worked so hard to get back into the zone), you risk going back to square one. So muster all that discipline you stay on track - you’ll be glad you did! 5. Give yourself a reward Need more motivation to clock up your win? If so, promise yourself a reward! What can you give yourself that will spur you to crank out that task? It can be as simple as a glass of something on completion or permission to binge on Netflix with zero guilt when small people are tucked up in bed! Whatever that carrot is for you, dangle it and use it as fuel to finish what you started. 6. Then get to work. Stop dithering and delaying!Instead, put on a timer for the time you need and get your head down. Every time you feel tempted to shift focus, rein yourself back to the task at hand. Remind yourself of that reward. Remember your bigger picture goal. Dig in for some delayed gratification and that feeling you’ll have when the job is done. Do what it takes to turn an unproductive day into a win and I promise you’ll feel so much better for it. 7. Celebrate! We’re often too quick to be hard on ourselves when the day doesn’t shape up as planned. But negative self-talk doesn’t serve you in the long term. Instead, it drags down your self-esteem and drains your productivity and performance further. So remember to celebrate your mini wins. Give yourself a pat on the back for being able to turn a bad situation around. Positivity is rocket fuel that’s going to help you keep going. Even on the days when it feels tough. 8. Reflect Finally, make sure you learn from the day. Take a few minutes to capture your reflections in your journal - so you can learn from the experience. What triggers sent you on that downward spiral? What did you learn about turning on productivity at will? What could you do differently going forward to prevent procrastination slipping you up again?  Reflect and learn from your experiences and even rubbish days will reveal insights that help you become more productive in the future. How do you recover from an unproductive day? Share your tips and ideas on Instagram with the hashtag #BestSelfCo. Or share them on the Alliance group in Facebook.

Does life feel super busy at times? Are you busy juggling a million and one things - wondering when you can come up for air! If so, you’re far from alone. These days, we have to take on multiple roles and responsibilities - and it does take its toll. Too busy can lead to chaos and overwhelm. With so much going on, it gets hard to find time to think. That’s why organization is key. Take back control of your life with these seven organizational tips. Not only will you get more done [in less time], but you’ll feel calmer too. Work-life harmony here you come! 1. Your day The late Jim Rohn famously said, “Either you run the day, or the day runs you.” Fortunately, you get to choose which one it is. We all get the same 1440 minutes each day. Time is the greatest equalizer. It’s not the amount of time that counts. It’s what you do with it that matters. The right planner can help you figure out your day on paper first. Sure, the day may not run seamlessly, but at least you have an idea of what you can [or can’t] realistically expect to achieve in any given 24 hours. Don’t underestimate the productiveness of seeing your entire day at a glance. There’s more…Planning helps you figure out your priorities, empowering you to get the most important stuff done. It’s often OK to have loose ends and unfinished tasks as long as the pressing items are checked off.With a plan to keep you on track, it’s a whole lot easier to stay focused and stop procrastinating. A solid plan could become the reason you start getting more done in less time. Maybe there is some space in your calendar for the things you love after all! Self Planner or Self Journal - choose your perfect planner HERE. 2. Your weekPlan your day, and you’ll take care of the nitty-gritty detail. It’s a simple shift that gets you more organized while transforming what you can get done. But don’t stop there! You’ll increase your productivity and performance further still if you plan your week too. Instead of taking each day as it comes, turn Sunday into the most productive day of the week. All you need is 30 minutes to figure out your priorities and tasks for the next seven days, and you can hit the new week running. The Weekly Action Pad will help you do this too. This one-page success tool transforms your weekly to-do list into a prioritized plan of action for the week to help you hit deadlines, avoid the last-minute rush, and move closer to your goals. You’ll love it! 3. Your mealsWhen you’re beyond busy, it’s easy to let good habits slip. Food can be one of those things. After a crazy hectic day, the last thing you want to do is cook something from scratch! It’s fear easier [and much more tempting] to order takeout or heat a ready meal. Figuring out a menu for the week ahead can save you both time and money. When you know what you’re eating, you can plan ahead - even prep ahead of time. In turn, you avoid the need to dash to the grocery store to pick up some items [time you could better invest elsewhere.] But that’s not all…Plan your menu for the week, and you can batch prepare things such as veg. Chop in bulk then store in the fridge to cut the time it takes to cook drastically. 4. Your clutterAlthough it’s weird, there’s something in the saying that a cluttered home equals a cluttered mind. When you’re surrounded by stuff, it can be hard to think - because there are so many distractions. Something happens when you take the time to sort through the chaos, tidy up, and get rid of visual clutter. From messy desks, to odd socks, to discarded toys, books out of place, and disheveled cupboards and wardrobes… clutter does create a sense of chaos. Which is why transforming your surroundings can change how you feel.Even better, with clutter out the way, you may feel in a different frame of mind when you approach your workload. I know this is true for me. Somehow, I do feel calmer and more in control when my desk isn’t a giant mess! 5. Your morning routineThe way you start your day sets the pace for everything that follows. It’s also the only time of your day that you get to control. The best-laid plans can be thrown in the air if life throws a curveball. In comparison, the mornings are yours. So use them wisely :) For example, use this time to get yourself in the right frame of mind. It can help to stay off social or email before you’ve done the things that make you feel good. You can use your morning routine to practice mindfulness. You could journal, do some yoga or other exercise. You could read. Listen to something inspiring - or just enjoy an uninterrupted cup of coffee! When your cup is full, it’s a whole lot easier to rise to the day’s challenges - without losing yourself in the chaos of the demands. Of course, we all have different responsibilities. Mornings can be taken over by parenting or a race to get out the door on time. But where there’s a will, there’s a way! Don’t dismiss the idea of getting up a little earlier to make time for you. 6. Your everyday thingsDo you waste time looking for your everyday things? I’m so guilty of this! I can never find my keys, my purse, or my phone - and it’s not unusual for me to stress about being late because I can’t find the things I need. There’s a super simple solution to this [that helps to create calm]. Simply designate a home for each item - so you don’t have to hunt around your home ever again. While you may only save a few minutes, don’t overlook the value of not having to stress. 7. Your thoughts Did you know that each day, you’re bombarded by up to 70,000 thoughts? Some will be useful, but a lot will be low-level repetitive. There’s a big problem with this mental clutter - it steals bandwidth from other things. A cluttered mind doesn’t think as well as a clear head. Which is why it’s smart to keep a journal or a notebook close to hand. Instead of frantically trying to remember things, just empty your head onto paper. You can use your journal in all kinds of ways. For example: • Write a to-do list• Journal your thoughts• Create a shopping list• Make a note of errands you mustn’t forget• Find closure with a problem• Park ideas for later• Write your bucket list• Work out what you need to say in that conversation you’re worried about• Practice gratitude• Etc.  Proactively free up bandwidth and not only will you have more capacity to think (and perform), but you’ll benefit from a clearer head too. We can’t escape the fact that life is fast-paced. There will always be new opportunities, challenges, tasks, priorities - you name it. And while we can’t control everything that comes into our lives, we can set ourselves up to manage it all skillfully. Don’t settle for the busyness. Instead, take a little time to figure out how you could feel more organized. It may just be the secret you need to live a more balanced life.

Who doesn’t love a brand new notebook? All those blank pages hold so much possibility, but how best to use them to get meaningful results for your life? The truth is, your notebooks can become far more than a collection of random scribbles. Pick any of the 20 ideas on this powerful list and you’ll turn your habit for note-taking into a practice that unlocks your potential, unleashes creativity, and helps you become your best self. Here’s how... 1. Capture ideas Jim Rohn said, “Sometimes all you need to open the door is just one more good idea.” The problem is ideas aren’t predictable. They may not flow when you want them to. Instead, they appear when you least expect them and if you don’t capture immediately, you risk losing the best ones forever.   A notebook solves this problem by keeping your ideas safe. Carry one wherever you go and you’ll always have somewhere to capture those insights. There are other benefits too. Carrying a notebook tells your subconscious you expect ideas to come, so more flow. Also, get those aha moments onto paper and not only will they be ready to pick up later, but you’ll take your ideas a step closer to reality. 2. Create an external brain As a high-achiever, your head is full of ideas, to-dos, and project tasks all wrapped up in a million other thoughts. With so much going on, there’s not a lot of bandwidth to crack on with the ‘real’ work! You can cut through this mental clutter by emptying your head onto paper. Fill your notebook all the things you’ve got to remember, and all the filler thoughts that take over your head. With a notebook serving as an external brain, you’ll free up capacity to crack on and get more done in less time. 3. Journalling Your inner thoughts are a vast source of inspiration, clarity, and ideas. Most of the time this gold remains untapped because it’s not turned into tangible thoughts on the page. You’ll unlock a treasure trove when you start journaling about your thoughts, feelings, and ideas in a notebook. You’ll discover things about yourself you didn’t know. You’ll process your way out of challenges, write your way through roadblocks, and think yourself the confidence needed to take big decisions. With everything written down, you’ll also have a reference point to refer back to as your personal journey progresses. Dip into an old journal and you’ll turn back time. It’s a gift to see for yourself how far you’ve really come. 4. Write your master to-do list With the amount on your plate, you can’t manage it all in your head. That simply leads to overwhelm and anxiety because you won’t be able to remember everything and function at your peak. Instead, write your master to-do list in a notebook. That’s a complete list of EVERYTHING you have to take care of. From work tasks to appointments, to banking - even birthday cards. If it’s out of your head and on the page, you won’t waste bandwidth remembering. This cuts the anxiety of worrying about what you’ve forgotten and boosts productivity by removing the faff of remembering what’s next. It’s a practice that boosts your motivation too. How amazing does it feel to put a big cross through something that’s done and dusted! Try it for yourself and see. 5. Practice gratitude A goal-fuelled life will be a challenging life. When you set out to achieve things that are outside your comfort zone, fear and doubt will show up. It’s why a positive mindset is so powerful and important. If you can see the possibilities instead of the roadblocks ahead, you’re much more likely to win. Gratitude is a practice that nurtures this positive mindset and it’s something you can practice daily in a notebook. Bookend your day with things that you’re thankful for and you’ll unleash a wave of positivity. Even when you’re at rock bottom, there’s always something you can feel grateful about - even if that’s just the beautiful sunrise. 6. A little book of wins When you’re struggling with your goals and things aren’t going the way you want, it’s easy to beat up on yourself. It’s where your little book of wins can give you a much-needed boost. Get into the habit of writing down all the things you’ve accomplished. Include the big stuff (such as a goal crushed or a fear overcome) - all the way down to the little things (like not reaching for chocolate when you felt stressed!) Create a positive reference for how awesome you really are and you’ll give yourself the fuel you need to sail through those inevitable dips when self-doubt gets the better of you. 7. Make a bucket list Life is short and it’s our job to make the most of the time we’ve got. This is where your Bucket List comes in. What are all the things you really want to do before you… well, kick the bucket! Write them down in a notebook then you can tick them off when they’re done or keep adding items as the ideas flow. Keep your bucket list in your head and your dreams are less likely to happen. Make them tangible with pen and paper, and you’re that little bit closer to doing it all. 8. Log your affirmations Have you noticed how your goals require you to grow into a new identity? When you set a goal you have to do things you’ve never done before. It’s time for an inner belief system upgrade. Affirmations will help you do that and you can make a note of them in a dedicated notebook. Simply write down what you need to be, have, and do and read them to yourself on a daily basis. It’s a powerful positivity practice you can do with a notebook that is going to help you thrive. 9. Write notes to yourself The way you feel about yourself has a HUGE impact on what you do (and what you think you can do). Love notes to yourself are a simple way to boost self-esteem, self-worth and self-love. You can write about anything (this notebook can be for your eyes only!) What do you love and appreciate about yourself, what you do well, and why you deserve a pat on the back. Sure, it may feel a little uncomfortable to start with, but keep up the habit and you’ll soon feel different inside. Then get excited about how your shift in identity will empower you to think bigger and achieve even more. 10. Track your habits What you do on a daily basis will transform the results you get out of life. So get into the habit of tracking the routines and rituals that empower you to be your best self. Track your exercise, the amount of water you drink, the steps you take, the social media posts you write, the sales calls you make, the books you read, and the minutes you focus. Pin down the habits that will close the gap to your goal, start a chain of action, and use your notebook to track it all. Bed those new habits in and you’ll be a new person in no time at all! 11. Keep a shopping list With big fish to fry, it’s easy to forget and overlook the little, but important things in life. How did you not remember to replace that empty milk bottle in your fridge! A notebook dedicated to your shopping lists can be a lifesaver! You don’t have time to waste dashing to the grocery store before it closes. Instead, you want to ensure the essentials are always to hand. A shopping list will also help you manage your budget and ensure you eat well. With all the ingredients you need to prepare the food you love, there’s no need to rely on takeouts. It’s a notebook practice your health will thank you for. 12. Sketch and doodle Notebooks aren’t just for words! If you’re the visual, arty type, dedicate a notebook for those random drawings and ideas. With a creative outlet to help harness your mood and creative direction, you’ll constantly nurture the skill that lets you perform at your best. 13. Save your future your goals Trying to achieve too many things at the same time just gets overwhelming. Water down your focus and you’ll get nowhere, fast! That’s why a notebook to park your future goals can be so valuable. With your goals for a later date captured, you can stick to your current priorities while sowing the seeds for what comes next. This practice also serves as a goal incubator. With the idea written down, your subconscious can start figuring out how to make it a reality. This practice creates space too. You know how easy it is to get carried away on the initial excitement of a new goal idea. But will the idea really take you closer to where you want to go? Park your goal and you can take a more informed decision when the time is right to plot your next steps. It’s a powerful way to protect your valuable time and energy. 14. Quotes Quotes are brilliant for two main reasons. Firstly, they give you an insight into the mind of someone else (and you can learn a lot from that). Secondly, they spark motivation and inspiration. That’s why your own library of meaningful words can be so powerful. Create a notebook that inspires you to step up and you’ll have fuel that ignites your passion on the days when you’re struggling to be your best. 15. Brainstorm The best ideas need stretching before you’re ready to take action. So dedicate a notebook to brainstorming. Use it to see where an idea could lead, to explore other options, and to uncover solutions to pressing problems. Once you’re committed your thoughts to paper, you’ll uncover a heap of valuable insights that will help you build momentum and deliver results faster. Plans are always more robust when you’ve figured them out on paper first. 16. Books you’ve read Books are among the best mentors out there. There is no cheaper way to tap into the brain of a high-performer and extract insights to inspire your next steps. But are you taking enough away from the books you read? A notebook is an easy way to maximize what you get from the time you invest. Simply dedicate a page to each book you read and write down the key takeaways, ideas, and actions. Over time, you’ll build up an incredible bank of nuggets that will make you smarter and empower bigger success with your goals. 17. Things you’ve learned A mistake is never a mistake if you learn from it. In fact, your low points can quickly turn into big highs if you extract the lessons and use those insights to inform what you do next. It’s why you should proactively capture your key learnings - whether that’s things you’ve learned about yourself or knowledge that you’ve picked up. If you don’t take the time to crystallize these insights, they’ll get lost in the flow of life. Instead, dedicate a notebook and turn life into a teacher that inspires you to get better every single day. 18. Remember conversations When you step up and step into your potential, you find yourself around higher calibre people. The next level conversations you have can change everything for you. That’s because you’ll be surrounded by ideas, mindsets, and belief systems that will shape you, influence you, and inform how you think and what you do next. There’s just so much to be learned from talking with others who are further ahead or who bring an entirely fresh take on life. So leverage these powerful insights by writing about them in your notebook. 19. Places you’ve been Life is so busy and fast-moving. You do and see so much, but how many of the highs do you actually remember? Your notebook can safeguard those memories for good. Get in the habit of writing down where you’ve been and what you’ve seen (even write down some of the highlights). You’ll create a beautiful record that will remind you just how much you’ve squeezed out of your life. Just imagine the memories and conversations you’ll have when you open this notebook in years to come. 20. Questions you want to answer The questions you ask yourself (and answer) directly impact what you believe, what you think, and what you do. Ask better questions and you’ll get better insights, make smarter decisions, and ultimately get closer to your best self. A dedicated notebook that keeps these questions (and your answers) safe will soon become an invaluable self-development tool that you’ll wish you started sooner. Introducing the perfect notebook Notebooks can change your life in so many ways. It’s why we created the Sidekick. Compact enough to fit into your pocket and with the right amount of pages to get busy practising any (even all) of these ideas, a set of Sidekicks is an easy way to boost your productivity, creativity, and performance. So invest in a pack of three today and pick three notebook strategies to try. Your life will be all the better for it. Sold out

I couldn’t avoid the truth any longer! After completing the BestSelf Co.’s Benchmark Quiz and seeing written evidence that my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be, I knew I had to do something. And top of my list was my health. As a writer, I spend a LOT of time sitting at my desk. I love my work, but it’s very sedentary. Worst of all, sometimes I get so lost in my imagination I can be static for hours! The problem was I wanted a better work-life balance and that meant I had to change a lot of things… I wanted to feel stronger and healthier. I wanted to drink more water and move around more. I wanted to try and practice yoga daily, but I was worried I was taking on too much making the whole transformation too overwhelming. Which begged the question… Is it possible to take on multiple good habits -without compromising my work or burning myself out? I gave myself 30 days to find out. Armed with my BestSelf Co. Habit Roadmap and Self Planner [plus my commitment], I wanted to know if I could successfully integrate the following TEN good habits [all new] into my life - without overwhelming myself. Daily yoga practice Drink at least 2 liters of water Journal Read State affirmations Eat no chocolate! Close all three activity rings on my Apple watch Do something that makes me happy Take deep breaths Answer a deep-dive question Keep reading and I’ll share the results I achieved and how I was able to achieve them. The results! Over a 30 day period [the equivalent of 300 checks], I missed: - A day of reading - 2 days of questioning, and - A day of affirmations Other than that, I achieved a 100% hit rate. What’s more, I noticed some big transformations taking place as a result of these good habits: - I’m getting stronger and more flexible. My muscles are toning, I can hold certain yoga poses for longer, and I’m not shaking like a hurricane in a leaf when I do plank pose! - I have a lot more energy to run after my three kids. - I’ve been much more productive. Rather than squandering my time, I’ve been filling it with my habits - and I feel a darn sight better for it. - I feel more confident in myself - because I’ve done what I said I was going to do [even when no one has been watching.] In conclusion, it IS possible to introduce lots of changes at the same time. In short, habits work as a tool to create a big transformation relatively quickly. Here’s why… 1. The power of autopilot Good habits really come into their own when you no longer have to think about doing them. Instead, you reach the point where you feel weird or uncomfortable if you don’t do your habit [think not cleaning your teeth before bed!] The reality is humans like the status quo. Safe within our comfort zone we know who we are and what we can do. Everything is predictable and that feels secure. But shake things up, and we can feel a bit antsy and uncertain! It’s one of the reasons change can be hard - and why we resist change [even change that’s good for us]. But done regularly, good habits become something you do on autopilot. In short, they become part of your identity. Take my habits… I used to be a sedentary person. Now I’m a person who practices yoga daily, drinks more water than tea, and always closes my activity rings! In short, habits on autopilot change you at your core. It’s much like Zig Ziglar implies in one of my favorite motivational quotes. “What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals. When you get to this point, habits stick because you just do them on autopilot. You no longer need willpower or motivation to get to the yoga mat or do your daily writing. You don’t suffer from decision fatigue because you’re wondering how to fit them in. Instead, you just do it because that’s who you are and what you do. 2. Consistency is king You can’t become a hydrated person by drinking 10 liters in one go. In fact, that’s dangerous!Similarly, you won’t be able to write an entire book in one sitting. Your brain will fry! But you can achieve both of those goals if you take daily steps CONSISTENTLY. For example: - You can drink 2 liters a day - every day. - You can write 500 words - every day. - You can fit a 30-min power walk into your day - so you can chip away at those activity rings in a manageable fashion. Bite-sized steps don’t feel overwhelming. In fact, they are entirely do-able. What’s more, when you take action consistently, your results multiply because of the compound effect. When you turn your goals into daily habits, you’re ALWAYS moving the needle forward - because you program yourself to take the right actions, every single day. 3. Schedule it We all lead busy lives! The challenge with taking on new things is figuring out where to slot them into your day! You know how it goes… if you don’t plan time, it just doesn’t happen. Thank goodness for my Self Planner! Looking through my list of chosen good habits I knew some would be easy - and some would be more challenging. For example, when was I going to do a 30-minute yoga session? And what was the best time to read? Here’s how I jigsawed together my day: Scheduled yoga for 1 pm. I decided this would be a good way to break up my day and boost my energy for the afternoon. MOVE activity ring - this one was easier. I started to walk the kids to school instead of taking the car. Journaling & deep dive questioning - I rearranged my work schedule to spend the first hour of my working day doing these tasks. Reading - before bed. Something to help me wind down and feed my subconscious. Deep breathing - after I wake up and before I get out of bed 2 liters of water - keep a liter bottle on my desk and note down on my Self Planner each time I finish one In other words, I planned my good habits around my day - and where possible tagged them onto things I was already doing. I used my Self Planner to schedule habit time - to ensure it didn’t get swallowed up by anything else. This created a bonus win… By squeezing my time, I became more productive too. With fewer minutes to waste, it became a lot easier to focus on the work tasks at hand. Double win! 4. Habit tracking In the earlier days of this experiment, I needed a motivational boost. It was hard to find the energy to walk the kids to school [especially after arguing over lunch boxes and teeth cleaning!] Being so stiff and inflexible, I felt embarrassed when doing my yoga. It was hard to say no to chocolate as it had become such a staple snack for me. I needed something more to boost my confidence and keep me going. And I found that daily motivation in my Habit Roadmap. The Habit Roadmap is a powerful tool that allows you to track up to 12 daily habits and 8 weekly habits. With 90 days of tracking, you can create a three-month visual of your performance and achievements. Simply write down your good habits and put a big check each time to complete them. Before long, you start to build up a chain of wins that inspires you to complete another day. I love seeing my checks lining up and filling my wall. I’m proud of my discipline and my commitment to keep showing up for myself. One day at a time, I’m recreating the person I want to be with the help of this powerful tool. You can do this too Over the last 30 days, I’ve transformed from someone who lived from the neck up and spent all day drinking tea and writing into someone who enjoys moving and wants to make healthy choices. Thanks to a collection of good habits, I’m more connected with my physical body. I feel stronger and more flexible. I feel detoxified and healthier from the inside out. And I have so much more energy. What’s more, this doesn’t feel like a fad. This transformation doesn’t feel like something that’s going to stop when I’ve lost a few excess pounds and toned up. Instead, these good habits have helped me align more closely with the person I really want to be - and that feels powerful. Ready to see how good habits could transform your life? When you’re ready, your Habit Roadmap is here to provide daily motivation, support you, and inspire you - every step of the way.

Big goals are exciting to set, right? There’s that rush of optimism as you imagine the outcome, but then reality kicks in! How will you close the chasm between the start and finish lines? How will you push off procrastination and fears so you finish on time? How will you work through the roadblocks that show up along the way? The answer is project management tools - because they empower you to stay on track, work methodically, and close the project gap fast.And in this article, you’ll discover FIVE of the best.These project management tools are perfect for masterminding and crushing your big goals. Some are free, all are simple to use, and each one will help you finish what you start - on time - with confidence and clarity.  Let’s dig in... 1. Brain dump using pen & paper Have you noticed how the simplest project management tools can be the most powerful?In the excitement and novelty of new ideas, there’s a rush to get started. But racing to action is a mistake. If you implement without a robust plan, you’ll set yourself up to fail.Instead, start each project with a handwritten brain dump. Pen & paper is our favorite of project management tools because these don’t suppress creativity. With a blank page and a pen you can capture thoughts as they flow. And with everything written down, you won’t overlook key components. Instead, you’ll clear out confusion by getting super clear on all the nuts and bolts.Here’s how to do an effective brain dump: - Schedule time for deep work. Remove distractions, sit tight, and don’t rush this stage! Instead, give yourself time to get into your flow state. This ensures you get beyond superficial thinking to the zone where all best ideas and solutions come from.- Aim to empty your head of ALL ideas under the following six categories: - The tasks you need to complete to achieve your project- Ideas you have- Resources you need- People who can help- Questions you need answered- Problems to solve and hurdles to overcome These categories inspire you to think broadly about your project. Remember, the more problem solving and idea generation you do now, the better your project will map out. - Don’t censor or judge ideas. This stifles deeper, creative thinking. Instead, write it all down - the good, the bad, and the ugly! It’s true; there will be a pile of rubbish, but you’ll collect far more good ones too.- Review all your notes. Read through everything to flesh out ideas and remove anything that’s repetitive, unimportant, or unnecessary. You’ll know you’ve done a good brain dump when you’ve run out of ideas!You’ll also notice a sense of mental clarity. Instead of a confusing mass of options, you’ll be clearer about the steps you need to take. When you reach this point, you can create your project plan. 2. Breakdown the big picture with a Project Action Plan Benjamin Franklin said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail’Thanks to your brain dump, you’ll have a solid grip on all your tasks and choices. But without a clear plan for execution, you’ll still get stuck in overwhelm and indecision. There’s just too much to consider. Where to start? What order to tackle tasks? What to do with actions you’ll complete later?Implementation is easy when you turn your brain dump into a master list of tasks. Instead of a brainstorm, you’ll use one of our best project management tools that helps you decide your plan of action, monitor your progress, and stay on track. This has many benefits: - Instead of a big scary project goal, work your way through a manageable list of smaller tasks- You’ll reduce decision fatigue and procrastination because you won’t have to constantly figure out your next steps- You’ll have an external brain to free up headspace for implementation, creative thinking, and problem-solving- And you’ll feel more confident and in control because you’ll know how the big picture breaks down For this important job, one of our project management tools of choice is the Project Action Pad. Here’s how to use it: - Start by naming your project and deciding the outcome goal - what is this project going to deliver? - Next, look through your brain dump of notes and identify all the tasks/actions that need to be done. Identify them all - even the nitty-gritty ones. That way you won’t miss a thing and your project will run smoother. - Categorize your actions and tasks in a way that makes sense. For example, what are sub-tasks of a bigger action? Which to-dos are interrelated and which actions will be done by the same person or team? - Next, write your tasks on the project action plan template so you have a comprehensive list of everything you need to get done. - Mark on due dates. Work backward from your project deadline. What tasks need to be done first? Which tasks are dependent on other to-dos being completed? Pin down due dates and you can prioritize your workload. If you don’t, you’ll struggle to hit your deadline. - Use the checkboxes to mark off completed tasks and move closer to your finish line. This helps you see at a glance what needs to be done and what’s still left to do. - Finally, use the note space to capture important ideas so everything related to your project is in one place. 3. Record other commitments and key dates on your Wall Calendar With your project action plan complete, you know what needs to get done and by when.But did you know you can make success more likely by turning your list into a project timeline?The perfect project management tool for this step is a wall calendar. Simply map out your project milestones and due dates and you’ll create a clear path to your goal. It’s a powerful way to switch your focus from starting to finishing.Here’s how...On your calendar, write down any commitments (such as vacations and other non-moveable dates) along with due dates for project tasks and milestones.With all these key dates listed you’ll be able to see:- What else your project needs to work around- Any clashes - so you can make adjustments now- If deadlines are realistic - and if not, what you need to adjustProject management tools such as the wall calendar are important for visually tracking the passage of time by crossing off days. You can’t ignore what’s staring you in the face making this a simple way to push off procrastination and keep momentum going. 4. Robust filing system Projects with lots of tasks have lots of deliverables. To avoid hunting through files or sifting through emails to find something, you need efficient filing.True, organization can feel dry, but one of the fundamental project management tools you need is a robust file management system. It will save you countless headaches and masses of time in the long run.For this, we love Google Drive. It has a free option, search functionality (so you can find stuff fast), and can be used to store everything from text, to video, to graphic files.Here’s how to use this project management tool.- Start by setting up your folders. Categorize folders in a way that makes sense to your project. This might be by topic or by collaborator for example. The key is to ensure your naming system is intuitive so you can quickly find what you need.- Set up permissions. Google Drive is cloud-based so you can access it anywhere with an internet connection. It also means anyone with permission can access your files wherever they are. This makes Google Drive perfect for collaboration. You still keep control because you decide permission. This can range from access to the entire drive right down to individual files.- Collaboration. Thanks to the file sharing function, you can work with others on the same document. So decide the process for that. Can people edit directly or do you want them to suggest edits? How will you use the chat function inside each file? Iron out these details early on and you’ll make life much easier.- Discipline. Google Drive is great, but it’s less effective if you forget to upload things. So get in the habit of saving everything pertinent to your project as you go along. That way, you’ll always know how to get your hands on anything you need. 5. Keep everyone on the same page with a Communication Tool When other people are involved in your project, you need good communication.Inefficiencies will slow you down and details get lost in translation. So get a project management tool that helps you manage discussion threads, resolve issues, keep tabs on progress, stick to deadlines, and don’t drop the ball.We love Slack for this. It’s our team’s preferred method of communication. Here are some tips for using this project management tool:- Organize your channels. One feature that makes Slack so effective is your ability to organize discussion threads by category. Rather than a free for all in a generic thread, you can separate chat into categories that make sense to your project. For example, you could create a channel for general chat, revisions, new ideas - whatever is needed for your project.- Tag the right people. In the thick of a project, chat can get busy. So remember to tag people if you want particular individuals to read or respond to a thread. You can also send everyone a notification using the @channel tag. - Talk to the right people. As well as channels you can also private message groups and individuals. This helps reduce clutter from your channels by involving only the people who need to know. This works well if you want an update on a task or to brainstorm ideas with particular people. - Share links. You can share files and links directly inside Slack. This does away with the to-ing and fro-ing of email and allows the entire discussion thread to be visible to those who need to see it. With files stored in Google Drive, simply post a link and get the feedback, decisions, or sign-off you need to keep moving. - Get social! The Best Self team is remote. We have people working in different states and different countries, yet the distance between us is small. Slack is part of the reason for this. In our TeamChat channel we all chat away as you would face-to-face. Uploading pictures, sharing small talk, and posting gifs! It seems like a small thing, but it’s helped cement us as a team and makes it so much easier to work on projects together - even if we don’t see each other in person. Time to finish what you started? It is possible to achieve massive goals - even when there’s a chasm between the start and finish lines.Simply empower yourself with the best project management tools and maximize your chances of success.Imagine how different things would be if you crushed more big projects.Imagine the sense of satisfaction, confidence, and self-esteem you’d feel if you nailed more of the things you started.Imagine the impact on your life if you could reap the benefits of goals achieved - rather than beating yourself up over opportunities lost.You’ll always have better results with big goals if you empower yourself with project management tools. So get your hands on the five outlined in this article - and see how much further they take you.You’ve got this!