Do you ever feel like you have too much to do and that you would like to get off the merry-go-round of life, long enough to catch your breath?
Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the busyness of your life, your relationships, kids, bills, home based business, housework?
Yes???……..Well you’re not alone.
Recently, I have been forced to re-evaluate many areas of my life. You may remember a blog post I did recently entitled the ‘Simple Life’ in which I explain some measures I have taken to de-stress my life.
And so today, I wanted to share with you another practical method that I have been using to better manage my time and which has enabled me to complete some of the many tasks that have been sat on my never-ending ‘to do’ list. 
The fact is, my ‘to do’ list was just that, ‘never-ending’. I never got to the end of it because new tasks were continuously being added to it. Whilst a lot can be said for being able to multi-task, the ability to be realistic also plays a crucial role here.
So let’s do that…ask yourself this question. Is it ever going to be possible for you to get all the things on your to-do list completed in any one day?
Now ask yourself this question…How do you think you would feel if you could complete 3 tasks on your to do list everyday without feeling, stressed, overwhelmed, rushed and exhausted?….. Sound good?
Let me share with you the ‘Place Mat Process’. This is actually process #10 in the book ‘Ask and It is Given’ by Esther and Jerry Hicks. I have been using this process for about 2 months now and I have to say, the results have been staggering. So let me explain the process and what you can to do to tackle your to do list.
Take a piece of paper and draw a line straight down the middle. On one side of the paper write the heading. ‘Things that I will do today’ and on the other side write the words, ‘Things the Universe will do today’
Now… under the ‘Things you will do today’ column, make a list of all the tasks, you know you will be able to complete today. Be completely realistic. If you think you might get started with something today, but you have no intention of finishing it, then place this task under the ‘Universe to do today’ side.
Esther and Jerry Hicks don’t specify how many tasks you should place under your ‘to do’ header. By and large this will vary depending on the amount of spare time you have and what your other commitments are.
Take me for example, I work full-time and have a 5 year old, I am a blogger and an internet marketer in my spare time. I literally try to steal time to work on my business wherever humanly possible…and so I only ever put 3 things on my to do list.
This might not seem like a lot, but believe me, I can achieve them easily, they do not overwhelm me and completing them daily gives me new confidence and a sense of achievement each and every day.
My universe column is always jam packed with things that I would like to be working on, but for now I have taken control and delegated them to the universe to do.
The diagram below gives you an idea of the kind of tasks
I have set for myself and the Universe as of Saturday June 5th 2010
Now imagine if all of the tasks on the Right hand side (under the Universe column ) had been under my column. It is easy to understand how we can get overwhelmed and stressed when we have so much on our plates. I used to want to do everything all at once, but now I enjoy taking my time, knowing that I am accomplishing new tasks each day.
Remember, life isn’t a race, you are not one day going to have completed everything you ever wanted to do in life, ticked everything off your to do list and finally be able to sit back in your La-Z-Boy for the rest of time. Instead, saviour every minute on this planet and appreciate the time it takes to complete and learn something new.
Now I said that I have been using this method for 2 months, so I wanted to share with you, some of the things I have been able to accomplish. Sometimes the tasks on the Universe side have somehow been accomplished with no direct input from me. Either because someone has done it for me, or it simply became less important. ‘getting a brand new red car’ is a standing item under the universe column and I am hoping the universe will present one to me shortly.
These are just a selection of the tasks I have been able to accomplish in and amongst working full-time and being a busy mum.
- Syndicating +++
- De-Cluttering the House and Loft
- Tax Return
- Blog Posts +++
- Sort out optin boxes
- Quality time with Leigha +++
- Get home Laptop fixed
- Do some video tutorials for blog +++
- Keep on top of Facebook, friends, lists, messages!! +++
- Automate Twitter, Ping-fm, +++
- Add signature to blog
- Watch training videos on various internet marketing strategies +++
- Have regular twitter conversations +++
- Get my hair cut
- Grow my list +++
- Sort out Auto-responders
- Email my list my new blog posts
- Set-up Fan Page
- Sort Leigha’s Birthday (presents, party, cake)
- Sort Tony’s Birthday (presents, cake)
- Have nice skin!
- Buy new school uniform (not for me!)
- Start to re-organise blog
- Order skip and start decorating bathroom
- Read a book each day +++
- PPC campaign and keyword research +++
- Video submission
- Help my mum with her college assignments
- Sort the Garden out
(+++ reflects tasks that I have done multiple times)
So as you can see I have been a busy bee. To make it easier to log and track what you have been able to achieve I would recommend you buy a few notebooks. I have also found it helpful to sit down with my notebook just before I go to sleep and jot down my 3 tasks, placing everything else under the universe heading.
Doing this each night also means that you have already set your goals for the day and you can get going with them as soon as you wake up. Plus a notebook with lots of ticks inside, is a great visual aid for confidence boosting!!!
Remember: if you are going to do this, make sure that you are realistic with your time. If you can do 3 things, GREAT. If you can do 5 things EVEN BETTER. Avoid adding everyday chores to your list like making breakfast, or taking the kids to school, you are going to do this anyway. Make your tasks things that will take you one step closer to where you want to be in life, whether it’s gaining new knowledge, solving a problem or just something you have always wanted to tackle.
Let me know how you get on with this method (if you choose to use it) and feel free to share other methods that you have used to get things done more effectively.
Much Love
P.S If you are struggling with your marketing efforts and not generating enough leads and money. Check out the exact system that I use to generate endless leads through the most current social networking strategies. Don’t Miss This ==> Discovery The Strategies
Republished by Blog Post Promoter
June 7th, 2010 at 1:43 am
Beth,
Love your idea of releasing some of your tasks to the Universe. Not only that, but you’ve also shown the results from following this practice. Awesome results by the way.
I appreciate you sharing this strategy,
Val
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Have You Started Your Bucket List? =-.
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June 7th, 2010 at 8:00 pm
Beth,
Great article, My To Do list is ever changing but i always make it manageable
It feels good to accomplish and let the extra task fall in place , if we can reach it and do more power , if not today, tomorrow is a new day.
.-= Chris Bernardo´s last blog ..How to Take Benefit from a Big Launch =-.
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June 7th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
Another Marvelous Post Beth i love the simplicity of 3 tasks per day. I have a to-do-list a mile long and im thinnking now is a great time to let the universe do its share. thanks for the info.
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June 8th, 2010 at 7:42 am
Beth,
Great advice.
It is so important to write a list of things down that you need to complete for each day. I have a huge white board in my home office where i write stuff down and cross them out as I go.
Make sure it’s the most important tasks (money making tasks) so that you are actually effective instead of just “busy”.
Great stuff!
Aaron
.-= Aaron´s last blog ..How To Add An Opt In Form To Your Blog =-.
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June 8th, 2010 at 8:30 am
Thanks for extending your explanation of your 3 tasks a day, Beth! I’ve had clients who read my blog tell me how much your comment about you 3 tasks a day meant to them. You inspire us all!
.-= Teresa Ivory´s last blog ..What Have You Done For Yourself Lately? =-.
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June 9th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Beth, the book is amazing and I also use the placemat process but I just started a few weeks ago. I am so excited to see how much I can accomplish and how much the universe can accomplish for me. I love the teachings o Abraham.
Lori
.-= Lori Robertson´s last blog ..Do You Worry About What People Think About Your New MLM Business? =-.
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June 9th, 2010 at 3:41 pm
My To-Do-List is always changing. I have had to put the most important at the top and get them done first before moving on. Than when I get home, there seems to be another To-Do-List called the Honey-Do-List LOL
.-= Bill Hartman´s last blog ..Power of the Mind =-.
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June 10th, 2010 at 4:04 am
Aloha Beth, enjoyed reading your post and yes us mums do have a lot on our plates. And most of the time we can’t help ourselves but do everything. Oh by the way I do love your accent..you notice i say “Mum”, cute stuff. Ok back to the post.. I find it easier to jot things down and slip in extras if I can. Thanks for sharing! Lani
PS..came across your info., on Adam’s blog, glad I did. Stop by and visit me and leave me a sweet note and/or Tweet. Mahalo
.-= Lani Kee´s last blog ..Popular Hosting First Month One Cent =-.
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June 10th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
Beth,
This was an interesting post. I like the idea of keeping a special notebook for the “to do”/Universe lists and results… sometimes there are so many things to do you get scattered. Everyday should move you forward .. thank you! I’m going to start one and let you know how it goes…
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 11:57 pm
Let me know how you get on Lesly….I wouldnt be without my notebook now.
Beth
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June 10th, 2010 at 3:23 pm
Excellent post! My list is always long and never ending. I always feel accomplished when I can check things off the list but it can be overwhelming. I will have to try this. Thanks for sharing.
.-= Karla Bond´s last blog ..Keeping Your Teenager Safe in the Sun =-.
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Thanks Karla, let me know how you get on, I would love to know.
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June 10th, 2010 at 8:06 pm
Hi Beth,
Place matting is a new concept to me. I really like the idea of removing the clutter from my to do list and eliminating the feelings of being overwhelmed and make some things the Universe’s reponsibility instead of mine. I’m going to implement this right away. Thanks for making my life simpler and easier. You rock!
.-= Debbie Stevens´s last blog ..I Can Only Imagine =-.
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June 11th, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Beth we all need to look like you have at what is possible. I have decided to limit my life to do only those things that I do to satisfy three things. GOD, Family, and income. It boils down to for me this. Do It–Delegate It–or Dump It. Your post is timely and important for all of us. Thanks for stepping up.
.-= Nelson´s last blog ..“The Prisoner Exchange” =-.
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June 11th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Great post Beth…we all are not “super-humans” yet so many times we try to be. Thanks for sharing.
~Clint
.-= Clint White´s last blog ..What It Means To Work From Home =-.
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June 12th, 2010 at 1:02 am
Hey Beth, great post again. I always love reading your blog. I read this method with interest. I have been doing the tasks for a long time now, but I never considered a list for the Universe. I am going to test it to see if it helps even more.
.-= karin´s last blog ..Social bookmarking for unlimited traffic to your website =-.
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June 12th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Amazing post Beth – my list is always to long and I get overwhelmed.
.-= Tim Somers´s last blog ..A Follow Up System To Use After A Networking Event =-.
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June 13th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Hi Beth,
I really like the uniqueness of the way you’ve created the charts of what you’ll be doing and what the universe will be doing. It’s about having absolute faith in the universe that things will happen for you. This mindset is about “what can be” rather than “what is”.
Great post!
Janette
.-= Janette Stoll´s last blog ..Another product launch? How to use it in marketing your network marketing business =-.
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
June 13th, 2010 at 11:51 pm
Thanks Janette, I am glad that you liked the post…It has really worked for me and I hope it helps others too.
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June 19th, 2010 at 3:56 am
Hi Beth! I enjoyed reading this because you understand that as business owners/creators/entrepreneurs we tend to take on a million tasks on top of the unfinished million we already had!
I can’t wait to start integrating this Place Mat Strategy into my life!
I noticed by default your attention moves from one thing to another when you have so much to do, especially just starting out in business! But as you settle, you begin to realize which things absolutely have to get done and what things aren’t so important! (Let the universe handle it!)
Thanks Beth!!
.-= Chris White´s last blog ..Just GIVE UP! =-.
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June 30th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Hi Beth,
You really have achieved a lot in 2 months. This is a fantastic idea, I love the posts you do about “Ask and it is Given” because I don’t have it yet and I really want to read it (I think I’ll have to finish my other books to make room for it!).
I used to write a lot of ‘to do’ lists and I’m thinking now I put way too much on them. So when I write these list and then I don’t achieve everything the next day I’m feeling dissatisfied. I’m going to have to get this Place Mat strategy in place!
Thanks Beth
Lynn
.-= Lynn Glaser´s last blog ..Some Of My Top Reads For New And Old- Entrepreneurs =-.
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
June 30th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
I can’t tell you the number of time I have bought that book as a present for people, I bet the bookshop people think I have a crazy obsession with the book lol! You def need to read it.
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July 6th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Beth,
I used to have a List of my Lists! That’s how bad it got – part of the perfectionist mentality. And the procrastinator mentality as well, since deep down we know it all won’t get done, and that just gives us an excuse to fail. When we break it off in small (manageable) pieces, MUCH MORE actually gets done! Amazing article – thank you! THIS is exactly why it’s important to be a part of communities online! Thanks for responding to my post in the MLM Launch Formula community. It has helped so much – even though it’s only Day 2!
Look forward to reading everything else you have!
Krisna
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bethhewitt80 Reply:
July 12th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Hey Krisna,
I am glad that my post helped. I was unsure whether to post it or not in the MLM Launch formula forum but I figured if it helps just one person it is all good.
Would love to know how this process works for you.
Beth:)
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October 11th, 2010 at 4:39 am
Hey Beth:
Thanks for directing me to this post. I love the idea of a “Things for the Universe to Do” category. I’m going to rededicate myself to doing my evening list and give most everything to the universe each day.
It was great talking with you today. I look forward to connecting again soon.
Live with passion and purpose,
Vanessa
Vanessa´s last [type] ..The New Twitter – Love It Or Hate It
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September 26th, 2011 at 5:31 pm
Hi Beth,
The post is really something to think about. Unlike most of you I have a very short list and I’m not the guy who likes list thought I really need it sometimes. Thanks for the reminder and this is a great read if you want to get organized
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