The Art of Delegation: How to Free Up Your Time and Get More Done

Most internet searches for “delegation” result in articles designated for managers and employers. While this skill, of course, has its benefits in a business context, delegation is a useful tool for freeing up time in any area of life. Today, we’ll look at delegation in a general context so you can effectively use it at work, home, hobby clubs, spiritual organizations, and anywhere else you may find it useful.

Benefits of Delegation

 

It can be hard for some people to let go and accept help for numerous reasons. However, you’ll find that delegation of tasks has benefits that far outweigh the undesired feelings that may come at first. Some of these benefits include:

• Saving time

• Building your own and others’ skillsets

• Preparing others to handle tasks independently in the future

• Increasing motivation

• Improving relationships

Tips for Successful Delegation

 

Successful delegation requires finesse and good communication. To delegate tasks properly, consider the following tips:

• Communicate your overall goals clearly.

• Allow for team member feedback.

• Play on individual strengths.

• Establish a clear channel for subsequent communication.

• Be patient and accept that mistakes will be made.

• Monitor progress and make changes as needed.

Communicating Effectively

Delegation can come across as authoritarian or laziness if not used properly. The first thing to keep in mind is your tone of voice and the words you use. Present the reason for delegation in a neutral tone and explain it in terms of how it provides mutual benefits to everyone. For example, instead of saying “We all live here. We’re each going to do our fair share.,” say “We can all be happier if everyone pitches in on chores.”

 

Second, clarity in delegation is essential. If you don’t clearly define the tasks, there is a good chance that things will be missed or completed improperly, causing even more work in the end. For example, instead of just saying “You’re in charge of the equipment.,” you should make a list of what equipment is needed and instructions for how to prepare it.

Using Strengths

Determining each other’s strengths requires input from at least two people; the individual and the person delegating the task. It’s always important to ask a person about their strengths. They may have skills and training you were unaware of. In addition, you’ll also want to take your own observations into account. Based on what you come up with together, you can mutually determine which task would be best suited for their skills and needs.

Utilizing Feedback and Shortcomings

When you first delegate tasks, it’s important to listen to the concerns of the people you’re delegating to. Remember that just because something doesn’t seem important to you, it doesn’t mean it’s not important to someone else. Take this opportunity to address fears, offer advice, and work together on a game plan for success.

 

You should also determine a process for monitoring progress. For instance, you could schedule routine meetings to discuss what’s working and what isn’t. Create an atmosphere that encourages open communication and supports one another through the learning curves. In some cases, you could also use certain outcomes to monitor progress, such as sales, time spent, etc.

When to Use Delegation

Delegation isn’t necessary in every task. If the task is simple and there’s no harm in completing it yourself, then there’s no need to force delegation just for the sake of doing it. However, there are some factors to consider when deciding if you should delegate a task, including:

• Personal stress caused by taking on the task yourself

• Preparing others to take your place

• Opportunity for skill development

• Equality in time and effort

• Current abilities of yourself and others

• Benefits to others

References

 

https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/how-to-delegate-effectively

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/eliamdur/2022/11/08/delegating-part-ii-seven-benefits-of-delegating/?sh=29118d377d55

 

https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-communicate-clear-specific-instructions

 

6 Things to Do When You Get Bad News

The first several minutes after you hear bad news can whirl you around like a tornado. Your mind spins and you can barely even catch a breath. If someone is speaking the news to you, your pounding heart may begin to drown them out. It’s just too much. 

There are good ways to handle bad news, and I will share these tips with you in this article. Try them and see if you don’t recover more quickly from bad news. 

Steady Your Breathing and Don’t Allow Yourself to Panic

 

When you get bad news, it sucks the life right out of you. Don’t panic. Instead, pause and take a few deep breaths. Center yourself. Take a walk as this can help ground you and calm you down. This will give you clarity and the energy to keep moving forward. 

Don’t Avoid the Negative Emotions You Feel, but Don’t Let Them Overwhelm You

 

Attempting to avoid negative feelings may cause more harm than good. Allow yourself to feel the negative emotions as a natural reaction. Emotions are not your enemy. Let yourself react in whatever way it will, as far as emotions go. 

 

Healthy versus unhealthy emotional reactions include:

 

• Healthy: My heart is heavy, and I feel sad.

• Unhealthy: My life as I know it is over. We’re doomed.

• Healthy: I’m angry about this news.

• Unhealthy: Screw life, let’s just give up.

 

Concentrate on Your Physical Well-Being

 

Keeping your calm and maintaining your perspective depends largely on your physical well-being. Try to be as kind as possible to yourself when experiencing bad news. Get sufficient exercise and sleep and avoid taking drugs or drinking alcohol in excess. 

Reach Out to Others for Reassurance and Advice

 

When you feel overwhelmed, vulnerable and threatened, it’s natural to reach out to someone in your social network for reassurance, advice or a fresh perspective. Be sure to choose a person who will listen to your feelings and know positive ways to respond. You don’t want to choose someone who will make you feel worse.

 

Being with other people will allow you to more easily work through your feelings and thoughts, to regain a calm perspective. You can also enjoy engaging in painting, writing or spending quality time out in the natural world. 

Put Everything in Perspective

 

If you tend to hold onto negative feelings for too long, reach inside and attempt to put the situation into proper perspective. Accept good aspects as well as bad ones, in the situation. 

 

Write down things you feel grateful for and remind yourself about the things that are most important to you. This helps you to realize that it’s not really the end of the world just because you’ve received bad news. 

Develop an Action Plan

 

Draw up a plan of how to get your life back on track if the bad news has affected parts of your personal life. Set a deadline when you want to be fully back on track, and no longer dwelling on bad news. 

 

Only use practical plans in moving forward. This creates new opportunities to discover fresh ideas based on those plans. You’ll appreciate the planning when you’re back on track mentally and physically. 

Conclusion

 

The framework created by these positive reactions to bad news will help you to triage whatever the rest of this year and beyond will bring. No one is perfect in their responses to bad news but striving to confront the negative feelings and ideas that directly bother you is much better than allowing them to fester.

 

Ask for help whenever you need it from a trusted person, to help yourself in healing sooner and not later.

Reference

 

How to Cope With Bad News | Psychology Today

 

The Benefits of Keeping a Journal

Consider starting a journal if you're looking for a simple and effective way to improve your mental and emotional well-being. Regular journaling has been shown to help with stress reduction, increased mindfulness, and even better sleep. Plus, it's a great tool for self-reflection and creativity. Here are nine benefits of keeping a journal.

 

1. It Improves Your Mental Health

 

Journaling helps you track different emotions you may be experiencing. It helps you to process your feelings. It allows you to dive deep into your psyche to understand what is causing the different conflicts in your mind.

 

2. It Boosts Your Emotional Intelligence 

 

Journaling opens you up to greater self-discovery so that you understand your reactions, strengths, and weaknesses. It will help you read your own emotions while boosting your empathy toward others. 

 

3. It Helps You Achieve Your Goals 

 

A goal is only worth the paper it is written on. Keeping a journal allows you to write down and track your goals. This act tells your subconscious that your goals are important and makes them much more attainable. 

 

4. It Increases Your Memory and Retention 

 

When you write something down, your mind composes ideas into words, and this helps cement them into your mind. Regularly keeping a journal will strengthen your ability to retain and remember more information. 

 

5. It Strengthens Your Self-Discipline  

 

When you commit to keeping a daily journal, you are exhibiting self-discipline. When you open that journal and write on a busy day or a day you don't feel like writing, you are proving to yourself that you can be and stay disciplined. 

 

6. It Will Improve Your Communication Skills 

 

Writing is a major part of your communication arsenal. Regularly keeping a journal will boost your writing skills. Journaling strengthens your ability to pull your thoughts together and express them coherently to others. 

 

7. It Can Spark Your Creativity 

 

Stream of conscious writing unlocks your mind's creative juices. It helps you overcome writer's block and develop ideas and thoughts. You may even discover the answer to a problem you have been trying to solve!

 

8. It Can Enhance Your Critical Thinking Skills 

 

Writing down your thoughts can help you assess any situation you are dealing with. Journaling enables you to work out problems that may be cluttered in your mind. It also gives your mind ways to evaluate new issues that arise in the future.

 

9. It Helps Alleviate Stress 

 

Journaling can help you cope and reduce the impact of a stressful event. It enables you to process emotions and discover ways to handle the stress of certain situations. It may even help you avoid burnout and decrease your anxiety. 

 

Fast Action Steps

 

1. Purchase a notebook that fits your needs. It can be a spiral-bound notebook or a hardcover version.

 

2. Schedule time in your calendar for journaling. Start with 10 or 15 minutes and show up every day. 

 

3. Look up journaling prompts on the Internet and make a list. This can help you write when you don't know what to put down on paper.

 

Break the Ice: Master Easy Conversation Starters

This report provides practical tips and actionable steps for initiating conversations with ease, whether talking to strangers, colleagues, or new acquaintances. Learn how to overcome social anxiety, build rapport quickly, and navigate any social setting with confidence. With these strategies, you can make connections effortlessly and keep conversations flowing naturally.

 

1. Ask Open-Ended Questions

 

Open-ended questions encourage the other person to share more about themselves. Instead of asking yes-or-no questions, try asking about their experiences or opinions. For example, you can say, 'What’s been the highlight of your week so far?'

 

2. Find Common Ground

 

Look for topics of mutual interest to establish a connection right away. This can be as simple as commenting on the environment you're both in or referencing a shared experience. For instance, 'This conference has been fascinating—what's been your favorite session so far?' works as a great start.

 

3. Use Compliments Wisely

 

A genuine compliment can make someone feel valued and open to talking. Focus on something unique or noteworthy about them, like their choice of outfit or a thoughtful contribution they've made. Say something like, 'I really admire how you handled that question earlier—it was so insightful!'

 

4. Share a Fun Fact About Yourself

 

Opening up about a personal yet non-intrusive fact can pique curiosity. It gives the other person a chance to respond with their own experiences. For example, 'I just joined a cooking class—have you tried anything like that recently?' can spark a meaningful conversation.

 

5. Utilize Current Events or Pop Culture

 

Talking about recent events or trending topics is an easy way to relate to others. Be mindful of choosing lighthearted or universally engaging content. For example, 'Have you seen that viral video of the dog skateboarding? It’s hilarious!' can make for a light and entertaining start.

 

6. Mirror Their Energy and Tone

 

Pay attention to the other person’s energy level and communication style. Mirroring their tone can make them feel more at ease and understood. If they are laid-back, keep it casual; if they are enthusiastic, match their excitement.

 

7. Keep Body Language Welcoming

 

Non-verbal cues can significantly impact how your words are received. Maintain open posture, make appropriate eye contact, and smile to show approachability. This helps build trust and invites an open exchange of ideas.

 

8. Embrace Humor, But Keep It Light

 

Humor can break tension and make an interaction memorable. Stick to light, non-offensive jokes or funny anecdotes that don’t require too much context to understand. For instance, 'I got lost twice trying to find this room—been that kind of day!' can be relatable and funny.

 

9. Prepare Conversation Starters in Advance

 

Having a mental list of simple conversation starters can boost confidence. Prepare a mix of questions about hobbies, recent activities, and light professional inquiries. For instance, 'What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on recently?' is a versatile choice.

 

Fast Action Steps

 

1. Practice Conversations with Friends

 

Engage in small conversations with people you’re already comfortable with. Use these interactions to test out open-ended questions and find your natural conversational style. This helps you build confidence before approaching new people.

 

2. Learn to Read Non-Verbal Cues

 

Pay attention to how others react to your words and adjust accordingly. For example, if someone seems disengaged, switch topics or ask a question to recapture their interest. Reading their body language can help you keep conversations flowing.

 

3. Challenge Yourself to Start a Conversation Daily

 

Make it a goal to start at least one new conversation each day. You can experiment with different starters and learn what works best. Over time, this practice helps reduce hesitation and fosters natural connection-building skills.

If You Want More Meaningful Relationships, Schedule Them

Do you have a day planner? Do you have a calendar or schedule where you plan out your activities? A lot of people plan their careers. They have a virtual or physical planner where they keep track of their work commitments. They take their job seriously and know that if they schedule their professional life, they can be more successful than if they take it as it comes.

 

Unfortunately, many people don't do that with their personal lives.

 

That's too bad. We've known for a long time that the human brain loves to be given marching orders. It was designed to respond favorably to order and habitual behavior. If you want deeper connections, you should schedule the experiences that build and maintain them.

 

Who Do You Want a More Meaningful Relationship With?

 

It's been proven that deep relationships make you less likely to develop disease or become sick. Your mind, body, and emotions benefit. The more people you truly understand on a deep level and connect with in a meaningful way, the happier and healthier you will be.

 

This means that when you connect with someone in a big way, you get a significant boost to your well-being. Who wouldn't like that in their lives? To experience all these wonderful benefits of a healthy social life, ask yourself who you can connect with on a deeper level.

 

Once you have that person in mind, sit down and ask yourself some questions. What do they like to do? What values are important to them? Do they like traveling or knitting, or reading? What vices do they have that they wish they could defeat? What are their big goals?

 

If you don't know the answers to these questions, or at least have some general idea of their response, what can you do to discover those answers? In many cases, it doesn't make sense to come out and ask big questions like this. You can spend more time with that person in experiences and activities they enjoy. This helps you indirectly learn that information.

 

Schedule time for those activities. Talk a lot, and listen. Remember your ultimate goal, to get to know the person better. Be flexible and understand that a deep connection might mean a relationship with someone that's unlike you in many ways. Opposites often attract. 

 

Keep these things in mind and schedule the time and emotional energy required to develop a deep and meaningful relationship. Offer a time and environment that's comfortable to them, be yourself, and do this regularly to form a strong, healthy connection.

Mindful Living: The Path To A More Fulfilling Life

Mindfulness is not an out-of-reach foreign concept that is difficult to add to your everyday life. It’s actually quite the opposite. Mindfulness is a meditation technique that has many benefits and is very simple to use. Here we talk about what mindfulness and its benefits are as well as ways to include it in your daily living.

 

What is Mindful Living?

 

Mindful living simply means incorporating the practice of mindfulness into your everyday life. As a beginner, you’ll need to make a conscious effort to practice mindfulness as you go about your day. Once you hone your skills, you’ll find yourself engaging in mindfulness automatically as you complete your daily tasks.

 

Mindfulness is a mental state in which you are fully aware of the present moment. You engage with your five physical senses and free thoughts. You allow yourself to experience the moment from an objective perspective. In mindfulness, it’s important to refrain from viewing experiences as “good” or “bad.”

 

How Is Mindful Living Beneficial?

 

Mindful living has benefits that reach every core life area, including mental health, physical health, social relationships, employment, recreation, etc. Here are just a few of the benefits that mindful living provides:

 

• Less rumination on undesired thoughts

• Stress reduction

• Better cognitive function

• Less emotional reactivity

• Higher satisfaction with relationships

• Better mental health

• Stronger immune function

 

How to Live Mindfully

 

There are many ways to introduce mindfulness into your daily life. It is a form of meditation as well as a mindset. First, you can start by scheduling a structured mindfulness session into each day. Ten-minute sessions are a good starting point. You can add them to your wake up or bedtime routine so that they’re easy to structure into your day. Here are some ways to practice mindfulness during these sessions:

 

• Get yourself into a comfortable position within a quiet and calm environment.

• Starting at either end of your body, gradually tense and relax your muscles and joints. Pay attention to the physical sensations as you do so.

• Take slow, deep breaths. Count how many you take and how long they last. Feel and visualize the air working through your respiratory system.

• Allow yourself to have thoughts of positive messages.

• Repeat encouraging mantras aloud.

• Listen to a guided meditation.

• Once you get better at these techniques, you can begin to practice them in a less structured way. Here are some ways to engage in mindfulness throughout your day:

• Practice mindfulness when you get a small break in your day, such as at work or while sitting at a red light in traffic.

• Journal at the end of each day to recap your experiences and note what you are grateful for that day.

• Create a positive affirmation jar and start your day by reading a slip out of the jar.

• Take inventory of your five physical senses as you complete daily activities, such as walking, driving, eating, hygiene tasks, and recreational activities.

• Focus on a single task at a time. For example, instead of listening to music while making dinner, prepare the meal without additional stimuli. You can feel the ingredients in your hands, hear the sound of chopping, smell the food cooking, see the variety of colors in the ingredients, and taste test the meal as you’re preparing it.

• Participate in creative recreational activities, such as coloring, sewing, sculpting, etc.

• Look at an object for a few minutes to notice details you’ve missed in the past.

• Actively listen in conversations with others.

• Practice empathy. Imagine what others may be experiencing and why they’re acting the way they are.

 

Think about what you will say before you say. Remember that it’s okay to take a pause in conversation if needed.

 

Source Links

 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/mindfulness-activities

 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320392

  

https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/