Stand for two minutes.

Start on your project immediately.

Nibbling at your task: you can eat an entire elephant one small bite at a time

The second trick to doubling your output is to work in small time periods. Fifteen minutes is ideal, although you can also choose ten minute time periods. The reason for this is that each project has three primary time periods: Start Time, Middle Time, and End Time.

In Start Time, you're feeling your way into project. You're collecting materials and organising your work. If it's a report you're writing, you may spend an extended period working on introduction. (And you're worried you won't complete project on time.) Start Time is difficult because you're fighting inertia, and also because you're uncertain of project. Whatever its length in real time, Start Time seems to drag.

In Middle Time, you're used to project, and working steadily through it. Chances are that in Middle Time, boredom will be biggest danger. Middle Time is longest stage of any project.

Finally you reach End Time. You're almost done. You work quickly, racing to finish line. No matter what its length in real time, End Time feels short. It feels good.

When you deliberately work on a task in short periods of time, each period lasting no longer than fifteen minutes, you eliminate both Start Time, and much of Middle Time. Start Time is eliminated because of fact that you're only doing this task for fifteen minutes, so you don't dither, you simply work because you know fifteen minutes will soon be over. You also eliminate dragging boredom of Middle Time: you don't get bored because you tell yourself you can stand anything for fifteen minutes.

Combine focus exercise and fifteen minute bites to halve time you spend on your projects

The focusing exercise is key. It gathers your energy and puts you in an alpha state. You're relaxed, yet completely alert. It's important to do exercise standing up. Do exercise before each of your fifteen minute time periods.

You may be wondering how you split time if you're working on three projects. You can split them up in any way that makes sense to you. You can choose one project, and work to completion with it in fifteen minute sessions, breaking up sessions by your focus exercises, and doing something else for ten minutes to an hour in between, say having a meeting or making some phone calls. Or, you can work on all three projects at once, working for fifteen minute sessions on each.

These two techniques are simple, but they work.

***Resource box: if using, please include*** When your words sound good, you sound good. Author and copywriter Angela Booth crafts words for your business --- words to sell, educate or persuade. Get in touch today for a free quote: ab@digital-e.biz. Free ezine: Creative Small Biz --- subscribe at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Creative_Small_Biz/

**END**

"It would probably be fair to say that most social problems are result -- directly or indirectly--of someone's low self-concept.

Not too many years ago, I was going through a dark time in my life. So what changed? Was it outward circumstances? Did my environment change and with it my inner experience? No.

Somehow I knew that for things to change it would have to be me who would have to change. It would be an inner transformation that would eventually alter outward experience. Some of things I did unconsciously. Others were done with deliberation."

Mr. Angier goes on to state that he removed himself from people who had been critical and found he gained a better perspective. He read books of inspiration which gave him hope. He saw a therapist. He focused on his strengths, talents, and knowledge. When he felt negative thoughts coming on, he'd redirect his mind to something else. No more pity parties were indulged. He kept busy, not knowing what his future would bring - he took one day at a time.

"And each day I did what I could to clean up my messes, make things better, keep my focus forward instead of backward and keep faith. It was my faith in Universal Spirit that helped me get through this 'winter of discontent'. I believe that everyone has a unique purpose and I was determined to discover mine. God doesn't make junk."

Michael ends article with this: "You're either building yourself up or tearing yourself down. There is no status quo when it comes to your self-image."

I hope that these two pieces have opened up your thought patterns and will encourage you to release negativity, junk, or emotional baggage you may be harboring and lugging around. Release it into your visualized nightly junk pile, or write it down and then burn or rip to shreds piece of paper, or go outside and vent it verbally while letting breeze carry it away. May you find peace and increased energy.