Manage Me

LIVE IT UP eNews!                                                                                     April 2008

1. Manage you, not Time

2. Recipe: Chicken Kebabs

Dear Reader

Where has April disappeared too? It’s almost gone, and I can feel that nip in the air in the early morning that puts a spring in your step, as you dive for something warmer to wear.

Next week, I am heading to the US, where summer is about to launch, so I will keep the warmer weather for a little while longer.

While I am away, my phone is still on, my email still works, and I will be checking it regularly. Just leave a message or text me on the phone, and I will return your call.

Have a safe and happy long weekend, and keep doing your core basics so that you stay on track.

Warm regards Narelle

Manage Yourself, not Time!

© Narelle Stratford Lutwyche Psychologist 2008

Most people travel through life and look ahead at what’s coming up in their future. Some of you will find it exceedingly difficult to see very far ahead, while others will find it laughingly easy to see your future.

What is the reason for this? Well, we all fit in with time in different ways, and the way that we operate in and around time will dictate whether or not we can see a future clearly, or whether that future sweeps us up in it.

Is it time management or me management?

Let’s look at the way “in-time” people operate first:

1.  Last-minute, spur of the moment, spontaneous, feel constricted by a diary or deadlines or plans, runs late for appointments, can’t see the future ahead… Know someone like this?  Perhaps it is you, maybe it is your partner…:

And now, let’s think about “on-time” people

2.  Planned, scheduled, diary is your Bible, on time, feel highly uncomfortable if it is Wednesday and you don’t have plans laid in concrete for Saturday, feel insecure or unsafe if you haven’t made a 5 year plan or a 10 year plan…

These two ways of operating are completely different, aren’t they? Can you imagine what that would be like to live with? Oh, sorry, maybe you already have that experience and know that it can be a living hell.

You see, the on-time person is always early, and NEVER LATE. The in-time person is caught in the flow of time, therefore loses all perception of time, and is ALMOST ALWAYS LATE. The bad news is that stress is really aging, so those of you who are in-time people, really ought to take on more organised practices.

You may think that this person is deliberately sabotaging him or herself, but in actual fact, it is as though they do not have conscious control, they are compelled. In the same way, the on-time person is compelled to start getting ready early, to leave early to ensure they are on time.

Not Managing Time?

What can you do if your approach to time isn’t working? If you have a role that relies on you keeping good time, then you will have to appoint a firm timekeeper to help you. Set your phone to an alarm, or get someone to call you. if you are very rigid with time, start reminding yourself that the world won’t end because you are a few minutes late. That you are safe, that an inconvenience may occur and you can overcome it.

If you are in a relationship with an opposite, then discuss how you can both improve, because each of you will have definite ideas on the subject. Trust me on that one!

Believe it or not, this little issue can have a big impact on your relationship, so help each other with it. And God help those of you who live with the same type … I can just imagine you both rushing out the door, running late together, or getting to a restaurant and waiting 45 minutes for everyone else to arrive. And, you’ll have fun!

Master’s Wisdom!

“I know you love me even when you are not here.”

2. Recipe: Chicken Kebabs

The trick to not burning the skewers, is to soak them in cold water for at least an hour prior to BBQing!

Cut 2 skinned chicken thigh fillets into small cubes, and marinate for 3hrs in the fridge, in:  3 tbspns sweet chilli sauce, 1 mandarin freshly squeezed, 2 finely diced cloves garlic, and sprinkle of fresh ground salt. While marinating, cut into small cubes: fresh pineapple, red capsicum, and zucchini, for interweaving on the kebab sticks.

Assemble alternate pieces of chicken and fruit and vegies, then grill, turning a few times,  on medium heat until chicken juices run clear.  Serve with crusty bread and a fresh salad.  Delicious!