Leah Fisch

"Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion." -Cyril Northcote Parkinson

Are you frequently appalled at how long it takes you to finish a task? The Nike adage about Just Do It is a beautiful ideal. It implies that you must not sit around pondering all the hows and what ifs. In the case of (myself and) my client, the adage would be "Just have less time to do it," meaning that you will.

Many of my clients call me when there is a crisis-and we are somehow able to "put the fire out" in time. There is gold inside these crises-in addition to completing what we need to, we also gain insight into their subconscious hindrances. Accomplishing difficult things in a short period of time bears tremendous power and leaves clients with much more confidence.

Less time to do it, but not so much less that it's a crisis. Taking the right amount of time to complete tasks=confident efficiency.

Knowing we can rely on ourselves=priceless.

The MTA (NYC's public transportation system) spends an estimated $560 MILLION annually on OVERTIME, at the same time that "budget constraints" caused enormous downsizing. When jobs are cut and train lines are removed, everyone suffers.

In every business as well as in our lives, we waste a lot of time on "overtime" that is not exactly working-it's compensating for lost and disorganized time.

As a supporter of the MTA (when not on my bicycle) I have a vested interest in its success, as does every NYer. Even those driving or taking taxis benefit from an effective system, as it reduces traffic. All NYer's benefit from reduced emissions. Fewer cars and more green buses means better air for all of us.

I am looking to be introduced to key decision-makers at the MTA. From schedulers to middle managers to executives to Mayor Bloomberg, I'd like to speak to them and introduce my simple and effective techniques which save tremendous amounts of time and money. Thanks for any input on this!

My client of three years called me today. "I'm finally ready to do something about all these charity appeals. What can I do?"

Three things work really well:

1. 1 888 5 OPT OUT (567-8688)

2. Call the number on the solicitation or click unsubscribe from the email

3. Circle your name and address and write, "Please remove from list immediately" and send back in the charity's return envelope-no stamp required. It may take doing this one or two times, but it works.

I explained to her that this simple act makes it possible to pay bills with much less anxiety, believe it or not. "Oh, I believe it!" she said, excitedly.

Save a tree, save yourself...save a mailman's back...

...and it works in the opposite, too. Yesterday my client and I worked on clearing the desk (very big in my work, despite Einstein's brilliance) and planning what he needed to accomplish. During the review at the end of our session, I asked him how he felt.

"Fine..." he said, with some reservation, "but there's a lot I need to do."

"You will do it," I told him, "I have faith in you. Now you know exactly what you need to do."

He agreed, but his doubt was clear. However, when I arrived there today, he had accomplished almost everything on the to-do list. Not only that, he had even found time to call and make up with one of his oldest friends in France.

"Wow," I said, moved, "do you see what happens when you deal with things? You're unstoppable!"

We set to work again today, and we have gone through piles from three years ago at lightning speed. He didn't want to break for lunch because he was so motivated.

Decision-making is a complex animal. It involves removing "dirt," building a "foundation," and flexing a "muscle." The more you do the more you can do.

To more!

Einstein's Desk-1955It's not about how it looks...it's about how it feels to you. Einstein was famous for his cluttered desk, among other things, but he seemed to do okay. For many of my clients, clearing the desk is the first step to realizing just what it is they need to do. But remember, if the aesthetic doesn't bother you, you're fine.

Today's NY Times late edition's front page article, Your Brain on Computers, explains how damaging, disruptive, and downright depressing technology overload can be. From brain function to career decisions to personal relationships, we are deeply and sometimes irrevocably affected.

If you would like to participate in Leah's new film documentary about the work she does, please contact her.

Whether you're a CEO who's dissatisfied with your time management or a hoarder threatened with eviction, Leah's simple method helps you focus on what you want. She gives you the tools to make it happen quickly, in a fun way, and with no shopping required.