How to shorten your to-do list

How to shorten your to-do list

This accidental poem fell out of my mouth during a recent client coaching call:

“You don’t have to hate it, to delegate it.”  

(I’m a poet and I didn’t even realize it. 😉)

Look, here’s the thing: Just because you’re *able* to do something, and just because you don’t totally dislike doing that thing, does not mean it is best that YOU do it.

Hear me on this!

Competency does not = required to be done by you. 

In other words, just because you CAN does not mean you HAVE TO. 

** Most people assume (or at least act like) it does. Consider this one more way you can be different than the masses and color outside the lines of groupthink.  **

Another common belief that often trips people up is the belief that you need to be rich to start handing off your “things I’m capable of doing but don’t necessarily adore doing” list. 

No. You do not need to be rich. 

What you do need, though, is to be willing to realign your priorities. 

I’m going to go out on a limb and say that if I asked you “What do you want so badly it hurts?” and “What do you wish you could devote your energy to 100%?” … that the following things would NOT be on that list:

  • Grocery shopping
  • Laundry
  • Paying bills
  • Cleaning
  • Troubleshooting with tech support in an online chat
  • Getting your printer to work
  • Sitting on hold with customer service

… just to name a few.

Amiright?

One thing my private clients and I often work on together is building their Dream Team – their support team – because, truth be told, the ONLY way to ever even come CLOSE to doing the top things you wish you could devote all your energy to… is going to require that you: 

(1) get super efficient with your time

(2) be super discerning and diligent about how you manage your energy, and 

(3) that you delegate tasks to others

Seriously. 

Nothing shoots your dreams and joys in the foot faster than “I have to do everything by myself” beliefs. 

In order to free your time, your energy, your creativity, and in order to be able and available to focus on and DO more of what you’re wanting to … you’ll need to stop with the “I do it all” nonsense. (Bossy, I know. I’m not sorry about it. I’m on your team!) 

So, to help with this effort, today I’m sharing a few valuable tips and tools so that you can experience MORE of the delights and benefits available to you – all by intentionally simplifying, outsourcing, systematizing, and delegating. Yay!

Please note: None of the links below are referral links. I don’t earn anything for referring you to these websites or companies. I share because I care. (Hey, another poem!) 😊

Ok, here they are, in no particular order: 

  • TaskRabbit – An online marketplace that matches freelance labor with local demand, allowing customers to find help with everyday tasks, including furniture assembly, moving, delivery, and handyperson work. 
  • Fiverr – This online platform connects freelancers to people or businesses looking to hire for a diverse range of skills, delivered virtually. 
  • Upwork – Like Fiverr, this online platform connects freelancers to people or businesses looking to hire for a diverse range of professional services, from short projects to full-time positions.
  • Geeksquad – Offering both in-person and remote support to solve computer problems, get troubleshooting support for a range of products and tech questions, or finally learn how to use all the buttons on that remote control. 🙂 
  • FancyHands –  This online platform connects you with a large team of virtual assistants able to get tasks done for you, day and night. 
  • Peapod – A great time-saver that allows you to order your groceries online and have them delivered to your doorstep, be it once a week or once a month.
  • Rover – This worldwide online marketplace is a global network for pet care. No matter where you are, you can book a trusted person to care for your cat, or walk your dog, be it day-time services or overnight care.

Lord knows, there are countless ways to use technology to support you!

Like, for example… 

  • Maybe you set up automated payments for all your monthly bills (resulting in one less to-do on your list).  
  • Maybe you set Alexa to play your favorite workout playlist at the exact time you’ve promised yourself you’ll exercise. 

Speaking of exercise, do you have a gym membership? If so… 

  • Go VIP by springing for a locker rental. Get yourself duplicates of your favorite shampoo, deodorant, etc. and store them in your locker along with a few outfits, protein shake mix, and whatever else helps you feel supported. This way, each time you go to the gym, you can go directly from the gym to wherever you’re headed next with one less thing you need to think about or plan ahead for. This’ll help ensure you get your workout in and have more ease in your day. 

Decide that you are worth it. 

Little decisions to invest in yourself add up and can make a big difference!

Here’s one more tip … 

Do you miss friends and family and wish you talked more often? 

  • Make a list of who those people are. Reach out to them and propose setting up regularly scheduled phone-dates so that you stay in touch and ensure too much time doesn’t pass before you speak again. Easy-breezy.

Again, these are obviously just a few ideas. There are COUNTLESS ways to customize and find creative solutions based on your needs, resources, interests, priorities, etc.  

Pick one or two and start there.

Oh, and, psssst… 

Especially if you’re feeling short on cash…

This list of resources and companies aren’t just places you can hire from. Many of them are also places you can set up an account, create a profile, and provide services through. Be it renting out your guest bedroom on Airbnb, or offering your love of gardening to the lady with the unkept yard down the street, or providing editing services, or dog walking, or app building, or face painting, or whatever your talents are … you can use one or more of these freelance platforms to earn yourself some extra money. (Money that you can then choose to reinvest in building out your own Dream Team and getting the support that’ll make YOUR life better, and better, and better.) 

Last by not least, here’s a client example to get your wheels turning about how you might apply this to your life: 

A photographer client of mine does private photo shoots for her customers. She then edits those pictures before showing them to the customer, who chooses their selections. A very talented photographer and artist in general, she doesn’t hate photo editing. In fact, she enjoys many of the creative aspects involved in the editing process. She also enjoys having creative control when it comes to making edits according to her eye, her specifics, and her style. BUT – editing photos is very time consuming. The more edits she has to do, the less time she has available to line up more photo shoots, and the more “behind” she feels due to customers eagerly waiting to see their images. One option, of course, is she can book fewer photo shoots, allowing more time in between for editing. But this means less time spent doing what she loves: photography and the in-person connection that comes with time spent with her customers during photo shoots. 

What would YOU do?

Where do you see yourself in any of this? How might this example apply to what YOU want to be doing more of?

Comment below and tell me where you’re going to delegate more.

What if, rather than spending less time doing something she truly loves doing – and making less money doing it – she were to delegate the editing? And what if she finds someone with a keen eye to edit her photos for her? What becomes possible when she frees up more time and energy to be available to do what she loves, and profits from, most?

As you to apply this to yourself, consider: 

  • What would you rather not do? 
  • What would you prefer to do instead? 
  • How can you delegate, streamline, and optimize in order to support more of what you want and less of what you don’t?

Coaching helps with ALL of this. If you’re ready to expand your Dream Team by adding your favorite life coach 😉 to YOUR  support team, reach out today so we can explore how I can best serve YOU!

Big love, 

PS –  For more client inspiration, click here to read what my clients say about our work together and, if it feels right, book a call so we can talk about what us working together can do for you.

Momentum will be yours (here’s how)

Momentum will be yours (here’s how)

In order to make your dreams real, it is very important that we create a space where your dreams and goals are gaining accelerated momentum. 

Accelerated momentum is when renewed zest for life and a new kind of confidence takes hold within you. 

It’s when the life you’ve been trying to breathe into your dreams, starts breathing life into YOU! 

When accelerated momentum takes hold, you are no longer caught in the weeds, no longer doubting or questioning if you will live your dreams, no longer believing that you can’t, and no longer making or buying your own excuses.

Accelerated momentum is essential because dreams require energy and attention! And when your energy is scattered, or you’re waffling between this choice and that choice, this action and that action, or in a constant start, stop, start, stop, start, stop rhythm … momentum doesn’t ever have a chance to really get rolling.

Here are 3 keys to creating accelerated momentum on behalf of YOUR dreams:

(1) Teamwork makes the dream work. Private coaching is one of the most powerful forms of support you’ll ever experience. Gain personalized feedback, accountability, brainstorming, resources and highly focused, forward-oriented coaching – all personalized to YOU.  

Like Kimberly … who had this to say about her experience in The Dream Acceleration Program: “I learned a process of becoming more, becoming my best self. I did the work of transforming my dreary existence into a beautiful life, but I couldn’t have done it without Tara’s coaching. She holds the space for you to truly up-level your life, and guides you through the process of becoming your fully actualized self.”

(2) Go beyond fear and doubt. Fear is a normal natural part of the process, but we want to make sure it’s not directing your decisions and your life. One key skill to learn is how to master the psychology of fear and build your courage.

Like Rob, who had this to say about his experience in The Dream Acceleration Program: “I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical about spending the money, but I think that in itself is when you have a breakthrough moment … when YOU decide to invest in YOU! Once you make the commitment to pursue what you want most out of life, Tara can take you there.”

(3) Build your belief along with your skills. Step by step, create real momentum on a life that reflects your deepest dreams and desires. From there, anything you want in the future will be yours because you will have the tools to create it! 

Like Stephanie … who had this to say about her experience in The Dream Acceleration Program: “I learned how to eliminate the obstacles and move towards my dreams with energy and enthusiasm. This process is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I now feel as if there is nothing I cannot do or conquer.”

Want to learn more and join me for this 6-month private one-on-one coaching space, where we start from exactly where YOU are, and work on managing your energy, prioritizing what to give your attention and energy to, clarifying and removing obstacles, and planning out and providing you with complete support to step into a bigger vision for who you are and how you get to live? 

If yes, I’m happy to chat and explore together how this process can make your blind spots vanish and new possibilities emerge, so that you finally create and live the life you’ve dreamed of. Claim a spot on my calendar for a call at www.sessionwithtara.com

HOW you have to show up for yourself [part 2]

HOW you have to show up for yourself [part 2]

[Didn’t read Part 1? Click HERE.]

From the moment I learned about the book publishing training happening in Italy and decided to get myself on a flight to Europe, put my butt in the seat, and show up for my book dreams … the entire experience has been terrifically exciting, while also deeply vulnerable, emotionally overwhelming, and, at times, intellectually confusing.

For perspective: One literary agent, whose book I’m reading, likens getting a traditional publishing deal to being the rare “sperm with merit” that manages to get through – because 99.9% of those who pitch their book proposals, don’t.

If I want this, (and I do), I have an enormous amount of work ahead of me. I also have a gajillion doubts and questions about what to do, how to do it, and, frankly, whether I can.

So…

Am I feeling overwhelmed by the learning curve and the work I have ahead of me?

Am I feeling vulnerable and afraid that it will only ever result in a pile of rejection letters, at best?

And am I wondering and battling thoughts that doubt whether I really have what it takes?

You bet I am!

But – these feelings are NOT a free pass to deflect responsibility for my actions, or inactions.

Feelings of confusion and overwhelm do not dictate or predetermine me to quit.

Such feelings also don’t dictate or predetermine YOU to quit.

This is when it’s time to:

  • Take some deep breaths and do what’s needed to settle your nervous system
  • Go for a walk to shake off the nerves and come back to it
  • Get a good night’s sleep and start fresh in the morning
  • ASK FOR HELP from the people who are there to help

👆 This is what showing up for yourself and your dream looks like.

Expect overwhelm! AND, stay in “the room” to receive support, the very reason you decided to be there in the first place!

Rather than a reason to quit, it is all the more reason to be vulnerable and available for support.

This, my friend, is the game-changer.

And it’s not only what I do for my clients, it’s also what I do as a lifelong learner who believes and trusts that my dreams have merit.

I seek out experts who guide me, so that, despite me being intimidated and overwhelmed, I have support from those who can guide my hand, hold me accountable, challenge me to step up, take action, learn new skills, and set myself up for the results I want.

This way, even on days when doubt and fear want to have their way and try to derail my belief or undermine my momentum and my capabilities, I KEEP GOING.

That is why I do this work and this is what I want for you.

Your dreams become possible and you become so much more powerful with this kind of support on your side.

When you show up for ACCOUNTABILITY and you keep showing up for yourself and your dreams, and you keep stepping up to the challenges that present themselves, calling on support for help as needed … that’s when forward movement becomes INEVITABLE.

My private clients know that, in addition to our regular private coaching calls, they can always send me a message with any quick questions that come up, anytime, and I’ll reply. They reach out, we get their questions answered, and they get quickly back on track. This is just one of the many aspects that Dream Acceleration Program members receive that helps them to realize their dreams and create accelerated results.

If you’re not quite ready for that level, another option is to dip your toe in by starting with my 6-week No-Vacation-Needed Blueprint training.

Lastly, if you’re not sure which option is best for you and you want some help determining that, I’m here for that conversation too. Let’s talk!

Big love,

“But what do I get for my coaching investment?”

“But what do I get for my coaching investment?”

“I really want to work with a coach. But what do I GET for my investment, you know?”

A woman at one of my book signing events asked me this, expressing interest in coaching and skepticism in coaching – all in one breath.

She told me about almost hiring a coach earlier this year, but ultimately deciding not to because the coach couldn’t “convince” her [read: provide her certainty about] what she would GET for the price of coaching.

A valid question. I certainly understand the intangibility of it, and how investing in coaching can feel like a chicken-and-egg question.

I mean, when you pay for, say, a new phone, you get …a new phone.

When you pay for a trip to Spain you get a trip to Spain.

But when you pay for COACHING, what do you GET??

Let’s unpack this a bit.

Imagine you and I are having this conversation, and you ask: “When I pay for coaching, what do I GET? What’s the promised outcome? Not how much time and personal attention do I get from you, Tara … but what is the result I RECEIVE? After paying money for this service, what will I have to show for it? What’s my ROI gonna be?”

My first question to you is: 

“What do you WANT it to be?” “What results do you WANT?” “How will you measure your own success?” “How will you know when you have succeeded at creating your dream life?” “What specifically will that look like and feel like to YOU?” “When you imagine your no-vacation-needed, deeply satisfying, regrets-free life, what do you see? Paint me THAT picture so that I can see it with you.”

👆 These are all versions of the same critical question.

Step 1 of my signature Dream Acceleration Process is: DEFINE WHAT YOU WANT.

(For many people, this step is the most challenging of them all.)

Once you’re able to define what you WANT, it is a lot easier to:

(1) Go after it.
(2) Invest in it.

(3) Ensure that you get it!

Your dream is my dream. And when we roll up our sleeves together about it … buckle up!

By:

⭐  Finding the right support for you 
⭐  Finding a coach that you jive with 

⭐  Finding a proven process that’s going to quicken your results 

⭐  Finding someone who will hold you accountable and guide you forward with care, commitment, and respect 

⭐  Investing in yourself in this way

… what you GET is life-changing.

What you get is your dream and the right support for your journey.

Getting clear on what you want is what we do in The No-Vacation-Needed Blueprint Training

Already know what you want and ready to set yourself up with support to accelerate your path to getting it? Check out The Dream Acceleration Program

YOU are your best asset. You are worth investing in, right now, from exactly where you are.

Ready to take that first step to discover your dreams and how you’re going to start living them right now?  Book a free Session with Tara

Tara Sage

Three truth-bombs for your dreams 🔥

Three truth-bombs for your dreams 🔥

Want to live your dreams? Here are three truth-bombs that will help:

(1) If you want your life to expand into living your dreams, if you want to create and achieve new results … you have to grow yourself.

(2) In order to realize your unique-to-you no-vacation-needed life, you must stop playing smaller than you are.

(3) In order to make your no-vacation-needed life REAL, you must step up and show up as the powerful creator that you are.

It’s not about being perfect, or unafraid, or knowing all the answers.

It IS about bringing curiosity, vision, bravery, conviction, determination, and resourcefulness to every action and decision going forward.

This is hard to do alone because fear and doubt (all normal) will try to take you out by overriding your deepest longings and callings, and defaulting to self-limiting beliefs that try to convince you that your current circumstances are a gauge for what’s possible.

The fear, the doubt, the belief in limitation: they’ll all feel SO REAL.

Perception is a strong thing.

The right support quickly gets your brain back to focusing on ‘how is this possible’.

The kind of support that CRACKS the perceptions of doubt that make every fear and ‘this just won’t work for me’ thought feel so real and true … is the exact kind of support that’s needed to help you quickly and easily shift focus and build new habits around ‘of course it’s happening for me’ beliefs, and ‘I’m stronger than my fears’ feelings, and ‘the actions I take now empower who I’m becoming’ self-perceptions.

^ This is the quickest path. It opens doors you didn’t know were there. Rather than spending your precious energy on worry, doubt, wondering what to do, and trying to figure it all out by yourself, having the right support makes ALL the difference!

As one client of mine put it, “Private coaching is having ONE person in the whole world that not only completely “gets” you, but also fully supports the best possible version of YOU.”

And another who said: “I’ve always had an “I can do it myself” attitude but I followed my heart and took that first step to reach out and connect with Tara. The moment Tara asked me to imagine my dream day, my life began to head in a new direction. I knew I had made the right decision … which has turned out to be the first of many “right” decisions.”

Similar to how a personal trainer, or tutor, customizes based on what will serve you best, meeting you exactly where you ARE and helping you get where you want to go … I am here to provide you with customized support to create the life you want.

You’ve probably seen me offering free 1:1 assessment calls lately. They tend to book out pretty quickly because they’re so powerful. This is the last time I’m going to offer these in this space for a little while. If you’ve been thinking about it, now’s the time to do it.

Celebrating YOU,

Tara Sage