Being the Best Version of Yourself

Many people would love to be the best version of themselves. But, what does that look like? Dr. Heller provides a framework to identify what is important to you and how to pick tangible things to start doing to transform into the best version of yourself. Transformation is a process, so start today! 

Getting started on tasks can sometimes be difficult, especially when you have to create your own structure during the day. Whether it is 9 AM, 2 PM, or even 2 AM, if you are stuck and do not know where to begin to get yourself going with being productive today, this is the strategy for you. In this podcast, Dr. Heller maps out his four-minute quick planning tool to get you started in being productive within five minutes.

This dilemma of when to try to make changes versus trying to get others to accommodate your needs is relevant in lots of situations. If you think about this question with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), common questions arise around whether it is better to get extensions when you can't complete tasks on time versus working on better implementing tools to get tasks completed within the expected time frame next time. Obviously constantly relying on exceptions being made may make it harder to view deadlines as actual deadlines. At the same time, if you keep trying to meet deadlines and cannot make them, that is also a problem. This issue is also relevant with deciding when you stand up for yourself to get your needs met with a co-worker, spouse, child, or other person versus letting them get their way if it has negative consequences for you (i.e., letting a co-worker schedule a meeting with you that interferes with your ability to attend your son's basketball game). The goal of this podcast episode is to raise awareness of this dilemma and help you to think about your mindset in different situations. Finally, by understanding where you stand on different issues that arise, you can begin to make decisions on what situations you keep trying in different ways to meet external expectations versus trying to get other people to accommodate to your needs. 

Many people feel overwhelmed in trying to balance tasks, events, and other obligations. In order to simplify things, the first step is to evaluate tasks and determine which items must you do (i.e., have client appointments, complete required projects), what ones are expected but not required (i.e., social media posts), and identify items that would be nice to do, but really are not necessary (i.e., doing a presentation to market services). Choosing three categories to organize tasks into (i.e., must do, should do, only do if time permits) is a good starting point. Dr. Heller walks listeners through thinking through doing this. Afterwards, planning out completion of tasks based on priority would likely be very helpful. This topic is covered in earlier podcasts and likely will be further addressed in subsequent ones as well. 

Feeling rushed is often part of many people's lives, especially if you have a lot on your plate. While it may keep you moving if you are not so overwhelmed that it paralyzes you, it likely is not a very pleasant feeling. In addition, you may be less efficient in doing even simple tasks if you feel rushed, and could make more mistakes or forget things. Dr. Heller walks listeners through a few simple strategies to plan out a realistic routine. He then offers some tools for slowing yourself down when completing routines. Looking to feel more relaxed and be even more productive? Listen to this podcast today and start making changes for yourself. 

A high percentage of children, teens, and adults have smartphones. However, the rate of people using apps to stay organized such as a calendar, task list, notes apps, and ones for health/wellness (i.e., mindfulness, bedtime reminders) are substantially lower. Dr. Heller provides some basic tips for a few different ways to use certain types of apps to keep track of events, tasks, information, reduce distractions, and maximize your health and wellness. Ready to get even more out of your smartphone? Listen right now or if not convenient, set a reminder in your task list or calendar if you have one and play this podcast when you are ready. 

Whether you have ADHD, think you might, or have trouble with executive function skills (i.e., time management, organization), this is the podcast for you. Dr. Heller provides a few simple tools to help you manage life better. Namely, add in structure to the extent that you are comfortable doing so with a calendar, task list, and other similar methods that help you remember things, plan your time, and aid in follow through. Some specific calendar and task list apps are recommended as well as a strategy for identifying electronic tools that fit your needs. Next, Dr. Heller focuses on using organizational tools to help, but carefully choosing where you devote your energy toward being organized so you don't try to take on too much in general, and especially too fast. To round out the podcast, he talks about identifying your strengths and things that you are not good at, as well as trying to cope by automating or delegating things when possible. Finally, Dr. Heller briefly discusses the importance of maintaining or developing a positive mindset to not let repeated failures, feeling like you are always playing catch up, or other negative experiences from holding you back and preventing you from making the changes that you desire.

There are only 24 hours in a day. And you should be sleeping for about a third of that time. Life is busy. How do you maximize your time, do the things that matter the most, take care of yourself, and enjoy your time? Dr. Heller walks you through a step-by-step process that first involves dividing up your life into meaningful categories such as work, family, social, and things to do for fun. The next steps involve identifying tasks/activities that are especially important to you, items that you must do for survival (i.e., financial, emotional, physical), and tasks/activities that you could cut out, put off in a planned way, adjust, or delegate. After this, Dr. Heller walks you through the idea of evaluating your schedule, efficiency, and making adjustments that are doable. Finally, after doing all of these steps, one can gain acceptance over doing what makes sense, and letting go of certain things. This can lead to greater enjoyment of things in life, improved productivity, and freeing yourself from guilt, anxiety, anger, or other negative feelings when you cannot accomplish everything that you would like.