Like most people I know, I’m really busy. I run my professional practice, am a partner in the wonderful Spirit of Woman Australian Wild Flower Essences, and put my family high on my priority list as well. There is so much to do every day and it’s no wonder I often feel pressured, and often overwhelmed. Then I procrastinate about the jobs that are a bit tedious or are going to take a lot of time. I have a bottle of Dandelion essence on my desk and that is amazing for helping me get focussed, and everyone I know who also uses it, tells me the same thing! But still, sometimes things fall through the cracks, and I get stressed and anxious about that!

Last week, a guy I’ve taken a few courses from sent me a link to a new bit of software he said was clearing all those issues up for him. I’m a bit sceptical about that to be honest, there’s so much hype online! But I liked his stuff and so I had a look. And if it only did half of what it claimed to do, I reckoned it was worth the $27!

And I’m ‘delighted with it! I’ve used my Outlook task manager for years, with reminders. I even used a couple of add-ons which were supposed to make the whole thing easier (sadly also very complicated!) But the long long list of tasks often added to my feeling of overwhelm.

This software, Action Enforcer, is different! You type in your tasks with the time you estimate it will take you to get each one done. Action Enforcer adds up how much time you’ll spend doing those tasks. When you begin a task, you click “start” on the timer. If you’re like me and often underestimate how long it takes to get things done (and that adds to the pressure feeling!), this software is a game-changer!

I’ve only been using it for just over a week, and in the run up to a workshop I was organising last Sunday, I loaded all the tasks into the timers and got done in half the time I thought it would take, with half the stress! Because the timer counts down, there’s that feeling of needing to focus to get the job done, and in the time it usually takes me to do just my newsletter each week, I’m also writing this little review, I’m that impressed with it

The really big thing for me is because now I can see all my tasks set out and a total time for the day’s work, the feeling of pressure I often feel (there’s not enough time!) is gone!

The downside is of course, you have to spend five minutes actually listing out all your tasks, and if necessary chunking them down into smaller bits. The developer, Dennis Becker, sends a few emails with some tips and tricks for managing time around his software. You know how they say, if you want something done ask a busy person? Well I reckon Dennis is a busy person, because this nifty little app certainly works like this busy person (me!), thinks!

Highly recommend this one! Dennis has got teaching videos for all the steps but to be honest I’ve not watched them, it’s really easy to use. Read more at Action Enforcer.