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How to be more productive

Aren’t we all wondering how to be more productive?  Don’t we feel accomplishment when we respond to some emails and update our social media? So why do we get to the end of the day and wonder why we feel like we didn’t get enough done?

You know the KISS theory right?  This incredible article is very KISS.

I’ve pulled out a few of my favourite lines from it here:

  • When executives are in flow, they are up to five times more productive
  • What we call multitasking is, in actuality, task switching
  • Each task switch might waste only 1/10th of a second, it can add up to a 40% productivity loss
  • Task switching is exhausting because it uses up oxygenated glucose in the brain

By being more intentional about our relationship with technology, we can cultivate a work environment in which we are not only more productive, but also more fulfilled and actualized versions of ourselves.

And here is a pdf if the link above does not work for you.

Posted Wednesday, March 20th, 2019.

Tough Conversations

Do you know how to have tough conversations without sounding condescending? It’s not easy. And it’s a powerful skill to have.

This helpful article from Fast Company is worth reading.

If the link does not work for you, here’s a pdf of the article.

Posted Monday, March 11th, 2019.

You can’t – and shouldn’t – do it alone

Anyone who has been a manager knows how challenging it can be. You have to make countless decisions, solve problems, organize projects, fill positions, so on and so forth. The important thing is that you don’t do it all alone.

This is an excellent article from the Centre for Organization and Management Effectiveness

If the link isn’t working, here’s a pdf

Posted Monday, March 4th, 2019.

Do you have any bad habits?

I have a couple of bad habits I’d like to break.  So I’m always open to suggestions on HOW.  The good news is, there’s more than one way.  The bad news is, only you can determine which one works for you – there’s no ‘right’ answer.

According to James Cleary, there are 3 ways to break a bad habit.

  1. Elimination – cut it off entirely.
  2. Reduction – drop to the desired level.
  3. Substitution – replace the bad habit with a good one.

All three can work. It just depends on what you want to achieve.

 

Posted Monday, February 25th, 2019.

Quote of the Day – Feb. 20, 2019

Everyone must agree on the vision and goals, but how to get it done is up to individuals and small teams who are closest to the work. – Dan Rockwell

 

I believe in this with all my being.  I worked for a guy who paraphrased this as “Tell me what do or tell me how to do it, but not both”.  He was referring to his wife.

It applies to all relationships but especially to your employees.  When you let them figure out the “How” you will be amazed at what they come up with.  Okay, not always, but if we hire well and then do a good job of articulating the goal and the guiding principles, our employees will flourish.  And that’s the best way to make your business flourish.

Posted Wednesday, February 20th, 2019.

How Leaders Can Open Up to Their Teams Without Oversharing

In the age of social sharing, people who work together know more and more about each other. In general, this is a good thing for peers and leaders. Research shows our brains respond positively to people when we feel a personal connection with them. We try harder, perform better, and are kinder to our colleagues. Command and control management is on its way out, and bosses who practice empathy and make an effort to connect with their subordinates are in.

Finding the right balance between sharing and oversharing is not easy. But with practice, it can be done. As a leader, it’s your job to understand the powerful role your emotions play, and to harness them in ways that will help your team succeed.

Here is a great article from Harvard Business Review on the topic.

(If link won’t work, you can download a pdf here)

Posted Monday, February 11th, 2019.

5 Strategies for Getting More Work Done in Less Time

You’ve prioritized your work. Now, how do you get it done?

I love Harvard Business Review. I follow them on Twitter and read almost everything they share. Even if it doesn’t apply directly to me or my current situation, I always learn something new and useful. Today was not different.

Don’t we all need a new strategy to get more done in less time? I liked some of what was in this article.

  • Clarifying expectations is so, so important!
  • Re-using previous material sounds lazy and awful, but read this. It makes a lot of sense
  • Templates and checklists; I’d be a mess without them
  • Make it a conversation.While there’s a risk your conversation could get off topic, time spent with the right people is rarely wasted.
  • Timeboxing is a new concept to me. As I read through this suggestion, I didn’t feel like it would fit my style, but it might be right for you.

If the links are disabled, here is a pdf of the original article.

Posted Monday, January 28th, 2019.

James Clear – Atomic Habits

Have you read any James Clear?

I’ve registered for his weekly email and I quite enjoy it. I am struggling with the “old dog, new tricks” idiom. It can’t possibly be true! We’ve all seen seniors earn university degrees or become experts in new fields. But it’s a nice cop-out isn’t it. When we’re just too lazy to break an old habit or not motivated enough to start a new one. I know I can learn new ‘tricks’ but it’s not easy. So I’ll look at anything that might help.

Check out 30 One-Sentence Stories From People Who Have Built Better Habits or the pdf version here

Posted Monday, January 28th, 2019.

The Atrium

Today is my first day working at the The Atrium. Have you seen this space? What an asset to the small business community!

So far, I’m really impressed with Brandon and everything he has built here. I’ll keep you posted – or stop by and visit me! 28 Princess Ave, St. Thomas

Posted Monday, January 21st, 2019.

Leadership Freak

Don’t rush to giving advice. Be sure you know what success looks like before telling people how to achieve it. Try asking “If you succeed, what will be different?”

Dan Rockwell is one of my favourite leaders. And I appreciate the efficiency and power of a good quote. So, when both of these elements come together, I’m sold! You can expect to see lots of quotes in my archives and don’t be surprised if you become a fan of Dan Rockwell.

Posted Monday, January 14th, 2019.