December 2016 – Productivity Success Cake

Many of the kindest, most genuine, and wisest people I know have a brain structure that is labeled “AD/HD.” These are typically my favorite clients, because they are big thinkers, big dreamers, and amazing risk-takers. They also have a tendency to beat themselves up, because for their whole lives they have been told that they are not “doing it the right way.”

I have found that Evernote can really help my clients and particularly the ones who have an AD/HD-leaning brain.

Regardless of how you may wish to try on Evernote, it is imperative that you begin with a “pilot” project. For those who can relate to the never-ending distracting thoughts of living with AD/HD, this is particularly important.

One proven approach is to start using Evernote based on the first problem you need to solve. If you can’t keep track of your notes, then use Evernote exclusively for notes. Just use ONE notebook called “Notes,” and just focus on the little green elephant. Knowing that NOTES are taken care of by the little green elephant frees the mind from worry. That singular focus is crucial. You don’t have to think about a plethora of notebooks, you don’t have to think about tags, you only have to think about the elephant.” While this sounds overly simple, simple is easy, easy is do-able, and that “easy” step frees the mind to focus on the content versus the technology. Success steps heighten mood, which, in turn, increases the likelihood of continued success.

For more information on getting started with Evernote, contact me. I’m an Evernote Certified Consultant.

To download the Evernote app, here are some links. Basic is free and you can upgrade from there.

Business: http://bit.ly/EpSEvernote

Premium: http://bit.ly/EvernotePremiumCW

Plus: http://bit.ly/EvernotePlusCW

Basic: http://bit.ly/EvernoteBasicCW

In closing, Evernote can help you get organized. It’s even been referred to as your “second brain.” But like everything, it’s still an external helper, and addressing your goals from the inside out is always the best policy. Let’s kick it in 2017!

ABC, 123, doe rae me, it’s just so EZ! Right? Well, not always, but, if we start a little lighthearted, it makes for opening our minds for better learning.

You may recall that on Nov. 17^th, I wrote an article entitled “the ABC’s of Productivity.”

Here’s an overview:

A= Accept your reality

B= Be bold. Be brave.

C= Creativity is King.

Here’s a sheet to download, to help you take those bold actions and break them down into daily tasks.

Once you’ve started down the path of ABC’s (you can sing, but it’s not required), you’ll want to implement the 4 Strategies to Success along the way.

I find that the most successful leaders have consistent habits that slowly inch them and their organizations in the direction they desire. While these habits are not “rocket science,” they enable rocket scientists (or any leader) to harness their greatness.

Here are the four featured strategies that I have found make the most impact for the least effort:

Bookend to success
Map Your Time
Take Inventory
Use Power Blocks

I’ll detail the first one here. If it looks good and you want to go deeper, let’s set up a conversation! Click here to set up a conversation.

Bookend to Success:

What holds up books vertically? Well, unless your shelf is fully loaded- its bookends, right? I use this metaphor to describe the method successful leaders use when implementing the big, hairy, audacious goals they set. This concept can be expanded or contracted depending on the time period in question.

For example, it will be January in very short order. Most people and organizations set yearly goals about this time of year. It’s a perfect time to start the habit of bookending.

Great, you say. So how do I get started?

Set annual goals (you likely have done this)
Set quarterly goals (you may have done this)
Set monthly goals

Here’s the process!

On the first business day in January, look at the above 3 goals.
Focus on the month of January. Which goals are the most important?
Find a goal that can be translated into three actions for the week.
Insert those actions into your calendar as appointments.
At the end of the week, review the goals and associated actions. Did you complete them?
If not, carry them to next week.
Look at the rest of January and repeat this for the 2^nd week of January.
On the first workday of the second week of January, review your Friday work to be sure it’s still relevant and adjust as required.
Do this each week.
At the end of January, do your bookending for January. Did you achieve what you set out to do? Did you exceed your goal?
Repeat the process for all the months. Repeat the process for the quarter, and, at the end of December, for the year.

“It’s amazing how simple, yet powerful, this process is.” – A manager in Concord, NH

Watch the magic happen, and let me know all the great work you are doing with ease! You are now feeling like a productivity superstar and that’s just the first strategy! Woo hoo…let’s keep your momentum going. Set up a call and be prepared to launch that rocket!