Category: Productivity

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Get Organized More time in my day prioritize Productivity Time strategies

Focusing Forward and Being Present

The REAL answers to your Strategic Stuckness are embedded in the question: “if it’s so easy, why aren’t we all doing it?” We’ll dive deeper into THAT on our call 9/11/17, but for now, let’s jump into some effective FOCUSING strategies!

This is for you if ANY of these feel true:

– You start out with a plan

– Your plan is a joke by day’s end and you’re asking “why bother?”

– You start out without a plan…responding to emergencies (which somehow don’t quit)

Or, maybe it’s not THAT intense. You are keeping up with your work. But, you need to up your game, get to your next level. Wherever you are, you need to do something NEW to get NEW results.

Here are my favorite ways to focus forward and stay in the moment. Wait, what?

  1. Know WHY you are doing what you are doing: This may sound silly. Does it? Think about it. If the work you are doing adds up to something you REALLY want, you’ll put aside those distractions with more ease. Right? Remember, this is your Strategic Work. This is what is getting you to your Next Level! That’s focusing forward while staying in the moment.
  2. Remove your distractions; your favorite diversions: Even when you know “why,” distractions can be really powerful. Remove them. Shut off your phone. Then, go ahead and set your timer. Set it for an amount of time to get some traction on your project. I recommend at least 30 minutes, but no more than one hour.
  3. Take a break: That’s right! Get up and move. Get away from the computer. I recommend at least every two hours, but every hour is great, even for 5 minutes to get a glass of water. Movement stimulates the brain, and we want to do our best work, right? Just be careful to come back…don’t get distracted with someone else’s issue (or the issue in your own mind unless it’s life or death!) We are Staying Strategic here.

Many other strategies will work for staying focused and strategic. What are your favorite? What trips you up? Feel free to share here on my blog and/or come to the call on 9.11.17 at noon eastern and share.

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Evernote Get Organized Productivity

How Evernote can help “the disorganized” feel organized

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!

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Productivity

4 Strategies to Success

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. 17th, 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:

  1. Bookend to success
  2. Map Your Time
  3. Take Inventory
  4. 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.

  1. 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?

  1. Set annual goals (you likely have done this)
  2. Set quarterly goals (you may have done this)
  3. Set monthly goals

Here’s the process!

  1. On the first business day in January, look at the above 3 goals.
  2. Focus on the month of January. Which goals are the most important?
  3. Find a goal that can be translated into three actions for the week.
  4. Insert those actions into your calendar as appointments.
  5. At the end of the week, review the goals and associated actions. Did you complete them?
  6. If not, carry them to next week.
  7. Look at the rest of January and repeat this for the 2nd week of January.
  8. 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.
  9. Do this each week.
  10. At the end of January, do your bookending for January. Did you achieve what you set out to do? Did you exceed your goal?
  11. 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!

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Productivity

The ABCs of Productivity -as it relates to our country’s condition today

WAIT: How can these two topics – productivity and uncertainty- possibly be related?

A few weeks ago, one of my current clients asked me to write about the ABCs of Productivity, which I had presented to her professional group some time beforehand. However, If I did not relate this topic to the events of November 8 and over that week, into today, I would not be relevant. With that in mind, please consider the following as you move through your days and weeks to come:

The ABC’s of Productivity

A= Accept your reality

B= Be bold. Be brave.

C= Creativity is King.

“A”- Accept Your Reality- is more important than ever before. While all were surprised, and many folks very upset with the outcome of November 8, the reality is here. From Rupture comes Rapture, always. It’s a universal truth. We are on the brink of something, although what the “something” is, we don’t know. Actions to take:

  • Accept your thoughts and feelings.
  • Understand where you are today.
  • Make a Big Plan. Look out 6 months, into the unknown, and visualize your goal.

Look out 6 months- into the Unknown

“B” – Act boldly and make a difference. How can you tap into your truth and let your light shine? Actions to take:

  • Assuming your 6-month goal finds you/your team looking different from today, you’ll need to determine your paradigm shift and small steps to begin shifting.
  • True leadership is needed now more than ever. Be the bold leader that you are.
  • When you fear making the next step to the point where you don’t take that step, break down the step to be so very small that it seems like simply crossing a threshold.
  • Here’s a sheet to download, to help you take those bold actions and break them down into daily tasks <provide link to power planner template under documents: https://coachesconsole.com/v3/uploads/supplements/power-planner-template_d1eee49e3b6bb.pdf>

“C” – Creativity is King. People like to be entertained. We like to have fun. When we have fun AND get something done….we’ll do it more. So be creative in your plans. Be fearless. Push beyond the envelope of normal if you want true greatness. Yes, you’ll get some push-back. Ideas:

  • Create contests with prizes
  • Involve the whole team in your change process where appropriate
  • Allow some “failure” in the name of delegation and buy-in

Once you’ve started down the path of ABC’s, you’ll want to implement the 4 Strategies to Success along the way. Watch for those in the coming weeks. If you can’t wait, let’s set up a complimentary Success Strategy Meeting and we’ll get you started on your own Personal or Team Productivity journey right away: http://eps-time.coachesconsole.com/calendar.

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More time in my day multitasking prioritize Productivity Time strategies

A new viewpoint when considering how to “Take Charge of Your Time.”

Time…how do you define it? Here are 2 terms referring to TIME.

Chronos or Kairos? What does this mean to you, if anything? Are we in ancient Greece yet? How are these two Time Definitions affecting my productivity?

The difference profoundly affects how we live our lives.

When we think about time in the abstract, or Chronos, there’s not generally a sense of urgency. While this can be helpful in some cases, it can also be a breeding ground for procrastination. Conversely, Kairos embodies time in our lives. Kairos says, “if I want to ‘be successful’ at my job, I need to nail down what means, and take some action as my first step.”

When reading studies by psychologists, there are 2 kinds of regret based on the age of the subject being interviewed. People their 20s regretted poor choices that got them into trouble or caused embarrassment. These range from cheating on exams to romantic interests/failures. As a result, the younger set seeks to avoid risks so that they are in the “safe zone.” Conversely, people in their 70s and 80s regretted not taking MORE chances. Their mantra is “do it while you can.” Perhaps they wanted to switch careers or learn to tap dance, but they did not act. They see the value of acting when the time is ripe.

The lesson in this? You guessed it. We’re talking about the value of goal setting, and more importantly, step-by-step goal ACHIEVING. We all have “Chronos” in our lives. Chronos tells us there will be a time to do this or that. And, he is right. There will be. But Kairos reminds us that if we wait forever, we’ll look back and wonder what happened. We might even find ourselves saying,

“Where did the time go?”

If you are ready to put Chronos in his place, and start taking action for a change, please read the article below, download the 7 steps to success, or call me for a complimentary time breakthrough session.

Finish 2016 with the pride in knowing you are poised for an even more successful 2017. I know you can.

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AD/HD file systems Get Organized More time in my day prioritize procrastination Productivity productivity in the workplace project systems Time strategies

An Easy Way to be your Best Self

Most people I run into say they’d like to be more productive. So, I offer a magic pill for $9.95. I’m kidding, of course.

…Do you ever beat yourself up for not being perfectly productive 100% of the time?

The first step (really) in the ABCs of Productivity is to Accept your reality. This means you must accept yourself. To accept yourself, you must understand yourself. Here’s a snippet entitled “Understand Thyself” from a recent workshop: CLICK HERE

Once you do two things, (1) accept yourself and (2) understand yourself, the stage is set. You are getting closer to being “100% productive.”

In this article, we’ll review the four steps to take you through this self-discovery process. By taking the time to complete this process, you’ll be rewarded with a renewed self-understanding, setting the stage for personal and professional growth and productivity. For you readers who are ready to start achieving, please Contact Me and set up a complimentary Discovery call to eliminate those productivity gremlins for good.

Ready? Let’s get started right now with step one, which is a 4-part question:

Step One: Ask yourself, when are you at your best? (note: This is something most of us never consider. Yet, when considered and followed, a BIG DIFFERENCE can be seen.)

– What time of day do you have the most energy?
– How much rest and/or sleep would you have had?
– What foods would you have eaten (or avoided)?
– What would your family relationships look like?
This may seem simple, and not really related to productivity or achieving more. You may have been looking for that magic pill. It may surprise you to learn that while STRATEGIES are important, knowing where you are at a baseline is critical.

Step two: How are my current work systems doing? What is working great, and what could use some upgrading? Systems to consider: calendar, correspondence, task management, file management, priority management, long range planning.

Step Three: Dare to detail your TRUE desires (know thyself)! With this exercise, you have permission to think big, be brave, and be bold. If you don’t stretch you may never grow. So go ahead and ask yourself…if I am REALLY TRUE to myself….
– What does my work look like?
– What is my life like?
– What qualities do my clients have?
– How do I feel?

Step Four: What do you think might be preventing you from achieving the desires you just outlined above?

Bonus Step: Do something- anything- no matter how small- today. What one tiny step can you take to achieve your true desire? For example, if you think you might want to someday get your Master’s at the local college can you spend 15 minutes at lunch perusing the fall offerings?

I hope this article helps you understand yourself.

To get the most benefit, and fill it in yourself. Refer to it daily, just for 5 minutes. Remember, what you do every day shapes our future. Success, then, is a habit. Remember, your coach and accountability person are just a call or email away!

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