Monday, February 27, 2017

To Say No is Say Yes to Success – Focus on What Needs Your Attention

Say NoI love this quote by Warren Buffet, “The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything.”

 

Let that sink in. Because it’s important.

 

It’s also really, really hard for a lot of people. I get it. You want to be helpful. You want to be the team player. You want to get the accolades of being the “yes” person. You like staying crazy busy. HOWEVER, there’s a flipside to that coin.

When we say YES to EVERYTHING, we don’t often leave room for opportunities that we otherwise might have and there is little or no strategy to our time management.

Top producers, exceptional earners – are strategic thinkers.  They pay ATTENTION.  They know exactly what their bandwidth is at any given time of any given day.  In order to be on top of their game, they keep their sights close to the high priority activities that take them closer to their goals each day.  Are you doing that as well?

 

Here are a few ways saying NO can lead to a bigger success YES:

 

  • It eliminates distractions and keep the focus on the goals
  • Allows you to use resources more effectively (time and talent)
  • Puts you on a path to be a more focused leader
  • Narrows your choices, keeping focus crystal clear
  • Preserve your energy (physical and mental)
  • Allows you to fail faster (and yes that’s a good thing)
  • Allows you to fail smarter (love a great learning curve)
  • Makes you more honest (How many times did you really want to say NO before?)

 

Saying no when people ask you to help them with projects or attend an event you don’t want to doesn’t make you rude. Or a bad friend. Or bad team member.  It makes you focused and keeps you on track. I often say you don’t have time to do EVERYTHING, only time to do what matters.

 

“But Neen!  How do I say NO?” Let me help you. “Thank you for your kind invitation, however, I am unable to join you.”  That’s it. Don’t overcomplicate it. Don’t throw excuses or fibs at it. Just say, kindly and politely, “no thank you.”

 

In the book, Anything You Want, Derek Sivers says, “When you say no to most things you leave room in your life to throw yourself completely into that rare thing that makes you say, ‘HELL YEAH!’” I love that and you should too.  Why? Because EVERYONE’S life deserves a whole lot more ‘Hell Yeah’ moments.

 

Say no to the things that DON’T take you closer to your goal, get you excited, make you want to jump out of bed or move you forward. That way there is room to say YES to all the things that DO.  I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share them with us here!

 

The post To Say No is Say Yes to Success – Focus on What Needs Your Attention appeared first on Neen James.

Tuesday, February 21, 2017

How Attention Pays for Meeting Professionals


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How Attention Pays for Meeting Professionals


Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/VSvTwj-1DLQ
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Pay Attention to Your Influence. Influence Redefined – Book Review

Buy this book to be influential Monday to Monday

I have smart friends. When I received my copy of Influence Redefined: Be the Leader You were Meant to Be by Stacey Hanke, I squealed with delight.

Stacey is a dear friend, my accountability partner, an awesome speaker and one of the strongest communicators I know. She travels the globe sharing with Fortune 500 companies how to be more influential.

This book is like sitting with Stacey in one of her executive coaching sessions.

Full of strategies to be the most influential leader Monday to Monday® Stacey shares practical advice for every leader. The book is also filled with great case studies, bonus assessment tools and videos. When I started reading I couldn’t put this down.

She challenges the reader that you may not be as influential as you think! I love the contextual model she outlines in the book and the action items and executive summary in each chapter.

This is a MUST read for everyone this year. Read it, apply it and buy copies for your team. This book makes for a great coaching and discussion tool for you and your team. Influence Redefined helps individuals create a consistent personal brand. The value readers receive is through the practical skills and techniques they can apply in their day-to-day interactions, both at work and home. The book offers how-to’s for communicating with brevity, clear and concise messages, adapting messages on the fly to meet listeners’ needs and reaching a call-to-action.

Check out Influence Redefined today.

Want to know more about what you can expect? Check out my online review:

 

The most requested topics this year revolve around sales, service and leadership. Call me today to learn how getting your team’s ATTENTION and teaching them innovative strategies in these areas can catapult your company’s ability to compete.

The post Pay Attention to Your Influence. Influence Redefined – Book Review appeared first on Neen James.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Pay Attention to Peloton (and life lessons it teaches)

Peloton Cycle

Photo Courtesy of www.PelotonCycle.com

I joined a cult. All right, not quite. But close!

It started at Christmas. I blame my best friend.  We were in NYC, our annual tradition, with my two adorable goddaughters and my incredibly smart (and fit), best friend. She told me about her new obsession, a Peloton.  No, not the Tour de France group of riders but the sexy spin bike that people are buying for their homes. (If you haven’t already – check out their crazy-hot ads on TV.)

So, I jumped in.

Bought myself one for Christmas without any real knowledge or experience. I thought hey, I used to spin! How hard could it be? (Answer: hard but ah-mazing!)

Here’s where the message gets crazy interesting though.  First, I am not the fittest person I know.  To my credit, I am addicted to barre3 in my local Doylestown studio. I do love to run – but outside! This winter treadmill training is revolting! But now, putting something else in the mix?  Buying the Peloton on a whim?  I wasn’t sure if I would even use it. But what I DID do? Was buy the matching shoes (of course) and all the accessories so I would look cute when riding my new obsession – even though I had never done it. What does THAT tell you?

It tells you they did some things very right.  Look at me. I teach branding. Productivity. Marketing. Sales.  And yet? I was hooked. Addicted even.  Since hopping on the Peloton bandwagon, there is literally not a day that goes by when I am not riding my bike. In fact? Some days–I ride twice.  Take that a step further.  When I was away on vacation recently, I used the Peloton app at the hotel gym. Yep. That hooked.

And it’s not just me. It’s the Peloton brand. It’s their business model and how they are pay ATTENTION to their community. And you know me with ATTENTION!

Here are three lessons we can all learn from the Peloton bike (and brand):

 

Make it Sexy. The bike is sleek, the website is easy to navigate, don’t even get me started on the instructors and their insane bodies!  (For the record, Jennifer Jacobs abs are to die for.) The packaging, the language, the people and they even have their own line of clothing! That’s brilliant when you want to makes sure that everything looks and feels consistent.

 

Make it Fun. My friend shared with me last night an interesting fact – that internet businesses and events very often find that people ‘come for the content but stay for the community’. RIGHT? That has been the most interesting component about my Peloton purchase. In my experience? The 20K+ riders on Facebook who are like a cult, obsessed with the rides, health and the instructors in the most positive way I have ever seen. They have created a fun tribe of strangers who hold each other accountable, cheer each other along and post their wins. I have seen people raise money for to help strangers afflicted with illness, share heartache and hurt, and one girl who rode eight times in one day! (Now that’s insanity). The whole brand and experience so far has been fun (while it absolutely kicks my butt and I am breathless and unglamorous).

 

Make it matter. Peloton instructors regularly recognize rides with shout outs of unique rider names who are on the live rides alongside them. You can track how you are progressing against other rides on the leaderboard just so you know. Hmmm, I might be a little competitive. People share their results and post their Personal Records (PR) and the company keeps surprising subscribers with new features, new workouts (on and off the bike).  Regular software updates are shared on their Facebook page before they even occur. Truth be told? It might be like what Tesla owners experience when they wake up and their software has been updated, then all of a sudden, their car can drive itself!

 

So, here’s my question to you: How can you Peloton? In other words, what do you need to do to make your customer experience or your product line more sexy, fun and make your audience matter? How can you pay ATTENTION to these three things that can take your organization, your brand – your business to the next level? When you answer that? You can have customers like me!  Who feel like becoming part of something – the Peloton experience – is the best thing that can happen to them?  I love it. I hope your team can learn from that kind of customer buy-in.  Oh, and now?  I’m off for another ride! Want to join me?

I’d love to hear your thoughts! Share them here and let me know what sparked your interest!  I’d also like to share some strategies that can take your brand to spectacular heights.  Call me today to find out the inside scoop!

The post Pay Attention to Peloton (and life lessons it teaches) appeared first on Neen James.

Tuesday, February 14, 2017

5 Love Languages: Pay Attention at Work, Home and in Your Community

love languagesHave you heard of this powerful little book called 5 Love Languages?

Have you read this New York Times Best Selling book?

I read it over 20 years ago and yet the advice outlined is as true today as it was back them.

In corporations we use tools to assess our communication style, our personalities, and our productivity …. wouldn’t it be fun to see how we show others we care. We can! This book is valuable reading for every executive, entrepreneur and pretty much anyone.

Take this online free assessment tool to discover your love language. Click here: Maybe even share this with someone you love and see what their love languages are too.

If you want to show more attention to those your share your life with, pay special attention to their love language. We often communicate in the way we want to be communicated with.

We often communicate in the way we want to be communicated with and yet we can have more impact on others when we communicate in the way they want to receive it. By paying attention to others it is easier to care for them they way they want.

When I was first married my love language was ‘gifts’.  I LOVE giving presents and receiving. I absolutely LOVE giving presents to others and over the years my love language shifted.

Pick up a copy of this little book, it’s an easy read, and start to find ways you can love those around you in the way they want to be loved.

 

What’s your love language? Determine your love languages and discover how you can:

  • Connect with customers, employees, peers and more
  • Use your love language to communicate and influence
  • Determine what motivates your employees

 

Are sales, productivity, engagement and accountability top on your to-do list this year?  Call me today to find out why my Attention Pays!

The post 5 Love Languages: Pay Attention at Work, Home and in Your Community appeared first on Neen James.

Become a Productivity Superhero – Pay Attention to Time

productivity superheroWe all wish we could fold time so we could have twice as many hours to whittle down our constantly growing to-do list. And guess what? While you can’t actually change the space-time continuum, you can develop systems and become your own productivity superhero based on your own unique skills and talents.

In a recent MeetingsNet webinar, I shared these three practical strategies you can implement today to get more done—to become your own productivity superhero!

1. Conquer the world in 15 minutes. Are you saying, “But Neen, there’s no time.”? You’re right: No one has an hour any more. But everyone has 15 minutes. Think about all you can do in 15 minutes! Clear emails—boom! Make a phone call—yes! Call a property to organize a walk-through—yep!

Invest in a 15-minute strategic appointment with yourself every morning and choose your top three, non-negotiable activities to complete before your head hits the pillow tonight and voila, instant superhero status!

2. Say No.  I hear you saying, “Neen, I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings” or “I don’t want to disappoint people.” I know, I know! But “no” can be your new best friend when it comes to productivity.

No is a complete sentence. We need to say “no” more often so we can say “yes” and give our attention to those things that really matter.

That’s my focus. My very simple “why.” I use the very simplicity to determine where I want to spend my time, which in turn becomes a filtering system for time choices. What do you need to say no to so that you can focus on the things, people, projects, and events that are most important to you?

3. Schedule recovery time. As busy meeting professionals, we are always standing in service of everyone else. Make time for you.

When you are planning a huge event or meeting, schedule a recovery appointment for yourself. That might involve time with your family, or time at the spa (my fave), or a catch up with a girlfriend. What do you need to do to top up your energy and feel strong for the next big event or project? Protecting your mental and physical energy is vital if you want to be a productivity superhero and save the world, one event at a time!

Some of my go-to apps to make life easier (and to help you get more done include:

Cozi—a shopping app you can share with your family for grocery shopping and calendar management.

Freedom—a website-blocking app

Moment—but only use this one if you want to scare yourself by seeing how much time you spend on your device daily

Hootsuite—to pre-schedule tweets for your events and manage multiple conversations

If you want to be a productivity superhero, choose one of these strategies, and implement it, and then tweet me @neenjames and copy @MeetingsNet and let me know what you implemented!

Don’t forget—you don’t have time to do everything. You only have time to do what matters.

Wishing you success and superhero productivity status in 2017. I’m here to help!

Want to learn what it takes to get team members to pay ATTENTION to the strategies that create unstoppable success? Call me today and receive my white paper filled with Tips to Help Leaders Pay More ATTENTION to Their Teams. 

The post Become a Productivity Superhero – Pay Attention to Time appeared first on Neen James.

Monday, February 13, 2017

Influence Redefined - Stacey Hanke's Latest Book Reviewed


Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/cyHji9b5JqA
via CHANNEL TITLE

5 Love Languages: Show Love and Pay Attention to Others Around You


Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/O9XJ3mqANuA
via CHANNEL TITLE

Influence Redefined - Stacey Hanke's Latest Book Reviewed


Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/cyHji9b5JqA
via CHANNEL TITLE

5 Love Languages: Show Love and Pay Attention to Others Around You


Watch video on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/O9XJ3mqANuA
via CHANNEL TITLE

5 Love Languages: Pay Attention at Work, Home and in Your Community

love languagesHave you heard of this powerful little book called 5 Love Languages?

Have you read this New York Times Best Selling book?

I read it over 20 years ago and yet the advice outlined is as true today as it was back them.

In corporations we use tools to assess our communication style, our personalities, and our productivity …. wouldn’t it be fun to see how we show others we care. We can! This book is valuable reading for every executive, entrepreneur and pretty much anyone.

Take this online free assessment tool to discover your love language. Click here: Maybe even share this with someone you love and see what their love languages are too.

If you want to show more attention to those your share your life with, pay special attention to their love language. We often communicate in the way we want to be communicated with.

We often communicate in the way we want to be communicated with and yet we can have more impact on others when we communicate in the way they want to receive it. By paying attention to others it is easier to care for them they way they want.

When I was first married my love language was ‘gifts’.  I LOVE giving presents and receiving. I absolutely LOVE giving presents to others and over the years my love language shifted.

Pick up a copy of this little book, it’s an easy read, and start to find ways you can love those around you in the way they want to be loved.

 

What’s your love language? Determine your love languages and discover how you can:

  • Connect with customers, employees, peers and more
  • Use your love language to communicate and influence
  • Determine what motivates your employees

 

Are sales, productivity, engagement and accountability top on your to-do list this year?  Call me today to find out why my Attention Pays!

The post 5 Love Languages: Pay Attention at Work, Home and in Your Community appeared first on Neen James.

Thursday, February 09, 2017

Become a Productivity Superhero – Pay Attention to Time

productivity superheroWe all wish we could fold time so we could have twice as many hours to whittle down our constantly growing to-do list. And guess what? While you can’t actually change the space-time continuum, you can develop systems and become your own productivity superhero based on your own unique skills and talents.

In a recent MeetingsNet webinar, I shared these three practical strategies you can implement today to get more done—to become your own productivity superhero!

1. Conquer the world in 15 minutes. Are you saying, “But Neen, there’s no time.”? You’re right: No one has an hour any more. But everyone has 15 minutes. Think about all you can do in 15 minutes! Clear emails—boom! Make a phone call—yes! Call a property to organize a walk-through—yep!

Invest in a 15-minute strategic appointment with yourself every morning and choose your top three, non-negotiable activities to complete before your head hits the pillow tonight and voila, instant superhero status!

2. Say No.  I hear you saying, “Neen, I don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings” or “I don’t want to disappoint people.” I know, I know! But “no” can be your new best friend when it comes to productivity.

No is a complete sentence. We need to say “no” more often so we can say “yes” and give our attention to those things that really matter.

That’s my focus. My very simple “why.” I use the very simplicity to determine where I want to spend my time, which in turn becomes a filtering system for time choices. What do you need to say no to so that you can focus on the things, people, projects, and events that are most important to you?

3. Schedule recovery time. As busy meeting professionals, we are always standing in service of everyone else. Make time for you.

When you are planning a huge event or meeting, schedule a recovery appointment for yourself. That might involve time with your family, or time at the spa (my fave), or a catch up with a girlfriend. What do you need to do to top up your energy and feel strong for the next big event or project? Protecting your mental and physical energy is vital if you want to be a productivity superhero and save the world, one event at a time!

Some of my go-to apps to make life easier (and to help you get more done include:

Cozi—a shopping app you can share with your family for grocery shopping and calendar management.

Freedom—a website-blocking app

Moment—but only use this one if you want to scare yourself by seeing how much time you spend on your device daily

Hootsuite—to pre-schedule tweets for your events and manage multiple conversations

If you want to be a productivity superhero, choose one of these strategies, and implement it, and then tweet me @neenjames and copy @MeetingsNet and let me know what you implemented!

Don’t forget—you don’t have time to do everything. You only have time to do what matters.

Wishing you success and superhero productivity status in 2017. I’m here to help!

Want to learn what it takes to get team members to pay ATTENTION to the strategies that create unstoppable success? Call me today and receive my white paper filled with Tips to Help Leaders Pay More ATTENTION to Their Teams. 

The post Become a Productivity Superhero – Pay Attention to Time appeared first on Neen James.

Monday, February 06, 2017

ATTENTION to Company and Community: What a Difference Focus Makes

hands together community friendship give charity helpReal magic happens for organizations whose interests branch out beyond their physical walls and into the community around them.  It creates a powerful “people connection” that benefits company team members as much as community members. It’s the perfect win-win.

 

So, what can YOU do to help create that community connection within your company? Let’s take a look!

 

  1. Create a ‘give back’ initiative. I love when companies get super creative with how they give back to their communities. One of my clients, Comcast chooses a day every year where their entire teams go out and service the community and they call it Comcast Cares. Everyone has a great time and serves a terrific cause.  It can be simple ways, such as providing a meeting space for a local charity to congregate. Or allowing students or community members to come into your organization to learn more about what your team does and help them skill build.
  2. Encourage giving. Some of my clients do this by giving their employees one or two days per year dedicated to community service projects. Others have created awesome “matching” programs where they will match employee contributions to specific charities.  I’ve also seen companies who create reward programs for employees who are community minded, honoring a different team member each month, for example, for their outreach initiatives.  Or a combination of all the above might work for your team as well!
  3. Choose a charity. When I work with meeting planners, often they’ll choose a charity that is specific to the area in which the event is being held.  For example, a national organization partnered with Habitat for Humanity after Hurricane Katrina and brought the organization’s team members down into the lower ninth ward to frame new houses during the rebuild of that devastated area.   When I work with Trinity Health, they are wonderful about going out into the community where their event is and choosing a local charity based on needs.  I know real estate organizations and credit unions that host annual coat drives for kids, or support their local food banks.  Get creative, and choose a charity that feels right for your team.
  4. Invest skills. One idea that I find works fantastically is when organizations create programs to teach skills to members of the communities. For example, you might have a mentor program where interns can come in and learn necessary skills they’ll need to get jobs in your industry. Or it could be local moms who are eager to rejoin the work force but need to strengthen their skills before returning to the job market. Perhaps a youth-development program might work where you can work students from the local schools? What can you do to invest in the skills of the people around you?
  5. Provide internship opportunities. Take step four to the next level and create a true internship program that will help create future leaders. One of my clients, JKJ, which stands for Johnson, Kendall, Johnson, has a phenomenal mentoring and intern program. They are committed to creating and nurturing those valuable mentor/protégé relationships in their community.  Providing safe, valuable learning environments is a great way to give back to your community and to brand your team as the company that cares enough to invest in the people around them.  And that? Is good business.

 

I’d love to hear some of your ideas! Share them with us and let me know what YOUR team is doing to give back and how that has made a difference in your lives!

 

Meet Neen James: Force of nature. Boundless energy. Timely topics. Laugh out loud fun. Eye opening ideas. Take-aways that create positive change. Sound like what YOU’RE looking for? Then Motivational Keynote Speaker Neen James is the woman to call!

 

Want more tips and ideas for how you can pay attention to what matters most? Sign up for Neen’s newsletter now!


The post ATTENTION to Company and Community: What a Difference Focus Makes appeared first on Neen James.