Having just returned from a 2 week trip to Australia it was confirmed to me that the best way to be productive is to get help.
While I was away my brilliant business manager, Maria Novey, ran the office, managed my email, handled all client enquiries - well she did everything,way too much to list here. It was fantastic to come back after being away (and jet lagged) to know the business was running smoothly and my clients were happy.
Many people buy into the myth that 'I have to do it all myself' or 'It is quicker to do it myself' - that is a productivity myth and a productivity killer. Yes it does take more time to explain how to do something to someone and yes it does require more trust to delegate tasks to someone else but in the longer term your productivity will increase and your peace of mind will be greater.
Today decide to get help. Increase your productivity by getting help. Seek it out. If you can't invest in an assistant recruit help from your kids, your neighbors or a colleague at work. Start small, choose a task and decide to get help. I personally promise you will be more productive.
For more tips check out www.neenjames.com
Showing posts with label productivity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label productivity. Show all posts
Friday, November 21, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
Productive Creativity: Boost your creative skills
Productive Creativity
In the late 1950’s Dr Roger Sperry began his research regarding the brain, Sperry’s work (later earned him a Nobel Prize for medicine in 1980’s) proved the brain is divided into two major areas: the right and left brain. His research also identified that each of the part of the brain specializes in its own style of thinking and has different capacities.
What he discovered is the left is the basis of logical thought and the right brain is creativity.
The left brain is responsible for:
· Sequential thinking
· Sees details
· Logical cause and effect
· Uses facts
Speaks well
· Good with numbers
· Word puzzles
· Analyzes
· Names things
Ideas to increase your productive creativity:
· Be open
· Drive a different way to work
· Order an unusual meal
· Read magazines (fashion, travel, food)
· Ask more questions
· Visit an art museum
· Watch foreign films
· Travel abroad
· Be well read
· Try Neenstorming
· Surround yourself with creative people
· Take a walk
What else would you add to this list?
So today, ask yourself how can you increase your creativity at work?
Recommended resources
Eureka Ranch - http://www.eurekaranch.com/
Jumpstart your Marketing Brain – Doug Hall
Jumpstart your Business Brain – Doug Hall
10 Foundations of Motivation – Shawn Doyle
In the late 1950’s Dr Roger Sperry began his research regarding the brain, Sperry’s work (later earned him a Nobel Prize for medicine in 1980’s) proved the brain is divided into two major areas: the right and left brain. His research also identified that each of the part of the brain specializes in its own style of thinking and has different capacities.
What he discovered is the left is the basis of logical thought and the right brain is creativity.
The left brain is responsible for:
· Sequential thinking
· Sees details
· Logical cause and effect
· Uses facts
Speaks well
· Good with numbers
· Word puzzles
· Analyzes
· Names things
The right brain is responsible for:
· Insights
· Imagination
· Face Recognition
Spatial orientation
· Drama
· Metaphors
· Music
· Meditation/ Prayer
· Rap/rhyme
· Art/Colours
We want whole brain thinking.
Questions are a great technique to increase your creativity and stretch your thinking, these questions could be for clarification, probing assumptions, probing evidence and reasons, questioning viewpoints and probing consequences.
Great questions to ask
Who is this for? Who does this affect? Who else would benefit from this?
So what?
What is the story? What is the point? What exactly does this mean? What do we already know about this? What else can we assume? What would happen if we…? What other ways could we look at this? What are the pluses and minuses of…?
Where is the best place for this? Where do we want this story to go?
When is this due? When is action required?
How is this relevant? How is this important? How is this a story? How is this related to other projects/clients? How will that affect…?
Why do you think that? Why is this happening? Why is this better than…?
Ideas to increase your productive creativity:
· Be open
· Drive a different way to work
· Order an unusual meal
· Read magazines (fashion, travel, food)
· Ask more questions
· Visit an art museum
· Watch foreign films
· Travel abroad
· Be well read
· Try Neenstorming
· Surround yourself with creative people
· Take a walk
What else would you add to this list?
So today, ask yourself how can you increase your creativity at work?
Recommended resources
Eureka Ranch - http://www.eurekaranch.com/
Jumpstart your Marketing Brain – Doug Hall
Jumpstart your Business Brain – Doug Hall
10 Foundations of Motivation – Shawn Doyle
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Productive Phone Etiquette
You may remember a time before there were cell phones…a time when communications within organizations was more controlled and within business hours. Cell phones have created an ‘open all hours’ mentality for business (and pleasure). People now assume they can reach you at all hours and we have become dependent on the flexibility they give us.
There once was a time we had to schedule, plan, co-ordinate and know our way to a meeting or luncheon. Cell phones have now become a major distractor as we use them for phone conversations, receiving email and texting. I often see people in meetings not paying attention (checking their blackberry), couples at dinner (looking under the table at their phones for text and email) and parents supposedly playing with their kids or watching them play sport (while checking their messages). It is time to master phone etiquette, be fully present in conversations and stand out in the crowd.
Just ask. When my cell phone rings the first question I ask my caller is “how can I help you today?’ This simple, but polite question ensures they get right to the point, avoids chit chat, and ensures we are not spending too much time on the phone. If the caller is in for a long chat I suggest another time we can connect. Try this simple question and see if you spend less (not more) time on your cell phone.
Be present. If you are on the phone with a caller, give them your undivided attention. Too often we proudly ‘multi-task’ and don’t fully tune into conversations. This wastes time, kills productivity and causes us to miss important facts, ask for information to be restated and we can also miss ‘reading between the lines’ in conversations. Be fully present in your cell phone conversations.
Your voicemail. Create an informative voicemail message that provides callers with information about you and when you will get back to them. You might simply include your name, business name, contact details and/or website. Where possible try to record the message yourself so your callers hear your voice when they phone, instead of an automated voice message.
Size matters. Be considerate when leaving voicemails. This is not a time to tell a long and detailed story. It is the perfect opportunity to provide the facts about why you called, what you need and when they can get back to you.
Clear out. Daily check your voicemail messages and ensure you clear out all messages and return them within 24 hours wherever possible.
Reply quickly. Because of its immediacy, people expect fast replies to their voicemails. A response within 24-hours is probably as long as most people would consider appropriate. If you are unable to answer within 24 hours ensure your outgoing message tells callers when you will get back to them.
Watch your tone. Business communications used to all share a fairly dull, formal tone of voice however voicemail is more informal and conversational. It does allow for a more casual and personal approach. Ensure you always use a greeting (‘Hi’, ‘Hello’, ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good afternoon’ are probably more common ) and a sign off (‘looking forward to hearing from you’ or ‘ have a great day’).
Don’t answer. There are times when a cell phone should be switched to silent mode or completely turned off including the movies, meetings, meals in public places, church, temple and funerals. It is also inappropriate to answer in the bathroom (not to mention unhygienic!). Voicemail is a great resource for these times when you are unable to answer your phone.
Ask permission. When you are phoning someone on their cell phone inquire if this is a good time to talk. This simple question will allow them to respond and ensure you have a productive conversation. If it is not convenient to chat they can then suggest an alternative time.
Open hours. Common etiquette used to state you should never call someone before 9.00 am and after 9.00 pm. While business may open earlier than 9.00 am, this is a good standard to adhere to. Unless your know your colleague or client is an early riser it is best to wait until 9.00 am to call and to avoid ever calling clients after 9.00 pm at night.
Out of office. Just like an email ‘Out of Office’, if you are going to be unable to respond to voicemails within your usual timeframe, this might be because you are away or you need some quiet time, advise callers when they can expect to hear from you.
Remember cells phones are a fabulous tool if used productively and with sensitivity for those around you.
Neen is an International Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://www.neenjames.com/
There once was a time we had to schedule, plan, co-ordinate and know our way to a meeting or luncheon. Cell phones have now become a major distractor as we use them for phone conversations, receiving email and texting. I often see people in meetings not paying attention (checking their blackberry), couples at dinner (looking under the table at their phones for text and email) and parents supposedly playing with their kids or watching them play sport (while checking their messages). It is time to master phone etiquette, be fully present in conversations and stand out in the crowd.
Just ask. When my cell phone rings the first question I ask my caller is “how can I help you today?’ This simple, but polite question ensures they get right to the point, avoids chit chat, and ensures we are not spending too much time on the phone. If the caller is in for a long chat I suggest another time we can connect. Try this simple question and see if you spend less (not more) time on your cell phone.
Be present. If you are on the phone with a caller, give them your undivided attention. Too often we proudly ‘multi-task’ and don’t fully tune into conversations. This wastes time, kills productivity and causes us to miss important facts, ask for information to be restated and we can also miss ‘reading between the lines’ in conversations. Be fully present in your cell phone conversations.
Your voicemail. Create an informative voicemail message that provides callers with information about you and when you will get back to them. You might simply include your name, business name, contact details and/or website. Where possible try to record the message yourself so your callers hear your voice when they phone, instead of an automated voice message.
Size matters. Be considerate when leaving voicemails. This is not a time to tell a long and detailed story. It is the perfect opportunity to provide the facts about why you called, what you need and when they can get back to you.
Clear out. Daily check your voicemail messages and ensure you clear out all messages and return them within 24 hours wherever possible.
Reply quickly. Because of its immediacy, people expect fast replies to their voicemails. A response within 24-hours is probably as long as most people would consider appropriate. If you are unable to answer within 24 hours ensure your outgoing message tells callers when you will get back to them.
Watch your tone. Business communications used to all share a fairly dull, formal tone of voice however voicemail is more informal and conversational. It does allow for a more casual and personal approach. Ensure you always use a greeting (‘Hi’, ‘Hello’, ‘Good morning’ and ‘Good afternoon’ are probably more common ) and a sign off (‘looking forward to hearing from you’ or ‘ have a great day’).
Don’t answer. There are times when a cell phone should be switched to silent mode or completely turned off including the movies, meetings, meals in public places, church, temple and funerals. It is also inappropriate to answer in the bathroom (not to mention unhygienic!). Voicemail is a great resource for these times when you are unable to answer your phone.
Ask permission. When you are phoning someone on their cell phone inquire if this is a good time to talk. This simple question will allow them to respond and ensure you have a productive conversation. If it is not convenient to chat they can then suggest an alternative time.
Open hours. Common etiquette used to state you should never call someone before 9.00 am and after 9.00 pm. While business may open earlier than 9.00 am, this is a good standard to adhere to. Unless your know your colleague or client is an early riser it is best to wait until 9.00 am to call and to avoid ever calling clients after 9.00 pm at night.
Out of office. Just like an email ‘Out of Office’, if you are going to be unable to respond to voicemails within your usual timeframe, this might be because you are away or you need some quiet time, advise callers when they can expect to hear from you.
Remember cells phones are a fabulous tool if used productively and with sensitivity for those around you.
Neen is an International Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://www.neenjames.com/
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Productivity: Don't close a sale, open a relationship
While preparing for a presentation this week I was thinking about how I had created a brand new business, reputation and profile in the US after moving from Sydney, Australia 3 years ago. I believe the 5 steps in building productive relationships are:
1. Reach Out - when I first moved here I constantly asked people who they knew, who were the 'movers and shakers' in Philadelphia that I needed to meet. People want to help you, you just need to ask.
2. Network - my whole US business was built on networking. Identify strategic alliances, groups you want to be involved with and serve and volunteer whenever you can.
3. Serve - by constantly asking the question "How can I help you" I was able to learn more about people, their businesses and what they needed. I was forever (and still am) making email introductions to people who needed to meet each other. I also served on many committees and events and currently serve on 3 Board of Directors too.
4. Follow up - do you know that less than 1% of people follow up! That is crazy! We invest so much time and energy on building new contacts, sales prospects and yet we don't invest the energy to follow up. This could include hand written notes, phone calls, coffee appoitments, sending magazine or articles to potential clients, sending them an interesting book or CD - follow up is key.
5. Persist - if you really beleive you want to be in business then you must decide to be persistent. Just because your proposal or product is important to you, it isn't necessarily importat to your potential client or connection. To stay top of mind of others you must persist, persist, persist.
Building productive relationships means you don't ever close a sale, you simply open a relationship.
1. Reach Out - when I first moved here I constantly asked people who they knew, who were the 'movers and shakers' in Philadelphia that I needed to meet. People want to help you, you just need to ask.
2. Network - my whole US business was built on networking. Identify strategic alliances, groups you want to be involved with and serve and volunteer whenever you can.
3. Serve - by constantly asking the question "How can I help you" I was able to learn more about people, their businesses and what they needed. I was forever (and still am) making email introductions to people who needed to meet each other. I also served on many committees and events and currently serve on 3 Board of Directors too.
4. Follow up - do you know that less than 1% of people follow up! That is crazy! We invest so much time and energy on building new contacts, sales prospects and yet we don't invest the energy to follow up. This could include hand written notes, phone calls, coffee appoitments, sending magazine or articles to potential clients, sending them an interesting book or CD - follow up is key.
5. Persist - if you really beleive you want to be in business then you must decide to be persistent. Just because your proposal or product is important to you, it isn't necessarily importat to your potential client or connection. To stay top of mind of others you must persist, persist, persist.
Building productive relationships means you don't ever close a sale, you simply open a relationship.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Increase your Productivity: Get a Mastermind
One of the secrets to my personal and career success has been the establishment of a mastermind group. Don’t know what this is? Well it is a group of like minded people who act like a Board of Directors for your personal and work life.
In Chapter 10 of Napoleon Hill’s inspirational book ‘Think and Grow Rich’, he defines the mastermind as ‘coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose’. I like this definition and believe if you want to accelerate your personal development and productivity a mastermind group will be the best investment you can make.
I deeply admire and respect the members of my mastermind group, we have been meeting now for 18 months and I have learnt so much from each of them. When I interviewed them on what they thought was important in a mastermind group they used words like:
Small
Trustworthy individuals
Honesty
Accountability
Giving and supportive
Raises the bar on your own performance
Gives you a 30 ft view of your own business
Gives you a different perspective
Allows you to see opportunities and potential you may not have seen on your own
Makes you get out of the ‘day to day’ operations
The key is the right combination of people
It is group cantered
These definitions are vital to any group that meets and I would add some additional thoughts.
Meet regularly – our group meets on the same Monday night each month for 2 hours at the same restaurant. We share dinner, good news, and career and personal highlights. This commitment is one of my most important and enjoyable appointments in my month. I look forward to seeing them each month and I make it a priority in my scheduling.
Choose a location – we meet in a central restaurant and the staff know us, they provide a private room, understand the format of our meeting and take our orders quickly, deliver drinks and food in a timely manner and allow us to finish on time by bringing the bill quickly too. Choose a quiet place that allows you to speak freely, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Educate the event staff of your format and it will make your meeting time more productive also.
Keep it small – less than 6 people is a good number for a group like this. It allows each person to share their good news each month and also allows time for one member to be a spotlight for discussion.
Create guidelines – determine what your group will look like, act like, create an agenda and decide what is important to you. You might like to read Chapter 10 of ‘Think and Grow Rich’ for some ideas.
Decide the agenda – our group has the same format each month which makes it fun and easy to prepare. Every month we rotate the chair of the meeting, we each share our good news and highlights and then we focus our attention on one team member. That team members knows they are the month’s spotlight and they are free to share anything with us i.e. it could be a business or personal challenge, request for strategic guidance or request to brainstorm ideas. Each of the team members then listens intently to their needs and wants and looks for ways to help, promote, grow or encourage that member. It is a great formula and we each leave the meeting on a high positive note knowing we have shared with each other and also inspired each other.
Share successes – one of my favourite meetings recently was where 4 of the 5 members each had launched a new book! We all shared in the thrill and excitement of being an author (some for the first time), and everyone left feeling they could conquer the world! This is the perfect place to share the good news in your work and personal life.
Be fully present – when we meet, each person is totally engaged in the conversation, fully present and completely listening to the others. This is an essential criteria to ensure you all have the benefit of each other’s wisdom and experience.
Be 100% authentic – it is an honour to share 2 hours with this group each month as they are themselves, 100% of the time! This is a unique environment and for a mastermind to be successful one criteria needs to be that each individual is able to express themselves, their values and their beliefs in the group.
Choose wisely – when you are ready to set up a mastermind group you want to make sure you choose the right combination of people. Our group has entrepreneurs and corporate people, men and women, different ages and nationalities. This diverse group has different perspectives and experiences that benefit the whole group. Try and find a combination of people who can inspire and challenge others in the group to be their very best.
These simple but effective guidelines can help you create a powerful set of minds that will help accelerate your thinking, share your growth and rocket charge your personal success. Start looking for other members today!
Neen James is an International Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice (Aussie accent), sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more and subscribe to Neen’s free monthly ezine at http://neenjames.com/
In Chapter 10 of Napoleon Hill’s inspirational book ‘Think and Grow Rich’, he defines the mastermind as ‘coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose’. I like this definition and believe if you want to accelerate your personal development and productivity a mastermind group will be the best investment you can make.
I deeply admire and respect the members of my mastermind group, we have been meeting now for 18 months and I have learnt so much from each of them. When I interviewed them on what they thought was important in a mastermind group they used words like:
Small
Trustworthy individuals
Honesty
Accountability
Giving and supportive
Raises the bar on your own performance
Gives you a 30 ft view of your own business
Gives you a different perspective
Allows you to see opportunities and potential you may not have seen on your own
Makes you get out of the ‘day to day’ operations
The key is the right combination of people
It is group cantered
These definitions are vital to any group that meets and I would add some additional thoughts.
Meet regularly – our group meets on the same Monday night each month for 2 hours at the same restaurant. We share dinner, good news, and career and personal highlights. This commitment is one of my most important and enjoyable appointments in my month. I look forward to seeing them each month and I make it a priority in my scheduling.
Choose a location – we meet in a central restaurant and the staff know us, they provide a private room, understand the format of our meeting and take our orders quickly, deliver drinks and food in a timely manner and allow us to finish on time by bringing the bill quickly too. Choose a quiet place that allows you to speak freely, laugh and enjoy each other’s company. Educate the event staff of your format and it will make your meeting time more productive also.
Keep it small – less than 6 people is a good number for a group like this. It allows each person to share their good news each month and also allows time for one member to be a spotlight for discussion.
Create guidelines – determine what your group will look like, act like, create an agenda and decide what is important to you. You might like to read Chapter 10 of ‘Think and Grow Rich’ for some ideas.
Decide the agenda – our group has the same format each month which makes it fun and easy to prepare. Every month we rotate the chair of the meeting, we each share our good news and highlights and then we focus our attention on one team member. That team members knows they are the month’s spotlight and they are free to share anything with us i.e. it could be a business or personal challenge, request for strategic guidance or request to brainstorm ideas. Each of the team members then listens intently to their needs and wants and looks for ways to help, promote, grow or encourage that member. It is a great formula and we each leave the meeting on a high positive note knowing we have shared with each other and also inspired each other.
Share successes – one of my favourite meetings recently was where 4 of the 5 members each had launched a new book! We all shared in the thrill and excitement of being an author (some for the first time), and everyone left feeling they could conquer the world! This is the perfect place to share the good news in your work and personal life.
Be fully present – when we meet, each person is totally engaged in the conversation, fully present and completely listening to the others. This is an essential criteria to ensure you all have the benefit of each other’s wisdom and experience.
Be 100% authentic – it is an honour to share 2 hours with this group each month as they are themselves, 100% of the time! This is a unique environment and for a mastermind to be successful one criteria needs to be that each individual is able to express themselves, their values and their beliefs in the group.
Choose wisely – when you are ready to set up a mastermind group you want to make sure you choose the right combination of people. Our group has entrepreneurs and corporate people, men and women, different ages and nationalities. This diverse group has different perspectives and experiences that benefit the whole group. Try and find a combination of people who can inspire and challenge others in the group to be their very best.
These simple but effective guidelines can help you create a powerful set of minds that will help accelerate your thinking, share your growth and rocket charge your personal success. Start looking for other members today!
Neen James is an International Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy – and where they focus their attention – Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice (Aussie accent), sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more and subscribe to Neen’s free monthly ezine at http://neenjames.com/
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Accelerate Your Career: Productivity Tips for Students
If you really want to accelerate your career, these simple strategies can boost your productivity, expand your network and assist you with the positions and roles you want in your professional life.
Network … network… network – this essential relationship building practice is essential to not only build your reputation and profile but also to assist you understand industries, hear of opportunities and get word out about your expertise. This life skill will help you learn more about others, more about yourself and this is how the really great jobs get offered. Develop your network before you need it.
Seek mentors – seek out people you can learn from, find someone you admire and determine if you can be their mentee. This will really accelerate your professional career and your personal development. Learn from their wisdom and experience.
Be an exceptional presenter – get great at this skill! Any chance you get to jump on your feet and present will build your confidence; show others your skills and open doors of opportunity for you. This skill is highly valued in the business world; this will quickly put you in a leadership position.
Create a plan – build your own business plan or marketing plan (remember you are the product), and stick to your plan. Write down your goals and place them somewhere you can see them everyday.
Be authentic – be yourself 100% of the time. People want to get to know you, they value honesty and integrity – be true to yourself.
Develop time management and organizational skills – regardless of where you work these two areas are valued by all employers. Identify areas you may wish to develop and seek help building your expertise in these areas.
Learn project management skills – this includes communication, planning and budgeting. Develop this skill early in your career and watch your promotions!
Be a veracious reader – consume books on multiple topics. Enjoy them, bury yourself in them and stay up to date on current thinking. Consult the New York Times best seller list if you want inspiration.
Be a phenomenal marketer – market yourself, your programs, your company, and your skills. Be your own publicist.
Get involved – volunteer, get involved in the colleague, alumni, community, serving in your local area. Whatever you are passionate about, find a way to get involved. Volunteer whenever you can as you make great connections, learn new skills and you even identify potential mentors or job opportunities this way.
Good luck! Applying these simple but effective strategies will take you time, but investing in them all will make you a valuable asset to any organization.
Network … network… network – this essential relationship building practice is essential to not only build your reputation and profile but also to assist you understand industries, hear of opportunities and get word out about your expertise. This life skill will help you learn more about others, more about yourself and this is how the really great jobs get offered. Develop your network before you need it.
Seek mentors – seek out people you can learn from, find someone you admire and determine if you can be their mentee. This will really accelerate your professional career and your personal development. Learn from their wisdom and experience.
Be an exceptional presenter – get great at this skill! Any chance you get to jump on your feet and present will build your confidence; show others your skills and open doors of opportunity for you. This skill is highly valued in the business world; this will quickly put you in a leadership position.
Create a plan – build your own business plan or marketing plan (remember you are the product), and stick to your plan. Write down your goals and place them somewhere you can see them everyday.
Be authentic – be yourself 100% of the time. People want to get to know you, they value honesty and integrity – be true to yourself.
Develop time management and organizational skills – regardless of where you work these two areas are valued by all employers. Identify areas you may wish to develop and seek help building your expertise in these areas.
Learn project management skills – this includes communication, planning and budgeting. Develop this skill early in your career and watch your promotions!
Be a veracious reader – consume books on multiple topics. Enjoy them, bury yourself in them and stay up to date on current thinking. Consult the New York Times best seller list if you want inspiration.
Be a phenomenal marketer – market yourself, your programs, your company, and your skills. Be your own publicist.
Get involved – volunteer, get involved in the colleague, alumni, community, serving in your local area. Whatever you are passionate about, find a way to get involved. Volunteer whenever you can as you make great connections, learn new skills and you even identify potential mentors or job opportunities this way.
Good luck! Applying these simple but effective strategies will take you time, but investing in them all will make you a valuable asset to any organization.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Productivity: Stop going crazy for the holidays
G'Day,
This time of year for all my American friends and clients seems to increase their stress levels and cause an amazing sense of overwhelm. I challenge you this holiday season to stop. Stop being so crazy, stop being so busy, stop trying to control everything and stop trying to make everything perfect. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are thankful for (not to resent everything we had to do to get to the Thanksgiving table).
This holiday choose to 'delete' instead of 'do'. What can you delete or delegate from your Thanksgiving 'to do' list? Can I make a few recommendations:
1. Get your lines dry cleaned... even better, have the dry cleaner pick them up and deliver them.
2. Pay a professional to clean your home for this event.
3. Buy your groceries online and have them delivered.
4. Create a simple menu that doesn't require significant time in the kitchen so you can enjoy your guests.
5. Ask your guests to help with the preparations i.e. bring a dish to share, set the table, bring flowers, make desserts.
6. Hire help for the day, ask a student or someone you know would benefit from some extra cash and hire their services for a few hours.
7. Create a 'buffet' instead of a sit down meal, take the pressure off and allow everyone to serve themselves.
8. Cook and prepare ingredients in advance so you have less pressure on the day.
9. On the day, get up a little earlier and meditate for 10 minutes. During this time take a moment to reflect on what you are thankful for.
10. Enjoy - being productive is not about doing more, it is about doing less.
Find the things that energize you the most i.e. spending time with those you care about, and do more of that!
One of the secrets of Super-Productivity is to do less, not more and have fun!
This time of year for all my American friends and clients seems to increase their stress levels and cause an amazing sense of overwhelm. I challenge you this holiday season to stop. Stop being so crazy, stop being so busy, stop trying to control everything and stop trying to make everything perfect. Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on what we are thankful for (not to resent everything we had to do to get to the Thanksgiving table).
This holiday choose to 'delete' instead of 'do'. What can you delete or delegate from your Thanksgiving 'to do' list? Can I make a few recommendations:
1. Get your lines dry cleaned... even better, have the dry cleaner pick them up and deliver them.
2. Pay a professional to clean your home for this event.
3. Buy your groceries online and have them delivered.
4. Create a simple menu that doesn't require significant time in the kitchen so you can enjoy your guests.
5. Ask your guests to help with the preparations i.e. bring a dish to share, set the table, bring flowers, make desserts.
6. Hire help for the day, ask a student or someone you know would benefit from some extra cash and hire their services for a few hours.
7. Create a 'buffet' instead of a sit down meal, take the pressure off and allow everyone to serve themselves.
8. Cook and prepare ingredients in advance so you have less pressure on the day.
9. On the day, get up a little earlier and meditate for 10 minutes. During this time take a moment to reflect on what you are thankful for.
10. Enjoy - being productive is not about doing more, it is about doing less.
Find the things that energize you the most i.e. spending time with those you care about, and do more of that!
One of the secrets of Super-Productivity is to do less, not more and have fun!
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Productivity tip: It's not what you do... it is what you delete
Recently I was in London with a friend Daz who said 'you are no productivity expert... your blog is out of date!' He was right ... in some respects. One of the biggest things I have learned in all my productivity research is that it is not what you 'do' it is absolutely what you 'delete'. Over recent weeks I have had to delete many activities from my daily routine to ensure I am maximizing my time each day. My blog had fallen down on the priority 'to do' list. Well I am back... thanks Daz for the 'gentle' reminder.
If you want to be more productive today it is simple, identify one activity you can delete! Take small steps to becoming more productive, today choose one activity you won't do on your list, delete it and then feel less burdened with so many things to do.
The most productive people I know don't do more, they do less. They choose to focus on the things that are most important and valuable to them in helping them achieve their goals.
Check out more articles on http://www.neenjames.com/
If you want to be more productive today it is simple, identify one activity you can delete! Take small steps to becoming more productive, today choose one activity you won't do on your list, delete it and then feel less burdened with so many things to do.
The most productive people I know don't do more, they do less. They choose to focus on the things that are most important and valuable to them in helping them achieve their goals.
Check out more articles on http://www.neenjames.com/
Monday, July 02, 2007
Productivity tips for travellers: How to be a productive road warrior
You have seen them, they all look alike, the regular ‘road warrior’ with their determined expression, wrinkle proof suit and pulling a beaten up carry on bag…whether you travel a little or a lot with your company there are many ways you can boost your personal productivity when you travel. These before, during and after strategies will help you maximise your time, limit your stress and overall increase your travel productivity.
Before You Travel
Buy the tools – you wouldn’t build a house without the right tools, travel is no different. To be a productive traveler you want to ensure you have a variety of tools to assist the comfort and productivity of your trip. Tools to consider purchasing are quality luggage, Ipod, noise cancelling earphones, soft briefcase and GPS system.
20-22 inch Carry On expandable luggage – I like Briggs and Riley, it is durable, light weight, expandable, self healing and well made. Check out http://www.briggsandriley.com/. These are allowed in the US and other countries as carry on baggage. When you are buying luggage look for features such as pull along, strong wheels, stability foot on the bottom (in case it gets too heavy), external zippers (to hold travel documentation and the Ziploc toiletry bag) and also make sure the pop up handle is a ‘one pull’ action.
IPOD or MP3 – this is not a luxury, this is a requirement for any travel. I have a created a selection of play lists, including one with very relaxing music so that when it is time to sleep I can turn to this group and fall asleep.
Noise cancelling earphones – these are a little bit of a luxury, but I wouldn’t travel anywhere without them. My husband previously flew many long international flights and he turned me onto this great invention. I prefer the Sony small ear bud type and take them where ever I go http://www.sony.com/
Briefcase – I like a soft tote briefcase that allows me to include personal and work related items. My favourite is from Coakley Business Class (sorry guys these are just for women) and they are the best travel briefcase I have ever found (and you can use it everyday!) http://www.coakleybusinessclass.com/. For the gentleman, try the soft Samsonite one, it has great suspension in the shoulder strap. When looking for a brief case also make sure it has the feature to be able to slide it over your carry on luggage (many have a soft strap or a zippered section to allow you to do this).
GPS (Global Positioning System) – this was the best gift I ever got! They are now getting smaller and smaller and are perfect to plug into your rental car when you arrive in another city. Also when we were in Italy last year we downloaded the European maps and it was great fun to get around tiny little towns. I have named mine ‘Bella’ – she keeps me company when I am driving late at night or in a city where I don’t know my way.
Consider clothing – When you are regularly on the road I suggest a few strategies to help make your life easier for both packing and arriving looking together.
Travel Outfit – Create your own travel outfit, yes it can be the same every time. Mine is a pair of black pants, black top (I have a short sleeve one for summer and a long sleeve one for cooler months), pantyhose and a pair of black patent leather flat slip on shoes. I wear the same silver jewellery with it all and I know when I arrive at the security line I don’t have to remove anything (except my shoes) – that is why pantyhose (or socks) are good when you have to take off your shoes. The fabric of this outfit doesn’t crease and is comfortable (which makes a huge different on those long flights).
Airport shoes – think about the quality and make of the shoes you wear to the airport. I suggest slip ons of some description so you are not awkwardly trying to tie up laces or straps. Also ensure they are comfortable and well made as you often have to walk long distances between gates or to the parking area.
Carry a pashmina – for the ladies, I recommend you invest in a dark coloured pashmina that has many uses. On the plane it is a great blanket (and so many airlines in the US don’t supply pillows and blankets). When I rent a car it becomes a booster seat for me (he he). When I have to sit on an airport floor (yes I have done that living here in the US) it is great to place on the floor … oh and yes I can wear it if I need to keep warm.
Jewellery – wearing the same silver jewellery when I travel I know I can wear it the next day and I can walk through the screening area without having to remove it. It simplifies the process and speeds up the line.
Belts – if possible, don’t wear an outfit that requires a belt as it is only one more item of clothing you have to remove at the airport line.
Productive Packing – there are many opinions on what to pack and I find the most productive way for me is having a series of pre-packed bags. This includes luggage, carry on plane survival kit, brief case, make up and toiletry bags.
Pre-packed luggage contents includes:
v Ziploc toiletry bag
v Underwear
v First aid items (band aids, safety pins and head ache tablets)
v Make up bag
v Gym gear
v Clothes brush (I have a long haired cat and her fur seems to make its way across the world with me)
v Book of interest
v Cell Phone charger
v Laptop power pack
v Stamped stationery (note cards and envelopes)
Carry on plane survival kit contents include:
v Ipod
v Noise cancelling earphones
v Spare battery for noise cancelling earphones
v Lip balm
v Eye mask (for those long flights)
v Pen
v Eye drops
v Travel size toothbrush and toothpaste
v Breath mints
Make up kit – ladies if you travel alot I suggest you buy a full set of make up and make up brushes and tools and keep them in a separate make up bag so you never have to go looking for something and you never forget something on your trips.
Ziploc Toiletry Bag contents include travel sized:
v Decanted shower gel
v Skin care
v Hair care products
v Travel sized perfume or aftershave (most brands now supply a smaller size compliant with airline safety standards)
v Toothpaste
v Spare contact lenses
Many department stores and pharmacies carry a range of travel sized products. I was fascinated when I was in Sephoria in Times Square recently that the merchandising near the payment counter had changed significantly and provided 50+ choices of regular band products in travel sized convenient containers.
Plastic helps – My friend Camille was an airline goddess for many years and gave me this great tip, using the plastic you receive from your dry cleaners around your clothes helps avoid creases.
Duplicate copies – to be more productive (and for a few extra dollars) consider investing in duplicates of everything you travel with. If you are a regular traveler, having a pre-packed bag will allow you to leave with minimum notice and save time and stress before any trip. On your list of items to buy you could include:
v Toiletries available in travel size
v Brushes – make up brushes, hair brushes or combs
v Cell phone charger
v Laptop power pack
v Make up
v Stamps and stationery
v Spare items i.e. pantyhose, clothing brush.
Choose your seat – I like to sit in an aisle seat so I can get in and out and I don’t feel cramped by others. For longer flights (especially the red eye), my friend Shawn books the window seat so you can lean against the window to sleep, choose your seat wisely. If you have an option of an exit row choose this seat as it gives you more leg room. You may like to check out http://www.seatguru.com/ – it is a great website to see exactly what your seat will be on most major airlines.
Pre-print your boarding pass – whenever possible go online 24 hours before you fly and select your seat and print your boarding pass. This will save you time in the long lines at the airport check in and also help you find the seat you want.
Join airline clubs – if you fly frequently to same cities join the airline programs of those major airlines so you can also gather frequent flyer miles for all your travels. You may be able to use them for a fun trip with those you care for later on.
Join airline lounges – if you fly with the same carrier regularly to invest in a membership for that lounge so you have a quiet place to snack, get changed or to catch up on reading. I noticed in Australia this was a great use of money and well worth it however in the US the gates and lounges are so spread out and there are so many options to travel with different airlines this hasn’t been a worthwhile investment for me here, however if you fly the same airline every time it might be worth it for you.
Create a one page itinerary – create a one page template that includes your confirmation codes of all flight details, hotel and rental car information. Include on this template all your frequent flyer clubs and associations also so that if you arrive and they haven’t included this in your booking you can quickly get credit for your travel.
During Your Travel
Allow extra 30 minutes – add at least 30 minutes onto any amount of time you think it will take you to get to the airport or park. This additional time will save you stress if you are stuck in traffic, can’t find a car space or the security line is longer than you expected. If you have pre-packed a book or magazine you can use that 30 minutes to read or to connect with a friend or client.
Know the Parking Garage – if you regularly travel on the same airline, know the shuttle system or design of the car park so you can get in and out quickly.
Take your ticket – when you receive a parking receipt/ticket on your arrival place it in the same compartment of your bag or briefcase so you know where to find it upon your return.
Write the parking space on your ticket – in the US the parking garages are so big that I always write the colour and space on my parking receipt so that when I arrive back after a few days away (often late at night), I can quickly find my car and not waste time wandering around the parking garage.
Ground transport notice – when you enter an airport, notice where the taxis, rental car shuttles or parking garages are. This will save you time when you return and allow you to quickly make your way to the next place.
Regular rental – Use the same rental company each time you travel will also boost your productivity because you will expect a certain standard each time you fly. You might also consider joining their frequent customer program too. I like using Enterprise because they are affordable and also each time you arrive they look so happy to see you and they pay attention to small details including water bottles in the car and also pre-printed local lists of radio stations and areas of interest.
Play music – by creating different play lists on your IPOD you will enjoy your travel more if you can listen to music and block out the noise around you. This is effective in the airport lounge, at the gate and on the plane. You might also like to include a CD in your packing checklist for the rental car.
Getting through security – there are several tips to help you get through the line faster:
Wear an outfit that doesn’t require any removal of items or have any metal.
Place your cell phone and keys into your briefcase or purse before entering the security line.
Keep your Ziploc bag of toiletries in an outside zippered compartment for quick access.
Get your laptop out of your briefcase before you reach your place in line.
Place your laptop, shoes and toiletries in one container on the security screen belt.
Keep your boarding pass and photo identification in your hands.
Check in or carry on – I always carry on luggage (up to a five day business trip), I have learnt to pack well and have invested in a minimum number of outfits. I think there is so much time wasted waiting for luggage (not to mention the concern it may not arrive with you!) wherever possible try and carry on luggage for your business travel.
Laptop … or not – if your trip doesn’t require you to take your laptop, leave it at home. It is one less thing to juggle through security and some laptops add significant weight to your briefcase. Leave it behind if you can. If you have to take it with you consider buying a smaller, light weight model one that is easy to use and you can balance in small places. You do pay more for smaller, lighter models but it is money well spent.
Keep a reading file – as you collect articles, newspapers or journals you want to read, take them with you when you travel. Each week I receive the Philadelphia Business Journal and I take it with me on the plane to read and enjoy. It is a paper that keeps my interest and small enough it doesn’t crowd the person beside me.
Buy bottled water – part of my routine as soon as I get through the security line is to head to the nearest store to buy 2 bottles of water. During the flight it is essential to drink water to keep you hydrated, two bottles allows me to drink before the plane arrives (has been helpful when there are large delays) and during the flight.
Eat healthy – many airlines don’t supply quality food on board so try to find healthy solutions within the airport to satisfy your hunger. You may also like to buy something to eat on board for longer flights so you are snacking on healthy items. I like to travel with a bag of almonds and pecans so that I always have a yummy (and healthy) snack available. AS you are flying from the same airport each week, become familiar with the food offerings inside the terminal so you can quickly find something you enjoy eating.
Hotel routine – no matter what time I arrive at a new hotel I have the same routine. I open my suitcase, remove my suit and hang it on a hanger. If it has gathered small creases in the travel I take it into the bathroom, hang it up and turn on the hot shower to create a ‘steam room effect’ and this removes any creases. Now for my Australian readers who are experiencing a drought right now that seems very wasteful so you may want to hang these clothes while you are showering the next day to avoid water waste. You might like to take this opportunity to iron your clothes instead. I then plug in my laptop, set up my cell phone charger, set my alarm and pull out the documents or reading for the next day. By having the same routine each time you will be productive and not forget important details (and you save time in the morning also).
Exercise – if you don’t have a gym in the hotel consider either taking a walk outside at the beginning of your day or exercising in your room. I often place a towel on the floor and then do a series of stretches, yoga, sit ups and push ups. You can establish a routine especially for travel that doesn’t require any equipment i.e. push ups, sit ups, squats and any yoga.
Call a client – you often have down time in the airport so it is a great time to reconnect with a client or colleague. I use this time to touch base with important people in my life and it becomes part of my business development time.
Be strategic – time in hotel rooms can be lonely or unproductive so I use this time to design new products, review my business plan, catch up on reading and design new models or programs for my business. Some of my best ideas have come while sitting in my hotel room – use this time for strategy and thought space instead of turning on the TV to keep your company.
Stay connected – when you arrive at your location notify someone important to you. I like to call my husband when I have arrived in my hotel so he knows I am safe and sound and I get to hear his voice. Calling your family or friend is a great way for you to keep connected on the road.
Write thank you notes – because I carry stamped stationery with me when I travel, I use the flight home to write notes to people I met during my trip. When I arrive my next destination I post them. It is a great way to reconnect with people after you have met them and is a productive use of flight time.
After Your Travel
Know the quickest route home – understand the quickest and least traffic congested way to get out of the airport so you can be home with those you care for in the smallest amount of time. Where I live there are 2 major ways home and if you take the wrong one at some particular times during the day it can add up to an hour to your ride home (not so much fun after a long flight) so know which ways are best at different times during the day.
Unpack quickly – if you arrive home early enough, unpack your bag, refill any necessary toiletry items and allocate clothes for washing or dry cleaning.
Refill and replace – update any items in your ‘pre-packed’ toiletries or luggage that need attention to save you time for future trips. Note any additional items you may have forgotten on this trip and place them in your luggage so you don’t forget them next time.
Debrief your trip – recall any items you missed, notice things that you enjoyed or frustrated you and make the changes that are within your control. Each time you travel you may learn something new that will help you save time or save you frustration for your next travel experience.
Thank your team – if you have an assistant, let them know what went well about the trip and any enhancements you would like to make for your next trip. Thank your travel agent for the trip planning and also let them know if something didn’t go well and discuss how to fix it for the next trip. Thank your client for the opportunity to work with them. If you experienced great service at some point in the trip take the time to email or write a thank you note to that organisation. The simple art of thanking people is often overlooked but is one of the most powerful things you can do to boost your productivity and make someone else’s day!
Gather your receipts – there is so much paperwork collected on trips including boarding passes, rental agreements, and food and hotel receipts. Keep this in a central place when you travel (I take a clear plastic folder for this very purpose each time I travel). When you arrive home quickly sort through the paper, action business cards and file any receipts or keep them aside for your clients. Process all your paper within 24 hours.
Action business cards – if you have met new people during your productive trip take the time to now action those cards. You might like to write a ‘nice to meet you’ note, scan them and add them to your database and write a note for any follow up action required. Following this process diligently each time you travel will avoid piles of business cards gathering on your desk (reminding you of action you haven’t taken!)
Be grateful – if you are travelling for business it means you have a successful job that is supporting you and your family. Stop hating it and start enjoying it. Giving thanks for the opportunity to see new places, meet new people and share your experience is a privilege.
Change your language around travel, enjoy it, embrace it and you will be more productive! Next time you see another road warrior smile at them and let them know you understand. You can be more productive every time you travel by applying these before, during and after you travel strategies… now where am I off to tomorrow?
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