3 Ways to Improve Productivity

What are YOU going to do today?

Most people show up at work and immediately they are inundated with work. E-mail in box has 20 to 200 new emails. Your mobile has 10 to 50 text messages for you to respond to. Your boss tells you about 2 meetings you must attend you did not know about. As soon as you respond to the messages on your phone and in your inbox, another equally daunting number come in requiring your IMMEDIATE attention. There goes your day!

What got done? Yes, the messages got replies, but that is not the question. What of substance got done?

Unfortunately, most people today would say, “Little gets done of what is important and VERY little of what I WANTED to do.” So my question for you, What are YOU going to do today?

Will you allow the day to take over or will you take control of your day?  Do you want your life back?

Here are 3 of my 30 Personal and Professional Productivity Principles:

1) Plan your day before it plans itself for you. Start in the wee hours of the morning with some quiet time and then focus on what you need to get done. Make a list of at least 3 things you MUST do to have a significant day and do them BEFORE you answer emails or text messages. Will you upset some people? Probably. Will YOU be more in control? DEFINITELY! This is also a great career move.

2) Resist the temptation to let emails and text messages set your daily priorities. Set specific times for responding to them and stick to those times. Surprisingly, by not responding as quickly and by controlling your time, responding to fewer inquiries, you will start to receive fewer emails and text messages. Obviously, respond to your clients (internal and external) but be sloth to respond to B and C priorities.

3) Block 90 minutes a day for your A1 project and insist you are UN-INTERRUPTED. I refer to this as the 90-Minute Marvel. It will boost your productivity 30%.

Now that you’ve read this, what are YOU going to DO today?

Let us know if you’d like the other 27 principles.

Smile Makers: Who’s the boss?

It doesn’t matter how many times a married man changes jobs. He still ends up with the same boss.

Good Lord willing, we’ll be married 10 years this year. Our arrangement is, I make all the major decisions and my wife makes all the minor ones. So far, in 10 years, there has not been a major decision to make yet.

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Attitude Adjustment

We have heard it said that `Attitude determines our altitude.` But HOW do you adjust your attitude? Here are 8 quick tips to help you adjust your attitude to have a richer, more enjoyable your life:

1. Start your day a little earlier and less rushed. Hey, you are going to be tired anyway, right? At least if you get up earlier, you will not be so rushed. Getting up at 4 AM has really helped me get focused, get relaxed and accomplish some major things that had been nagging at me for years.

2. After you wash and get cleaned up, get your coffee or tea and take your vitamins, sit down and have 20 minutes of quiet time. If you have a religion you adhere to, read some of your scripture and meditate on its meaning. Then think how it will apply to your day. You WILL be focused and with a sense of peace in your heart. If you are a `free thinker`, read something inspirational and then figure out how you can inspire those around you.

3. If you did not do it the night before, make a `to do` list to ensure you have a good plan for the day. It helps with your attitude because direction gives you both control and as you accomplish tasks, you feel motivated and successful.

4.  Before going to work, leave a note for someone at home to find. Mom, dad, auntie, wife, husband…telling them you appreciate them and love them. After they find it, they will most likely look forward to seeing you next to tell you they appreciate your gesture. If you are in a sour mood when you see them next, their positive attitude about you can turn the worm in your heart to an attitude of happiness.

5. On the way to work, start thinking of what you will do, how you will do it and how successful you will be today. Start creating your self-fulfilling prophecy.

6. Smile. Forcing a big smile on your face changes your chemical balance and makes you feel better. It is a conditioned response. Now walking into work with a smile (everyone will wonder what YOU did last night) will get you more smiles back. (another conditioned response) Smiles from others makes you feel even better.

7. Got a tough task like correcting a negative person at work? Take a different tact. Do not call them into your office. Ask that person to take a walk with you. Breaking with the mould will surprise that person and may just finally get through to her or him. Also, you will feel better walking as will she/he because walking stimulates your endorphins. Rather than attack, ask questions like, `How did that project go?` `Why do you think it went wrong?` `Rather than blame anyone, what would make sure it never went wrong again?` Then comment on the beautiful day and look the person in the eye, `You have SO MUCH potential. I see it. (SMILE) Do you?`You will have accomplished the reprimand and motivated TWO people at the same time.

8. On the way home, rather than think about the problems with sick children you will encounter, the fact the maid or spouse probably did or did not do something or the frustrations of the day you want to vent, think of how happy you will be to be home. (SMILE) Think of the hug you will give/get. Think of that cool beer or juice will taste. Think of taking a short shower to refresh yourself and putting your feet up while you listen to your favourite music. Then make that happen for you.   An old quote from Abe Lincoln, `People are about as happy as they make their minds up to be.is really true. Amazing how you will have a better attitude if you just make sure you do!

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