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Posts Tagged Priority
Here in the US we are getting ready to celebrate the Fourth of July - Independence Day - the noisiest of all of our holidays. July Fourth is all about celebrating with loud marching music, firecrackers and fireworks as from coast to coast people gather together and honor the “founding” of the United State of America.
July Fourth is a great example of what can happen when a group of people is committed to an innovative idea. Back in 1776, the founding fathers were willing to be different. They were willing to take an idea and turn it into something real. And, most important, they were willing to take a stand for something they believed in.
And, because of this, they stood out from the crowd. They are remembered for their courage, determination and dedication. And they began a movement that changed the world as they knew it at the time.
So, how does this apply to you and rising above the Noise Factor? Well, I believe one of the keys to the founding fathers’ success is that they not only took actions, they took those actions based on a strong foundation made of bottom-line beliefs, like freedom, independence and basic human rights.
And when you have a solid foundation to stand on, choices about directions, priorities, and actions are easier to make.
So, what do you take a stand for? What is the foundation on which you have built your business? As you think about how your business offer is unique and how you can express that uniqueness, is there a basic ideal or vision that guides you?
Today, let’s take a look at your business foundation. Instead of thinking of actions you can take to stand out from the Noise Factor, let’s look at what you are actually taking a stand for.
First, read the following sentence and fill in the blank with the first thing that pops into your head.
Through my business, I _________________________________________.
Is what you put in the blank something that you believe in strongly? Is this really the foundation for your business? Or is it something you have adopted in response to today’s business climate and/or because of what others are doing?
Now, think about what you really want to take a stand for. What is it that you want your clients and customers to “get” about you and your business?
Sit with this for a moment. Then fill in the blank in the following sentence.
Through my business, I take a stand for ___________________________.
Every once in a while during the next several days, read this second sentence. Does it communicate what you want to give your clients and customers? Does it feel “good” to you? Can you easily relate this statement to what you are doing in your business?
If so, then this foundation is serving you right now for where you are in your business. And, as with all things, it may change as you and your business grow and evolve.
One more really cool thing…
When you consistently focus on the foundation on which your business stands, you naturally express those values in your dealings with other people, decisions are easier to make, and you get better results.
Just Imagine That!
Tags: Awareness, Awareness Exercise, Priority
Once upon a time, when I was in Corporate America, I headed a team that bought shopping centers for an investment company. The work of deciding which centers to buy was very detailed and had to be completed within very short, immovable deadlines. In order to meet our end goal, we had to hit deadlines all along the way.
I went to a toy store and bought a battery-operated, stuffed giraffe that makes really cute (somewhat obnoxious) noises and walks across the floor. I went back to the office and called a “giraffe party.” We gathered in my office, reported our successes, clapped for each other and were “honored” by the giraffe. We weren’t closing a deal that day. But we had hit our interim goals and I declared this TIME FOR CELEBRATION! The ritual of regular and frequent giraffe parties became a standing policy in our department.
How silly, you say. You’re right…it was silly…and IT WORKED! By talking time to celebrate what we accomplished along the way to our ultimate goal, we were energized and more enthusiastic about each step! We did a better job and we enjoyed it more.
So, have you ever had a giraffe party for yourself? When was the last time you patted yourself on the back for accomplishing things on your to-do list for any given day?
Remember - everything you do is a victory because it (1) produces a result that moves you closer to what you want or (2) gives you information that you can use to change what you are doing so that you move in a more productive direction. BOTH ARE CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION!
Today, come up with some way to celebrate that delights you and rewards you! Make it simple. THEN DO IT!
When you celebrate along the way, you will create more things to celebrate…
Just imagine that !
Tags: Priority
Let’s face it, we live on a schedule. (Or at least we have one.  )
Our calendars are full of meetings, phone calls, social engagements, errands… the list could go on for another page or so, but you get the idea.
We spend a fair amount of time scheduling, managing - sometimes juggling - all the things we’d like to do. And sometimes there’s just not enough time for everything on the calendar.
So, when the schedule’s full, we look through our calendar and re-arrange, postpone and even cancel things so it will fit.
So, here’s the question: of all the things on your calendar, how many of them are just for you, and not necessarily productive? Reading time, a massage, being in your garden, spending relasing time with friends and family…
How many of the things that give you real pleasure, even feel indulgent and aren’t productive, get pushed aside when time is short?
Even if it’s only 15-30 minutes, the time you spend on you is important! Maybe more important than some of the productive things.
Make sure at least some of it stays on the calendar when you start weeding it down! There will always be more to do, even, perhaps, more than we can do in a given day or week. Take time for you!
Just Imagine That!
Tags: Priority
Let’s start today with a little quiz. (Take a breath…this is a really easy quiz. There are no right or wrong answers – we are only gathering information. And we will use this information in a very useful way!)
Question #1. On a usual day, how many hours do you spend at your computer or at your desk? Just a rough estimate off of the top of your head will do. Write that number on a piece of paper or a post it.
Question #2. For how many of those hours are you less productive than you would like to be? Write that number down, too.
Question #3. How many attention or energy lulls do you have during the time that you are working? For instance, do you regularly have a lull in the afternoon? How long is it? 30 minutes? One Hour? Two hours? Write down the number of hours (or partial hours) you feel you spend working (or trying to work) when you are in a lull.
YEAH! The quiz is finished! You should have three numbers on a piece of paper or post it in front of you.
Now, add the answers to questions 2 and 3 together. Hopefully, you will get a number that is less than the answer you gave for Question 1. (If not, you might consider taking a long weekend and letting your mind rest.) So, what good is this number?
This is the number of 5 to 10 minute breaks I suggest you take everyday during your work time to make you more efficient and effective!! What? Less work time makes you more productive?
Absolutely!
Taking short, energizing breaks. Do a couple of jumping jacks, walk around the office or your home, go outside and do a few stretches toward the sky…just change your location, take a few deep breaths and move your body. Then, head back to your desk, refocus and see how productive you are! A little break goes a long way!
Just imagine that !
Tags: Priority
Remember when no one could reach you unless you were home by the phone, or in the next room?
In today’s world of massive communication, we are always “connected.” If we’re not actually on the computer, subject to IMs, Skypes, chats, and emails, we’re usually within earshot of at least one phone, and perhaps a PDA, etc, etc.
These are all great tools – and we love them – for the flexibility and productivity they provide.
However, just because we can be available anytime doesn’t mean that it’s necessary.
Try logging off from the IMs, etc, turning off the phone (or at least screening for really important calls) for part of your day. Then look at how much more productive you’ve been during that time. Or, how much more attentive you’ve been to the people you’re with.
When it comes to being available, sometimes it’s ok to “just say no.”
Just Imagine That!
Tags: Priority
Yesterday we talked about chunking your days into segments that are suited for the tasks you are going to tackle during those times. Longer uninterrupted chunks for creative or concentrated efforts. Other chunks during which you can be interrupted and still keep moving down your “to-do” items.
Have you categorized your list of things to do for today and assigned them to time chunks? Go ahead and take minute to do that now.
Good job! Now look at your first chunk. Look over the items in that chunk and see if they have a general theme. Is it marketing? Client contact? Research? Checking email and other communications? Think about your purpose for doing those things in this one chunk. Next, set an overall intention for what you want to accomplish by doing those items. What do you want to achieve by doing them? Decide on your intention and write it down in the margin next to the list.
Here’s an example. I don’t know about you, but when I check my emails I can sometimes end up in the land of never ending links. Several hours later I snap back to reality, my stomach is growling, it is almost time for lunch and I haven’t even gotten to the first items on my list. So, I started setting this simple intention before I start checking emails: “I now easily, effortlessly and quickly go through all my emails to find the ones that are golden for today!” And it works!!!
If you take just a minute to review the chunks of your day, and set an intention for the results you want to have, you will be surprised how your focus and efficiency will increase.
Just Imagine That !
Tags: Priority
Real life comes with multiple priorities, and many multiples of tasks, and usually the perception that we don’t have enough time to get it all done. We’re in a hurry. So, we push ourselves to the limit - we have become experts at multi-tasking!
There’s lots of research, and even more opinions, out there today warning us about the non-productive nature of multi-tasking. I think we’d all agree that we make more progress when we focus on just one thing. Of course. But is it practical?
One thing that’s not as commonly said, is that we each have our own threshold of productivity when it comes to multi-tasking. Mine also varies by the day – depending upon my energy level, my enthusiasm about what I’m doing, etc. And, there are some types of tasks that are easier to juggle than others. So, it’s not necessarily a do or don’t thing…
Acknowledging that flexibility is key in my business, I don’t set a rigid schedule for my days. I do, however, organize my days into chunks of time.
There are some things that can be easily interrupted, and actually lend themselves to multi-tasking, as they require little mental focus. These are easy to schedule. (handling emails, making phone calls, life’s logistics, etc)
The bigger tasks, which require more focus and attention (creative writing, computer programming, design, etc.) I do my best to create an un-interrupted time for. If possible, I put those off until I have a big enough chunk to make real progress.
I won’t say that every day turns out like I plan (don’t think I’ll ever be able to say that), but making the effort to group the tasks, and create specific times for specific types of tasks makes a huge difference in how much I can get done in a day.
Look through your to-do list. Group things into categories that make sense for you, and create chunks for items that require focus and attention to detail. Do your best to find times when you can focus on just that one thing. Then you can stretch your multi-tasking muscles on the less demanding things.
Just Imagine That!
Tags: Priority
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