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How NOT to Decide What to Do Next

Posted on 03/25/2013 by ·

"Procrastination in the name of reducing risk actually increases risk." -- Colin Powell, retired American four-star general and former Secretary of State. "Many people go through life making nothing but 'if' decisions. These are not decisions for success but preparations for failure." -- Zig Ziglar, American motivational guru. It happens every day: You finish a task, check it off your list, and feel a sense of accomplishment. Great—now what? It’s important to quickly decide what to do next. But it's equally important to decide what NOT to do next. Making the right choice can be difficult when you’re drawn to distraction, react to requests, or randomly select the next task. We must choose the correct course of action by design, not by default. So I’d like to give you some guidance on how … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Personal Productivity · Tagged: ,

The Anchor of Procrastination: How Dragging Your Heels Weighs You Down

Posted on 03/22/2013 by ·

There may be a few perfect employees out there who have never once dragged their heels on a task…but I doubt it. While procrastination is nothing to brag about, we all do it—some more than others. Sometimes procrastination seems reasonable: when work is scarce and efficiency will put us out of a job; when we fear a backlash for being too efficient later on; or when our personal circumstances force us to cut back to a more realistic workload. Sometimes, though, the self-imposed anchor of procrastination stems from more unworthy factors. We may hate a task, find it difficult, or simply want to duck the responsibility. Other factors holding us back can include: • Workload • Fear • Inertia • Lack of self-confidence • Uncertainty • Perfectionism • Distraction • Excessive time pressure • High … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Performance · Tagged:

How to Be a Fixer, Not a Finger-Pointer

Posted on 03/20/2013 by ·

"When a man points a finger at someone else, he should remember that four of his fingers are pointing at himself." -- Louis Nixer, noted American trial lawyer. "I never yet heard man or woman much abused that I was not inclined to think the better of them, and to transfer the suspicion or dislike to the one who found pleasure in pointing out the defects of another." -- Jane Porter, nineteenth century Scottish novelist and dramatist. Few of us truly appreciate criticism, because no matter how valid or constructive, it can be embarrassing or annoying (especially when someone fails to offer a solution to the perceived problem). Poking holes in something is much easier than repairing them—yet most critics don't let that stop them. Hence the saying, "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach; … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Productivity · Tagged: ,

New iPhone App for The Productivity Minute Podcast

Posted on 03/19/2013 by ·

We've got a new iPhone app for our Productivity Minute audio podcast! Boost your personal productivity any time with a quick productivity tip from Laura Stack! Instructions: 1. On your iPhone, visit http://theproductivitypro.podbean.com/mobile/. 2. Click the arrow button to add the Quick Launch icon to your home screen. 3. Visit the app and listen to The Productivity Minute at your convenience! You can also sign up for FREE to watch the Productivity Minute videos. When you sign up, you'll receive a weekly email with a link and password for that week's video.  Enjoy a year's worth of productivity tips! … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Personal Productivity · Tagged: , ,

Customer Engagement Magazine Special Promotion

Posted on 03/18/2013 by ·

To help you get to where you want to go faster and easier I struck a deal with Customer Engagement Magazine to give you 3 months access on your iPad. They just featured me in a video interview and I think it can help your business. This is a new premier multi-media magazine that features Business Executives, Business Owners & Industry Experts that are passionate about The Customer Experience throughout the Solution Lifecycle leading to True Customer Loyalty. This magazine helps Business Owners and Executives: Build a Team of Success Oriented Customer Driven Employees; Build Solutions Customers are Excited about Using; Build Marketing Programs that add value; and, Build a Sales Process that helps customers make an informed buying decision. This is accomplished through a Blue … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Performance · Tagged:

Is Your Inbox Out of Control?

Posted on 03/15/2013 by ·

If you use Microsoft Outlook, we have the solution for you!  Join us on Friday, April 12 for the EMAIL STACK ATTACK live webinar. Laura STACK is going to show you how to ATTACK your email STACK.  Find out more about this hands-on class will help you take control of your inbox. What will you learn? If you've ever asked yourself, "What do I do when I." * Already have an appointment on my calendar and someone sends another email related to it. How do I keep from copying/pasting all the time? * Have a Task already created, and then I get an email with additional instructions about it. How do I merge the two? * Am right in the middle of typing an email and promise someone I will do something. How can I make a reminder about that while I'm creating the email so I don't forget? * Have thousands … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Tools & Systems · Tagged: , ,

Blowing Past the Bureaucracy: How To Think More Like An Entrepreneur

Posted on 03/13/2013 by ·

"Bureaucracy is a giant mechanism operated by pygmies." -- French author Honoré de Balzac. "Bureaucracy defends the status quo long past the time when the quo has lost its status." -- Laurence J. Peter, Canadian-American educator and formulator of "The Peter Principle." Remember the Biblical story of David and Goliath? It's a classic of its type, right up there with Jack and the Beanstalk. In both cases, a little guy shocks the world by using speed, agility, and audacity to bring down an "unbeatable" giant. Corporations must become nimble and flexible enough to out-maneuver larger competitors. Consider Apple, which the late Steve Jobs saved from terminal bureaucratitis with innovative thinking and outside-the-box leadership. Jobs didn't just blow past corporate bureaucracy; he scoured … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Productivity · Tagged: , ,

Stop Procrastination in Its Tracks!

Posted on 03/11/2013 by ·

This week, I'd like to discuss a form of self sabotage that I see all too often: procrastination, the fine art of putting things off. And off, and off, and off... We've all let things slide when we shouldn't have. It's not always about forgetfulness, or overwork, or even laziness. In fact, some of the worst procrastinators are busy professionals who are otherwise successful in the workplace. Ultimately, all procrastination does is generate anxiety and negativity. So why do we hobble ourselves this way? The reasons are rarely clear-cut, but often they consist of some mix of the following: • Lack of self confidence • Uncertainty • Excess perfectionism • Distractions • Fear (of the unknown or a negative outcome) • A perception of the task as difficult and/or time consuming • Time pressure … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Time Management · Tagged: , ,

Walking the Tightrope

Posted on 03/08/2013 by ·

I realize all you young go-getters would work 25/8 if possible; however, heed this advice from a 20-year business veteran who tried that: 1. You can't maintain a breakneck pace forever. Sure, you have to invest plenty of time getting your business aloft, but you shouldn't still be working so hard three years later. Something's gotta give—don't let it be you. 2. Protect your time. Keep external challenges from destroying your focus and eating your precious time. Block out time to concentrate on your strategic priorities and erect barriers against interruptions. 3. Know when to unplug. If you don’t take care of yourself and get the R&R you need, you won’t have the energy to take care of your business and other people. Carve out personal time to do the things you enjoy, away from work … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Personal Productivity · Tagged:

Slow Decisions Can Kill Your Momentum

Posted on 03/06/2013 by ·

"A peacefulness follows any decision, even the wrong one." -- Rita Mae Brown, American novelist. "In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions, which a minute will reverse." -- T.S. Eliot, British poet and playwright. The ability to consistently make good, solid decisions lies at the heart of any productivity initiative, especially those affecting entire teams or organizations. Those of us concerned with maximizing positive outcomes have invented a wide variety of guidelines to help people make such decisions. Some experts argue that all significant decisions deserve careful consideration and consensus building before implementation, which results in a slow, deliberate decision-making process. I can't say they're necessarily wrong, because decision-making style depends at least … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Productivity · Tagged: ,