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The “Work Less, More Success” Guide to Time Management – Step Five

Posted on 07/23/2012 by ·

Continuing with our series on the Productivity Workflow Formula™ (PWF) Step 5: Close the Loop: REDUCE INEFFIENCIES Next, reduce your inefficiencies by determining what does and doesn't work for you. Constantly refine your workflow processes, reworking or replacing components if they break down or just don't seem as efficient as they might be. Other people may present your most difficult barriers to closing the loop. Since you can't control the actions of your co-workers, try to make your interactions with them easier. Start with precision communication that cuts down on unproductive "noise" like hedging and passive language. Get right to the point and ask for acknowledgement on everything. If you don't completely understand what someone asks of you, keep asking questions … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Time Management · Tagged: ,

The “Work Less, More Success” Guide to Time Management – Step Six

Posted on 07/18/2012 by ·

The final step in our series on the Productivity Workflow Formula™ (PWF) Step 6: Manage Your Capacity: REDUCE ENERGY EXPENDITURES The best-laid workflow plan will fall apart if you don't have the energy to sustain it. Therefore, Step 6 focuses on keeping yourself physically and mentally fit, through a combination of good sleep, diet, exercise, and preservation of personal happiness. Taken together, these form the hub that links and strengthens the other PWF steps. Begin by recognizing the limits of your personal "battery." You can only go so far before you run out of energy, so know when to slow down and recharge. Don't skip your scheduled breaks—stretch breaks, meals, personal time, weekends, and vacations—or fatigue may eventually overwhelm you. You can't stay productive if you … [Read more...]

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The “Work Less, More Success” Guide to Time Management – Step Four

Posted on 07/16/2012 by ·

Continuing with our series on the Productivity Workflow Formula™ (PWF) Step 4: Process New Information: REDUCE PROCESSING TIME Streamline your information flow, and you'll inevitably cut back on your time expenditures. Make setting up an efficient filing system one of your first tasks. Develop a simple, noun-based labeling scheme, and apply it rigorously to your electronic and paper files. No document should ever take you more than a minute or so to find. You'll also need a reliable personal time management system—some variety of organizer, whether paper, electronic, or hybrid, where you can keep track of all your schedules and contacts. Just make sure it meets the HUG criteria: it must be Handy, Usable, and Garbage-free. Involuntary data inflow, especially email and phone calls, will … [Read more...]

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The “Work Less, More Success” Guide to Time Management – Step Three

Posted on 07/11/2012 by ·

Continuing with our series on the Productivity Workflow Formula™ (PWF) Step 3: Focus Your Attention: REDUCE YOUR DISTRACTIONS So as you embark on your voyage of self-improvement, don't get in a hurry. Accept that developing a new routine takes time. Leo Babauta, the author of the influential Zen Habits blog, recommends setting yourself a 30-day challenge for changing each habit. In this step, you reduce distractions so you can hone your focus to razor sharpness. Once you know exactly what you should be doing and have captured time to do it, you must focus on completing that important task. Distractions represent some of the worst productivity hurdles; even if they drag your attention away for just a few seconds at a time, they can cause you to lose your train of thought and fall out of … [Read more...]

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Too Many Ideas! How Overthinking Can Damage Personal Productivity

Posted on 07/11/2012 by ·
Too Many Ideas! How Overthinking Can Damage Personal Productivity

One of the chief advantages of the human brain is the ability to think of a multitude of ideas. We call the process "brainstorming," and for good reason: when done right, an actual flood of ideas results. We can then grab the likely looking ones and start throwing them at the problem until something sticks. But human intelligence also has its drawbacks, including a tendency to think too much. That may seem unlikely to those of us who have suffered from the occasional maverick's preference to operate purely on instinct, but believe me, overthinking can be nearly as deadly as a surprise tax audit. Overthinking actually comes in two forms. One is the inability to stem the tide of ideas before virtually drowning in it. In this scenario, every idea seems equally valid, and making a choice … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Personal Productivity · Tagged: ,

The “Work Less, More Success” Guide to Time Management – Step Two

Posted on 07/09/2012 by ·

Continuing with our series on the Productivity Workflow Formula™ (PWF) Step 2: Schedule Time to Do It: REDUCE YOUR OBLIGATIONS Once you've identified your key tasks, make the time to do them. Remember, time management really boils down to self-management: the willingness to stop misusing time and practice self-discipline. While you’re not going to waste time during the workday, you’re not trying to do it all. Block out time for your critical HIT lists tasks right on your calendar. Work to reduce your obligations by adopting the computer science concept of "caching." This involves developing the ability to add, drop, and refuse new data on the fly, in order to streamline your workload. I call this "availability caching." When you find yourself at or near maximum capacity, it helps make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Performance · Tagged:

The “Work Less, More Success” Guide to Time Management!

Posted on 07/05/2012 by ·

Since 1992, I've dedicated my career to teaching people how to do less while achieving more. American workers need this relief now more than ever. In the past decade, we've worked harder and done more with less than at any time since the Great Depression. Unfortunately, the pay hasn't kept pace with our efforts, and we often excel at the expense of our health, relationships, and free time. People are tired of "do more with less" and want to "do less and achieve more"! Overwork may be slowly killing you, emotionally, physically, and/or spiritually. But it doesn't have to. Often, overwork stems from taking the wrong approach to structuring one's schedule. I have a solution to offer—one that will significantly reduce your task load and help you rebalance your work/life ratio in your favor. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Performance ·

Make Some Waves to Get Rid of Time Drains

Posted on 07/03/2012 by ·

Laura Stack, The Productivity Pro(R), says that sometimes you need to speak up about things that are hampering your productivity. (C) 2011 Laura Stack. All Rights Reserved. https://theproductivitypro.com … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Business Productivity · Tagged:

Recent Articles on Productivity

Posted on 07/02/2012 by ·

Just wanted to share some recent articles on productivity that I thought you all might enjoy! 3 Types of Awareness That Can Improve Productivity at PickTheBrain.com. Effects of Poor Lighting on Employee Productivity at ASuccessfulWoman.com. 5 Things That Waste Your Time at Work at Mashable.com. And finally, We Work Too Hard at Huffington Post online. Have a safe and happy 4th of July! … [Read more...]

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What To Do When There’s Too Much To Do released today!

Posted on 06/26/2012 by ·

Today is the day!  My latest book, "What To Do When There's Too Much To Do" hit bookshelves today.  See this video from Brian Tracy talking about the book:   Buy the book today from Amazon, BN, 800CEORead or any retailer. Forward a copy of your receipt to [email protected] and you'll receive some special bonuses. Check out the details at LauraStack.com/WhatToDo. … [Read more...]

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