It happens all the time. You just want to get some brief information to someone but when you call you get sucked into a long conversation. Sometimes you don't WANT the person to answer their phone – you just want to leave a voicemail. It’s nice to catch up, but what if you just need to pass on some information and get to the next task? Well friends, someone has come up with a solution for this problem! Check out www.slydial.com. It lets you just leave a message – simple as that. It is a free service, and they do offer some premium services for a fee. It is well worth checking out. While on the subject of voice mail - here’s a quick tip. Before making a call, jot down the bullet points you want to cover. This way you have an outline for the call, or if you do get voice mail you … [Read more...]
Three indecisiveness phrases, and when (not) to use them – Matthew Cornell
Today I'm pleased to feature a guest blogger and fellow productivity consultant, Matthew Cornell. He has interviewed me in the past and featured me on his blog. I've been following his good work and musings on productivity and wholeheartedly recommend you subscribe to his feed. by Matthew Cornell: Three Indecisiveness Phrases: I'd like to tell you about three phrases you and I use that actually mean the opposite, and, when used improperly, hurt productivity and weaken your mind (Gasp!) Fear not, I'll also share the only times they are OK to use. And I'll start with a biggie. "Let me think about it" This is a classic in being indecisive. Situation: Have you ever been asked for something or had an offer made to you and you answered "Let me think about it"? Typically what this … [Read more...]
Time is Money: the Sales Professional, the Clock, and the Pocketbook
Time is money. Guess which group of people utters this phrase most frequently? Commissioned salespeople. Hands down. It’s almost a rite of passage that you can’t be a salesperson unless you rinse and repeat daily. Salespeople know how to turn time into money: spend a majority of time on selling activity, namely generating leads, business development, and follow-up. Simple. What makes it so hard? All the non-selling activities that need to be done. I believe many salespeople have lost sight of the value of their time. They run for coffee, socialize with friends, check the latest blog postings, schedule personal appointments, surf the web…all which tends to increase when a sale is made…as if now they can relax a bit. As a salesperson, if you really want to get clear about if the … [Read more...]
How to Set Up an Effective Office Space in Your Home
I’ve worked full-time from my home since 1992 and can’t imagine doing it any other way. Whether you work full time out of your home, occasionally telecommute, catch up on work in the evening, or run a household, you need some sort of dedicated “office” space in your home. Offices can serve as the family computer center, a place to do paperwork, and the occasional work-at-home office. The first big question is where to locate your home office. Until the last few years, most builders didn’t catch on to the popularity of a built-in home office. If you have a computer, you probably need more than an antique writing desk in the living room. But if you only use your “office” to pay bills, write letters, and return phone calls, you can get away with a corner of the kitchen. In most homes, … [Read more...]
Clear the clutter to free your emotional energy and liberate your past
Look around you, at work and home. Do you feel overjoyed or annoyed? Your environment affects your moods, attitudes, emotions, and energy level. What things sap your energy? You need to figure out ways to reduce, eliminate, or change your environment, so that it lifts you up rather than brings you down. These tidbits might help. 1. Clear the clutter. This requires effort and can be time-consuming, but the real reason people dread clearing clutter is emotional attachment -- and because you no idea how to organize what you keep. Focus first on the areas of the home that are most important to your health and vitality, especially the bedroom. 2. Thin out the incoming stream. We all have a constant stream of mail and new possessions coming into our lives. If you don't develop a regular habit … [Read more...]
Your purpose and values guide your productivity
Are you following your mission in life, or do you feel disconnected from what you want to do, believe in, and value? Are other people defining who you are? The more your time is organized around your values, the more energy you gain from your activities. Here are a few ideas that can help you stay "on flow." 1. Figure out who you want to be and what you want to do. Many of us ignore our dreams in the interest of providing for our families, or because we think we don't deserve them -- but all that does is leave us unhappy and listless. If this describes you, spend some time deciding what you want to do and be. 2. Take a good, long look at your career choices. Are you happy? Do you find your work fulfilling? Or are you just going through the motions to pay the bills? If the answer to the … [Read more...]
Me, You, and the Handheld
These days, most of us use handheld technology in all aspects of our daily lives, blurring the boundaries between work and home. Has this made you feel more overworked and less energized? If so, you need to learn how to break free from technology, turn it off regularly, stop letting it control you, and unplug in ways that boost your energy. Let's chat about your electronic habits, and about how to regain control. 1. Plan your screen time and stick to it. It's unnatural to focus on a computer or TV screen for hours on end instead of interacting with people. Yet this is precisely what most people do -- and the subsequent feelings of social isolation and depression can be quite damaging to your energy level. 2. Put your life first. Don't let technology eat up your free time; technology … [Read more...]
Lower stress level at work = an energy and productivity boost
People with high stress levels are more likely to have heart attacks and strokes, respond poorly to flu vaccines, and catch colds more easily than those with low levels of work or interpersonal stress. To sideline stress, you need to learn to shift your perception and the impact of stressful situations. Here are some hints on how to do that. 1. Take a chill pill. High anxiety can put a damper on your performance levels, so take psychological steps, like prayer, meditation, and positive imagery, to reduce your anxiety level. Or just forgive someone who's slighted you. 2. Actively counter stress. Your stress won't go away by itself; you may have to use effective stress management techniques to ease it. A massage, listening to music, and even crying can help you release built-up … [Read more...]
What makes people happiest?
Even if you're in a rewarding relationship and have plenty of acquaintances, you can still feel lonely. Research shows that physical exercise, relaxation, and physical health are positively associated with feelings of well-being, but the variable with the strongest association of all is social support. So if you want to boost feelings of psychological well-being and happiness, have lots of friends -- and take these tips to heart. 1. Spend time with your friends. No matter how much you love someone, relying on a significant other as your sole source of friendship is a mistake. Just because you're in a romantic relationship doesn't mean you don't need other friends. 2. Nurture friendships at your workplace. Many people believe you shouldn't combine work and play, but that can be a … [Read more...]
