Jason Womack

What's wrong with education?

In the first three minutes of this video, I tell you why I left the public education system...

In the rest of the video, I share ways you can make your best...even better.

an article on Productivity in the Financial Times

Oh thank goodness…I went to #CoffeeChat with Jodi last Thursday and saw a friend who was reading the Financial Times newspaper. As I was leaving (she had to get to her hike – yup, she’s training for the Rim to Rim, Grand Canyon hike in September, and you’re invited!) John said, “Did you see this article on Productivity by Ian Saunders?”

I’ve reached out via email, written letters and comments to Mr. Saunders, one day we’ll connect, I have faith. Up to now, I suppose my book is still an unknown to him; why do I think that? Because of the recent highlight he did on productivity books, personalities and methods. I love adding to this discussion.

(to continue reading…Click here)

Do you ever do NOthing?

Do you ever do NOthing?

Nope.

And, incidentally, neither do I. Now, don't be concerned...I often do ONEthing. Which is REALLY what people are saying when they say, "I want time to do nothing."

It's quite a world we live in when we need - as Paolo Cardini talks about in his TED Talk - a technology to tune out the technology that disrupts us during our day. So, how can YOU get more? I've got THREE ideas; here's the first one:

Ok, you'll know from the book that I'm a "fan of 15 minutes."

You see, fifteen minutes is about 1% of my day. As there are 1,440 minutes in a day, I calculated that I have 96 blocks of 15 minutes to work with. Want to see how powerful 15 minutes can be? Here's a dare: Look around, and grab ONE thing on your desk that you "need to be working on."

When you're ready, click HERE, and don't do anything EXCEPT study/read/review/work with that thing. In the comment section below, let us know how this works for you!

 

...To read the REST of this article and my two OTHER ideas, click here

As 2013 marches forward, do you find yourself making another to-do list?

Or are you spending time “getting organized”? Or are you buying a new app or tool to “make things easier”? Do you need to attend or call yet “another” meeting?

You are not alone.

These are ways people typically “manage” their time. But when you really look at the results, is your approach working for you? Are you happy with the speed at which you are moving toward your goals? Do you know what you are moving toward? Is it enough?

to continue reading...click here

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Are ya practicing on the small things?

I wrote a short post on the 2 small things you could practice on/with this weekend to be a little better AND stand out a little more.
Here's the link to practice on the small things.

When it's time to focus ...

I have found - and I write about this in the book (especially in Chapter 3) - that I can focus really well on the MITs (most important things) for about this long:

 

How do the best get better?

Of Course... I Emailed My Wife!

We have got to make things easier... This is only the 7th "full weekend" I've been IN Ojai in 2012 (Yeah, I do travel a lot...). While I have been "out and about" working with clients, I see how some people work harder/longer and NOT get the Most Important Things done.

During one meeting with entrepreneurs, I talked about how Jodi and I email each other ALL the time. (Yes, even last week, when we were working within 20 feet of each other here at the house, I emailed...and she replied!)

You see, there are SYSTEMS* and PROCESSES* you can use to work more efficiently OR work longer and harder. Here are some observations I'll share with you in this report. (As you head in to the long weekend, consider upping your game with the Productivity Pack. Orders placed by Midnight Monday will ship from our office Tuesday morning...)

1. There are THREE kinds of conversations we have with customers, colleagues, family and friends. Jodi and I manage 3 different companies together, plus a friendship, and I know I can be more or less effective in each kind of conversation. While speaking with the next 5 people, actively track the "kind" of conversation you're having.

2. Watch the video here... It's one minute and 25 seconds long; and, you'll get an idea about how to Get More Done during the day.

3. When it comes to working SMARTER (not harder) think about your systems...and your processes. This is how I decide to (1) talk to, (2) call or (3) email someone.
SYSTEM: a set of connected things or parts forming a complex whole
PROCESS: a series of actions or steps taken in order to achieve a particular end

Transactions: I've found the best way to initiate, track and resolve a transaction is via email. "Did you...?" or "Will you...?" conversations, for example.
Relationship Building: "I would like to see you, or at the minimum hear your voice," is something I hear people say all the time. It's a way to deepen the relationship.
Crisis Management: Eye to Eye - if possible. If you're deep in something tough, get there; fly, drive, subway or walk so you can "Be" with the person/client/group as you work through this issue. (Best advice on marriage I EVER received came from my Grandpa, Wayne Womack. "Jason," said, "never go to sleep mad at each other; stay up all night if you have to.")

From here at home in Ojai, I send my best for an amazing week of meaning making.

Distraction-free Productivity

When it’s time to get things done, how do you manage time?

When it comes to super-sizing your productivity, there’s a distinct difference between “multi-tasking” and holding a focus-to-finish mindset. I’ve seen it on the trading floor, in the classroom, even on an airplane; when you focus on something until it’s done, it can be easier to get more things done! 

What does it take?

In a day, we generally will think of – and receive – more to do than we can do that day. Take a look around as you read this: emails to read, voice mail to listen to, magazines to read, print-outs to review, meetings to plan for, there’s a LOT out there! So, when it comes time to be your best, here are THREE things you can do:

1. Think Better

I know there are more and less effective ways to think. For example, when I’m typing the draft of an article, I like to have a piece of note paper off to the right side of my desk. That’s where I write down any (unconnected to what I’m doing) ideas I need to think about later. When I’m writing a thank you card, I like to have empty space on my desk. When I’m having a meeting with a client, I like to have access to a white board to I can draw out the ideas we’re discussing. 

Continue reading... click here

Tips for working from your i Device

I put it out to the community, and here were just a few responses...

The ever-present nature of the Smart Device is only clarifying the need to utilize the tools even more. It's not enough to simply have one of these tools, it is more important than ever that we maximize their usage and utility.

I said it on air earlier this year, and people are still talking about it:
"Keep your BlackBerry out of bed."

What I meant by that is three fold:
1. Use the tool during the day, turn off the access for those 4 or 5 or 8 hours when you're going to relax, refresh, and reboot.
2. Get different technology for your nightstand. I still highly recommend you invest in MyZEO. It will give you information that may change (or save) your life.
3. Use that smart device (Blackberry, iPhone, Droid, iPad, etc) to its full capability. (I've made some videos, if you want ideas: http://www.youtube.com/jasonwomack ).
Bottom line, identify ways you could be using that tool more effectively and experiment with those ideas.