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Over the past decade or so of studying time management, personal productivity and workplace efficiency, I’ve learned there are at least four things that make for a more effective day.
Understanding that "change" is what we deal with, and maximizing (1) processes and (2) systems to more efficiently get things done IS a way to gain an advantage over our work.
We could easily get all-consumed by what we have to deal with: We need to understand (3) theories and (4) practices of the psychology of work to most effectively engage with our work and our lives.
Continue reading "Four things that make for a more effective day" »
Fill up, and go further...faster!
You probably wouldn't drive a car more than a few miles (or kilometers) with an empty tank of gas, right?
Well, I have a quick question...how full is your tank of "energy?" Think about it, you've got two areas to consider:
1) Mental Energy: Are you informed and inspired today?
2) Physical Energy: Are you rested and ready for the rest of today?
Last fall I was in London, and after a run one afternoon I thought, "I wonder if there are any running clubs I could join while visiting London." Well, a little webs-searching led me to this site:
Link: London Personal Trainers And Coaches Bring The Gym To Your Home.
Personal Trainers Who Still Make House Calls!
Bring fitness, health and happiness into your own home. ... let our trained, qualified and experienced personal trainers create the perfect fitness programme for you and work with you to achieve that dream body.
I haven't met with anyone from this organization, but the e-mails we exchanged led me to believe they are professional, courteous and knowledgeable. Maybe when I'm back in April (this week went so fast!) I will get a chance to meet up with them.
I got a new license plate frame for my Toyota Camry... on the top it says, "I am, are you?"
On the bottom it says, www. FitAndEffective .com
Recently, someone on a plane asked me what I thought that means. So, I shared my definition of what Fit and Effective means to me... trying something, resting, and trying something else. I believe a lot happens during the "Recovery Time."
Please continue reading!
Continue reading "FitAndEffective... Information -> Motivation -> Results" »
Well, we're planning our "annual" (this will be the 5th!) bike ride around Marin County, CA to celebrate the ending of another year...
We start from San Jose Middle School at 7:10am on 22 December 2007.
The mileages below are approximate, but this is the route we'll take. Wanna meet along the way? Great!
7am Meet at San Jose Middle School
7:10am Leave toward the Cheese Factory
Mile 10 Cheese Factory
Mile 18 Petaluma Blvd. / Washington Street
MIle 26 Bodega Ave. / Petaluma Valley Ford
Mile 36 Valley Ford
Mile 41 Ride toward Tomales
Mile 58 Pt. Reyes (Coffee Stop at the Coffee Shop!)
Mile 74 Stinson Beach
Mile 78 Up Panoramic Highway
Mile 83 Mt. Tam / Fairfax Road
Mile 93 Fairfax
Mile 10??? Ignacio, back to San Jose Middle School!
I have presented programs, workshops and
seminars on workplace performance in one form or another for the past 14 years.
The topic itself fascinates me. As an expert in this field, I continue learn
about the psychological effects of a work-life experience that moves faster and
faster.
A solution for keeping up with the speed of
life is not something that would be nice to have; it is critical to know HOW to
think about your work, and how to most effective get that work
done. In fact, it's the only way to get ahead!
Many years ago, I came across a study that
took place at San Jose State University. Titled the “Chunklet Effect,” three
researchers got together and wrote about how different life is now that we are
living our lives in “snippits” of time.
I have felt this, and I’m sure you have as
well. In fact, just this morning I was exercising when a client call from one of
my investment bank clients came in from Europe. Now, it was 7:30am in
California, and 4:30pm in Zurich. So, choice time: Do I put the workout on hold,
or do I let the call go to voicemail?
(The choice I made doesn’t matter for this discussion, the real question is: When you live your life in chunks, how do YOU decide what to do?)
I am a fan of focus. When I taught high
school (and continue to be a resource for that community through SchoolGuides.org!), I worked overtime to share the ins and outs of “how the brain works”
with my students. I figured if THEY knew what was going on, they would be better
prepared to succeed in AND out of the classroom.
Now that I work with the best of the best (managers, directors, chief executives), I understand that the more THEY know about how productivity happens, the more equipped they are to lead in an uncertain, topsy-turvey, FAST-PACED world.
Solutions for the Speed of Life...
How would you rate yourself on your own “scale of productivity?” Was yesterday a 2…or a 10? When was the last day you left work, arrived home, or reflected on a day at work and thought, “Wow, that was a great day!”?
Every day, too many people leave their office without having spent time on the Significant Things. A lot of people set goals and objectives for themselves, and then, for one reason or another, don’t get around to actually progressing by taking action on their most Significant Projects and Actions.
So here is something you can try: reserve a specific time this week – away from your computer, your mobile phone and your coworkers and/or staff. This time block should be between 45-90 minutes (how long can you go away and still have your department or business run along without you?).
Continue reading "Reserve time for your own growth and advancement. " »
All too often, people over commit and under deliver. In fact, as you read this, bring to mind a promise you have made to someone else (or yourself), and ask yourself if it has “been too long.” By too long I mean, you promised you would have had something done by now, and it’s not finished yet. If that is the case, stop worrying, do not ask yourself why it is not done, simply go on and do something about it.
It may be surprising how much you can get done if you set yourself up for success. There are many ways of doing this, here are a few I know work!
During my workout this morning at the Music Road Inn (though I'm staying in the hotel!), here in Pigeon Forge, TN, I had a stream of thought...
Is time management a myth, or does time management make us a promise?
This all stemmed from an interview I was listening from LoanToolbox [this week I'm working with a loan originator in her office] as the two participants discussed the interesting area of "Credit Scores."
I realized that my "career" is a bit like that of a mortgage broker: I work to match each individual with a support structure that is specific to their needs. My field has to do with productivity and work/life engagement (instead of finance) but the similarities are amazing.
I'm going in for our second day together today...and I am looking forward to seeing what we can learn about the myth AND the promise of time management.
