Wednesday, 27 August 2014

Your way...Is it working for you?

Do you have your own way?

Recently, a journalist reached out after reading Your Best Just Got Better (chapter 1 here) and asked:

“Do you have a list of “To Dos” that you you make sure to do every day?"

I opened up my favorite application for “free-thinking” and wrote out a quick mind-map of the things that I know “if I do, my day is #Better.” So, here’s my list:

  1. Start the day w/ gratitude. Write a letter to a client, vendor, author, or other to let them know what what THEY do makes MY life better.
  2. Increase the heart rate, for at least 30 minutes. Walk, ride, run, swim, do SOMEthing to strengthen the HEART muscle; I need that blood system runnin' to strengthen the MENTAL muscle.
  3. Eat. Better. The NEXT 5 hours of productivity will be affected by what I do/don't put into the system right now. Snacks that are high in fat, low in sugar...At least two a day.
  4. Think big...As in "Predict. Adapt. Improve." I know that my work and my world 12 months from now will be limited by the thoughts I didn't have today. So, I do this by reading, watching, listening or interviewing someone to help me think bigger.
  5. Scan social media, find a place to lend a comment, idea, activity, etc ... something that comes from http://wmck.co/ybjgbreviews that could help that person move further...Faster.

    MindMap

Think about it, these are not just “To” dos, for me they are the things that increase the likelihood that I’ll have a good day. No, it’s not a guarantee, but boy does it go a long way in creating the conditions that are just right.

How about you? What are your “Must Dos” that help you have better days?

Monday, 25 August 2014

Don't let this happen - change your social network!

The Right Kind…

 

Mark your calendar - and mark my words - 12 months from now your personal world will depend on your professional network.

 

Years ago, I studied “The Pareto Principle.” The idea that 80% of our results can come from just 20% of our resources or our efforts (or, some combination thereof). I decided to see what would happen if I applied this concept to my social network.

Before Facebook Existed

If you’ve read the book, Your Best Just Got Better, you saw that chapter 5 is titled, “Improvement and Your Social Network.” But, the network I’m talking about existed long before LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram (or…whatever social sharing site is coming up next!). The network you are a part of includes your family, your teachers, your co-workers and your neighbors.

Now, much like the “social network and sharing sites” today, the people you spend time with can influence what you do, what you believe is possible, and what you achieve. It’s not for you to just believe that; spend a few minutes putting this theory to the test. Test it, before you buy it.

The 5 People…

This was a wild experiment I ran in 1998; I remember it like it was yesterday. On the white board in my office I wrote the names of the 5 people I was spending the most time with. The list included my then-girlfriend, a work colleague, and a mentor I met with about once month. Next to each of their names, I wrote things that I could imagine such as:

1. About how much money they earned.

2. About how many vacations they took last year.

3. About how many movies we talked about seeing.

4. About how many books we discussed.

5. The “most common” topics we talked about, when we had time.

Then Came the Shock

I realized that these 5 people had actually created a limitation; I was only able to see, think, and be about the average of those around me. Sure, I wanted to believe that I could be the “tall poppy,” but when it came down to it, I was living about the average of those 5 people. I was making about the average in salary, taking about the average in vacations, going to about the average in seminars and conferences.

But, in my heart and mind…I’m not average!

Who Are You Meeting Along The Way?

Look, over the next 30 days, I challenge you to end the day with a simple process. Write down the names of people you meet each day. One person, 10 people, people you may meet with again, and people you’re likely never going to see again. Be aware of people’s names as they introduce themselves to you, and watch what happens over the next 30 days.

Really, watch what happens over the next 365 days.

Your peer group (peer: a person of the same age, status, or ability as another specified person) may be the most significant limitation you experience, personally AND professionally.

You need to find people who will push on you, and you need to push on them. Raise the bar, hear the truth, and make a different.

What is the next thing for you to do to find your next group of “personal change makers”?

Monday, 18 August 2014

Technology and Productivity: Are you "byte-lingual"?

Learn the language of technology to become more productive (save time) every day; become byte-lingual.

How would you rate your overall "fluency" with your technology and tools? You use your email system and SMART phone every day; what would the impact be if you learned one new productivity feature each week for a year?

Three Ways to Become Byte-Lingual

Seek Micro-Improvements. Saving YouTube learning videos to my computer to watch later, programming special “shortcuts” in to my smart phone and learning the speed keys across my most frequently used applications alone saves at least 15 minutes a day.

Observe others. Years ago, I watched someone download a YouTube video to their computer, edit the parts of the video they wanted to show in a meeting, and then import that video clip in to their PowerPoint presentation. That one hour changed my life; I save about 2 hours each presentation I create (plus, no more headache of having to be “online” during every client presentation).

Watch Online Video Tutorials: Visit video (or product) websites to learn about the product (service, program, etc) you’re interested in. Watch these “bite-sized” videos, and learn more…faster. Also, consider leaving a tip (or a question) in the comment area below!

For more ideas, visit: http://wmck.co/byte-lingual

Using tools, applications and gear more effectively, you could be saving anywhere from 30 minutes to 90 minutes of time…every day. Imagine of your team of 5 people had 120 hours of “extra” time this coming year. What would you be able to get done?

Sunday, 17 August 2014

“where we come from” is more important than we may think

Are you an influential leader?

What causes a person to think of herself or himself as a “leader?” 

Look out at the community you live and work in and identify those brave enough to stand up and say, “I am a leader.”
This month, Get Momentum members around the world have the opportunity to learn from one of our country's greatest leaders: Frances Hesselbein.

Now, just because you haven’t heard of her yet doesn’t mean you can skip this email.
I can give you just a few reasons you’d want to sit down with her - “knee to knee” as she says in our video interview available exclusively to Get Momentum members - and partake of the wisdom she so willingly shares.

* She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

* She has received more than 20 Honorary Doctoral Degrees

* She has written 3 books, and edited 27 books in nearly 30 languages

* FOUR American Presidents have recognized her as one of our country's greatest leaders

The Get Momentum Theme for September:

“You: The Influential Leader”

As your Productivity Coach, I spent more than 6 years getting to know Frances, and just 50 minutes interviewing Frances. I've watched that interview three times this month, and I'll share three things I'm sure of:


Influence: “Who” we spend time with changes “what” we believe is possible. If you're going to be a better leader, you have to spend time with the most influential people.

Community: The groups we lead (family, friends, colleagues, communities) want to follow us...if they trust us.

Leadership: Today is the most important time in history for us to step up and BE leaders.


And, a BONUS...Ready?

Productivity: There is a myth that we need to “do” anything more; truth is, “Leadership is a matter of how to BE, not what to do.”

FrancesAndJason

How would YOU like to learn from a mentor, a teacher, a leader and a (newfound) friend who has more than NINE DECADES of experience?

She’s willing and able to share her perspective on how we can be better, and in less than an hour you’ll have the information and inspiration you need to make a difference.

 

*** Members of Get Momentum ***

Sign In at: GetMomentum.co and look for the following highlights during this month’s Success Profile video w/ Frances Hesselbein.

18:13 - The “who” we spend time with WILL positively & negatively influence how we are as leaders.

21:31 - How “love” changes everything from a leaders’ perspective.

24:44 - More than ever - in the current political and economic world we live in - THIS is the most important thing to emphasize…

29:11 - How “where we come from” is more important than we may think.

31:49 - How one conversation in a Presbyterian church put Frances in charge of a few girls, and...

... how that ultimately led to her being asked to serve as the CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA (1976-1990).

Friday, 15 August 2014

Can you ever know if it's REALLY worth it?

You know those days that go “Productively Weird?” A meeting you’ve looked forward to gets cancelled. You feel stressed out and stuck. You don’t have the motivation you know you need. When you’re out of it, do you know how to get back?

How Do You Know If It Matters?

It’s important to stay balanced between overwhelmed and uber-productive; getting things done can’t be the only goal, you’ve got to experience the feeling that momentum provides. You’re engaged, you’re proud of what you’re doing, you’re being the “You” that others can count on.

Even with a plan (or elegantly organized list of to-do items), days can still go weird. There are 5 things you can do to reset your brain to get that next task done. Oh, and these work for any kinds of tasks: The creative ones and the more analytical, left-brained to-dos.

After you read through these ideas, add a 6th way that you reset yourself and ensure setbacks don’t sabotage your day’s productivity level.

Get Ready to Get Things Done #Better Than Ever Before

Any of these 5 approaches can save your psyche for maximum performance at a moment’s notice:

1. Rethink what you DO manage. (Hint: It’s NOT time.) You don’t finish a day and recount what you did minute-by-minute. Instead, you reflect back on accomplishing a project, a presenting information effectively and making a sale, or even hearing back about a budget issue, etc. Managing yourself implies you know what to do next and you’re ready to engage. Mentally, flip-forward to the end of the day and ask yourself: “What are some of the things I’d like to have done?” Big ones, little ones, everything in between … then, see if you can set yourself up so that when things go weird, you focus on taking action.

IMG 4927

2. Reprogram Your Breathing. It only takes 10 deep breaths to consciously change your breathing, which in turn changes your mindset and calms you. This practice is performed in biofeedback sessions the world over, and can be done right at your desk or workspace. Breathe in slowly for five seconds, and then out for another five seconds. Repeat this 10 times and note how you feel. This small relaxation technique might be just what you need to clear your head and move on to your next task.

3. Change Your Scenery. If a schedule change or a productivity misstep leaves you frazzled, sometimes you just need to walk away. Stepping away from your computer to take a walk around the block or to get some water can refresh your energy to your pre-thrown-for-a-loop levels. If a physical change isn’t possible, or you feel pressed for time, try switching up your tools: If your task is creative, for example, try writing with a legal pad instead of using the computer. Or, combine these two suggestions by printing out your latest draft and taking it with you to an area of your workspace where you can see sit in a comfortable chair or look out a window.

4. Reach Out and Vent. Getting rid of the negative vibes that unforeseen circumstances create can be a recipe for renewal. Sometimes all you need is a five-minute conversation with a trusted friend or colleague to vent your frustration. Just be sure to keep it brief (so as not to stew, causing further negativity), and be careful not to disclose any confidential information. Once you’ve purged your mind of all your reactionary feelings, you’ll have made room for positive feelings about how to readjust your day.

5. Take a TV Timeout. Before you get the wrong idea, we’re not suggesting you watch TV to escape your frustration! Rather, think of how live sporting events are required to take a quick break in the action and make it mandatory for yourself to tackle a task that you can achieve in two minutes or less. Send a couple follow-up emails, make a phone call or archive some files. Choose something easy, and not only will it allow you to quickly shift your focus to another topic, but it’ll also give you the confidence you need to get your head back in the game.

Try any of these five techniques, one at a time, and see which resonate with your work process. You may surprise yourself by how quickly you can recover when things go awry. Allowing a break in focus when you need to recalibrate, refocus and reengage in what needs to be done next on any given day will elevate your productivity status — and your mindset — from sabotaged to successful.

How about you? How do YOU figure out if it's worth it? If it matters?