When it comes to making things possible, how do you work together…together?
In our work as Executive Coaches and corporate leadership facilitators, we know how important it is to balance a healthy dose of focus on the present with time, energy and focus spent on the future. But, now do you do that?
Do you have important things to get done? Do you want to be more productive and reduce your stress at work? Think differently, and you will get more done.
Last week I spoke to two groups of managers in Seattle, Washington about the topic: "Optimize Your Time and Focus to Get Momentum."
My intention was to demonstrate how important it is to think differently and plan out the different "sizes" of projects to start and changes to make. When I coach leaders to achieve success while working in alignment with their purpose, we use a tool called “So that…”
Recently, a client texted:
"I am using the 'So that' process every day to be more productive at work."
What are the "So thats..." that drive you to do your best work for the individuals, groups and organizations you serve? You know... as author and TED Speaker Simon Sinek asks, "WHY? do you do what you do?"
What's the purpose of you working as hard as you do, worrying about problems that need to be solved, and raising your opinion - and your voice - about what's happening around you?
Get Started Here
Sure, you are working on many projects, but right now choose one meaningful project. It could be personal, or something at work to get done. Open your Momentum Journal, and write 3-5 "So thats."
Here's an example: I am working on my 5th book this year.
"I am writing another book so that:
Different Kinds of Thinking
Continue thinking of three different "sizes" about the project. Do this to be more productive, reduce your stress and work in alignment with your purpose. Whether you chose a personal or professional project, you can go up and down the scale of thinking.
Large Thinking: The WHO. Describe the community and specific reasons they will benefit when you are finished.
When I wrote my third book, Your Best Just Got Better, I had a wall of pictures I had taken from magazine covers and printed from websites. They were all the people I had wanted to send a copy of my book to for their endorsement. Some people I knew, some people I had not met yet, and the common denominator was simple: EVERY person was in a position to ask hundreds or even thousands of other people to read my book.
Medium Thinking: The WHAT. What is a "rough draft" picture of the deliverable? Describe in detail what it will look, sound and feel like when the client or community uses it.
When we launched v3 of the Get Momentum Leadership Academy, I had (on the same wall in my office, of course!) printed out 13 different "Requests" from current members. Throughout the rebuilt of the website and revision of the materials, we constantly referred back to that information asking ourselves, "What do our members want from us?"
Small Thinking: The HOW. Open your calendar and choose (this week) a 75-minute block of time to talk about, plan and work on that project. Create the desk/office space you need to have a successful practice session.
Getting Things Done isn't just about managing time anymore. Back in the early 2000's, I was a GTD facilitator and coach; I helped people organize their office, empty their inbox and make lists of things they had not done yet. What do I know after having facilitated more than 500 days of those seminars in 6 years?
Time is not the ONLY factor that limits your ability to get things done. You need to add in three other elements:
Where Are You?
If you need to work without distraction, you might need to move somewhere for a day (or an hour...or a week!). If you want to Get Momentum on the project, create the environment you need to get it done. Find a conference room you can sit in at lunch. Sit in your car for 15 minutes in the morning. Invite someone to meet you for coffee to talk about your project and brainstorm how it will help people you want to serve.
What's Distracting You?
Notice, I did not say "Who?" I said "What?". That is, if you go to that place you CAN focus, you do not want anything left on your mind that will distract you while you are there. Want a tip? Take this one that you can read about in David Allen's book, Getting Things Done:
"...you will want to collect anything else that may be residing in your psychic ram."
How do I do it? Before I start any work session (writing, planning, thinking, even facilitating a workshop!), I make a hand-written list of at least 30 things that are on my mind. When I do this, it lets a part of my mind relax so I can go to work. Later on, I will come back to and look at that list to see what I need to do.
How Much Energy is Left?
Ok, so are you a morning person? An evening person? Do you get energy by being around people? Alternatively, when you work alone? There are two ways of looking at this third prompt:
1) How can you boost your energy on the front side of a work session; or
2) How much energy do you have, and what are you good for?
Look, I am a morning person. I know it, my wife knows it, my friends know it, and I have even trained my clients so that they know it! If anyone around me wants the BEST and most I have to give, they know to plan something in the morning. However, this does not mean I cannot work later in the afternoon, or into the evening.
If I am going to work at my non-prime times, then I will have my tricks and tools handy that help me stay engaged when I need it most.
You are not going to find a one-size-fits-all when it comes to being as productive as possible. Start by identifying your "So thats..." and continue by making sure you are thinking at all the levels you need. Use this “So that…” process to think – and work – productively and purposefully.
How can we fix what's going on in #Charlottesville? We have to think differently: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/one-size-thinking-doesnt-fit-all-jason-w-womack-med-ma on @LinkedIn
Like you, I work for my income. As a business owner, my bank account is a DIRECT reflection of my ability to provide a service that someone else will pay me for.
If the answer is YES, then I have to deliver that work. I then send an invoice. Then, I wait (sometimes a little, other times a lot). During that time, I’m paying my own expenses, keeping our staff and contractors paid, as well as paying the taxes (yes, even on the outstanding invoices!).
So, when I have to make a financial decision to GIVE UP $10 or $50 or even $100, you MUST know that choice hit my bottom line. So, why would I willingly give American Airlines $200 of my money? Let me explain...
A while ago, a friend-of-a-friend asked if I wanted to contribute a “video course” to a entrepreneur she knew was creating a Channel of expert-led classes. The preliminary details sounded good: I’d fly to their city, be in their studio, have them edit the course I teach, and best of all…the content would be based on our newest book, “Get Momentum."
As we got closer to the date, I made my plans. I blocked the day off the calendar - turning down other work that had come in along the way - as well as made my travel arrangements; including a non-refundable airline ticked with my airline of choice: American Airlines.
Then…things started unraveling. With less than 3 weeks to go, I got an email, with a link, to review the “Contract.” Well, I immediately forwarded a PDF version of the contract I’d received (THAT was an issue in an of itself!) to my corporate attorney.
NOTE: Please, if you are in business for yourself - no matter how small - have an attorney on your side.
Ok, I’m going to make this next bit really, really short.
Three emails, and 4 phone calls later (between the “video course” folks and my attorney) it turned out that the fine print of the contract was going to open up (a) some liability, and (b) my content would be free for them to re-edit and re-use.
Well, I had purchased a non-refundable ticket from American at $323. So, I had to make the big decisions to:
And, you know what? I’m happy. That $200, sure it eats at Jodi and my “bottom line.” We won’t be able to do “SOMEthing” this month, cause we’re 200 bucks Short. BUT, in the long term it was the best choice.
Just ask my attorney.
Getting Things Done…it can be challenging while working with your team.
Whether you’re a manager, a leader or an individual contributor, you’ve got to be EFFECTIVE and PRODUCTIVE to build a high performing team.
One way to do that:
This month (Monday, August 7th and Monday, August 14th), Get Momentum member Stephen Collins (living in Canberra, Australia) is leading 1-hour long Emotional Intelligence Mastermind sessions through an online, global meeting room.
It’s free to register (here) and you can download the reading materials (free) HERE.
When you learn the skills of team building and collaboration, everything is better.
And, what could happen if you deliberately focused on building a higher performing team? Of course, your workplace would be a better place to work; projects would get done faster, and often better. But what about home? Wouldn't it be nice if you were on the same page more often with your spouse...your kinds? And, what about in your community? Are you a volunteer in an organization that could use these skills of Emotional Intelligence.
Are you still wondering if you need to attend this Mastermind session?
Here’s my challenge to you: Open your Momentum Journal, and write a page or two to answer this question:
Would you like to empower others, increase your productivity and trust those you work with do their best every day?
By the way, according to research the benefits of YOU learning Emotional Intelligence include:
If this sounds like something you’d like to participate in, just click below to add the event to your calendar:
Here's the SELF-ASSESSMENT you can take to learn IF you're creating an inspiring workplace.
Have you ever scheduled time to work on a project while in your office? You know, two or three hours in the morning to write or research something; the time you need to get your mind wrapped around something new.
Then, someone asks, "Do you have a minute?"
You can relate.
AND, you know that it always takes "more than a minute."
Interruptions at work are a major cause of people working late hours, not finishing things on time, and having to take work home to do late at night or on the weekends. The results areyou may feel like work is never done, there is always something more to do, and whenever we see someone, or see their name in our e-mail inbox, we get stressed about what is coming our way!
What are people REALLY asking for when they ask for "just a minute?"
In our workshops, participants tell me people are asking for advice, opinions, permission, ideas, information, and approval. When I ask what they really WANT when they ask you for a minute, people sayattention, focus, friendship, camaraderie, and understanding.
That's why it takes more than a minute!
Leadership means minimizing the number of times people interrupt you and maximizing the time you DO spend with people.
Here are TWO ways to MAXIMIZE interruptions:
If you work in an office with more than 3 people, start there. Each morning, flip through the cards and add something to talk about or share with them.
I recommend you add a project to ask them about, a compliment to share, and a few words of praise for work well done. Once per day, make a point to speak with them one-on-one, and let them see you review the card.
Make a point to let them know you're "bunching" the items to talk about. The message you send is that you think it's important, once per day, to preempt any issues as well as celebrate good work.
"No, I'm sorry, I can't talk right now, I'm in the middle of something I need to focus on. When can I come and talk with you later today?" It's going to take practice, especially for those of us whom people count on to always give them "just a minute."
Give yourself a month or so to practice these tips, and you'll soon be enjoying longer blocks of study, writing, thinking, and research time—without the barrage of interruptions. Management thinkers and business coaches have for years explained the importance of collecting larger chunks of time to focus on significant projects.
These blocks of time rarely just "show up."
We actually have to schedule and use them wisely.
Imagine that you could learn the skills required to be a better, more effective and more productive leader.
When would you want to start? How about now!
In 2011 I achieved an Historian's Dream*...
I got to visit France on the anniversary of the D-Day Invasion:
Of everything I saw there, the one picture I can see without having to look. Two brothers, side by side, laid to rest in the national cemetery in Normandy, France.
I can close my eyes and see this picture, flowers at the base of each Cross.
I remember how I felt; I thought about how my parents might have responded if they'd lost their two sons to a military operation.
(Look carefully, you'll see their shared last names...and, if you ever heard of the movie Saving Private Ryan...they're the ones who inspired the film.)
* You know I taught US History and World History back in the ‘90s, right? For one year, I taught 7th grade, and for another 4 years I taught 10th and 11th grades.
When I was a teacher, I’d hoped that Memorial Day wasn’t JUST seen as “a day off school and work.” I asked students to pause sometime that day, and reflect on what we’d learned together.
And, now that I am an Adjunct Faculty Member at Air University, USAF Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, AL, I continue teaching what I've learned about our country's military history.
Originally known as Decoration Day…it was officially claimed on May 5th, 1868 by General John Logan, commander of the Grand Army.
(Learn about Gen. Logan here.)
At that time, it wasn’t the anniversary of a specific battle.
It originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
Later, in 2000, President Bill Clinton signed a proclamation asking Federal Employees - and as many Americans who would - to pause for one minute at 3PM local time.
No matter what time of day you’re reading this, consider taking just a few minutes at History.com or USMemorialDay.org to learn a bit more about the significance of today...
Jodi gave the biggest speech of her life on Thursday.
It was an hour #keynote to 750 people at the Path to Agility conference in Columbus, Ohio.
She shared the story of working for a boss who to the outside world was beautiful, charismatic and successful.
But to those in the office, Jodi's boss was a #BULLY whose leadership style was one of public humiliation and #shaming.
“I must have hired the HANDICAPPED,” she’d say aloud if one of them made a mistake.
It was awful.
She must have thought it would motivate us to work harder to not make ANY mistakes.
But... it had actually the opposite effect.
++++++++++++++
Jodi knew she couldn’t live her whole professional career in fear and dread.
She eventually made the leap and left that well paid and “stable” job that was killing her slowly.
Whether you work in a toxic environment (like Jodi did) or you're in a fantastic and supportive job (like she is now), learn how to make it even better, starting June 1st.
June’s theme could be a life-saver, we’ll coach you to focus on:
CREATING AN INSPIRING WORKPLACE.
Click HERE take the SELF-ASSESSMENT.
