Posts Tagged ‘productivity’
A former student’s advice on avoiding procrastination
A former student visited my class last month to offer advice to my fifth graders as they prepare to embark on their journey to middle school. His advice was fascinating: In order to avoid procrastination, fill your life with after-school activities. Do as much as possible. Sports, drama, student government… anything and everything. Pack your…
Read MoreShorter is almost always better
I am and will always be an admirer for anyone who understands that the shorter sermon, the shorter meeting, the shorter training session, and the shorter story are almost always the best versions of those things. Time is our most precious commodity. In truth, it’s our only precious commodity. Honor it as such. When standing…
Read MoreSleeping less is not the secret to my productivity. Television is.
As a person who teaches elementary school, publishes novels, writes for magazines, owns and operates a wedding DJ company, runs a storytelling organization, and performs onstage regularly, I am often asked how I manage to get so much done. This question is almost always followed with this assumption: “You don’t sleep much. Do you?” Yes,…
Read MoreI run through grocery stores often enough that strangers have begun to notice. This does not make me crazy, even though some might believe otherwise.
I was in the bread aisle of the local Stop & Shop last week when a woman stopped me and asked, “Why are you always running through this grocery store?” “Excuse me?” I said. “I always see you running through this store like you’re on fire.” It’s true. When I shop, I move fast, I…
Read MoreThis is exactly what you need to accomplish your goals. Nothing more.
Want some advice on how to create? On how to get things done? How to accomplish your goals? There’s nothing better than this from writer and storyteller Dan Kennedy: “You have to encourage yourself. I woke up with this weird urgent need to tell everyone that. We have to travel with our own fuel onboard.”…
Read More7 more ways that saboteurs attempt to destroy workplace productivity
Last week I wrote about the myriad of ways that productivity is destroyed at the workplace – both intentionally via an OSS manual from World War II as well as my own observations. Reader Anne McGrath – who used to consult with non profit groups and now does organizational assessments, offered these additions to the list…
Read MoreNine rules for making you more efficient with email and less of a jerk face
1. Email is often a means of informal communication. As such, you can dramatically decrease the amount of time spent with email with short, efficient replies like, ‘Thanks” and “Understood” and “Agreed.” Dispense with formalities whenever possible and increase efficiency. 2. Blind Carbon Copy (BCC) is often the tool of the passive aggressive coward. Before…
Read MoreProductivity tip #14: Start your day ahead of everyone else.
It’s fairly simple. If it takes me less time than you to shower, dress, and otherwise prepare for the day, I will have more free time than you. With that free time, I will have the opportunity to accomplish more, and over the long term, if this disparity persists, I will probably crush you. It’s…
Read MoreProductivity tip #13: Own one belt.
A 99 year-old great grandfather offers 25 pieces of advice. My favorite is this one: Everyone has too many clothes. Wear what you have and quit buying more. I know many people who, if given the chance, would spend every weekend buying clothing. Many people. I also know too many people who actually spend every…
Read MoreProductivity tip #12: Embrace the imperfect.
Start something new. Forget about the perfect launch or the right equipment or the ideal partner. Just start. If you find yourself a slave to perfection, remember these three things: It’s more than likely that your need or perfection is simply a symptom of your fear of failure or your tendency to procrastinate. Almost no…
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