Hold That Thought…

Posted on by Christina

distracted from work, unproductive, easily distracted, prioritizing work tasks

Nugget

“Win as if you were used to it, lose as if you enjoyed it for a change.”~ Golnik Eric

Reflection drill

Move Preoccupations to a More Appropriate Time…

Why it matters

Even pleasant preoccupations need a specific time of their own.  Keep your focus on the task at hand, rather than be taken off track by the interest or desire for another project or plan.

Schedule another time — as soon as possible — to give your full attention to your next tantalizing idea, activity, event or plan.

Thinking drill

What mesmerizing, tempting, seductive, winning, inviting or likable ideas are you finding most distracting today?

What enchanting, engaging, fascinating or glamorous thoughts are distracting you today?

Do you have any appealing, bewitching or captivating ideas distracting you from your carefully prioritized list right now?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Individual Productivity, Time Management Skills | Leave a comment

Now, Wasn’t That Worth It?

Posted on by Christina

Businessman Typing on Laptop

Nugget

“Money will come to you when you are doing the right thing.”~ Michael Phillips

Reflection drill

Stop Getting Ready to Get Ready. Find a Way to Get Started…

Why it matters

Increase your motivation to do the difficult or inherently unsatisfactory parts of jobs by focusing on the benefits of finishing them.

Get through the rough spots today by looking forward to the moment when you can say “All finished!”

Thinking drill

Despite having difficulty doing your present task, what benefit will you reap when it’s done?

Won’t your current task look much better behind you?

Which unpleasant chore looming ahead will reap your biggest reward?

What’s your take away?

Posted in A Successful Attitude, Individual Productivity, Time Management Skills | Leave a comment

What Is An Objective?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget  

“Without goals, and plans to reach them, you are like a ship that has set sail with no destination.”~ Fitzhugh Dodson

Reflection drill

Calendar the Major Milestones of EVERY Goal…

Why it matters

An objective is a specific step, a milestone, which enables you to accomplish a goal.

Big goals are not reached with one mighty leap, but rather with the help of individual stepping stones.

Thinking drill

If any of your goals do not have specific milestones toward their accomplishment, wouldn’t it be smart to go back and add them?

What specific objectives have you identified toward reaching your top professional goal?

Where can you make time in this week’s schedule to identify and schedule your next objectives?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Individual Productivity, On Vision, Setting Goals | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Interesting? Or Important?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget  

“The reality of life is that your perceptions – right or wrong – influence everything else you do.  When you get a proper perspective of your perceptions, you may be surprised how many other things fall into place.”~ Roger Birkman

Reflection Drill

Focus on Your Top Priorities – First

Why it matters

Some things are interesting but not necessarily important. When deciding how to spend your time, be sure to know the difference.

You don’t have time to do everything. Optimize your day by knowing what is most important, as well as rewarding. Focus on that first.

Thinking Drill

What test do you use to determine if something is important to you?

How often do you do things first only because they’re interesting rather than important?

To optimize your time, what will you focus your efforts on next?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Individual Productivity, On Being Organized, Time Management Skills | Leave a comment

How Can You Avoid Complexity’s Confusion Blender?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget  

Get more specific about WHO, WHAT and HOW — now!…

Reflection drill

Use a written plan to reduce the confusion of the complex – to the clarity of simple – in successive steps.

Why it matters

The more complex the project, the more essential it is to plan. Planning is the number one way to simplify the complex and increase your chance of success.

Thinking drill

Do you want to save time or do you just want to work your butt off every day?

Take a look at your current project’s plan. What additional planning steps can be filled in now?

For your next project, how much planning time should you schedule?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Individual Productivity, On Being Organized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Make Every Minute Matter…

Posted on by Christina

Nugget

“Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it.”~ Lou Holtz

Reflection drill

Are You Trying To Reinvent The Wheel?

Why it matters

Don’t waste time recreating what’s already been done. Before you take on any new task, look for a system used by someone who’s already performed this same task successfully.

Save time. Model your task after the best, then do it even better.

Thinking drill

Has the task that you are doing right now ever been accomplished by anyone else?

Could you save time and improve results by discovering how the best people have performed your next task?

Which of your upcoming tasks has someone else already performed successfully?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Individual Productivity, Time Management Skills | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Who Needs A Little Inspiration Right Now?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget   “Skill in the art of communication is crucial to a leader’s success. He can accomplish nothing unless he can communicate effectively.”~ Norman Allen

Reflection Drill

Inspiration is the critical catalyst for goal accomplishment. Do whatever is necessary to motivate your people to do their best work possible.

All things become possible when you inspire others to achieve their own greatness.

Why it matters

Dream Big — Lead by Example and Inspire True Commitment…

Thinking Drill

Which of your goals requires excellent work to be accomplished by others?

How could you inspire your people to a higher level of excellence today?

What’s one thing you could do today to inspire someone else in your life?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Inspiring the Team | Leave a comment

When Was The Last Time You Had Any Fun?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget:

“An optimist may see a light where there is none, but why must the pessimist always run to blow it out?”~ Michel De Saint-Pierre

Reflection drill

Act Cheerfully—Have More Fun.   SMILE… SMILE… SMILE…

Why it matters

One great way to cultivate an energetic attitude is to be sure you enjoy what you do. Look for things that are fun to do, and find new ways to have fun at what you’re already doing.

Smile and laugh as much as possible. Instead of lunch, why not go to recess?

Thinking drill

How can you make what you’re doing right now more playful?

What’s one thing you always thought would be fun but have never tried?

When could you next schedule a bit of fun into your life?

What’s your take away?

Posted in Taking Care of Yourself | Leave a comment

What’s After This?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget

“It’s simply a matter of doing what you do best and not worrying about what the other fellow is going to do.” ~ John R. Amos

Reflection drill

Plan at Least One Step Ahead of Where You Are at EVERY Point in Time…

Why it matters

Always plan the next step before you get there. Otherwise, things are likely to come to a screeching halt midway through the job.

Know where you’re going and what you’ll need before you get there!

Thinking drill

Who else needs to be trained to ask, “What’s next after this?”

Which of your current activities could fall apart because you don’t have your next step in place?

What’s the next step for the project you’re working on right now, and after that one?

What’s your take away?


Posted in Individual Productivity | Leave a comment

Just How Big Is Too Big?

Posted on by Christina

Nugget

“Your goals are the road maps that guide you and show you what is possible for your life.”

~ Les Brown

Reflection drill

Set Highly Rewarding Goals… Goals that INSPIRE You to Take Bold Action…

Why it matters

Plan big. The higher the goal, the more it will excite and motivate you.

If your goals don’t excite you, make new ones that do.

Thinking drill

Whatever you’re working on, would you be willing to make it even larger right now?

Why muddle along in mediocrity when you can get supercharged by a really big dream?

What area of your life is in need of a more enticing dream right now?

What’s your take away?

 

Posted in On Vision | Leave a comment