 |
Further
Reading ...
|
|
Managing a CAD Outsourcing Project - Lakshman Balaraman
We must first emphasize that here we are talking about outsourcing CAD projects, which is significantly easier than outsourcing software development or IT services (earlier articles of mine have explained why). This article also assumes that...
How Real PR Works - Robert A Kelly
For some, public relations works well when their news release or special event winds up in the newspaper or on the radio. For others, public relations works best when it does something positive about the behaviors of outside audiences that...
Good News in Our Brave New World - Donna Schwartz Mills
As the year 2001 winds into its final quarter, it is safe to say we're not in the 20th century any more. The unprecedented long cycle of prosperity we enjoyed in the 90's led many to believe that we were experiencing a new economy; one that was...
Soft Skills In the IT Environment – Part 1 of 2 - Carole Nicolaides
by Carole Nicolaides, Copyright © 2002, All Rights Reserved www.progressiveleadership.com In today's competitive environment, it is not enough to be the best in your field intellectually. Competency is only half of what you need to climb the ladder...
|
|
|
Increase Productivity: Five Powerful Actions
|
 |
Written By:
Steve Brunkhorst
|
|
|
How can you make the best use of your energy to increase productivity each day? Here are five actions that can increase productivity and leave energy to spare. They will also help you to achieve more balance between your work and personal life.
The key to increased productivity is to focus on managing actions and energy rather than time. I am going to refer to time as energy because using time always involves energy expenditure. Investing your energy wisely will provide you with additional energy in return.
1. Manage actions and priorities.
Time management is action-management. Think of time as physical and mental energy that you expend through actions. The feeling of "no time" can arise from too many priorities or unclear priorities. Neglected self-care can also leave one feeling unable to complete necessary tasks. Begin your day knowing exactly what you intend to do. Outlining the day on paper each morning is a great action-management technique.
What must you do before you can use your time-energy more efficiently?
2. Keep skills sharpened.
Keeping your skills sharpened will result in more productivity. A client complained that he did not have time to complete his college reading assignments. I soon learned that it took this student 10 minutes to read something that his 15-year old sister could read in 3 minutes! His problem was not time; it was the need to improve reading skills.
"I don't have time," is a common phrase that we've all used without giving it much thought. But what does it really mean? Time excuses signal (1) other priorities, (2) the need for action management, (3) the need for organization, (4) the need for physical or mental energy, or (5) the need to sharpen a skill.
Sharp skills allow completion of more actions with less effort. Sharpen fundamental skills frequently. Take courses that will keep you up to date with the latest information in your career. Routine skill sharpening in all aspects of life is a wise energy-management choice. Personal skills and career skills will often overlap, affecting productivity in both these areas.
What skills could you sharpen that would create more time-energy and productivity?
3. Focus purposefully.
Feelings of time scarcity crop up when thoughts or actions do not pertain to the purpose at hand. Actions that are off purpose do not support one's values or goals. Up goes stress; down goes productivity. Purposeful focus allows a sense of urgency without creating negative stress.
Create daily reminders to check your focus and action-priorities. Many reminder services are available without cost. Establish firm boundaries to prevent energy-consuming distractions. Be assertive to maintain those boundaries.
What distractions could you remove that would help to maintain a purposeful focus?
4. Stay flexible - continued below ...
|
|
|
continued ...
and ask for help.
Urgency is not inflexibility. Flexible plans allow for interruptions, schedule changes, and unforeseen events that you cannot control.
Flexibility also allows you to accept help from others. Attempting to do everything alone can create an energy imbalance in both your personal life and career. Act on your strengths and ask for qualified help with those things you cannot handle alone.
What thoughts or attitudes can you change to become more flexible, balanced, and productive?
5. Act decisively.
Act decisively on the commitments you make to your goals. All the pieces are rarely in place when starting something new. There will always be more to learn. Over-analysis and waiting for the perfect moment can obstruct a successful launch. Fears of either success or failure can hold you back.
Acknowledge fears and look past them to see the rewards of your actions. Move through fear by the power of faith in your purpose. Build momentum and keep learning as you move forward.
What could you accomplish if you made the commitment to begin today?
An Exercise to Increase Productivity
Begin by writing each productivity tip on a sheet of paper. Under each one, write down ways you have used this or a similar idea in the past. What were the results, and what would you do differently this time?
Keep these questions in mind also: "What shows up when I manage my actions appropriately? Where do I waste the most time-energy, and why? What is the payoff when I waste energy and perceive a lack of time? What has robbed me of productive energy in the past?"
Increase Productivity
Next, you will be thinking of five ways you can become more productive. Write your best answer to the question at the end of each productivity tip. Then write down a way you could apply each of the five actions to your current situation.
Keep these questions in mind also: "When I become as productive as I would like to be, what will be my reward? How could I increase my level of self-care to increase my productivity? What things need less attention and more attention in my life at this time?"
The five actions in this article will require ongoing effort. The way you answer these questions will change over time. However, you will find the results worthwhile. Begin taking action now, and you will increase productivity with extra time-energy to spare.
About the Author
© Copyright 2005 by Steve Brunkhorst. Steve is a professional life success coach, motivational author, and the editor of Achieve! 60-Second Nuggets of Inspiration, a popular mini-zine bringing great stories, motivational nuggets, and inspiring thoughts to help you achieve more in your career and personal life. Contact Steve by visiting http://AchieveEzine.com
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
| _Additional Resources ... |
|
Working At Home: The First Year Revisited - Kirk Bannerman
For reasons that escape me now, I kept sort of a diary during my first full year of working at a home based business. It was nothing close to being a complete daily diary, but was more of a collection of scribbles about things that I felt were...
The 5 Secrets You Must Uncover to Pay Off Your Mortgage in the Shortest Possible Time - Rob Sallay
You’ve been making monthly mortgage payments for so long that the checks almost write themselves. But have you become financially complacent, failing to consider ways to decrease your payments or overall debt? Here are 5 secrets to paying off...
Hiring Executives That Are A Perfect Fit - Kathi Graham Leviss
© Kathi Graham-Leviss http://www.xbcoaching.com If we had to define executives in one word, that word would be “visionaries.” Executives are people who have an uncanny ability to grasp and understand long-term goals and broad ideas... and to...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
