“Most of the time multitasking is an illusion. You think you are multitasking, but in reality you're actually wasting time switching from one task to another.” ~~Bosco Tjan~~
True or False?
I loved the responses I got on yesterday’s post! Thank you! It seems most share my views on the importance of preparation. I enjoyed reading about how people prepare; research, writing things down, cleaning (really?) and meditation were a few. I also thought it was interesting to learn about when they feel preparation is necessary, versus when they feel “winging it” or “coming from the heart” was more appropriate.
So, today I ask, “How do you stay focused?” When you have 30 things to do and multitasking in ingrained in us from birth, how do you (or DO you) do one thing at a time? What tools do you find helpful? Do you listen to music, do you meditate? Does yoga or breathing exercise help you? How about “to do” lists; are they enough to keep you on track? When you have so much on your mind that you can’t seem to stop thinking, how do you get to sleep? Any tips or tricks you have to share are most appreciated! Thanks again!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
Preparation - your opinions, please
“The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” ~H. Jackson Brown Jr ~~
Or, is it?
I’ve written often about my opinions on preparation. As I prepare my thoughts for a public speaking event, I turn to you… Rather than a post on why preparation is so important to me, today I’ve decided to “ask the audience”. How do you prepare? What do you consider well-prepared? Do you feel that too much preparation and planning can hinder creativity? Is there a point when you feel you should stop preparing and just “go with it”? How important do you feel mental preparation is to your success? How do you mentally prepare? How do you prepare your workspace? Do you feel that a well-prepared space helps you to stay focused and more productive? I’d love to hear your opinions, your best tips and tools, and any thoughts you may have on the subject. Whether it’s as a comment on BlogSpot, a LinkedIn comment, a Facebook response, a Tweet, or an answer on Quora, I welcome your responses. Thanks!
Or, is it?
I’ve written often about my opinions on preparation. As I prepare my thoughts for a public speaking event, I turn to you… Rather than a post on why preparation is so important to me, today I’ve decided to “ask the audience”. How do you prepare? What do you consider well-prepared? Do you feel that too much preparation and planning can hinder creativity? Is there a point when you feel you should stop preparing and just “go with it”? How important do you feel mental preparation is to your success? How do you mentally prepare? How do you prepare your workspace? Do you feel that a well-prepared space helps you to stay focused and more productive? I’d love to hear your opinions, your best tips and tools, and any thoughts you may have on the subject. Whether it’s as a comment on BlogSpot, a LinkedIn comment, a Facebook response, a Tweet, or an answer on Quora, I welcome your responses. Thanks!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Motivation
“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.” ~~Tennessee Williams~~
Some great comments on my post yesterday really got me thinking about how we get and stay motivated. I was reminded by a colleague Sheree Van Vreede (@rezlady) that we’re not in this game alone. It really does take a village, and we can rely on our networks for support. So true! My personal advisory board helps me not only stay on track, but is a huge support to me when I feel I need a little something… And, that something can be anything, really! Sometimes it’s motivation and encouragement. Sometimes it’s a sounding board. Sometimes it’s advice. Sometimes it’s a swift kick in the pants! It’s not only motivating, but extremely comforting to know I have a village out there! Social media applications like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, (and now I’m exploring Quora) have helped make that village even larger. In fact, that’s how I know of Sheree! It’s wonderful to know that there’s a whole world of people out there who are willing to help!
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart; I'll always be with you.” ~Winnie the Pooh
Some great comments on my post yesterday really got me thinking about how we get and stay motivated. I was reminded by a colleague Sheree Van Vreede (@rezlady) that we’re not in this game alone. It really does take a village, and we can rely on our networks for support. So true! My personal advisory board helps me not only stay on track, but is a huge support to me when I feel I need a little something… And, that something can be anything, really! Sometimes it’s motivation and encouragement. Sometimes it’s a sounding board. Sometimes it’s advice. Sometimes it’s a swift kick in the pants! It’s not only motivating, but extremely comforting to know I have a village out there! Social media applications like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, (and now I’m exploring Quora) have helped make that village even larger. In fact, that’s how I know of Sheree! It’s wonderful to know that there’s a whole world of people out there who are willing to help!
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart; I'll always be with you.” ~Winnie the Pooh
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Goals (and an interesting question)
“You control your future, your destiny. What you think about comes about.” ~~Mark Victor Hansen~~
I’ve been thinking a lot this morning about motivation and goals, and how they work together. I know that I like a good, solid “to do” list to cross off daily as I accomplish tasks. They help me feel productive each day, even when what I am working on is administrative and tactical. I know short term goals set weekly or monthly (or even annually) help me focus and stay my course. But I think it may be my long term goals, my 10 year plans, that really help motivate me, and provide me with that extra stick-to-itiveness I need when I just don’t feel like taking action. So, now I’m curious… What motivates you? Which set of goals do you feel helps you most, or do you think all three are equally as important?
I’ve been thinking a lot this morning about motivation and goals, and how they work together. I know that I like a good, solid “to do” list to cross off daily as I accomplish tasks. They help me feel productive each day, even when what I am working on is administrative and tactical. I know short term goals set weekly or monthly (or even annually) help me focus and stay my course. But I think it may be my long term goals, my 10 year plans, that really help motivate me, and provide me with that extra stick-to-itiveness I need when I just don’t feel like taking action. So, now I’m curious… What motivates you? Which set of goals do you feel helps you most, or do you think all three are equally as important?
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Attitude
“You must start with a positive attitude or you will surely end without one.” ~~Carrie Latet~~
at•ti•tude (noun)
Definition:
1. personal view of something: an opinion or general feeling about something
a positive attitude to change
2. bodily posture: a physical posture, either conscious or unconscious, especially while interacting with others
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Don’t you just KNOW you’re going to be more productive when you’re in a good mood?!?!?! I would love to bottle the energy and exhilaration I feel when I wake up, am able to just jump out of bed, and start my day off with a bang! I can literally feel the creative juices flowing through my fingertips! Well, while I may not be able to actually drink that tonic, I am certainly able to choose my attitude! I will remember this feeling, and recreate it whenever I need to. I will make every day a great day!
at•ti•tude (noun)
Definition:
1. personal view of something: an opinion or general feeling about something
a positive attitude to change
2. bodily posture: a physical posture, either conscious or unconscious, especially while interacting with others
Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P)2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.
Don’t you just KNOW you’re going to be more productive when you’re in a good mood?!?!?! I would love to bottle the energy and exhilaration I feel when I wake up, am able to just jump out of bed, and start my day off with a bang! I can literally feel the creative juices flowing through my fingertips! Well, while I may not be able to actually drink that tonic, I am certainly able to choose my attitude! I will remember this feeling, and recreate it whenever I need to. I will make every day a great day!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Focus
“Success is focusing the full power of all you are on what you have a burning desire to achieve.” ~~Wilfred Peterson~~
The ability to stay focused may very well be the most important ingredient in the recipe for accomplishment. While I believe that all of the tools that I write about are critical to success, staying focused on the tasks at hand (short term) and keeping your eye on the prize (long term) are paramount. And, HARD! There is so much noise out there. And, there’s just so much going on! How many emails did you come in to this morning? How do you manage all of them? If you have separate work and personal email accounts, how tempted are you to check your personal email the second you sit down? And, I know that it’s a challenge for *me* not to get “sucked in” to Twitter or Facebook when I sit down at my computer. Even LinkedIn is in the process of beta testing a tool which will help people weed through the garbage to glean useful and relevant information from their networks. (http://blog.linkedin.com/2010/09/29/linkedin-signal/) But it’s not just the online noise that can sidetrack you. What about your own thoughts? What about the things you said you had to do, and haven’t done yet? What about all of the outside stressors in your life; your household chores, your family commitments, your good news, your bad news, your friends’ news… There is always something, and because of that, it’s imperative that you learn how to stay focused! I am practicing some new tools this year, and hoping to perfect some old ones. Meditation and affirmations are key for me. My mantra right now,” I am focused and efficient. I accomplish my goals.”
What do you do to stay on task?
The ability to stay focused may very well be the most important ingredient in the recipe for accomplishment. While I believe that all of the tools that I write about are critical to success, staying focused on the tasks at hand (short term) and keeping your eye on the prize (long term) are paramount. And, HARD! There is so much noise out there. And, there’s just so much going on! How many emails did you come in to this morning? How do you manage all of them? If you have separate work and personal email accounts, how tempted are you to check your personal email the second you sit down? And, I know that it’s a challenge for *me* not to get “sucked in” to Twitter or Facebook when I sit down at my computer. Even LinkedIn is in the process of beta testing a tool which will help people weed through the garbage to glean useful and relevant information from their networks. (http://blog.linkedin.com/2010/09/29/linkedin-signal/) But it’s not just the online noise that can sidetrack you. What about your own thoughts? What about the things you said you had to do, and haven’t done yet? What about all of the outside stressors in your life; your household chores, your family commitments, your good news, your bad news, your friends’ news… There is always something, and because of that, it’s imperative that you learn how to stay focused! I am practicing some new tools this year, and hoping to perfect some old ones. Meditation and affirmations are key for me. My mantra right now,” I am focused and efficient. I accomplish my goals.”
What do you do to stay on task?
Monday, January 3, 2011
Preparation
“Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now.” ~Jonatan Mårtensson~
It’s the first “work day” of 2011 I took the last few weeks “off”, literally. I took advantage of the down time and prepared myself mentally for the year that lies ahead. I feel as if I am ready for anything. I relieved myself of disappointment from unfulfilled expectations. I absolved myself from leftover guilt caused by not always doing what I said I was going to do. I meditated. I relaxed. I spent a lot of time thinking about what this year will bring. I believe this is going to be an amazing year…one filled with things by which to be amazed. It’s not just me… friends of mine have stated they also believe that this will be a year of great change. And, I for one, am very excited about that change. I’m not yet sure what it will look like; I do not even pretend to predict the future… but I have a plan.
I spent a lot of time physically preparing as well. I stretched a lot. I rested a lot. I laughed a lot. I also feel as if my physical space (my home office) is almost perfect. All I need now is a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and I am good to go. I love that my space is 100% conducive to accomplishment. It’s a “power” office complete with a desk fit for the CEO, a white board filled with roadmaps to success, a fountain, scented reed diffusers, “tokens of gratitude”, inspirational artwork made by my son, and of course, quotes everywhere to help me stay on track. There is a door I can close when I need to really focus, and speakers to play whatever music suits the mood. (Thanks Pandora!)
I am ready. And, I am excited by the possibilities. If you’re not feeling prepared for 2011, there’s still time! It’s never too late to take action!
“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on man unless they act.” ~G.K. Chesterton~
Happy New Year! I wish you all great things in 2011 and beyond!
It’s the first “work day” of 2011 I took the last few weeks “off”, literally. I took advantage of the down time and prepared myself mentally for the year that lies ahead. I feel as if I am ready for anything. I relieved myself of disappointment from unfulfilled expectations. I absolved myself from leftover guilt caused by not always doing what I said I was going to do. I meditated. I relaxed. I spent a lot of time thinking about what this year will bring. I believe this is going to be an amazing year…one filled with things by which to be amazed. It’s not just me… friends of mine have stated they also believe that this will be a year of great change. And, I for one, am very excited about that change. I’m not yet sure what it will look like; I do not even pretend to predict the future… but I have a plan.
I spent a lot of time physically preparing as well. I stretched a lot. I rested a lot. I laughed a lot. I also feel as if my physical space (my home office) is almost perfect. All I need now is a fresh coat of paint on the walls, and I am good to go. I love that my space is 100% conducive to accomplishment. It’s a “power” office complete with a desk fit for the CEO, a white board filled with roadmaps to success, a fountain, scented reed diffusers, “tokens of gratitude”, inspirational artwork made by my son, and of course, quotes everywhere to help me stay on track. There is a door I can close when I need to really focus, and speakers to play whatever music suits the mood. (Thanks Pandora!)
I am ready. And, I am excited by the possibilities. If you’re not feeling prepared for 2011, there’s still time! It’s never too late to take action!
“I do not believe in a fate that falls on men however they act; but I do believe in a fate that falls on man unless they act.” ~G.K. Chesterton~
Happy New Year! I wish you all great things in 2011 and beyond!
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