Peter Bregman, contributing writer for Harvard Business Daily, penned an excellent post with tips on how best to manage your day. Read the post here.
A selection:
"The power of rituals is their predictability. You do the same thing in the same way over and over again. And so the outcome of a ritual is predictable too. If you choose your focus deliberately and wisely and consistently remind yourself of that focus, you will stay focused. It's simple."
Remember: small steps produce big results. Be inspired to start today.
7.21.2009
Learn a Little Code Today
If you're managing staff who could use a few HTML skills (or even you yourself), here are two great resources that will save you the cost and time of formal training. Knowing a just little HTML can go a long way.
One of my favorite sources of "self-help" is actually eBay. Tips include code for paragraphs, line breaks, horizontal lines, emphasizing words, and using color (although you'll want to make sure you don't have a closet Martha Stewart on your hands before you give someone free release to start making everything aqua).
For a more detailed cheat sheet, check out WebMonkey.
One of my favorite sources of "self-help" is actually eBay. Tips include code for paragraphs, line breaks, horizontal lines, emphasizing words, and using color (although you'll want to make sure you don't have a closet Martha Stewart on your hands before you give someone free release to start making everything aqua).
For a more detailed cheat sheet, check out WebMonkey.
7.20.2009
Kick Cliches to the Curb
Want a quick and dirty way to make your writing appear more professional on the Web and in print collateral? Avoid cliches. Avoid them like the plague.
Cliches are like dirty old men at the bar: they'll try to get you drunk on raspberry Kamakazi shots and then act like the innocent Boy Scout wanting to give you a ride home. Steer clear.
Work your prose without having to use cliches. They will bog your writing down to a dreary level of "acceptable" and not much more.
The BBC has provided an updated list of cliches that have worn out their welcome with nearly everyone:
1) "Basically"
2) "To be fair..." -- often followed by a comment that isn't fair
3) Its ugly sister: "To be honest"
4) "Going forward" -- you wouldn't go backward, so why clarify 'going foward' -- this used to be a cardinal sin of mine. Too easy to use when trying to be gentle in correcting someone else's mistake.
5) "The fact of the matter is"
6) "Let's face it"
7) "Touch base" -- I'll forgive you if you use this one, but try to live without it.
8) "110%"
9) "In the pipeline" -- I see this one in my email maybe 2-3x a day. That's one heck of a pipeline. Call a plumber.
10) "The reason being"
11) "You know" -- Jeff Foxworthy pretty much squeezed every last penny out of this one. If you coach someone in public speaking, you may not write it down, but correct them every single time they blurt it out without thinking, especially when responding to questions.
Keep 'em out of your RFPs, Web content, and yes, even your emails. Kick your habitual use of cliches today.
Cliches are like dirty old men at the bar: they'll try to get you drunk on raspberry Kamakazi shots and then act like the innocent Boy Scout wanting to give you a ride home. Steer clear.
Work your prose without having to use cliches. They will bog your writing down to a dreary level of "acceptable" and not much more.
The BBC has provided an updated list of cliches that have worn out their welcome with nearly everyone:
1) "Basically"
2) "To be fair..." -- often followed by a comment that isn't fair
3) Its ugly sister: "To be honest"
4) "Going forward" -- you wouldn't go backward, so why clarify 'going foward' -- this used to be a cardinal sin of mine. Too easy to use when trying to be gentle in correcting someone else's mistake.
5) "The fact of the matter is"
6) "Let's face it"
7) "Touch base" -- I'll forgive you if you use this one, but try to live without it.
8) "110%"
9) "In the pipeline" -- I see this one in my email maybe 2-3x a day. That's one heck of a pipeline. Call a plumber.
10) "The reason being"
11) "You know" -- Jeff Foxworthy pretty much squeezed every last penny out of this one. If you coach someone in public speaking, you may not write it down, but correct them every single time they blurt it out without thinking, especially when responding to questions.
Keep 'em out of your RFPs, Web content, and yes, even your emails. Kick your habitual use of cliches today.
7.17.2009
The Problem of Clutter: What a Time Suck! The Challenge of 100 Things
Perhaps you're one of those people that I envy: true simplicity abounds in your life, and there's a place for every magazine, mascara tube, and muffin pan you own.
Or, perhaps you're like me, and after a long day of work you dread the thought ~ I have to clean again?? Truthfully, though, it's not a problem with cleanliness. The time suck comes from too much clutter. Accumulating 'things' can actually become oppressive.
If you, too, feel weighed down by the sheer amount of stuff surrounding you at home, kick off a new adventure with me: it's called the "100 Things Challenge."
About a year ago a San Diego blogger named Dave Bruno started a movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge" in an attempt to free his life from excessive clutter and remove himself from excess consumerism.
Now, although I'm not setting an absolute goal to get down to 100 things, I very much appreciate his concept. I plan to sort through at least ten items everyday: pitch it, donate it, sell it, or keep it. Easy said, but not so easy done.
Yet I have a feeling that once I finish just one closet I'll feel a lot better about what I'm coming home to at the end of the day.
For more inspiration, see Time Magazine's piece on "de-cluttering."
Or, perhaps you're like me, and after a long day of work you dread the thought ~ I have to clean again?? Truthfully, though, it's not a problem with cleanliness. The time suck comes from too much clutter. Accumulating 'things' can actually become oppressive.
If you, too, feel weighed down by the sheer amount of stuff surrounding you at home, kick off a new adventure with me: it's called the "100 Things Challenge."
About a year ago a San Diego blogger named Dave Bruno started a movement called "The 100 Thing Challenge" in an attempt to free his life from excessive clutter and remove himself from excess consumerism.
Now, although I'm not setting an absolute goal to get down to 100 things, I very much appreciate his concept. I plan to sort through at least ten items everyday: pitch it, donate it, sell it, or keep it. Easy said, but not so easy done.
Yet I have a feeling that once I finish just one closet I'll feel a lot better about what I'm coming home to at the end of the day.
For more inspiration, see Time Magazine's piece on "de-cluttering."
7.16.2009
First Post, Fresh Start: The Success of a Well-Balanced Professional
You've maybe heard the saying, "The enlightened professional works to live, not the other way around." Flip-flops & heels: it's all about living a life with the philosophy that the best professionals are balanced professionals.
You can bring a boatload of skills and talents to the office, but if you're running on empty, you're facing burnout, bitterness, and resentment -- in other words, all around failure.
To start off the blog, I thought it'd be appropriate to begin with Rick Griggs, a corporate achievement and balance professional.
Rick writes, "Most organizations ride the survival roller coaster better when their people are well rounded and balanced -- two characteristics that correlate with success.
The stories of those who built solid fortunes and reputations are filled with the usual ups and downs... they often include information on how individuals remained well educated, well networked and well balanced. These people knew that sustained accomplishment was the result of more than just effort. Everyone tries hard, but precious few build the symmetry and equilibrium into their careerstyle that will buffer them when they need it most."
Rick also lists his personal seven indicators of Life Balance:
You can bring a boatload of skills and talents to the office, but if you're running on empty, you're facing burnout, bitterness, and resentment -- in other words, all around failure.
To start off the blog, I thought it'd be appropriate to begin with Rick Griggs, a corporate achievement and balance professional.
Rick writes, "Most organizations ride the survival roller coaster better when their people are well rounded and balanced -- two characteristics that correlate with success.
The stories of those who built solid fortunes and reputations are filled with the usual ups and downs... they often include information on how individuals remained well educated, well networked and well balanced. These people knew that sustained accomplishment was the result of more than just effort. Everyone tries hard, but precious few build the symmetry and equilibrium into their careerstyle that will buffer them when they need it most."
Rick also lists his personal seven indicators of Life Balance:
- No more than 50% of waking hours spent earning a living.
- One block of quiet reflection time each day.
- Regular contact and interaction with "older" people.
- Regular contact and interaction with "younger" people.
- Weekly "unplugged" time where worries seem to disappear.
- Control of actions and habits that affect your body's health.
- Control of actions and habits that affect your mind's health.
The posts of my blog will be centered upon what I'm learning about balancing all the aspects of my life -- including how it's working for me... and, of course, how it's not.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
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