Do Your Co-Workers Consider You a Digital Downer?

Ever heard of the song, "Don't Drag Me Down?" It does exist though you may not have heard it and I guarantee you that's how some colleagues feel about their fellow co-workers in the area of digital competency!

Do you negatively impact other's time because of your lack of digital proficiency?  I know there are many that could answer yes to that question.  With technology, (i.e. working digitally) being front and center in our work lives, it's now an imperative to be skilled in the use of certain key components.

I am what you consider a "non-tech" techie. I'm not a coder. I am though, someone enjoys technology, who thinks there is cool factor to it and someone who wants to embrace anything that can impact people's lives for the better.

I am also someone who is an adopter in the sense that I am not in denial about the role it plays in business and more specifically in the lives of the everyday worker. So I expect myself to learn and become competent in the use of key digital tools and functions. In my view you're either an adopter or a resister and resistance impacts time and productivity for yourself and others!

Do you resist assimilating technology (digital tools) into your life?  If so, you will be left behind as some of the things I am about to share with you, grade school kids know how to use with great skill!

So what should you consider as being the fundamentals of digitally competency?  Well there's a list, but I'll start with 3 that have the most impact:

1. Email -- Whatever program (email client as they say in the tech world) you use, know all it's capabilities.  I say in my time and organizational management seminar most of us know only how our email functions based on when we first started using it.  So if you use Outlook for example, do you know all it's capabilities and how you can utilize them to be more efficient in it's use?

Additionally, have you created a customized system by which you manage your email? I say customized because it's going to be different for everyone. News flash... there is not "one way" that everyone should handle email. We all have different thinking and decision-making styles, which I address in my book Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed.

2. Using a Browser -- I know for some this may sound ridiculous, but trust me, I know folks who don't know how to use a browser and know little of it's full capabilities.  So let's start with something as simple as when you download a document, where does it go and how do you retrieve it?  Do you know what browser applications and extensions are and which ones can help you in the work you do?

3. Information Management -- Once the world wide web was born, we entered the information age and when mobile capabilities were introduced, we moved into the age of information explosion.  Many of us search, access and manage information (or try to) on a regular basis for a variety of reasons. If you're like me, in the beginning, my most common phrase was, "Now where did I put that?" Then the search began as I tried to find it. Two minutes went by...five minutes went by -- "oh yeah, there it is!," I'd proclaim in the heat of frustration.

One of many helpful information management functions now available is tagging (this is the new word for the old school word "indexing"). You simply attribute certain key words to anything so that you can find it quicker.  I use a Mac and tagging is now an integrated element of it's operating system.

Additionally there are ways you save information through your browser with a simple right click and then be able to access it from all your devices. Also from a browser, you can send an email, share it on social media, save it to an information management application like Evernote, and even send it to Kindle. 

By the way, I see a browser as an essential digital partner. It's capabilities go way beyond, "this is how I get on the web." The one you choose to use and the capabilities it offers can make all the difference in your digital efficiency. And yep, different browsers have different capabilities.

For some reading just this list, it might feel a bit overwhelming. My suggestion is to start with one thing -- one area (like the theme from my professional development blog Brand Me! -The 1% Edge) and then make it a goal to learn and apply one new element once a month. 

And here is the exceptionally good news, just about anything you need to learn in this regards can be found on YouTube...and it's free!!!   So there!  Now, no excuses for increasing your digital competency to save time and increase your productivity for yourself and others! Commit to no longer being a digital downer!
_________________________________________________________________________
I consider time and organizational management 1 of 5 individual employee as well as management core competencies  -- learn more here

If you haven't yet gotten your copy, you'll want to pick one up: Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book -  The Seminar

Other readings on Kindle & Nook:  Declutter Your Life From The Inside Out |  Your Life Through the Lens of Time 

A Simple - Easy to Use Tip to Conquer Overwhelm

Here’s a great time management tip or time management strategy that can really save you time!

Overwhelmed by a large project? Having a hard time getting motivated? Finding yourself procrastinating?

Ever heard the expression or question, “how do you eat an elephant? “ The answer? – one bite at a time.  Well that same principle applies when you’re feeling overwhelmed by a project, procrastinating, or having a hard time getting motivated.  You’ve got to break it down into small manageable action steps.

Usually looking at, focusing on one step and one step only allows emotional space for you to become motivated and see the light of getting something done. Once you write out actionable, reasonable steps your emotions become diffused and your brain begins saying…”hey, I can do that.”

In fact something additionally I employ is something called, “the one minute challenge.”  I challenge myself to work on one little thing, task, etc. for only one minute.  I even use a kitchen timer.

The result?…I get focused on the “thing” enough to generate motivation to keep going.  If it’s not enough, I say, “ok…just one more minute.”  It’s like tricking yourself into gaining motivation in a fun way!

Coaching Tip: Break it down, focus on the first small step and give yourself the one minute challenge!

If you need a time management seminar or training brought to your organization – learn more here

Or …ever considered “time management coaching” – to learn more about coaching, click here.

How to Make Your Workspace Work For You

PIC CREDIT

8 TIPS TO CREATE A RELAXED AND ENJOYABLE WORKSPACE TO IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

It’s amazing how many people neglect to make their workspace enjoyable given that it is a place you spend about one third of your day. In fact many people spend more time in their offices than they do at their homes. How then should you leave your office as uncomfortable as possible while you spare no expenses in getting your house up to your taste.

It has been proven that a relaxed office atmosphere contributes to more productivity at the workplace. Your workspace or office should be such that you will enjoy working in it for as long as you are physically able if need be.

Below are some tips from Steve Pavlina on how to turn your office/workspace into an enjoyable space. Note that the rule in designing an enjoyable workspace is that you do only what you like and are comfortable with.

1. Choose Peaceful and Relaxing Colours to Create the Right Ambience

To make your office look appealing you should start with the colours of the office. Colours and lighting tend to have an effect on a person’s mood. Pavlina advises trying to find out the emotions that your current office settings invoke in you. He suggests stepping into your office while paying attention to your sense impressions.

He says you should go with your own taste and emotional preferences and not try to copy what works for someone else as you try to redesign your workspace. For example a particular programmer prefers working in a dark room without windows and says he loves it that way. Different things work for different folks when it comes to having a nice office ambience.

Try whatever works for you; new furniture, photos, wallpapers, artworks, flowers, etc. if you have the authority you can also change the lighting in your office to reflect what you really want.

2. Clear Out the Cluster

Most times disorganised workspaces mirror the person occupying the space as stressed and unorganised. A cluttered workspace hardly helps your focus and will rather hamper your productivity.

It is advisable to go for a clear and minimal office arrangement. Put files and documents away in a file cabinet until you need them. Keep only things related to your current task on your desk. Having a free work environment does wonders for your feeling and when you feel good about where you work you do better.

3. Add Plants and Flowers

Use living oxygen-generating plants in your office if you can. Pavlina advises using life plants and not fake ones. Water them regularly. He insists that when you see the plant blossoming your mood directly will respond positively each day you enter your office to work. Nice plants and flowers around the office will certainly do more good than harm and may even bring some luck 

4. Add a Good Smell

Have your office or workspace smell good; it will certainly lift your spirit. Find sweet smelling scent candles or scents. Certain scents like lemon and lavender have significant good effects on productivity.

5. Play Relaxing Music

Pavlina says you should experiment with various styles of music to discover which suits you and has good positive effects on your stress level and productivity. While for certain work you might want total silence good music can keep you going through some tasks smoothly.

Research extensively and build your playlists accordingly for your use at various times. Personally I have discovered that various music types appeal to me at various times and depending on the type of work. Having diverse and carefully created playlists will prove useful as you play the right music for your work at any time.

Better still you could subscribe to any of the decent music streaming platforms like Iroking and play what you want at any time.

The distribution of the music within your office also matters. Have someone do the right connections with sound systems that soothe and inspire instead of disturb.

6. Get a Decent Chair

You will probably do most of your work on your seat so Pavlina advises you make it very comfortable but not too comfortable. Simply go to the nearest office supply store and find what suits you.

7. Add a Portable Fan

Even with air-conditioning in your office you may have need for a movable fan near your desk to circulate the cool atmosphere and make you a bit more relaxed. You can find good ones at the home appliances stores around.

8. Establish Uninterrupted Periods

There should be periods each day you should do block any form of interruption be it from colleagues, phone calls etc. This should be during periods when you are at the peak of your energy and need to work on your most serious tasks and duties.

However note that some jobs require more solitude and concentration than others; a programmer certainly needs more quiet periods than say a receptionist.

The above tips should get you delivering your best in the most accomodating office/workspace ambience.

 

This post is curated . Source link: http://blog.ngcareers.com/2617/8-tips-to-create-a-relaxed-and-enjoyable-workspace-to-improve-your-productivity/

================================================================================

If you haven't yet gotten your copy -- it worth the investment...

Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book -  The Seminar

Other readings on Kindle & Nook:  Declutter Your Life From The Inside Out |  Your Life Through the Lens of Time 

Time Management & The Power of Focus

Summary: What you focus on will impact your productivity and thereby your time. This is critical time management strategy...continue to read and learn why.

COUNT ON IT - by Gary Lockwood
"What we see depends mainly on what we look for."   John Lubbock

One of my clients (let's call him Mike) was telling me how important it is to him that he sell long-term maintenance contracts, not just  ad hoc projects.

Makes sense. The long-term contracts provide some stability and predictable cash flow. They assist in getting closer to his clients.  They also help him to borrow funds more easily.

So far, so good.

When I asked him how many of these long-term maintenance contracts he has already, he couldn't tell me. He didn't know! He said he's been too busy to track the number of such agreements.

Wait a minute! If this type of agreement is so important to Mike's growth strategy, how can he not know the status?

The fact is that most owners and CEOs know what's important to their enterprise, but can't (or don't) measure those things.

You've heard the old maxim: "You can't manage what you don't measure." You have also likely read the story of the "Hawthorne Effect".

In the late 1950s, the GE plant in Hawthorne, California brought in some consultants to measure the effect of brighter lighting on the productivity of their factory workers. The consultants first took productivity measurements to establish a baseline. Then they intensified the brightness of the lighting and measured again.

Productivity increased.

They increased the brightness even more and productivity went up again. After raising the brightness two more times, they saw two more increases in productivity. On a hunch, they lowered the lighting and measured one more time. Productivity went up!

They figured out that the productivity gains were not related to the brightness of the lights, but to the act of measuring. They were paying a lot of attention to the effectiveness of their workers. And guess what? The workers responded by working more effectively.

What do you pay a lot of attention to? What are you constantly measuring, asking your employees about, talking about and looking at?

When your team knows what's truly important to you, they'll likely pay more attention to those things, too.

Focusing on two or three key business metrics does something else for your behavior. It triggers your Reticular Activating System. Your brain is assaulted by thousands of messages each second. Everything you see, hear, smell, feel and touch is a message entering your brain. The Reticular Activating System filters through all these messages and decides which ones will get page one treatment - that is, arouse the brain.

One of the things we've learned from working with entrepreneurs is that you tend to pay attention to the things, which are important to you at the time. If your currently dominant thoughts are about creating a new brochure, you'll start seeing other brochures. You'll hear conversations about brochures. You'll pick up ideas relating to brochures and even notice colors that would be attractive for the new brochure.

In other words, the Reticular Activating System will pass through anything even remotely related to the important issue - the brochure.

From a practical point of view, this means that, if you want to solve a problem or achieve a goal, keep it at the top of your mind. Think about it, talk about it, write about it and imagine it completed. This is one of the reasons why affirmations work so well and why it is important to review your goals frequently.

If you focus on improving a specific key indicator of your business success, your Reticular Activating System will pass through sights, sounds, people and ideas even remotely related to that point of focus. In other words, if you measure it visibly, frequently and attentively, it will likely improve.

Here's my suggestion: Identify the two to five key measurements and key indicators that are important and essential for your business. Set up an active system to measure and track these indicators. Talk to your employees about it at every opportunity. Put charts and

graphs of these indicators on the wall of the lunch room. Make your interest in these metrics very active and visible.

Chances are, you'll get what you're looking for - improvements in these areas. Count on it!

If you haven't yet gotten your copy -- it worth the investment...

Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book -  The Seminar

Other readings on Kindle & Nook:  Declutter Your Life From The Inside Out |  Your Life Through the Lens of Time 

A Key Time Management Strategy - Think 1%

The 1% Rule and Habits

Can one tip matter?

The Power of One Mindset – The 1% Rule

Did you know that you only have to improve by 1% a day to increase your effectiveness in 70 days!

That’s what makes the power-tip concept so valuable …one tip applied could equal that 1% and THAT could change your life?

How? One tip could represent changing one behavior.  One behavior could greatly impact an outcome in your life.

Here’s an example.  Let’s say that you’d like to improve the relationship with your significant other or even your boss (which I guess is a “significant other” in a different kind of way), and you receive a communication tip that teaches you how to listen more effectively. When applied, effective listening will improve that relationship significantly because the person will feel heard….and the number one psychological need a person has is to be heard.

That’s one tip – one tip applied = significant improvement... see what I mean?

The key - it's just a little something over a period of time that turns into a significant something.  1% is very small! …now that’s the power of one!

Consider as you work through the power tips offered in this handbook,  what  ONE thing, action, behavior, thought process, you could focus on to make this a reality in your life?
==================================================

If you haven't yet gotten your copy -- it worth the investment...

Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book -  The Seminar

Other readings on Kindle & Nook:  Declutter Your Life From The Inside Out |  Your Life Through the Lens of Time 

Managing Email is Managing Time

Coaching Question:

Are you managing email or is email managing you? I do believe this is another of the competencies I mentioned in the introduction of my book that needs to be developed.  Effective email management is a skill!

If you can manage your email 1% better - you’ll create more time to get more work done. With the suggestions to follow, find your 1% edge.

Email can be an effective way of communicating, but I believe and have experienced, that the lack of skill in using it just creates more work. A lot of time is wasted with email.

With that in mind, I recommend you adopt this mindset regarding email:

Email is a tool to manage the virtual experience. It is a tool to work with people through a process to get to a result --(so is text and the phone for that matter).

Key point=>You know there are a lot of expectations when people communicate virtually that are in their head but don’t get put on paper.

Here’s what I mean. How many times have you gotten a request for something from a colleague and there was no indication of when it’s needed - no time and date?  How many emails don’t have enough information in them and therefore requires 3 or 4 more email exchanges just to get from point A to point B.

Because most people do not use email effectively, I recommend developing this skill:

Be more specific, informative, & directive when using and writing emails.

So what is specific, informative and directive? Tell people what to think, how to behave, and what to expect as specifically as possible.

For example - have a format or template that you use on a regular basis. If someone sends a request for something and it doesn’t have all the information, send it back with specific instruction on exactly what you need at the exact time and date you need it.

In some cases you already to do this. When I’m conducting a seminar I ask, “How many of you have your out of office reply on?”  Many raise their hand. Then I ask then to share what it says. Many will say, “I’ll be out of the office on x day returning on x date. If you need assistance call x at extension 3560.”

That is a great example of instructive, informative, and directive. It clearly illustrates tell them what to think – what to expect – how to behave.”

Here’s the overriding point to remember: e-mail like voicemail is a tool to manage a virtual experience and relationship in the context of trying to execute work.  It’s about managing behavior, results, and expectations.

It’s useful to think:  “I’m managing my relationship (or experience) with this person and I’m communicating with them through e-mail, and that’s a part of a relationship.  This person has a personality.  This person has a work style with certain characteristics that are either helping me or hindering me and I need to communicate in a way to coach that person so that I get the results I want in the most efficient and effective way.”

This is an excerpt from the time & organizational management book: Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - available at links provided:

Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book -  The Seminar -  3Cdset - Pdf-ebook - Mp3 Download

Want To Maximize Your Time? - Think Differently About It

Think Differently About It -- Change Your Mind-set   

Remember - What you think will dictate how you behave.

You know, we toss around the words "time management" a lot these days. And you can certainly find plenty of information on how to do it better. It is one of the most searched keywords on the web. And as I work with people on getting results and being productive it's sometimes treated as just one more thing to deal with in our professional and personal lives.

BUT...it's much more important than "just one more thing." With that said, I want to suggest a couple of new ways to view the subject of time management. Why?  Because our relationship to time will make all the difference in how we use it, our degree of life satisfaction and ultimately how our lives unfold.

And that's the first mindset suggestion -- see yourself as having a relationship to time. Yes, a relationship and in this relationship you will treat it with love, respect, and care. I bet you've heard the phrase, "Respect my time." Many people don't respect their own time let alone others. You will be sensitive to it, aware of it, honor it and treat it wisely.

This leads to mindset #2 -- let's reframed the phrase of time management and call it life management. This is an essential time management tip! Time management IS life management! Personal time management IS personal life management. This just has a whole different ring, feel and level of importance to it -- in fact will create a different relationship to it.

In reality, time is life. One minute is a segment of our lives. You know…that’s a BIG DEAL. Five minutes go by – it can’t be captured again. It’s gone forever. Think about that. If we take that truth to heart I will venture to say we’ll manage our lives much differently.

How?… perhaps say no to the trivial more, not waste time thinking about things or situations we can’t change, assert our choice in how we spend our time at home, and create better boundaries with those who are not time aware.

Embracing this critical truth can impact so many meaningful areas. It's your choice and it all begins with a renewed mindset: I have a relationship to time and time is my life!

Bring a time management seminar to your organization - click here to learn more

Get more time management help: Check out - Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed - how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book -  The Seminar

Related Topics: |  My Life Through The Lens of Time - The Interview - Kindle
Declutter Your Life From The Inside-Out - Kindle  -  Nook

1 Easy Tip to Reclaim An Out Of Control Day

Is Your Day Out of Control? - Here's One Easy Way to Get It Back

Have you ever had one of those days? You start off with big plans to be productive. Your calendar is filled with confirmed appointments. Then, nothing seems to go right. Your computer crashes. Your cell phone battery dies and your charger is at home. Someone spills coffee on your shirt just before an important meeting. Your confirmed lunch appointment stands you up. 

Don’t worry. Your day is not a total disaster. In fact, you can save your sanity and salvage the day. You just need to re-focus, jump start your motivation and sense of productivity.  All of those scenarios above cause you to feel as if your day has gone completely out of control.

Jumping starting your motivation and productivity means regaining your sense of control.  A simple way to do that?  Follow this simple piece of time management advice:

TIP: Keep quick tasks close at hand...
When time opens up in your schedule, like your lunch appointment not showing up, you suddenly have time to handle other opportunities if you’re prepared. For example, I carry notecards, envelopes and stamps in my bag. When I find "lost time" in short unexpected moments throughout my busy day, this allows me to write a few thank you notes, birthday cards and other hand-written messages to clients, staff and others in my network. 

Getting something done in place of what fell through keeps me feeling productive and the unexpected gesture makes me stand out from the masses.

Additionally, in any work environment and on every "to do list" are something called quick tasks -- tasks that are easy, effortless and can be executed fast.  If you quickly want to gain a sense of control, jump start your productivity, feel as if you really are getting something done seeing tangible results, start doing your quick tasks. It's amazing how quickly your mood will turn positive and your motivation will manifest into sustained momentum.

Curated and adapted from this article: 5 Steps to Rescue Your Productivity: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226446#ixzz2RZQ7UPoh

Need to jumpstart your results? Then you'll want to get the book Organizational Strategies for the Overwhelmed, how to manage your time, space, & priorities, to work smart, get results & be happy =>Have it your way -  Kindle - The Book - Nook - Audio Book (audio also available on iTunes)

Also on Kindle: Declutter Your Life From The Inside Out