Your Best Just Got Better

Everyone will ultimately have their own reason for getting more productive. What's yours? To begin with, take some time to stop and write down your own definition of the word. You'll get the opportunity to think a bit, craft some ideas, and more importantly create some kind of a filter for what you put attention on tomorrow.

Do you know how long it takes to make something in to a habit? One week? 21 days? 35 days? Maybe a lifetime? Well, here I want to talk about something very important. I want to know whether or not I should make something a habit in the first place! The only way I know of to do that is to experiment with something; try it out, every day, once a day, for 5 (or so) days.

What are you anticipating coming toward you - projects, events or situations - that you're going to improve toward? When it comes to pacing, it's important to know there are 3 very different approaches you take toward personal improvement. 1. What you think about. 2. The projects you take on. 3. Taking specific actions on those outcomes.

The movement of improvement requires action, attention and review. When you think about your role in making your best better, you need to know what an ideal, productive day would look, sound and feel like. Oh, and it helps to know when you're at your best, too! Take time, after you listen to this podcast, to write about one YOUR own Ideal Days.

There are three things that directly influence your productivity, and ultimately your success: Homeostasis, Context, Network. First, we tend to do what we've always done. It's normal! Second, we change what we do, based on where we're working. Third, the people we spend time with will influence what we think about, work on and do...it's true!

In order to make more (more of whatever you'd like to make!) you're going to have to think about how you think. Self-efficacy is the ability to "believe" you can do what it is you want to do. What can you look back on? What can you use as a reference point? What can you move toward? Address the way you think, and you'll change the way you work.

With "just" 96 fifteen-minute blocks of time during each day, the more important things to manage are your attention and your actions. By identifying what needs to be done during the day, you can most effectively manage what gets done in the time you have.

One thing I know about making my best better is that in order to get "there" from where I am "here" I'm going to have to learn something new. And, I'm experienced enough to know that learning and practicing something new (aka: making a change) is perhaps one of the hardest things to do. Here's how to get started: Study your practices.

Starting with the moment you wake up in the morning, you're on a path to productivity. However, did you know there are some things you can do today, and early tomorrow morning, that increase the likelihood that tomorrow will be a better day? Here are the ideas you need, to make your best...better!

I'm sure "you have a lot of work" to do. And, I'm sure it's challenging...it's yours! However, you want to know the MOST difficult thing you do during the day? Deciding what to do! Think about it: Email, Voicemail, Meeting Invitations, Reports and Presentations. You must DEFINE your work, before you can do it!

In 1,440 minutes (24 hours), how many times to you get distracted? How about 600 minutes, that's a good 10-hour day. Say you get to the office, or it's a travel day, or you're attending an off-site meeting. During that time, you NEED these tips to help you stay focused on the work you need to do.

Sometimes we get so busy just trying to keep up that we forget our "why." Listen in on some strategic tips to help you become more comfortable focusing on your priorities while getting the important work done. During this short episode, you'll have time and get the tools to think about your MITs (Most Important Things).

There's a saying in computer programming: GIGO - Garbage In, Garbage Out. However, in the human psyche, all to often it's Garbage In, Garbage Stays! It's up to you to get some new information in. Doing so, you'll have new ideas, find new answers and change your perspective.

We do what we do...the way we do it. Over months (or years) in our same professional position, we create patterns of productivity and time management that (of course) used to work for us. Are they still working? One way to find out. Record yourself...at work!

When you think things "should" be different, it's time to to make changes. However, you have probably already found that knowing what to do and "doing" what you know you need don't always come together at the same time. Here's how you can put action to intention.

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together! I heard that while working once at the G.E. Crotonville learning campus many years ago. Here are some ideas you can use to build - and build up - your own professional learning and development team.

Sustained success requires we "celebrate completion" somewhat regularly. Instead of waiting until month-end, pause for a few moments at the end of each day to acknowledge accomplishment. For an added bonus, identify someone on your team who has made progress and let them know you noticed!

Everyone works a little bit differently. (You probably know "morning people" as the ones who are ready to go, go go!) There are three main working styles to know about: Kinesthetic, Visual and Auditory. Here are some tips you can use.