Your Best Just Got Better

Ever wonder how you can do more...with less? Well, one trick I have come up with is to notice more of the details. When I see what's going on, hear what people are saying, and trust my instinct (my gut...) about the smallest of things, it usually winds up saving me time, money and...from time to time...a headache. Listen in, I'll share some techniques you can use today!

You've got it with you "almost" 24/7. Many people I meet with look at it last thing before they go to sleep, and first thing when they wake up. But, what's it for...really? There are three kinds of conversations we have during a day; and, I think the smartphone as it exists today is great for one (ok, maybe two) of those kinds of conversations. What do you think? Should we try and do it all with the smartphone?

In this episode, you learn three ideas that go in to making your best better. There's more to achievement than just setting a goal. Here I share why Chapter 1 is the starting gate to the whole book.

If you want to go far, AND fast, go together. Knowing what you're asking for is Key #1 to making your best better. Key #2? That's what I talk about in this podcast. You'll find a secret to goal setting, as well as an idea on how to ask for support from your already powerful "social network."

It's true, I think, that "most" people can still bring to mind the name of a teacher, or coach, or neighbor, or friend who - at some point along the way - acted as a true mentor. Did you have one come to mind? Have you spoken to or written to them lately? Here are some ideas on how you can build, and build up, your social network.

We all have those same 24 hours in a day. If you want to get more of the right things done, you'll need to optimize the minutes you have to move your own mission forward. Executives, entrepreneurs, volunteers, parents ... and kids! ... here are three ways you can NOT waste time and be more productive every day.

The great part about mentoring is that you are working with people who are willing to see you get great and get big. Now to get moving forward, moving faster, and moving further, we need to move together. Listen in to learn three things relative to finding, working with, sustaining, and eventually moving on from a mentor.

When you think about getting going for the new year, STOP setting goals and START setting deadlines. Here, I share a few ideas on how you can get MORE time to work on those Most Important Things.

If you're ready to initiate a movement toward change - if you're going to Work Smarter, Think Bigger and Make More - you'll want to think about the people you're spending the most time with. Change your Social Network (no, not your Social Media network...that's another story) and you MAY change what you experience!

It's the beginning of a new year. Some people have asked me, "Is it good to set new goals at the beginning of a new year?" My response is that at this point, during the month of January, more people around you will accept the fact that you're thinking of making some changes. Just remember the most important thing to setting - and achieving - goals: Pacing. You've got to sustain focus on the change.

In order to do the Great Work (that's what Michael Bungay Stanier calls it), you need to have "room to work." Making room for something new might require getting rid of something old! Listen in to a few ideas I have about making it possible to think bigger AND get more of the important things done!

You know, there is more that affects your performance and productivity than what's getting in the way of your performance and productivity. Listen in, and you'll get an idea or two about how to work smarter and think bigger.

If you're looking toward getting some new experiences, learn some new things, and expand into new areas of focus and responsibility, it's time to get a new mentor. As you listen to this week's podcast, think about the people that come to mind. If possible, reach out to one or two of them over the next month. If you can, get an extra conversation in with them in the near future, and let them know you're looking for advice and ideas.

The "Return On Investment" for higher productivity is high. Getting more things done during a day is not JUST about staying busy. There are a few things efficiency brings, one being increased self-efficacy. (Listen to the podcast for the other two!) Efficacious thoughts lead us to higher levels of engagement and contribution. Listen in, and consider the benefits to YOU of improving your productivity.

There are people out there who are willing to help us. What about the ones that we can support? Think about how you can work together...together. It may be possible to get more done, think bigger, and contribute more as you work together.

There are four things to do more of; that is, if you want to be better organized and get more of the right things done, you need to: Identify. Define. Experiment. Assess. As you head in to another day or week of "being productive," remember that sometimes your workflow habits of old may be getting in your way. Find one thing to change, and practice with it this week!

How are your morning habits and routines impacting your own productivity? Start a 5-day experiment, where you track WHAT you do between the time you wake up and about 10am. Do this for a week, and you'll surely find some things you can STOP doing. That will give you the time you need, to do what you want!

As you sit down and think about the next 6-12 months, and then the next 3-5 years, you're really considering two types of goals. Direction based goals are about the process, about what's happening along the way. Destination based goals, those are all about the product, what you'll have when you get there. Balance these two types of goals and you'll achieve more...and it will be more interesting when you get there!

You have studied productivity, right? You know "what" to do, to have a high performance day; but, do you know WHY productivity is important to you? I didn't know exactly what it was, only that I was always interested in getting a "little better." Then, I understood the significance of labeling my Productivity Profile. Think about why you want to be more productive; make it easy by looking at what's around you.

Think about the discussions you're involved in every day. You're always moving between: Transactions, Plenary Conversations and Strategic Thinking Sessions. Move between these three, and identify what you can do, who you can meet and when you can achieve on some of your goals that will show you making your best...even better