Time management tips about how to set priorities by time management expert, Peter Turla. Time tips and techniques on how to be more effective, how to better manage time, improve your time management skills, set priorities, and overcome procrastination
Most people have had a phone call or even been in someone's office to discuss an important topic and have left the conversation feeling like they were not heard at all. What was it about that experience that didn't work? The person you were talking to was a bad listener. We've all been there - distracted, busy, uninterested... there are a million reasons that we make up for not listening to another person. It's time to ditch the excuses and become a better listener.
Why do I need to be a better listener?
1) Opportunity to hear new ideas that may spark innovation and new ways of thinking
2) Respect for the individual in front of you whether it's on the phone or in person
3) Great leaders listen to others because they know that a basic human need is to be truly heard
Ready for the good news? Effective listening does not mean long drawn out conversations! It's not about the length of the discussion (time); it's the quality of the interaction that is most important. Regardless if the conversations you participate in are scheduled or impromptu, you can be a better listener by actively applying the following seven steps.
1) Stop what you're doing - When someone asks for your time and you agree to give it to them, stop whatever tasks you were in the middle of doing and get ready to listen.
2) Resist the urge to multitask - IMs popping up on your screen? Emails flowing in like a waterfall? If you're on the phone, turn your back on your computer and turn your Smartphone upside down and ignore it. If you're in person, you can still turn away from your computer or better yet, if possible, close your laptop.
3) Don't interrupt over and over and over (WAIT) - Remember to WAIT when speaking with others (Why Am I Talking). If they can't get a word in edgewise because you're sharing your knowledge and experience, asking a ton of questions like a firing squad, or giving direction, the person you are speaking to will not feel heard because they could hardly get their thoughts out.
4) Get out of your own head (stop the internal dialog) - When you catch yourself going over your next point in your head, or going over your grocery list or anything else for that matter - STOP. Listening is about hearing the other person and you can only do that if you're really focusing on what they have to say.
5) Ask questions - Seek to understand! Confused on a point? Ask questions for greater clarity. Unsure of the objective? Ask what they want to see happen. Your questions will not only keep you actively engaged in the conversation but will also help the speaker clarify and get value from your conversation as well.
6) Playback - Summarize the feeling and content of the conversation. It will serve to ensure you're on the same page and to give you an opportunity to keep the discussion moving forward. Try phrases like: "What I hear you saying is..." "It sounds like..." "Is this a fair summary of what's you're saying?" "I can really hear your passion around this topic"
7) Confirm any action points - If there are action items for either one of you, make sure that they are explicitly restated at the end. Others will appreciate that you know where things are heading and you're on board.
The path to becoming a star listener will take some time but those that interact with you will reap the benefits and in the long run, so will you.
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Alli Polin is the founder and president of Break the Frame, LLC. She works with leaders to create stronger and more intentional cultures and truly great places to work through change management and organization and leadership development. Alli is driven by the knowledge that leadership confidence, competence, creativity, innovation, and inspiration can transform any individual or organization and successfully propel them into the future. For more information please visit http://www.breaktheframe.com or contact Alli at alli@breaktheframe.com.
Today's package is a series of free tips on how to use an agenda for meeting success.
An agenda is a one of the vital tools to keeping a meeting on track and efficiently effective.
And the first tip in the series? ...
The very first step on that agenda should be to reiterate the purpose of the meeting. This immediately focusses attention and makes it clear that the meeting is to be efficient. It also allows you to return to that statement of pupose to support any efforts to keep the meeting focussed.
You can get the tips sent to you in emails and know that you are will be on the way to having far more efficient, effective meetings. => http://bit.ly/pMLSSo
Learning is not compulsory... neither is survival. - W. Edwards Deming
After having completed a week of studying the chapter called "Self-Confidence" in Napoleon Hill's 1925 edition of The Law of Success, I wanted to present a powerful tool for overcoming fear that was popularized in the latter part of the 20th Century. This tool is one anyone who can touch their body in any way can use. If you make diligent use of this simple little technique you will be able to overcome your fear of success or of failure. The result being that you will be able to achieve your goals.
First Step Is Complex Visualization
I'm sure you have heard of the importance of visualizing your goal to fix them firmly in your mind. Because the of the word "visualization," people think they only need to form an image. Most don't realize that fixing your goal firmly in mind also requires the incorporation of all your senses. For instance, if your goal is to have a loving relationship, form a scene in your mind of what that loving relationship would not only look like, but also the sounds, tastes, smells and touches involved. The most powerful addition to your image is your own personal feelings. Be sure and feel the emotions of love, acceptance, joy, desire in this relationship you want.
If your visualization is about money, form an image of all the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, emotions and physical sensations of what having money is to you. If being wealthy involves good food and drink, smell the aromas, taste the savory or sweetness of what you put in your mouth, hear the background sounds of wherever you want to be enjoying this meal, feel the texture of the money in your hand, see your bank statement, experience the feelings of security that come with your money.
Second Step is Color
As you can tell, forming your visualization can take some time and, if done with full activation of all your senses, can be rather complex. You gather your total experience and link it to a color. What color represents for you the scene you so completely formed? If you are color blind and can only see shades of grey, choose a part of your image, say a wine glass, tree or twenty dollar bill that can bring to mind the entire scene. See this color or image overlay the deep sensory image you have developed.
Third Step is Anchoring in the Scene
You want a very quick action that anchors in your complex visualization. Your body is an information transmitter. Put information in your body and it will hold it there for you. This is a type of cellular memory. Make use of this power of your body by anchoring in your complex and complete sensory scene you developed. Touch your body while the scene in your mind is at its height with the color or single image you have selected to represent the whole. Bringing your thumb and forefinger together of one hand is what most people use. If you experience paralysis that prevents you from moving your fingers, press your lips together firmly, move your tongue in a particular way or even squeeze your eyes shut. Once you combine the physical anchor with the color or symbolic representation and anchor this into your body with some sort of physical touch, you have what you need to eliminate fear.
Forth Step Is Using the Positive to Extinguish the Fear
Now you are set for a very simple process that, when used regularly, will assist you in get rid of your fear. Note I wrote "simple." I did not say this is easy. The simple process takes dedication and commitment.
Be sure you are not touching you body using your physical anchor. Now bring to mind your fear. Experience your feelings of fear. Now use your physical anchor, such as bringing your thumb and forefinger together. See the color or symbol you developed to represent your complex scene. Get in touch with all the sensory information of the scene that is positive for you. When the fear is gone, or at a very low level, release your physical anchor and repeat the process.
You can do this if you will make the time and effort to do so.
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Cathy Chapman, PhD, LCSW has her doctorate in Mind-Body Psychology. She assists people in achieving their dreams of health, wealth and abundance. Her blog provides you with thoughts and tools for growth and success. Subscribe to her blog at http://www.cathychapmanphd.com and receive your free gift "7 Methods for a Practically Impenetrable Immune System."
We are all staring down the barrel of the same reality-- the clock is ticking and no matter how you look at it, we are approaching the home stretch of 2011.
You must consider the remaining 100 days of this year as a now or never opportunity to finish the year strong, to exceed expectations, and for some use it as a final chance at redemption.
Let's cut right to the chase, by looking at the results of your actions year to date, that REALITY tells you if you have been successful or not in achieving the goals you set earlier this year.
As it relates to your goals, your demonstrated actions have allowed you to be in one of three positions.
You have either:
1. Exceeded your expectations of what you thought you could achieve.
2. Met expectations of what you set out to accomplish.
3. Fallen below your desired expectations of what you wanted to accomplish.
Unfortunately, in today's economy, far too many people find themselves struggling and well below where they would like to be.
The GOOD NEWS is that regardless of the position you are currently in, you CAN finish the year strong, however you must do a few things in the manner presented in the next few paragraphs.
As someone who participates in or leads more than fifty strategy sessions per year, I'm well aware that we all began this year with great hope and determination.
I'm also well aware that many goals and plans fall far from being realized.
THE SOLUTION
So what specifically can you do in order to capture the brass ring? Work harder? Longer?
You don't stand a chance of succeeding with that strategy, yet that is exactly what the majority of people will do.
Why not do something entirely different, why not focus on saying NO!
Consisting of two letters and one syllable, the word "No"
can be considered to be one of the most powerful words in your vocabulary.
It's the easiest word for setting a limit, holding firm to boundaries, and being clear about what you will or will not do. It is a word of pure power that is both inner and out directed.
You will be a lot more productive once you recognize that:
1. "No" is not a dirty word, negative word, nor is it
a selfish word. Learning to say "No" is liberating as it frees up your time to focus on your key priorities.
2. You are in complete control of how you spend your
time and your life. Saying "No" allows you more time and energy to pursue your goals and wildest ambitions.
3. Saying, "No," increases the value of the things you
say, "Yes" to. Your success over the next 100 days requires a short "Yes" list, and a long "No" list.
The key is an awareness and prioritization of your "Yes"
list, and firm boundaries around your "No" list as QUICKLY as possible.
Saying "NO" is the most strategic decision you can make. You improve yourself, your family, and your organization's effectiveness--IMMEDIATELY!
"No" is empowering because it simplifies. You will succeed on the basis of what, where and how you say "no". And "NO"
allows you to get more control over your daily life and activities--IMMEDIATELY!
We need to say "NO", but we're not very good at it. In business we give it another name. "prioritization" or "strategic planning.
But then we get back to day-to-day activities and we quickly forget what we prioritized and planned. We end up letting the "no's" creep back in.
For these remaining 100 days of the year, you must resolve to give "NO" the strategic resolve it deserves and in the second part of this post, I'll share FIFTEEN simple, effective and empowering strategies (personal and professional) that you can use to get results--IMMEDIATELY!
In the meantime, you are invited to pass this note along to your friends and colleagues. Also, be sure to get your FRE*E Goal Setting Toolkit by going to:
http://bit.ly/rsoaWB
We are all staring down the barrel of the same reality-- the clock is ticking and no matter how you look at it, we are approaching the home stretch of 2011.
You must consider the remaining 100 days of this year as a now or never opportunity to finish the year strong, to exceed expectations, and for some use it as a final chance at redemption.
Let's cut right to the chase, by looking at the results of your actions year to date, that REALITY tells you if you have been successful or not in achieving the goals you set earlier this year.
As it relates to your goals, your demonstrated actions have allowed you to be in one of three positions.
You have either:
1. Exceeded your expectations of what you thought you could achieve.
2. Met expectations of what you set out to accomplish.
3. Fallen below your desired expectations of what you wanted to accomplish.
Unfortunately, in today's economy, far too many people find themselves struggling and well below where they would like to be.
The GOOD NEWS is that regardless of the position you are currently in, you CAN finish the year strong, however you must do a few things in the manner presented in the next few paragraphs.
As someone who participates in or leads more than fifty strategy sessions per year, I'm well aware that we all began this year with great hope and determination.
I'm also well aware that many goals and plans fall far from being realized.
THE SOLUTION
So what specifically can you do in order to capture the brass ring? Work harder? Longer?
You don't stand a chance of succeeding with that strategy, yet that is exactly what the majority of people will do.
Why not do something entirely different, why not focus on saying NO!
Consisting of two letters and one syllable, the word "No"
can be considered to be one of the most powerful words in your vocabulary.
It's the easiest word for setting a limit, holding firm to boundaries, and being clear about what you will or will not do. It is a word of pure power that is both inner and out directed.
You will be a lot more productive once you recognize that:
1. "No" is not a dirty word, negative word, nor is it
a selfish word. Learning to say "No" is liberating as it frees up your time to focus on your key priorities.
2. You are in complete control of how you spend your
time and your life. Saying "No" allows you more time and energy to pursue your goals and wildest ambitions.
3. Saying, "No," increases the value of the things you
say, "Yes" to. Your success over the next 100 days requires a short "Yes" list, and a long "No" list.
The key is an awareness and prioritization of your "Yes"
list, and firm boundaries around your "No" list as QUICKLY as possible.
Saying "NO" is the most strategic decision you can make. You improve yourself, your family, and your organization's effectiveness--IMMEDIATELY!
"No" is empowering because it simplifies. You will succeed on the basis of what, where and how you say "no". And "NO"
allows you to get more control over your daily life and activities--IMMEDIATELY!
We need to say "NO", but we're not very good at it. In business we give it another name. "prioritization" or "strategic planning.
But then we get back to day-to-day activities and we quickly forget what we prioritized and planned. We end up letting the "no's" creep back in.
For these remaining 100 days of the year, you must resolve to give "NO" the strategic resolve it deserves and in the second part of this post, I'll share FIFTEEN simple, effective and empowering strategies (personal and professional) that you can use to get results--IMMEDIATELY!
In the meantime, you are invited to pass this note along to your friends and colleagues. Also, be sure to get your FRE*E Goal Setting Toolkit by going to:
http://bit.ly/rsoaWB
This video was created by Tom Woodward of Henrico County schools in Virginia. Tom used the work of Karl Fisch from Colorado who created a PPT using various quotes and statistics from "flat world" thinking. Used with permission
One of the best things I did when I decided to simplify my life was to simplify my workday — first at my day job and later, by quitting my day job, in the work I do now as a writer and entrepreneur.
I’ve eliminated most of the routine, boring, administrative tasks with a few simple principles.
These days, I have eliminated the non-essentials, and can focus on what I truly love: creating.
Not everyone can make such drastic steps toward simplicity, but if you have some control over your workday, you can do a few small things that will simplify things greatly.
If you don’t have control, or if you find yourself thinking, “I can’t do these things”, I’d start to ask why not? Is it possible to change things, if not today then over the long term? I found that often I thought something wasn’t possible (working from home, for example), but in the long run they were.
You don’t need to do all of these things — pick just one, and try it. Then try another and see if it works. Experiment to find what works for you.
And enjoy the simple work life.
Author: Leo Babauta. "Follow me on twitter or identica. If you liked this guide, please bookmark it on Delicious or share on Twitter. Thanks, my friends.
Read more about simplifying your work and your life in my book, The Power of Less. http://zenhabits.net"
Solar system jigsawis an interactive resource to teach about the solar system.
The activity is divided into three levels: planet, moon and hardware. => http://bit.ly/pmwem1
