Displaying All Posts tagged with planning

What Books Help You Be Productive?

There are numerous self-development and productivity titles out there to choose from. Starting with works by David Allen (Getting Things Done, Making It All Work) to Stephen Covey (The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, The 8th Habit) to Neil Fiore (The Now Habit), there are different viewpoints and models that you can refer to when looking to increase your productivity.

Some books you may have read may just inspire you to be more productive or are particular to your passion (Twyla Tharp’s The Creative Habit would be an example).

What books have you read that helped you out? What authors inspire you to improve? What books would you like to read that could help you even more? Let us know in the comments. Click Here to Read Article …

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Just Released – Producteev Two

Mike Vardy 2nd June Productivity Leave a Comment

Producteev Two, a web-based task management solution hit the “virtual shelves” today and it is the latest addition to the many productivity tools that can be utilized by individuals or teams. The aim of these types of applications is to get you out of managing your tasks from your email inbox and put them in a system that will enable you to manage them more efficiently and effectively.

I’ve had the opportunity to play around with the beta version of Producteev Two and will be posting a more comprehensive overview of the system tomorrow. In the meantime, you can sign up here – it’s free for individuals to try (with some limitations – albeit none that really cripple the product) and put it through the paces yourself.

(You can also let them know what you think of it by sending them a reply via Twitter – they’re @producteev.) Click Here to Read Article …

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How to Best Utilize Your Personal Assistant

Thea Easterby 2nd June Management 4 Comments

Many managers, particularly those new to management do not make the most of having a personal assistant. A well organised, reliable assistant can provide significant value to a manager transitioning into a new division or company. The practical tips below will have a new manager and their assistant performing as a well oiled machine in no time. Click Here to Read Article …

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To Thrive or Survive – Working Under Pressure

Peter North 1st June General 1 Comment

Have you ever heard someone say that they “work best under pressure”? It sounds like such a positive thing to say about your work habits. But, what if instead of “working best under pressure” they mean that they work only when under pressure, or that they even require pressure to get any work done at all?

Suddenly, it doesn’t sound like such a great way to describe yourself. Do you want people to get the impression that they need to pressure you in order to get you to increase your productivity? If so, get ready for an unnecessarily stressful work experience.

Instead of claiming to “work best under pressure”, consider the opposite: Present yourself as a “self-starter” who needs no pressure, prodding, babysitting, or queuing of any kind to get their work done. The term “self-starter” is just as clichéd, but at least it’s not suggesting to your peers that they have to nag you nonstop to get your best efforts.

Now if you truly do thrive under pressure, then by all means seek it out. But if not, do yourself a favor and find a tactful way to say, “I can handle pressure, but I don’t require it to excel.” Click Here to Read Article …

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3 Tips to Better Notetaking

Mike Vardy 1st June Productivity 3 Comments

As your day progresses, you need to stay on top of new things that come your way while keeping yourself focused on working through the stuff already on your plate. That’s where good notetaking skills come into play. (If you’re not already taking notes, you need to start. Seems obvious, but some people just don’t take notes at all – and their productivity suffers as a result.)

Here’s 3 ways to get you taking – and making – better notes:

Use shorthand that you understand. The art of shorthand is somewhat lost thanks to digital voice recorders and email, but when you do use a pen and paper to jot stuff down, don’t be too articulate or long-winded. You’re using these as reference points, not handing them in as-is. Speed up the process by using shorthand that you understand so you can expand upon them when you’re got the time to do so.
Use software. There’s a wide range of software solutions for this. Some sync with your computer and mobile device, some take your voice and turn it directly to text. It’s nice to have a central place where all of your notes can be in case you ever need to refer to them as well. While it may not be your primary notetaking method, it’s not a bad idea to have it handy regardless.
Transfer them to your productivity system regularly. Notes on their own are not enough. You need to categorize them and integrate them with the items already built into your productivity system of choice. Otherwise they’re just going to end up out of your mind and, ultimately, out of your control.

Taking notes at all is the first step. Better notetaking comes from wanting to give them more value when it comes to your path to being more productive. Click Here to Read Article …

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How Far Ahead Do You Plan?

Mike Vardy 29th May Goals 3 Comments

Its been made pretty clear that an integral part of being awesome at being productive is doing some planning. When, where and what method you use are questions only you can figure out through trial and error.

Once youve stopped trying and (hopefully) erring, you can dig a little deeper and look further into the future. Thats when the real meat of goal-setting comes into play. Thats when life gets interesting…and more fulfilling.

How far ahead do you plan? How many weeks, months, years? Do you plan activities, events and goals? How far down the rabbit hole do you go?

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Looking Back and Looking Forward

Mike Vardy 29th May Productivity Leave a Comment

The weekend is a time to take care of yourself – whether it be catching up on household projects, spending time with family and friends or taking the time to rest and simply enjoy the fruits of your labor.

It is also a time to reflect on the week gone by and prepare for the week ahead.

Since you were a child you have (likely) known that you should look both ways before crossing the street.. You should treat your planning in a similar manner. Look both ways before going ahead. Know where you have been and where youre headed – or like to be headed.

Looking back on your past successes and shortcomings will work for you going forward. The weekend is the perfect opportunity to take the time to do that.

Failing to do so may not be as destructive as what could happen if you cross a street without looking…but it can definitely make for a less productive week. Click Here to Read Article …

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What Productivity Software Do You Use?

Mike Vardy 26th May Productivity 24 Comments

This week we’ve already looked at what methods you use to get yourself on the pathway to productivity – whether it be paper, software or web-based in nature. As mentioned, no matter which way you go the options seem endless. (Yes, even those who use paper have a variety of options to choose from…)

Let’s say you use a software solution. The website Priacta has listed a ton – an exhaustive list – of productivity software solutions (and another list of web-based solutions as well) to choose from.

So, WorkAwesome readers, which one (if any) do you use…or have you used? Click Here to Read Article …

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The Rock Solid Reflection Plan

Mike Vardy 20th May Goals Leave a Comment

One of the best ways – some would say the only way – to keep tabs on where you’re at and where you’re headed in terms of being productive is by looking back on where you’ve been. It’s challenging to do this regularly. Really challenging. What’s more is that many people don’t do it at all. Doing this (or, rather, not doing this) is a recipe of mediocrity…or even organizational disaster.

All that aside, you can do this. You can review, reflect, revisit…whatever you’d like to call it…and you can do it regularly. I’m not going to outline what this consists of – there’s many different ways to do it and not one particular method works for everyone unilaterally. What I can do is present to you a plan on how to make sure you get to the act of doing it. Click Here to Read Article …

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9 Ways To Improve Your Writing

Carl Natale 18th May Communication 16 Comments

Does a blank page scare you? It doesn’t matter if it is created by a word processing application, sitting in a typewriter or resting under your pen. Can you fill that void?

Don’t be ashamed if you are nervous. It happens to a lot of people who don’t consider themselves very good writers. The good news is that not a lot of readers are critics. They’re not reading to find fault or grade you on word choice. Unless you are in school.

So let’s work on your writing. The best way to improve it is to write. Just do it. Here are some things to keep in mind that will help: Click Here to Read Article …

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Raising the Bar in Rain or Shine

Joseph Lewis 29th January Your Job 2 Comments

Modern office life ranges from very boring to oh-my-god-the-sky-is-falling-and-my-hair-is-always-on-fire. Both are imperfect. When you are bored, you can waste time on the internet while worrying about how secure your job really is. When you are over-worked, you’re exhausted and unhappy while worrying about whether others perceive your hectic days as a loss of control on your part.

Both are undesirable. And both demand that you raise the bar.

Click Here to Read Article …

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The Power of Preparedness

Mike Vardy 15th December Goals 2 Comments

With the end of the year rapidly approaching (I know – seems just like yesterday that we were ringing it in) pretty much everyone is taking into account what he or she did achieve in the year speeding by and what he or she hopes to achieve in the one speeding towards us. The time of year is upon us where we take stock on we’ve got and (some of us) fill stockings hoping to give someone something they haven’t got.

(Personally, I’m hoping for a nice LiveScribe pen in my stocking, so I’m hoping I haven’t been too naughty this year…)
Click Here to Read Article …

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