Your way of doing things doesn’t have to be perfect to be effective. In fact, the expectation of perfection will only slow you down. The goal is to build a system that can grow with you. You can use a proven system—sometimes called a process—or create one from scratch. Just don’t be afraid to make … Continue reading “A perfect system doesn’t exist–only the next draft.”

Ever get distracted by random thoughts floating around in your mind? Scattered thinking can destroy your focus.  Most people know about a computer’s firewall. The security software that blocks unwanted viruses that slow your computer down…or even crash it. The same can be done for your mind! You need to build a mental firewall to … Continue reading “Why building a mental firewall keeps you from becoming distracted”

Change doesn’t happen overnight. Remember to be patient with yourself. There’s only so fast you can grow—especially if you’re trying to develop a new habit. So have patience with the process. Give yourself time as the change happens in your life. What change are you working on right now? Knowledge is powerful, and action is … Continue reading “Be patient with yourself. Change takes time.”

“If you want to get ahead, you’ve got to work long hours.” It’s a common perspective about climbing the career ladder. You have to hustle to make it happen, right? What if you could get ahead AND protect your work-life balance? You can! The key? Focus on results—not activity. Then create a line in the … Continue reading “How to get ahead without sacrificing your work-life balance”

Are you a curious person? Curiosity is a brilliant word. It’s also the key ingredient to asking productive questions. How? Glad you asked! When you approach a conversation with genuine interest, you’re more likely to listen. You give the other person time to think and respond. You resist the temptation to offer advice too quickly, … Continue reading “Ask more than you tell and with genuine curiosity”