Ever had something take longer than expected? It’s frustrating when you’re unable to mark a task completed! Rather than glaring at the clock and feeling discombobulated, try this: stop and return the task to a gathering point. That’s right. Put it back in your inbox. And, since you’re already processing, what does that mean? You … Continue reading “How to handle tasks that take longer than expected”

Stephen R. Covey popularized the term “paradigm shift” in the 90s. I love his work. In many ways, he inspired me to do what I do. I value his insight to this very day. So, I hope he’d forgive me when I suggest a paradigm shift away from another concept he popularized: Let’s stop prioritizing … Continue reading “Why prioritizing by value over urgency is more productive today”

I learned a metaphor for teams without defined roles when I played volleyball back in the day. Hear me out. There’s a slang term called the “hubby/wife serve” or “campfire” serve. The idea is to put the serve exactly between two players on the other team. Both players think the other will get it…so no one … Continue reading “Productive teams have clearly defined roles”

Have you found your rhythm yet? Optimal productivity isn’t about perpetual motion. To find your peak productivity time, you must discover the right rhythm of activity and breaks throughout your day. This is especially true if you work from home and your personal and work life intertwine. The key is to notice repeated interruptions. When … Continue reading “Why finding your productivity rhythm helps you get more done”

Tired of meetings that go on forever? Determine the stop time when you schedule it. Begin the meeting with a reminder of this hard stop time. It may even be helpful to instruct someone to give gentle nudges as the end time draws near. By having a predetermined “stop” time, it forces attendees to stay focused … Continue reading “Before starting a meeting, decide when it will end”