Category: Productivity

Find Your Success Within

It is no secret that real leadership starts within the leader. John C. Maxwell has said, “to do more, you have to be more”. He is referring to our character, our values, our thoughts, and our actions.

How often do you reflect on your own character? How strong are your values? Take five minutes and challenge yourself to put in writing your beliefs, values, and strengths. Make a list, and capture a description of your inner self.

The list is your pathway to success. It defines behaviors that you need to live every day to be successful. It should not describe the person you desire to be, the person you are. It should clarify in your mind the areas that require more of your focus, and areas that you need to be more intentional with.

How do you become more? You need to grow yourself in the areas that you value, and the areas of your strengths.

The list should also reveal your passions. Passion allows you to see opportunities. Passion is the fuel that triggers your action.

When I did this exercise, I learned that even though I am driven to help others succeed, I can sometimes be stuck routines that limit my effectiveness. I am excited about the ideas I generated on how I can help others in new ways, and hopefully more effective ways.

If you didn’t already stop to make your list, take the chance to do it right now. It will lead you to new ideas. Ideas that will let you become more, and do more.

Here’s a Quick Way to be More Productive

Index cards are the single most effective productivity tool that I use every day. The index card may not seem significant to you, or it has been replaced by a technology tool. However here are five simple ways the index card enhances my day:

1. Daily reminders. Early in the morning I review my key objectives for the day. I jot them down on an index card that I keep in front of me on my desk. If I have to leave my desk, I tuck it in in my pocket and take it with me. This habit is my foundation of being intentional with my actions every day.

2. Bookmarks. I use index cards as bookmarks. I can write notes, or page numbers on them. I do read electronic books, but I much prefer a paper copy. I also like to write notes directly in my books. Cards have an advantage because you can take your notes out of the book, and use them for other purposes. If I am reading a book of fiction, I find it helpful to keep character names listed on a card (my bookmark). I add the page number where the character was introduced so I can go back and remind myself of characters as the book progresses.

3. Tickler File. If you have used David Allen’s Getting Things Done productivity system, then you know about a tickler file system. If you haven’t I suggest you check out what a tickler file can do for you. I have created a robust system using index cards instead of file folders. I use an index card box, tabbed index cards for dividers, and a pack of index cards for my tickler reminders. This perpetual system becomes more effective year after year.

4. Portable notes. I carry index cards in my pocket. When I am travelling or in a meeting, I need to have a place to write down thoughts, ideas, and actions. I could use my phone for this purpose, but since I am over 50, I write faster than I type with my thumbs.

5. Daily reviews. The cards I use each day end up on my desk. This creates an easy way to review and capture future actions that may be needed. This becomes the basis for a daily reflection, and lessons learned process.

There is nothing high tech about index cards. In fact, index cards have been around since 1760. But they work. I don’t have to worry about a dead battery, or a weak WiFi signal. It becomes simple to write down the thought that I need to capture. It is my favorite productivity tool.

What about you? What is your favorite productivity tool?

5 Reasons Why People Don’t Take Vacations

Americans only take half their vacation. Really? If the statistic is true, then I think half of Americans must take all their vacation, and the other half take none. I know plenty of people that take all their vacation, and a few that never take vacation.

Why do we not take vacation?

1. Vacation is still work. We cannot seem to get away. We are connected by phone and email, and our company expects us to stay connected and work. So why go if you are just going to work.

2. You don’t want to be disconnected. Even though it is hard to be disconnected in this modern world, leaving your desk and maybe some of your gadgets behind makes you feel unconnected. It is amazing how we have become a society that connects more online than off.

3. You like your routine. There are some personality types that just prefer a daily routine. Vacations become so stressful that they are not worth it. I am glad I don’t fall into this category.

4. You feel like you would be penalized by your employer. When you look around your company, do people that don’t take vacations get treated better? I not sure how prevalent penalties rally are, but I am sure there is an increase in companies that expect you to do some work while on vacation.

5. You would rather work than take a vacation. You may be one of those Americans that just feel like work is who you are. You prefer to work hard and find your own success. You are probably uncomfortable on vacation. You can’t relax because it makes you feel unproductive. 

I am glad I am included in the group of Americans that enjoy vacation. As soon as I finish one, I am planning the next. Did you take a vacation this year?

 

The One Reason Why You Must Know Your Strengths

I hope you have had the opportunity to discover your strengths through some testing instrument like Strengths Finder 2.0. Highly successful people normally have a good understanding of themselves. They are more aware, and they focus in the area of their strengths.

Knowing your strengths will open allow you to target your energy in the areas that will most likely be successful. If you want to be exceptional, focus on what you are good at. Seems simple.

When I took the Strengths Finder test, I discovered my top five strengths were learner, strategic, analytical, intellection, and responsibility.

If I had read the list of 34 strengths before I took the test, I would have been able to divide the list in two halves. One half being strengths, and the other half weaknesses (or weaker strengths). I would not have been able to specifically define my top five strengths.

So what does knowing provide me? Based on my strengths, I know the following. I like to learn. I like to evaluate situations or circumstances and find the best solution. I like logic, data, patterns and connections. I like to think, and I own my commitments.

These strengths support my focus and interest in personal growth, and daily reflection. Even though I think personal growth and reflection would be beneficial to everyone, not everyone embraces this idea for themselves.

My strengths determine how I see the world, and how I enjoy life. They define my view of how the world should be. I sometimes make the mistake of assuming that people are like me.

You have your own lens through which you view the world. Your view is just as strong as mine, only it is different. You have to be you, and I have to be myself.

Because I know my strengths, and I reflect daily on my success, I have learned that I do better when I use my strengths. The farther out of my strength zone I go, the more frustrated I get with my results. My strength zone is not the same as my comfort zone. I am best when I continue to learn, when I find problems that need solved, and when I can use data and research to support my activities. I also do best when I have time to think about my work, not just do it.

Recently I have been trying to reduce the scope of my activities to really focus on my strengths. It has increased my success, my energy, and improved my attitude. I am more excited now about the future. If you know your strengths, find a way to leverage them. If you don’t know them, grab a copy of Strengths Finder 2.0.