If you could do better, should you? If you can make more
money, or serve more customers, or live a better life,
should you?
Most of us are doing better than just ok. We've got so
much! We've got computers and cars, we travel and live in
beautiful homes. We have air conditioning, big-screen TV's,
and food on the table. How much more should we "go for?"
Here's my answer: As much as your potential allows. Greed
or blind ambition is obviously a terrible waste. It narrows
our perceptions and robs us of joy. And frankly, it limits
our achievement because people don't like or trust us, and
we lose a certain creative nimbleness that is essential for
maximum achievement.
At the same time, if you have potential that could serve
more people, that could make and share more money, that
could build and create more products, I believe it is
immoral to sit on your hands. You've got to try! There's
something wrong with being so afraid of "failure" that we
deny the ability, the talent and opportunity the universe
(God) has invested in us. If you can do better, I believe
you have an obligation to "go for it!"
Which leads us to our theme of the month, getting more
done. How do you achieve more while maintaining balance,
peace of mind, family time and your spirituality? The
answer is in the SYSTEMS you use!
Some ambitious people have terrible systems! Because they
have a home office, they try to make sales and do laundry
at the same time. Or, they work from cluttered desks and
can never find the document they need. They fail to master
their technology and are always explaining why they are a
day late and a bit short.
Don't do that to yourself!
Here are some suggestions for getting more done:
1. Do One Thing Well. Focus on whatever lies at hand. If
you're writing a key proposal, close the door, turn off the
phone and write! If you're making a call, pull off the road
and focus on the call. When you check email, close the door
and spend a solid few minutes taking care of those
messages. Take a moment to run spell check and use good
grammar. Your customers and colleagues deserve that from
you.
2. Use Appropriate Technology. Some people have all the
newest gadgets but don't use them well. Others use old-
fashioned paper-and-pencil but actually get the job done.
Master your phone system. Learn your software. WiFi PDA's
and smartphones are wonderful if they serve your desired
outcome of GETTING MORE DONE. But if they are merely
impressive toys that clutter your life, get rid of them.
3. Be FAST! Practice making decisions quickly. Return
phone calls and emails the same day and get them off your
desk. Take time to think clearly so you can act quickly.
Use "tickler files" and systems to remind you of tasks that
need to be done, and when the time is right, do them. Get
up early and work quickly all day long. Keep moving!
4. Know What to Delete. A vast amount of the stuff that
comes across our desks each day is junk. We may need to
read it or glance at it, but never "stack" stuff! Read and
delete. Delegate if necessary. Respond appropriately, then
be done and move on. Many of our "have-to's" are just time
wasters and distractions. Never get bogged down in trivia!
5. Focus on Desired Outcomes. Know your most important
results, write them down, and stay focused all day long.
Nothing sabotages productivity like confusion! Every day,
identify the two or three things that will actually move
your forward, then stay on them! When you know (precisely)
what MUST GET DONE by 5:00 this afternoon, you'll move
quickly and get results. Everything else is just wasting
time and successful people don't waste time.
The twin secrets to getting more done are clarity and a
sense of urgency. When the phone rings and company is
coming in 20 minutes, it's amazing how much cleaning can
get done! When you know exactly what you're trying to
achieve, and know it must be done today, the same principle
applies! Never let "Murphy's Law" that work expands to fill
the time available apply to you. Have a sense of urgency
about making those calls, getting those sales, finishing
your most important projects. Be a person of ACTION! Get
things done!
money, or serve more customers, or live a better life,
should you?
Most of us are doing better than just ok. We've got so
much! We've got computers and cars, we travel and live in
beautiful homes. We have air conditioning, big-screen TV's,
and food on the table. How much more should we "go for?"
Here's my answer: As much as your potential allows. Greed
or blind ambition is obviously a terrible waste. It narrows
our perceptions and robs us of joy. And frankly, it limits
our achievement because people don't like or trust us, and
we lose a certain creative nimbleness that is essential for
maximum achievement.
At the same time, if you have potential that could serve
more people, that could make and share more money, that
could build and create more products, I believe it is
immoral to sit on your hands. You've got to try! There's
something wrong with being so afraid of "failure" that we
deny the ability, the talent and opportunity the universe
(God) has invested in us. If you can do better, I believe
you have an obligation to "go for it!"
Which leads us to our theme of the month, getting more
done. How do you achieve more while maintaining balance,
peace of mind, family time and your spirituality? The
answer is in the SYSTEMS you use!
Some ambitious people have terrible systems! Because they
have a home office, they try to make sales and do laundry
at the same time. Or, they work from cluttered desks and
can never find the document they need. They fail to master
their technology and are always explaining why they are a
day late and a bit short.
Don't do that to yourself!
Here are some suggestions for getting more done:
1. Do One Thing Well. Focus on whatever lies at hand. If
you're writing a key proposal, close the door, turn off the
phone and write! If you're making a call, pull off the road
and focus on the call. When you check email, close the door
and spend a solid few minutes taking care of those
messages. Take a moment to run spell check and use good
grammar. Your customers and colleagues deserve that from
you.
2. Use Appropriate Technology. Some people have all the
newest gadgets but don't use them well. Others use old-
fashioned paper-and-pencil but actually get the job done.
Master your phone system. Learn your software. WiFi PDA's
and smartphones are wonderful if they serve your desired
outcome of GETTING MORE DONE. But if they are merely
impressive toys that clutter your life, get rid of them.
3. Be FAST! Practice making decisions quickly. Return
phone calls and emails the same day and get them off your
desk. Take time to think clearly so you can act quickly.
Use "tickler files" and systems to remind you of tasks that
need to be done, and when the time is right, do them. Get
up early and work quickly all day long. Keep moving!
4. Know What to Delete. A vast amount of the stuff that
comes across our desks each day is junk. We may need to
read it or glance at it, but never "stack" stuff! Read and
delete. Delegate if necessary. Respond appropriately, then
be done and move on. Many of our "have-to's" are just time
wasters and distractions. Never get bogged down in trivia!
5. Focus on Desired Outcomes. Know your most important
results, write them down, and stay focused all day long.
Nothing sabotages productivity like confusion! Every day,
identify the two or three things that will actually move
your forward, then stay on them! When you know (precisely)
what MUST GET DONE by 5:00 this afternoon, you'll move
quickly and get results. Everything else is just wasting
time and successful people don't waste time.
The twin secrets to getting more done are clarity and a
sense of urgency. When the phone rings and company is
coming in 20 minutes, it's amazing how much cleaning can
get done! When you know exactly what you're trying to
achieve, and know it must be done today, the same principle
applies! Never let "Murphy's Law" that work expands to fill
the time available apply to you. Have a sense of urgency
about making those calls, getting those sales, finishing
your most important projects. Be a person of ACTION! Get
things done!
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