Productivity: The Secret Sauce for Success - Job Search
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Transcript of Productivity: The Secret Sauce for Success - Job Search
Productivity: The Secret Sauce
Catherine MorganCareer Transition Coach | Business Consultant
Point A to Point B Transitions Inc.
Time is scarce
• Time is your most valuable commodity• No matter how much time we have,
it never seems like enough– Family– Career– Fitness– Volunteering– Hobbies– Other?
Who gets more done?
• Someone with a lot of spare time?• Someone with a lot of commitments?
The inner game of productivity
• Need to create good mental space • Invalidate negative self-talk
Taming the “monkey mind”
• How do you calm the “chatter”– Exercise like walking, running, swimming– Meditation– Yoga– Other?
Know when your peak times are
• When are you usually at your best?– Are you a morning person?– Do you prefer late night for thinking?
How to find more time
• Find out where your “leaks” are– Keep track of what you do for a week– Usual time-sucks include:• Watching TV• Internet surfing• Interacting on social media• Playing video games• Writing long e-mails• Meetings• Volunteering
What causes overwhelm?
“Overwhelm is caused by NOT knowing WHAT to do,
not by having too much to do.”~ Michael Port
How to get past overwhelm
• Get things out of your head– Trying to remember too many things can
cause immediate overwhelm
Capture all tasks
• Overwhelm will subside when you get into action
• Capture everything you need to do in some way (paper, software, phone app)
Out of the brain and on to…
• Everybody is different – No tech: Lists and sticky notes
• Sticky note fun:– Write each task on a sticky note– Put all notes on your left – When a task is done, move
note to the right side for a visual sense of completion
Software that really helps
• WorkFlowy• Evernote• iDoneThis
Create logical groups
• Once out of your head, tasks can be combined into logical groups or projects– Business projects– Personal chores– Administrative tasks
First way to prioritize: Cha-ching!
• #1. Do the task that is the most important– Hint: The fast path to the cash
Second way to prioritize: Gulp
• #2. Do the dreaded task first
“Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you
the rest of the day.” ~ Mark Twain
Third way to prioritize: Check
• #3. Do the easy things first – Build momentum
Fourth way to prioritize: Whoo-hoo!
• #4. Gauge your enthusiasm – Which task gets you excited? – Do that first to get a little energy that can
carry over to the ones that are not so fun
Your friend the calendar
• Be hands-on: Use your calendar! – Go through your commitments and
other projects– Define specific tasks and block out times – Also schedule in breaks and fun
Add in constraints for productivity
• Work will expand to the amount of time you give it
• Set deadlines - even if they are fake• Bracket your time with other things
that can’t move• Keep some kind of a schedule (and
keep your sanity)
Some bonus tips
• Try using a timer with 45 or 50 minute blocks and then take 15 or 10 minute breaks
• Write a list for the next day when you are finished with your work day or at night– You may relax and sleep better – and feel more
productive in the morning
Notice avoidance behaviors
• This happens frequently when what we need to be doing is scary or tedious
• Notice when you start doing something (anything!) to avoid the dreaded task– Laundry– Organizing your office– Cleaning– E-mail
Need to have or nice to have?
• Job seekers can get sidetracked thinking they need to: – Learn some software package – Get a specific certification
Banish crazy-busy
• Forget crazy-busy– It’s the new normal
Questions?
Catherine MorganCareer Transition Coach | Business ConsultantPoint A to Point B Transitions [email protected] www.linkedin.com/in/PointAtoPointB Twitter @PointA_PointB
Catherine speaks on:- Productivity- Entrepreneurship- Small Business- Career Transition