by Christina Randle
I’m driving to work this morning – very early. I’ve got a big project and several important tasks due, giving two local speeches and leaving town tomorrow for a big 3-day conference. I’ve been up for several hours already rehearsing my speech, pouring over my project and thinking through the day. My left brain is already exhausted.
As I glanced to my left, I saw out of the corner of my eye another professional just like me heading out before the sun is up. Another glance revealed something much more poignant - there is a smile on his face clearly a reflection of the joy in his heart as his head bobbed to the music playing on his car stereo. He catches my eye and sharing a smile and a wink. It’s not a romantic wink or a ‘hey baby what’s happening’ wink. It seems like a ‘remember, you can be in your happy place too’ wink.
His day was probably pretty close to how mine was in terms of important things to do. I realized that while I’d been getting ready for the day, I’d forgotten to pack my smile, joy and fun. As I re-engaged on the road, I checked in with myself. My frontal lobe is throbbing with all the thinking I’ve already done as I looked at the clock and it read 6:47 AM. As I glanced in the rear-view mirror, there was absolutely no smile to be found anywhere. Forcing my mouth into a smile form made no difference internally or externally to get me to the joy that seemed to emanate from this total stranger.
My choice was clear. To continue with the left-brain, stoic approach or ease and balance it with some joy, a smile and delight. I know the groups that I will be speaking with today would probably appreciate me bringing those qualities with me. As this realization came, it felt as if I were just opening my eyes for the day.
All of a sudden the sun beamed to me from the horizon, the cool breeze was blowing across my shoulders, the water rippling down carrying spotted ducks on Ladybird Lake as I drove across and the cars along the road became humans that I shared the road with. Gratitude enveloped me as I recounted all the many blessings I had – from the simple pleasures provided by nature to the work that we do in the world, the wonderful people I get to work with, our clients, my family, friends, birds and butterflies, flowers, my back porch for watching sunsets and read my current favorite book, the smell of baking chocolate chip banana bread, the blood rushing through my legs as I ride my indoor bike or my outdoor bike. Yes, I could feel it rising inside. I am blessed. And with that, the joy came forth.
Did you pack your joy today?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Multi-tasking Makes You Stupid
by Steven Terry
One of the things I teach in my class is that multi tasking is an enemy of performance and an article in Wall Street Journal some years back said “Multi tasking makes you stupid”.
As a road warrior I have learned to move very swiftly in and out of and through airports, hotels, and rental car facilities. On a recent trip to Dallas, I got into my rental car and noticed that a client had called me. As I’m driving through the facility, I decided to call my client back. I mean, why not? I had driven here many times before, this was an important client and I felt a sense of urgency.
I mean how difficult could it be for me to drive out of a rental car facility and talk to an ‘easy to talk to’ client at the same time? It was definitely easy - easy to feel stupid.
As I’m driving out, I see a red sign. What do you do at a red sign? Stop. So I stopped. Then I accelerated forward, slowly, but nevertheless forward. I continue to talk to my client about some concerns he had. Something strange happened.
It was like an episode of a tv show where everything slows down. It was a foggy day which is rare for Dallas. I noticed off to the left front of my car a guy appeared out of the mist. He looked like Jerry Seinfeld, wearing a Hertz jacket, and he was flapping his arms up and down, in slow motion. His mouth was moving and looked like he was saying Nooooooooo very slowly. My client on the other end seemed to be talking faster and faster and faster. Then “Jerry’s” arms changed formation as he waved them in front of him and his face changed. Changed to what? At the time I could not make it out. In hindsight it was, “Oh dear God?!!”
Guess what? The red sign was not a stop sign. It was a Do Not Enter sign. Those spikes work!!!! The sign said “Do not enter severe tire damage.”
Suddenly it seemed like everything sped up. There was a thud, my foot hit the brake, and my client continues to talk. I had to tell him I would need to call him back. “Something has come up” I said. Yeah quite right it had. I looked out of my window to witness my left front tire “pssssssssssssssssss” as it deflated. Somehow I was lucky. Only one tire was spiked. I was able to stop the car before the back tires went over and the right front missed.
“Jerry” proceeded to tell me to back up. I reversed the car back to the Hertz check out counter. As I looked out the back window, I see the man who had checked me out minutes earlier. He threw his arms up in the air, and although I couldn’t see what he mouthed, I think he said “There’s that Effective EDGE guy again”….
So, is multi tasking worth it? No! Did I get any more done? Yes, actually I did - I popped a tire. Now that is very “effective.”
One of the things I teach in my class is that multi tasking is an enemy of performance and an article in Wall Street Journal some years back said “Multi tasking makes you stupid”.
As a road warrior I have learned to move very swiftly in and out of and through airports, hotels, and rental car facilities. On a recent trip to Dallas, I got into my rental car and noticed that a client had called me. As I’m driving through the facility, I decided to call my client back. I mean, why not? I had driven here many times before, this was an important client and I felt a sense of urgency.
I mean how difficult could it be for me to drive out of a rental car facility and talk to an ‘easy to talk to’ client at the same time? It was definitely easy - easy to feel stupid.
As I’m driving out, I see a red sign. What do you do at a red sign? Stop. So I stopped. Then I accelerated forward, slowly, but nevertheless forward. I continue to talk to my client about some concerns he had. Something strange happened.
It was like an episode of a tv show where everything slows down. It was a foggy day which is rare for Dallas. I noticed off to the left front of my car a guy appeared out of the mist. He looked like Jerry Seinfeld, wearing a Hertz jacket, and he was flapping his arms up and down, in slow motion. His mouth was moving and looked like he was saying Nooooooooo very slowly. My client on the other end seemed to be talking faster and faster and faster. Then “Jerry’s” arms changed formation as he waved them in front of him and his face changed. Changed to what? At the time I could not make it out. In hindsight it was, “Oh dear God?!!”
Guess what? The red sign was not a stop sign. It was a Do Not Enter sign. Those spikes work!!!! The sign said “Do not enter severe tire damage.”
Suddenly it seemed like everything sped up. There was a thud, my foot hit the brake, and my client continues to talk. I had to tell him I would need to call him back. “Something has come up” I said. Yeah quite right it had. I looked out of my window to witness my left front tire “pssssssssssssssssss” as it deflated. Somehow I was lucky. Only one tire was spiked. I was able to stop the car before the back tires went over and the right front missed.
“Jerry” proceeded to tell me to back up. I reversed the car back to the Hertz check out counter. As I looked out the back window, I see the man who had checked me out minutes earlier. He threw his arms up in the air, and although I couldn’t see what he mouthed, I think he said “There’s that Effective EDGE guy again”….
So, is multi tasking worth it? No! Did I get any more done? Yes, actually I did - I popped a tire. Now that is very “effective.”
Monday, April 14, 2008
Reducing Information Anxiety
by Robertt Young
Recently, while talking to my colleague Jennifer, the topic of different ways to manage and organize information came up. As we were discussing categories and why we use them, I was reminded of a book by Richard Saul Wurman titled Information Anxiety.
Information Anxiety notes that there are five ways to organize information:
1. Alphabet: A dictionary is an example of information organized alphabetically.
2. Location: Location is a natural way of organizing data with important relationships or connections to other data e.g.; medical students often use books that organize information by location of the body: stomach, liver and heart.
3. Continuum: According to Wurman, this means order of magnitude: largest to smallest, most important to least important etc.
4. Time or Calendar: Organize information by time or on a calendar
5. Categories: Categories are a common, reliable tool since they allow similar things to be grouped together by attributes that are considered important in some way. Defining the specific categories is crucial, as they will communicate the designer's prejudices and understandings more easily than any other organization.
Traditional “time management” teaches you to manage information using a calendar or chronologically.
We teach how to manage information categorically. Why do we use categories instead of time to manage information? It’s less work and more rewarding – oh yeah it works!! Here's what I mean, in traditional “time management” courses they teach that:
Recently, while talking to my colleague Jennifer, the topic of different ways to manage and organize information came up. As we were discussing categories and why we use them, I was reminded of a book by Richard Saul Wurman titled Information Anxiety.
Information Anxiety notes that there are five ways to organize information:
1. Alphabet: A dictionary is an example of information organized alphabetically.
2. Location: Location is a natural way of organizing data with important relationships or connections to other data e.g.; medical students often use books that organize information by location of the body: stomach, liver and heart.
3. Continuum: According to Wurman, this means order of magnitude: largest to smallest, most important to least important etc.
4. Time or Calendar: Organize information by time or on a calendar
5. Categories: Categories are a common, reliable tool since they allow similar things to be grouped together by attributes that are considered important in some way. Defining the specific categories is crucial, as they will communicate the designer's prejudices and understandings more easily than any other organization.
Traditional “time management” teaches you to manage information using a calendar or chronologically.
We teach how to manage information categorically. Why do we use categories instead of time to manage information? It’s less work and more rewarding – oh yeah it works!! Here's what I mean, in traditional “time management” courses they teach that:
You write all the "to-do's" down on today’s calendar you think are most important to be done, whether or not it needs to be that day.- Then you prioritize those "to-do’s" either numerically 1,2, etc or by ABC* priority (A= high B= less important C=.everything else)
- Then you attack your day working on job 1 or the As, then job 2 or the Bs etc. until completed.
But what happens when someone comes and throws new things on your plate? Or someone comes along and changes the priority of everything you so neatly prioritize?
Here’s what folks who use this method tell us is so frustrating:
- You don’t get to finish the to-do's" you planned to get done.
- All that stuff you didn’t accomplish today gets moved to tomorrow’s calendar.
- Your daily “reward” for completing anything is having to prioritize everything again tomorrow (which is everything we didn’t accomplish today!)
Why not have your calendar show only the Action items that absolutely need to be done today? List everything else as an Action item on your Task List in the correct category. Since categories are specific – you might have categories for Projects or Actions or Calls - then you can see what you want to see when it’s appropriate. If I have all my Actions in one place, I work on what I need when I need it!
Watch for my next installment on the importance of Categories. We know time flies whether we’re having fun or not…so why try to manage it?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Savoring it all
by Christina Randle
It’s my absolute favorite time of year. Spring in Austin only lasts a few weeks and then we move directly into summer. But while it’s here, it’s simply stunning. Cool nights, temperate days. The smell of mountain laurels, thrift’s bright pink blooms coming up from the ground, the peach blossoms and even the live oaks shedding their leaves. All sorts of colors and smells.
It’s also the best time for music. Austin is the host of two yearly music festivals; one of which happens during spring break. Between the burst of color and smells and the sound of the music that comes out of the doors of many clubs, on the streets and off the shores of Lady Bird Lake, it’s almost more excitement than I can stand – even as I’ve been here for a total of 13 years now.
As I drove home yesterday from the Hilton where I gave a speech to some 300 animal health professionals on this breezy and sunny afternoon, I am reminded of how much used to pass me by. I’d get so caught up in the business of the day or week or year that I would forget about spring, music and colors.
This is what makes life so rich. It’s taking the time to be fully present in the moment. To stop for just that moment or two and take it all in.
I realized that these moments are what give me the energy and the inner strength to go into an office building and sit behind a desk most days, going from meeting to meeting while in between reading email, taking calls, and checking things off my task list.
It’s my absolute favorite time of year. Spring in Austin only lasts a few weeks and then we move directly into summer. But while it’s here, it’s simply stunning. Cool nights, temperate days. The smell of mountain laurels, thrift’s bright pink blooms coming up from the ground, the peach blossoms and even the live oaks shedding their leaves. All sorts of colors and smells.
It’s also the best time for music. Austin is the host of two yearly music festivals; one of which happens during spring break. Between the burst of color and smells and the sound of the music that comes out of the doors of many clubs, on the streets and off the shores of Lady Bird Lake, it’s almost more excitement than I can stand – even as I’ve been here for a total of 13 years now.
As I drove home yesterday from the Hilton where I gave a speech to some 300 animal health professionals on this breezy and sunny afternoon, I am reminded of how much used to pass me by. I’d get so caught up in the business of the day or week or year that I would forget about spring, music and colors.
This is what makes life so rich. It’s taking the time to be fully present in the moment. To stop for just that moment or two and take it all in.
I realized that these moments are what give me the energy and the inner strength to go into an office building and sit behind a desk most days, going from meeting to meeting while in between reading email, taking calls, and checking things off my task list.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
New Beginnings
by Amanda Spurlock
Change. It’s the one constant in our lives that we can truly count on no matter what life is throwing at us. My life took a major change recently. I moved back to the States with my husband after living and working in Panama for 5 years, got a new job, and moved to a state I had never lived in or we really knew much about with the intention of getting our MBAs.
It all started with initial conversations of what we wanted to get out of our lives, and our family. We began chewing on the idea of moving to the States for better opportunities. When we finally decided to make the move, both my husband and I knew we needed to see this as a project. During this time, I truly had to work on Getting the EDGE to make sure we were going to do it right.
We settled on our desired outcome which engaged our mind, heart and soul. It was clear, succinct and was written as if it had already happened. We had several sessions of emptying our heads on topics ranging from what would be our initial expenses, recurrent expenses, housing, jobs, transportation, insurance, savings, cars we needed to sell, education, and most important, how we were leaving our family behind; this one being the hardest.
Once we decided on all the actions we needed to complete, we took each one at a time; sometimes two as we divided the actions and crossed them out when we completed them. We celebrated every success; big or small because we knew this was moving our project forward. Action by action, our project was becoming a reality and we were living it.
It took us 9 months from when we started putting our project into reality in Panama to when we were settled in an apartment in North Carolina with new surroundings, no family or friends for 500 miles, and fresh new beginnings. That project has finalized and we have learned a lot from the experience.
We still have many other projects to complete both professionally and personally. We came here to obtain our MBAs and in the process we have acquired new projects. One of those projects is on our someday/maybe list. I know we will get to it; at this time though I do not have the money to start it.
Our MBA project is still being worked on action by action as there are many to complete before it becomes a reality. It is taking us a little longer than we had originally planned, but one thing we know for sure is we must continue completing each action one at a time as it keeps our project moving forward towards success.
Change. It’s the one constant in our lives that we can truly count on no matter what life is throwing at us. My life took a major change recently. I moved back to the States with my husband after living and working in Panama for 5 years, got a new job, and moved to a state I had never lived in or we really knew much about with the intention of getting our MBAs.
It all started with initial conversations of what we wanted to get out of our lives, and our family. We began chewing on the idea of moving to the States for better opportunities. When we finally decided to make the move, both my husband and I knew we needed to see this as a project. During this time, I truly had to work on Getting the EDGE to make sure we were going to do it right.
We settled on our desired outcome which engaged our mind, heart and soul. It was clear, succinct and was written as if it had already happened. We had several sessions of emptying our heads on topics ranging from what would be our initial expenses, recurrent expenses, housing, jobs, transportation, insurance, savings, cars we needed to sell, education, and most important, how we were leaving our family behind; this one being the hardest.
Once we decided on all the actions we needed to complete, we took each one at a time; sometimes two as we divided the actions and crossed them out when we completed them. We celebrated every success; big or small because we knew this was moving our project forward. Action by action, our project was becoming a reality and we were living it.
It took us 9 months from when we started putting our project into reality in Panama to when we were settled in an apartment in North Carolina with new surroundings, no family or friends for 500 miles, and fresh new beginnings. That project has finalized and we have learned a lot from the experience.
We still have many other projects to complete both professionally and personally. We came here to obtain our MBAs and in the process we have acquired new projects. One of those projects is on our someday/maybe list. I know we will get to it; at this time though I do not have the money to start it.
Our MBA project is still being worked on action by action as there are many to complete before it becomes a reality. It is taking us a little longer than we had originally planned, but one thing we know for sure is we must continue completing each action one at a time as it keeps our project moving forward towards success.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Stopping the E-mail Avalanche
By Robertt Young
This morning I was driving to deliver a class and was thinking about the reasons people come to the Getting the EDGE Workshop. Getting more organized, managing their projects and tasks, better work/life balance and becoming more productive are certainly big ones. The number one reason folks show up is to get a better handle on the avalanche of email that shows up everyday at work.
We do a really good job in the workshop of teaching folks the 4 Ds (Dump it, Do it if you can do it in two minutes or less, Delegate it or Defer it) to use when processing their in boxes. We also teach excellent tips on how to stop checking their in boxes all day long and to set aside time to process in-boxes to empty. So, we are helping them deal with e-mail really well.
But one thing people really want to know is; : What can they do to get less email? Is it even possible? We all know the best way to get less email is to send less, but what else can we do?
Something I have started doing in class is having folks tell me good practices they have heard are for getting less email. There have been some really good ideas and I am hoping this article will stimulate you to add to this list! Some of the things I have heard:
This morning I was driving to deliver a class and was thinking about the reasons people come to the Getting the EDGE Workshop. Getting more organized, managing their projects and tasks, better work/life balance and becoming more productive are certainly big ones. The number one reason folks show up is to get a better handle on the avalanche of email that shows up everyday at work.
We do a really good job in the workshop of teaching folks the 4 Ds (Dump it, Do it if you can do it in two minutes or less, Delegate it or Defer it) to use when processing their in boxes. We also teach excellent tips on how to stop checking their in boxes all day long and to set aside time to process in-boxes to empty. So, we are helping them deal with e-mail really well.
But one thing people really want to know is; : What can they do to get less email? Is it even possible? We all know the best way to get less email is to send less, but what else can we do?
Something I have started doing in class is having folks tell me good practices they have heard are for getting less email. There have been some really good ideas and I am hoping this article will stimulate you to add to this list! Some of the things I have heard:
- Get off any distribution lists you don’t need to be on. Put magazines as favorites in your browser and proactively read the articles online.
- At the end of the subject line or the email type “No reply necessary or no thanks needed” - We all know the emails that read like: Thanks – Your welcome – Great – Don’t mention it, etc.
- Let people know that you only process your email at certain times of the day and that you will reply to them at that time. Ask them to contact you by phone or text if they really need you! (Don’t give your number to everyone).
- Set your email to come in once every hour or half hour rather than on constantly.
Some of these may work for you and some may not. Let me know what other ideas you have heard so I can share them with the people who come to Getting the EDGE!
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