by Laura Finney
Imagine not combing or brushing your hair for a week. Okay, I know that’s a fashion style for some people, but not most. Imagine not brushing your teeth or bathing for a week. If the trash at our homes was not picked up weekly, it would double by the next week and so would the smell.
The same holds true for remaining organized and productive throughout the week. A Weekly Recharge is the key to maintaining a seamless system of organization. ‘Recharge’ means to regain, make new, or simply to charge again. Our bodies and minds are recharged after each session of sleep or rest. We recharge batteries to use them over and over again.
In the office, a Weekly Recharge is most beneficial in keeping the EDGE System working for you. And, it keeps your mind, desk, and workload clear of unnecessary clutter. This will also give you an opportunity to review or add upcoming tasks and potential projects.
The Weekly Recharge is just as important as any other weekly appointment you participate in, such as hair appointments, worship services, conference calls, meetings, sporting activities, etc. But, more importantly, the Weekly Recharge is a way of life in growing and remaining organized and productive.
Not using your system will have a trickledown effect that will be counterproductive of your goals. This system has become a critical factor for my success and it can be for you as well. It’s the habit that will keep you on track and moving forward with Getting the EDGE.
You can choose any day of the week for your Weekly Recharge. I prefer Friday. Friday is the end of the work week and a perfect time for me to reorganize the past weeks’ work and organize the upcoming week. This is also a great opportunity for me to enter the weekend not worried about what’s completed (or not completed). I also feel better about entering the new work week free and clear knowing what lies ahead.
Keep your EDGE by using your Weekly Recharge. I promise you will have a new level of organization and positive energy!
Friday, February 27, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Are You Really Beginning The Day Deliberately?
by Robertt Young
Are you really Beginning the Day Deliberately and doing the Weekly Recharge every single week? As many of you know, in addition to the one day class Getting the EDGE (GTE), we also have one-on-one coaching with professionals and executives in their offices. After I coach people for several days I like to implement a few follow up sessions to see how they are doing and receive their feedback. The first question I ask them is: “How are you doing with your management system, what’s working and what isn’t?” Then I listen.
Are you really Beginning the Day Deliberately and doing the Weekly Recharge every single week? As many of you know, in addition to the one day class Getting the EDGE (GTE), we also have one-on-one coaching with professionals and executives in their offices. After I coach people for several days I like to implement a few follow up sessions to see how they are doing and receive their feedback. The first question I ask them is: “How are you doing with your management system, what’s working and what isn’t?” Then I listen.
Usually they are doing great but sometimes they experience falling back into old habits and fail to process their email boxes to empty or don’t capture things on their Task List/To Do List or Calendar. This takes them back to managing with their heads instead of effectively using their lists. When I hear this from them my next immediate question is: “Are you Beginning the Day Deliberately and are you doing the Weekly Recharge?” Begin the Day Deliberately is a daily recurring appointment that occurs the first half hour of each work day to get a head start on your day. The Weekly Recharge is a weekly review of everything you promised you would deliver the previous week and an opportunity to empty your email Inbox as well as to make sure you can deliver on what is coming up. With the Weekly Recharge you can regain the EDGE every seven days. So I ask them that question and if they are having difficulty it is almost always because they are not doing one of the two routines or both.
These are two routines that can help you to continuously stay on top of your workload and regain control of your professional and personal life. Beginning the Day Deliberately only takes 2.5 hours a week and performing the Weekly Recharge will only take one hour a week, a small price to pay to regain many hours of productivity and not have pieces fall through the cracks. At the end of a coaching or a GTE class, I emphasize the importance of this crucial process. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. If you continue to work hard to instill the new routines and minimize distractions, the old habits will disappear and the new ones will take their place. So Begin the Day Deliberately and perform the Weekly Recharge and stay on top of your workload and maintain excellent work life balance!
These are two routines that can help you to continuously stay on top of your workload and regain control of your professional and personal life. Beginning the Day Deliberately only takes 2.5 hours a week and performing the Weekly Recharge will only take one hour a week, a small price to pay to regain many hours of productivity and not have pieces fall through the cracks. At the end of a coaching or a GTE class, I emphasize the importance of this crucial process. It takes 21 days to form a new habit. If you continue to work hard to instill the new routines and minimize distractions, the old habits will disappear and the new ones will take their place. So Begin the Day Deliberately and perform the Weekly Recharge and stay on top of your workload and maintain excellent work life balance!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Sometimes We Need a Mind “Dyson”
by Paige Webb
Do you ever have those days when you are so distracted that you collect new information in your head, rather than anywhere else, just out of habit? Do you flinch and think, “OH, I hope I remember that!” Despite what I know to be true about my conscious and un-conscious mind, since I started on the EDGE system about a month ago, I’ve caught myself in this situation at least two times, and I failed miserably at remembering what I was supposed to.
These two instances I speak of have caused a chain reaction of missteps in my life. I proceeded to give a presentation at work the same week, and completely faded out of the context of my presentation, and drew a “blank.” After talking to my training advisor about this, she replied, “You didn’t do a mind sweep. You have to do a mind sweep before every speaking or training engagement, or your consciousness will suffer.” What a great point! This is why I have to live what I teach, and the mind sweep is a critical piece of EMPTYING. Mind sweeps are vital to pushing forward with completing things and acknowledging them as such. This creates energy for me to thrive in all other things and move on.
Another example of what not to do is to attend a meeting with your boss and not perform a mind sweep prior to. I’ve found myself stumbling with, “Oh, and I forgot to mention…” as I begin walking to the door at the end of a meeting. Time can be precious with a busy senior manager’s schedule. Make it count! Every last detail and action should be swept clean out of your head so that your strategy for a meeting and actions required are clear. The same can be said for any team meeting. Give them your best energy, and you may turn some heads, get noticed, and be the reason the project is completed on time and on budget.
After years of “memorizing,” and walking around with a brain full of stuff, the EDGE system forces me to believe I need a Mind “Dyson” rather than just a mind sweep. I’m talking about the super high-tech vacuum cleaner that advertises the power of suction to clean floors. Yes, I need one for my brain. With all of my necessary actions piled up in my head, tucked away in deep corners, I need help. As I enter each action in Outlook as a task and follow the guidelines for GROUPING, I can feel those cobwebs in my head being swept away.
Every one of us has personal and professional actions that can benefit from a mind sweep. When’s the last time you got home from running errands and had to go back out again? What have you thought about on your “mental” list since you started reading this? Is it time for a mind sweep now?
Do you ever have those days when you are so distracted that you collect new information in your head, rather than anywhere else, just out of habit? Do you flinch and think, “OH, I hope I remember that!” Despite what I know to be true about my conscious and un-conscious mind, since I started on the EDGE system about a month ago, I’ve caught myself in this situation at least two times, and I failed miserably at remembering what I was supposed to.
These two instances I speak of have caused a chain reaction of missteps in my life. I proceeded to give a presentation at work the same week, and completely faded out of the context of my presentation, and drew a “blank.” After talking to my training advisor about this, she replied, “You didn’t do a mind sweep. You have to do a mind sweep before every speaking or training engagement, or your consciousness will suffer.” What a great point! This is why I have to live what I teach, and the mind sweep is a critical piece of EMPTYING. Mind sweeps are vital to pushing forward with completing things and acknowledging them as such. This creates energy for me to thrive in all other things and move on.
Another example of what not to do is to attend a meeting with your boss and not perform a mind sweep prior to. I’ve found myself stumbling with, “Oh, and I forgot to mention…” as I begin walking to the door at the end of a meeting. Time can be precious with a busy senior manager’s schedule. Make it count! Every last detail and action should be swept clean out of your head so that your strategy for a meeting and actions required are clear. The same can be said for any team meeting. Give them your best energy, and you may turn some heads, get noticed, and be the reason the project is completed on time and on budget.
After years of “memorizing,” and walking around with a brain full of stuff, the EDGE system forces me to believe I need a Mind “Dyson” rather than just a mind sweep. I’m talking about the super high-tech vacuum cleaner that advertises the power of suction to clean floors. Yes, I need one for my brain. With all of my necessary actions piled up in my head, tucked away in deep corners, I need help. As I enter each action in Outlook as a task and follow the guidelines for GROUPING, I can feel those cobwebs in my head being swept away.
Every one of us has personal and professional actions that can benefit from a mind sweep. When’s the last time you got home from running errands and had to go back out again? What have you thought about on your “mental” list since you started reading this? Is it time for a mind sweep now?
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Disengage So You Don’t Flail
by Kristi Willis
I am a swimmer. We discovered this when I took lessons at the age of 6 and the coach told my parents to immediately get me on a swim team. After months of practice, I was ready for my first swim meet.
I got on the blocks for my first race and got into starting position. I dove in the water and started swimming as fast as I could. Unfortunately, I was moving my arms at light speed, but I wasn’t using good stroke technique so I wasn’t moving forward at all. My arms were flying, I was splashing water everywhere - I was flailing. After about 10 meters of that, I realized I wasn’t making any progress, took a deep breath and slowed down a bit. Suddenly, I was flying through the water and I recovered enough to place 3rd.
This story came to mind recently because since the first of the year, I have felt like I was flailing at work. My schedule has been non-stop busy and I’ve felt like I’ve been going 0 to 90 and not making much progress.
Recently, I was in the office and my day was back-to-back meetings. When I got home that night, I was absolutely exhausted. As I reflected on the day, I realized that I had never taken a break. I had even eaten lunch at my desk and answered e-mails while I woofed down my sandwich. No wonder I was exhausted; I never took time to disengage.
One of the key concepts we teach in Getting the EDGE is the power of taking strategic disengagements, an idea developed by Jim Loehr in his book The Power of Full Engagement. Even when we are busy, if we will take 5-15 minute breaks every 1.5 to 2 hours, we will be more productive overall throughout the day. It gives our bodies and brains a chance to reboot so we can give 100% throughout the day, even in the afternoon.
Think about it. In all sporting events, athletes take breaks. In tennis there are breaks between sets. In basketball and football they have half time. If athletes need rest for a 2-4 hour game, then professionals definitely need times to catch our breath during our 8 to 9 to 10 hour days.
I know what you are thinking – “I don’t have time for a break.” What if taking a 5 minute disengagement means that your 3 pm meeting will yield an answer instead of just another round about discussion on the same topic? Do you have time for a break now?
I have now reworked my schedule to make sure that I am not in back-to-back meetings for more than 2 hours at a time and that I have time to disengage throughout the day. I have noticed an enormous difference. When I return from my disengagements, my head is clear, I have more energy and I’m able to really contribute to each of my commitments.
When I start to feel like I’m flailing, I immediately disengage. Nothing like a walk around the building to keep me from splashing water on the whole team.
I am a swimmer. We discovered this when I took lessons at the age of 6 and the coach told my parents to immediately get me on a swim team. After months of practice, I was ready for my first swim meet.
I got on the blocks for my first race and got into starting position. I dove in the water and started swimming as fast as I could. Unfortunately, I was moving my arms at light speed, but I wasn’t using good stroke technique so I wasn’t moving forward at all. My arms were flying, I was splashing water everywhere - I was flailing. After about 10 meters of that, I realized I wasn’t making any progress, took a deep breath and slowed down a bit. Suddenly, I was flying through the water and I recovered enough to place 3rd.
This story came to mind recently because since the first of the year, I have felt like I was flailing at work. My schedule has been non-stop busy and I’ve felt like I’ve been going 0 to 90 and not making much progress.
Recently, I was in the office and my day was back-to-back meetings. When I got home that night, I was absolutely exhausted. As I reflected on the day, I realized that I had never taken a break. I had even eaten lunch at my desk and answered e-mails while I woofed down my sandwich. No wonder I was exhausted; I never took time to disengage.
One of the key concepts we teach in Getting the EDGE is the power of taking strategic disengagements, an idea developed by Jim Loehr in his book The Power of Full Engagement. Even when we are busy, if we will take 5-15 minute breaks every 1.5 to 2 hours, we will be more productive overall throughout the day. It gives our bodies and brains a chance to reboot so we can give 100% throughout the day, even in the afternoon.
Think about it. In all sporting events, athletes take breaks. In tennis there are breaks between sets. In basketball and football they have half time. If athletes need rest for a 2-4 hour game, then professionals definitely need times to catch our breath during our 8 to 9 to 10 hour days.
I know what you are thinking – “I don’t have time for a break.” What if taking a 5 minute disengagement means that your 3 pm meeting will yield an answer instead of just another round about discussion on the same topic? Do you have time for a break now?
I have now reworked my schedule to make sure that I am not in back-to-back meetings for more than 2 hours at a time and that I have time to disengage throughout the day. I have noticed an enormous difference. When I return from my disengagements, my head is clear, I have more energy and I’m able to really contribute to each of my commitments.
When I start to feel like I’m flailing, I immediately disengage. Nothing like a walk around the building to keep me from splashing water on the whole team.
Friday, February 13, 2009
A Love For Notes
by Laura Finney
Ah, Valentine’s Day, a holiday known for expressing love, a time for individuals to show love and affection toward who is very special in their heart. There are those who will celebrate this holiday with candy or chocolate hearts, balloons or cards with love written all over them, or romantic dinners and roses to express sincere love to or for someone else. This all represents the theme of St. Valentine’s Day.
I have fallen in love with Notes. That’s right, MS Outlook Notes. Now this was not an immediate attraction or anything. As a matter of fact, one of our trainers, Angela Ware, told me I was going to learn to love Notes. I remember thinking, I may learn to like it and use it efficiently, but love…nah!
Well, I’ve been hit by Cupid’s love arrow during the course of learning the value of Notes with the Getting the EDGE System. You see, I was one of those people who would print my list of websites and passwords to have as a handy reference. I would also print any confirmation details and numbers that I may need. I printed or would jot down quick reference numbers for calls I needed to make (regularly).
I have learned that not only will Notes hold all (and more) of the information listed above that I was printing, Notes will sync right into my PDA. All of my quick and handy reference items will be right there when I need them. Notes is the place to hold information that I may need to access quickly, or a place of storage for reference information.
I was even more impressed when I learned I can even color categorize my Notes for easier reference. My love for Notes has grown to the next level. And, in honor of St. Valentine’s Day, I have now changed my Notes color from Yellow to Pink.
Go ahead and use to Notes to become more efficient. You too will fall in love with Notes.
Ah, Valentine’s Day, a holiday known for expressing love, a time for individuals to show love and affection toward who is very special in their heart. There are those who will celebrate this holiday with candy or chocolate hearts, balloons or cards with love written all over them, or romantic dinners and roses to express sincere love to or for someone else. This all represents the theme of St. Valentine’s Day.
I have fallen in love with Notes. That’s right, MS Outlook Notes. Now this was not an immediate attraction or anything. As a matter of fact, one of our trainers, Angela Ware, told me I was going to learn to love Notes. I remember thinking, I may learn to like it and use it efficiently, but love…nah!
Well, I’ve been hit by Cupid’s love arrow during the course of learning the value of Notes with the Getting the EDGE System. You see, I was one of those people who would print my list of websites and passwords to have as a handy reference. I would also print any confirmation details and numbers that I may need. I printed or would jot down quick reference numbers for calls I needed to make (regularly).
I have learned that not only will Notes hold all (and more) of the information listed above that I was printing, Notes will sync right into my PDA. All of my quick and handy reference items will be right there when I need them. Notes is the place to hold information that I may need to access quickly, or a place of storage for reference information.
I was even more impressed when I learned I can even color categorize my Notes for easier reference. My love for Notes has grown to the next level. And, in honor of St. Valentine’s Day, I have now changed my Notes color from Yellow to Pink.
Go ahead and use to Notes to become more efficient. You too will fall in love with Notes.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Getting a Hold on Stress
by Alison Chapman
A couple of weeks ago I travelled to Prague and Germany. It was such an amazing experience, and I learned a tremendous amount about other cultures. Before I left I stressed about completing everything for school and work, on top of being stressed about my trip. When I returned from my trip I became sick. This put me even more behind and added more stress.
I know that because I had a high level of stress, I put my health and well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional and physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. By allowing myself to get stressed, I burned out and I was not able to perform my best at work or school. The stress caused me to be so exhausted that I was barely getting through the days. This is not a healthy way to live.
I needed to come up with a way to manage my stress. The first thing I did to get a hold of my stress was identify what was causing the stress. I knew I was constantly worried about school and work deadlines. But I realized that my procrastination, rather than the actual job and school demands, were what led to deadline stress.
I have looked at some of my habits, attitudes, and excuses. I have to accept responsibility for the role I play in creating or maintaining my stress. If I continue this way, my stress will always be outside of my control.
I learned that I need to find ways to deal with my stress. The goal of managing my stress levels is to bring my mind and body back into balance. By adopting a positive attitude, learning healthier ways to cope, and changing the way I think, I can reduce its hold on my life.
A couple of weeks ago I travelled to Prague and Germany. It was such an amazing experience, and I learned a tremendous amount about other cultures. Before I left I stressed about completing everything for school and work, on top of being stressed about my trip. When I returned from my trip I became sick. This put me even more behind and added more stress.
I know that because I had a high level of stress, I put my health and well-being at risk. Stress wreaks havoc on your emotional and physical health. It narrows your ability to think clearly, function effectively, and enjoy life. By allowing myself to get stressed, I burned out and I was not able to perform my best at work or school. The stress caused me to be so exhausted that I was barely getting through the days. This is not a healthy way to live.
I needed to come up with a way to manage my stress. The first thing I did to get a hold of my stress was identify what was causing the stress. I knew I was constantly worried about school and work deadlines. But I realized that my procrastination, rather than the actual job and school demands, were what led to deadline stress.
I have looked at some of my habits, attitudes, and excuses. I have to accept responsibility for the role I play in creating or maintaining my stress. If I continue this way, my stress will always be outside of my control.
I learned that I need to find ways to deal with my stress. The goal of managing my stress levels is to bring my mind and body back into balance. By adopting a positive attitude, learning healthier ways to cope, and changing the way I think, I can reduce its hold on my life.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Keeping Connections
by Paige Webb
Do you remember the days when the time it took to re-program telephone numbers in a new cell phone just about broke you down? How about updating your hard-bound address book with ever-changing work and cell phone numbers for friends and family? How much time did we take to ensure that we had the right information to stay connected?
In the Spring of 2005, the company I was working for at the time suffered a reduction in force, and my colleagues that were less fortunate stopped to wave their good-byes and to say, “Let’s stay in touch. You can find me on Linkedin.” I gave a big smile right back, and said, “Okay, and good luck to you!” Little did they know that I had not joined that professional networking bandwagon. What was Linkedin?
I couldn’t wait another minute to figure out the ways I could stay connected with the brilliant minds that made my work days more enjoyable and inspiring. I logged on to www.linkedin.com, and I created the most basic profile to get past the point ‘about me’ and get to finding my connections. I proceeded to connect with one after the other. I viewed their profiles to find that they had each crafted a polished message about themselves, their resumes, and what their current projects were. A bell went off in my head. Linkedin was where you promoted yourself in professional networks online. I completed my profile immediately.
What piqued my interest the most about what my colleagues had written were the insights shared that were relevant to business and the technology world evolving around us. These were personal insights, not the insights of a company, corporation, or marketing guru. I had some thoughts to share on a subject, and submitted a response to a discussion through a Linkedin Group. My personal experience and insight were given appreciation by the audience I intended on sharing it with. This felt awesome!
Linkedin has grown quite a bit since 2005, and The Effective Edge is growing with it. The demand for professional networking struck a chord with us because we’re professionals who teach and coach other professionals. The lessons taught in the Getting the Edge course do not stop in the classroom. Our lives and jobs change, and The Effective Edge now intends to keep connections with the Getting the Edge (GTE) Alumni via a group on Linkedin. Save yourself the time to dig up our contact information. Log on to Linkedin, find the group for Getting the Edge Alumni, connect with our network and be inspired!
Do you remember the days when the time it took to re-program telephone numbers in a new cell phone just about broke you down? How about updating your hard-bound address book with ever-changing work and cell phone numbers for friends and family? How much time did we take to ensure that we had the right information to stay connected?
In the Spring of 2005, the company I was working for at the time suffered a reduction in force, and my colleagues that were less fortunate stopped to wave their good-byes and to say, “Let’s stay in touch. You can find me on Linkedin.” I gave a big smile right back, and said, “Okay, and good luck to you!” Little did they know that I had not joined that professional networking bandwagon. What was Linkedin?
I couldn’t wait another minute to figure out the ways I could stay connected with the brilliant minds that made my work days more enjoyable and inspiring. I logged on to www.linkedin.com, and I created the most basic profile to get past the point ‘about me’ and get to finding my connections. I proceeded to connect with one after the other. I viewed their profiles to find that they had each crafted a polished message about themselves, their resumes, and what their current projects were. A bell went off in my head. Linkedin was where you promoted yourself in professional networks online. I completed my profile immediately.
What piqued my interest the most about what my colleagues had written were the insights shared that were relevant to business and the technology world evolving around us. These were personal insights, not the insights of a company, corporation, or marketing guru. I had some thoughts to share on a subject, and submitted a response to a discussion through a Linkedin Group. My personal experience and insight were given appreciation by the audience I intended on sharing it with. This felt awesome!
Linkedin has grown quite a bit since 2005, and The Effective Edge is growing with it. The demand for professional networking struck a chord with us because we’re professionals who teach and coach other professionals. The lessons taught in the Getting the Edge course do not stop in the classroom. Our lives and jobs change, and The Effective Edge now intends to keep connections with the Getting the Edge (GTE) Alumni via a group on Linkedin. Save yourself the time to dig up our contact information. Log on to Linkedin, find the group for Getting the Edge Alumni, connect with our network and be inspired!
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