You Don't Need Another Productivity System

Don't get me wrong, there are times when a new tool is what you need. A tree falls in your back yard and the puny hand saw just won't do the trick. Better to invest in a chainsaw that will get the work done in a fraction of the time. Folks here in Jersey saw this first hand in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy.

When it comes to your daily work though, I'm not sure that a new tool is what you need. Let me explain.

I go through a bit of something every 3-4 months. I slowly use my productivity system less and less and then hit the 3 month mark. It's at that time that I mistakenly think that I need a new tool. I actually don't. What I need is to recalibrate, refocus and spend 1-2 hours getting clear and current with my lists. Then, I'm good to go and can tackle the big projects that keep me up at night.

Busyness tricks me into thinking that I can use my systems less and expect the same results. In the end, there is no substitute for being disciplined, using my system daily and sticking with it. That's not a sexy solution but it works every time.

How about you? Do you think you need another app or "tool" when discipline/refocusing is what you really need?

Six Things We Know About Leadership

One of the great myths about leadership is that it is a forever kind of assignment. Part of this is because we have such a low measuring stick for how someone gets constructive criticism. In many circles, you have to do something super bad in order to get fired. That's not good.

Another myth is that it springs out of having a title. Manager. Director. Sir. Mam. Father. Reverend. Rabbi. Most titles exist to put distance between people and the leaders. You can often spot a humble leader when she/he is comfortable with other people using their first name. I often struggle with this as a school leader. I prefer my first name but also realize that there are some times when it's actually more effective to allow someone to use my last name.

The worst myth, by far is the myth that leadership is something to be protected at all costs. This comes from a scarcity model to be sure. It also reveals a mindset of fear- "if I lose my post, what will happen?" All of this is a very sad and we see it over and over again.

Look at the members of Congress. Many would rather be re-elected than be principled or courageous. They act as if the world will stop if they aren't re-elected. Many who have lost have become more effective at creating change than when they held the title of Senator or House Member.

Even in Christian circles, scandal after scandal has shown that leaders would rather prevent bad press than do the right thing. News flash: when you are more concerned with keeping something out of the paper than with doing the right thing, your leadership is in trouble.

So I'm thinking today about work and how one ought to be protective of it in a healthy sort of way. Cut through the myths as we've laid them out above and let's talk about what we know to be true about leadership:

1. Leadership is temporary.
2. Leadership takes guts.
3. Leadership isn't always popular.
4. Leadership ought to be aligned with the truth.
5. Leaders serve others.
6. Leadership looks for the good of the organization.

In order to wrap your arms around these six beliefs, great leaders have shown that a certain sheath is important to be built around their leadership role. This can also be seen as a scaffolding of sorts. Think of it as a support system to keep you fresh and healthy as a leader.

Six corresponding actions that we can take to match action to belief include:

1. Leadership is temporary. EMBRACE THIS BY PLANNING FOR YOUR NEXT LEADERSHIP ROLE.
2. Leadership takes guts. EMBRACE THIS BY ANTICIPATING PUSH-BACK ON YOUR NEXT BIG DECISION.
3. Leadership isn't always popular. EMBRACE THIS BY BEING OK WITH DISAGREEMENT.
4. Leadership ought to be aligned with the truth. EMBRACE THIS WITH AN INVENTORY OF HOW PEACEFUL YOU FEEL WITH A TOUGH DECISION.
5. Leaders serve others. EMBRACE THIS BY TAKING OUT THE TRASH, PAYING COMPLIMENTS AND DOING THE LITTLE THINGS.
6. Leadership looks for the good of the organization. EMBRACE THIS EACH TIME YOU MAKE A PERSONNEL DECISION.

Each of us is probably more of a leader than we give ourselves credit for. And less of one too if we're honest. By embracing action with belief, you'll maintain your leadership for the long haul and make one heck of a difference along the way.

Question: which of the six things we know resonates most with you?

Photo courtesy of FMM.

A Look Inside my Productivity Apps

Do you ever wonder what makes people tick?  Is it their tireless work ethic or the support system around them?  Is it their DNA or an incredible role model that inspired them to be great?  Or, maybe if all else fails, their good looks.  

The answers probably vary for each of us.  (except for those of us who are actually good looking in which case appearance is mighty important for just about, well, everything!  I submit Gisele Bundchen as proof.)

If we're really honest with ourselves, the answers are like a layer cake.  Many layers make for many victories in daily life. Remove one layer and the others start to sag.  

In my life, an essential component to staying productive is my toolbox of productivity apps.  Some of these translate onto iPhone for mobile use but for now, I'll stick to what's working on the desktop for MAC.

We'll update these 1-2 times per year but for now, here is my list:

• Nozbe: my ToDo app of choice.  Works on iPhone and iPad and my favorite, on the Mac.
• Gmail: the email client I use for work.
• Google Docs (Google Drive): we use Google Drive as a file sharing system in the cloud.
• Google Calendar: while Google Calendar doesn't sync perfectly with my iPad, I can settle for a "most of the time" success story.
• Tweetbot: it's pretty and has a nice multi-collumn layout.
• Apple Mail: not very fancy but simply works well.  Configure the keyboard shortcuts and you can really fly through email.  I use Mail for my personal email.
• Google Chrome: browser of choice.
• Omni Outliner: a simple outliner that I use for my podcast prep.  Simply amazing!
• Pocket: while Instapaper has its fanboys, I reallly enjoy Pocket for anything I'm reading online or via Twitter but can't get to right away.  
• Scrivener: every blog post begins in Scrivener.  
• Camtasia: what I use for my screencasts and demos.  

 These are what are helping me get more done.  What's in your toolbox of apps?

 Photo courtesy of BH

Match Your Activity with Your Energy

It's 8:22pm in the St. Pierre household and you have one child to be put to bed in 8 minutes.  The other three are going to be sleeping (right?) by 9pm.  

This is pretty typical in my family and I'm wondering about yours.  The issue is simple enough- what do you do when you have small bits of time to spend?  Do you waste them or make the most of them?

The temptation is to say, "the heck with it" or "Mike, you're micromanaging the clock!"  All I know is that God gives us time in order to use it.  I figure we ought to use it well.

So back to the scenario at hand.  In my house, we typically try to match the activity with the level of energy.  Have ten minutes before bed?  Choose a low-level activity that doesn't require much brain power.  This could be tidying up a room or folding a pile of clothes.

On the other hand, if you're given a 30-45 minute block of time, you may want to settle in for a deeper level of activity.  This is a gift to use more wisely.  You could do some writing, have a meaningful conversation or clean out your inbox.  

Whatever your block of time, try to see it as a gift.  

Which tasks do you typically reserve for small blocks of time?  Likewise, which ones do you tackle when you have a lot of energy?

Photo courtesy of CK

10 Ways to Get Unstuck

I ran into someone the other day at a meeting and asked him how he was doing.  He responded in what I thought was a sad manner, "Same old, same old.  Just plugging along I guess."

Imagine going through your life with that "same old" mindset and yet that's what so many people do.

At the heart of this rather depressing outlook on life (and work) is a perspective of scarcity.  Rather than having an attitude of abundance and gratitude, my friend sees his days as a repeatingly boring cycle that repeats itself every day.  I feel badly for him, I really do.

Can you relate?  If so, how do you break up a cycle of monotony like that of my friend?  Here are 10 easy ways to put some zing into your weekly schedule:

1. Change your commute.
2. Change your morning routine.
3. Eat slower.
4. Send someone a personal note.
5. Pay someone a compliment.
6. Take a nap.
7. Enjoy a slow glass of wine.
8. Go for a nighttime walk.
9. Tidy up your workspace.
10. Wear something fun.

These suggestions do not work every time but they do help you to be more reflective.  Reflective people typically are more happy.  When you feel stuck in your daily schedule, a simple tweak can create a dent in the monotony that is a part of all of our lives.

God is there to be found in the world of work.

I really like the following quote from former president of Boston College, Fr. William Byron, S.J. because it speaks to the ordinary nature of daily life, "God is there to be found in the world of work. The daily finding of God in the things of work can deepen one’s faith and quite literally ground it in the familiar reality that becomes an altar from which an offering of praise and thanks is made."

Here's to your daily altar to God, that is to say the ordinary stuff that fills your day.  May you be unstuck through small changes.

Question: which of the 10 actions above have you tried recently?

Photo courtesy of FDP