Create an Interruptions Log
You have a busy life. Are you a WAHM? Do you run a small business? Maybe you go to school in addition to working full time. Whatever your situation, you are probably interrupted frequently and can't seem to understand where the day goes. I recently read an article titled 10 Time Savers. I found one tip extremely interesting. Run an interruptions log. What a great idea. Keep track of every interruption you have and rate them by importance. After a week or so, figure out a way to eliminate the worst interruptions. Of course, keeping a log is an interruption in itself, but it will pay off in the long run. I can't wait to see my results and would be curious to know what your interruptions are.
What Can We Learn From the Superbowl?
Most of us watched the Superbowl last night and it was a very exciting game. At halftime the Colts were winning and most of us thought they would continue towards that end. But the Saints had a different idea. They came out of the locker room and started the second half with a real bold move that took everyone by surprise. They continued to work together as a team to win the Superbowl. Congratulations to them.
What can your business learn from the Superbowl? Well, football is a business, whether we want to admit it or not. The Saints played the game using very specific business methods. When they were down they took time out to take a deep breath and think about what they needed to do to win the game. They changed what didn’t work and added tactics that were a bit gutsy. They worked together as a team to get the job done.
This, of course, is very simplistic in terms of what they did. But you get the basic point. If you are not getting the results in your business that you need to satisfy you, step back and take a look at what you are doing. If you find something that is not working, maybe a specific marketing approach that is costing you a ton of money and getting no results, don’t do it anymore. Experiment with other ways to get your message out to clients until you find one that does work. It may take a few gutsy moves on your part, but it may be worth the effort and hard work.
Take a halftime break for your business and come back with a bold move to win the game.
JUST DO IT
Just Do It. I don’t know where Nike came up with that slogan, but it works.
Procrastination is a major problem for a lot of people. Who knows why. Maybe it is fear of getting the job done. Maybe the job is so big you don’t know where to start so you just put it off until another day. Maybe you really don’t want to do it in the first place.
Whatever the reason, the answer is to Just Do It. You are going to have to do it one way or the other so figure out a way to get it done. If the job is just too big a project, break it down into little segments and work on one part each day until you are finished. If fear is the problem, think about what it is that you fear and work from that angle. If you just don’t want to work on that particular project, well, get over it and Just Do It. The sooner you start, the sooner you will be done and you can move on to something more exciting.
How Does Your Email Signature Read?
Most businesses have a "signature" at the end of every email they send. Some are very lengthy and colorful and some are short and sweet. But what is best. Below are some tips on how to get the most out of your email signature.
1. If you keep your signature simple it will not take away from the important facts in your email. Include your contact information in simple fonts. Avoid colors and graphics. Last thing you want to do is confuse your reader.
2. Decide what is most important and include the basics. Do not list multiple addresses and phone numbers. Include numbers where your readers will be sure to reach you. No need to include your mailing address. Not everyone wants or needs this kind of information.
3. Hyperlinks do not always work so include a written URL so your reader will be able to find you.
4. Always include your email address as you can't always rely on your email client to include this header information in replies and forwards.
5. Reconsider using a quote at the end of your signature. You don't want to offend someone or give them the wrong impression.
Click and Smile
While reading Self Magazine, I came across this little blurb that I thought I would share. What a great idea!
"A simple password can strengthen your spirit. Pick one that refers to a trait you want to develop ("BeStrong!"). Typing it reinforces your motivation, says Bernardo Carducci, Ph.D., director of the Shyness Research Institute at Indiana University Southeast in New Albany. Word up!"
