Productivity with Purpose
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Create Your Own Network
Jul 29th
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you want or what you need! Chances are good that you will get it and you might just help someone else out in the process.
My quick story: My regular readers know that my husband is deployed to the Middle East; that’s just background information. Last week I received an email from our local family services coordinator at the base that went out to all of the spouses/partners of the deployed service members. It’s great that we have communication from the base, but what was lacking was a community of support for the wives. No support network existed, so I suggested to the base that we start one, offered my assistance and they agreed. Now we have our own network; a private Facebook group where we can share thoughts, concerns and ask for help from one another. We are growing quickly and are slowly developing a broader reach and a valuable connection. Who knows what may come of this; parenting help, career assistance, sharing of skills, mentoring and of course friendship.
Another result of this project was that I decided that more sharing of information and support was needed by military spouses as a whole and knew that I could fill that need. So, out of this experience came not only a new support network, but a new website – GuardWife.com – and a book on deployment from the family’s perspective is in progress.
Lessons learned:
- Speak up and ask for what you want!
- Chances are good that someone else needs the same resource that you are looking for.
- If the network doesn’t exist; create it yourself.
- If you find a need out there that is not being met; FILL IT!
You may be able to make money from your innovations and ideas or maybe not. You never know where they will lead you. The important thing is that your need will be filled and you will most likely have added to your network and helped others along the way.
If you want to read more on stepping outside your comfort zone, read Key Questions: What Are Your Limitations?
Time Wasters: Top 5 things I Don’t Do That Increase Productivity
Jul 13th
I don’t watch TV – Well ok, I watch a little, but in all honesty it is usually limited to 2 or 3 evening shows during the week and a movie with the kids on Friday night (which I often read during anyway.) If I have to exercise indoors, I will put on Morning Joe. That means I average 5 hours of TV watching per week; considerably less than the average American who watches 28 hours. Look at all of the time wasted!
I don’t play games on the internet – I limit computer usage to work, email and one hour of social media per day (that would be less if it was not necessary for business.) I do not surf the internet, play solitaire or Farmville on Facebook. That is not a productive use of my time.
I do not spend time gossiping around the water cooler (or over the “hedge row”)- This one is an easy one for me since I work from home and my water cooler conversations are limited to 140 characters on our Twitter account! Bonus: It also allows you to stay out of office or neighborhood drama.
I do not watch the news or read a daily newspaper – I know that’s blasphemous for some. Rest assured that I still know what’s going on in the world and my community. I do subscribe to RSS feeds and Twitter accounts from a couple of national news outlets and a couple of local ones as well. That allows me to get the news in real time and scroll through quicker to the items that interest me. I do subscribe to the Sunday paper which I thoroughly enjoy and immerse myself in the delight of the printed news, lifestyle and comics once a week.
I do not over-commit myself – I have learned to say no to activities that do not add value or are not the best use of my skills and time. For example I do not volunteer to work all school events, but I do the bookkeeping for the school PTO (It is easy for me with my business background and I can do it around my schedule, therefore it’s a good fit.) As an add on to this, I do not allow my children to over commit either, which makes for less stress and teaches them the value of making choices.
There were others that are on my list of “Don’ts,” but did not make the top 5. Watch for more time wasters in a future post…
Ask Questions to Improve your Productivity
May 17th
The only foolish question is the one that was never asked!
When you are in a new situation or circumstance, or when you are beginning a new project or working with a new client; the best way to increase productivity – your and everyone else’s is to ask questions. Some questions need to be asked of others and some of yourself. Ask, Ask, Ask until you are confident that you have a firm grasp. Do not wait until something goes wrong to ask for clarification!
Quality questions create a quality life. Successful people ask better questions, and as a result, they get better answers. – Anthony Robbins
Possible questions to get you started:
- Why are we doing this?
- What is the desired outcome?
- When is our deadline or when are periodic checkpoints?
- What is my role?
- Who is responsible or accountable for which tasks or projects?
- Do we have metrics or some form of measurement?
- What are the possible roadblocks or obstacles?
- What are the available resources?
- What is the level of priority of this project?
- Who are the key players or participants?
- What is the hierarchy?
- What is the atmosphere like?
- What is expected of me?
- What is my role or “job”?
- What do I need to be more comfortable?
Asking questions is a valuable tool in business and in life. We need to first be clear where we are going and what is expected of us before we can really accomplish anything. This often overlooked strategy can make the difference between success and failure.
