It sounds so easy – just kinda rolls off the tongue. In fact it’s so easy to say that we’ve all parrotted this phrase hundreds of times. The problem is that saying is not doing. This is just another one of those “little details” that often gets ignored.

1. Productivity begins with a plan

(photo courtesy of akaalias)

You will not become more productive by accident! It requires a combined commitment of time and effort – but your rewards will be substantial.

• What do you want to accomplish? What is your goal? The point of being more productive is so that you can move toward the realization of your goal. Do you have a goal? If not, then you need to stop right now and decide why you need to be more productive and then write it down.

• What is your level of dedication? A person who’s vision is defective needs to have it corrected before he/she begins to drive toward some distant point. Trying to accomplish anything without a clear statement of your goal is as impossible as trying to drive with defective vision. How will you know if or when you have succeeded? This unwillingness to commit your goal to paper provides an easy way out for many people. In fact when goals are not written down, they have no power and therefore are ineffective as a source of motivation. No accountability = no action.

2. Productivity moves beyond time management

• Being productive doesn’t end with time management. Though increased productivity has a time component, but it encompasses much more as Dustin M. Wax states in the cited article – productivity involves your personal fulfillment.
• But don’t forget the time component of productivity. Time is our most precious commodity and how we use our time is directly responsible for our level of achievement. Guard your time against time bandits.

3. Prepare for a productive day

Preparation is the mother of accomplishment. Devote a few minutes each day to creating a routine and asking yourself a few simple questions:

• What one thing can I do that will have the greatest impact on my production today? Then do it.
• How can I perform my duties in a more efficient manner? Ask others whom you value if they can see areas of your life that need improvement.
• What can I do to motivate and encourage my employees or fellow associates toward the accomplishment of our goals?
• How can I add value to others?

4. Some things that I do

• I keep a notebook or voice recorder with me at all times. Ideas, phone conversations, commitments – if you don’t record your thoughts, they will disappear – forever or at least until you have been sufficiently embarrassed by failing to keep a “forgotten” commitment.
• I use my notebook as an idea farm, planner, reminder and journal.
• I read my notes – often.
• I use an inexpensive ($29.95 at Office Depot) voice recorder when driving. I bought one after leaving the highway while trying to record my thoughts. I missed the mailbox, but not the lesson. Get a voice recorder.
• I prioritize my notes, then do the highest priority first and move on down the line.
• Anything left undone gets reevaluated and re-prioritized for the next day.
• I review old entries for new ideas.

5. Goal accomplished!

(photo courtesy of Wolfgang Staudt)

Tags: productivity, time+management, goals, success

• The first thing you have to realize is that everything you need or want to know is available.
• The second thing is that you have to actively search for it.

The following is a list of web sites that offer a tremendous amount of information. Some better than others. Visit them and glean from them the information that you find helpful. If I feel very strongly about a site, I will offer a note or two. You will also find intermingled with these web resources a number of hints that I feel will help you.

1. SCORE – one of the best business information sites available – free, no agenda and lots of info. There is a reason that I have it listed first – it’s the best!
2. Helpful Hint – when you visit a site, look for a links page or a resources page – this info can take you to sites (and info) you may have never considered
3. Inc – great site and lots of info – take notes
4. Helpful Hint – search the web for any and everything you can think of related to your “big” idea – potential customers, potential competitors, suppliers, etc.
5. Helpful Hint – get the Firefox browser if you don’t have it. With this browser, you can add-on a bunch of search engines and cut down on your search time. The Firefox down load is quick, simple and easy. You’ll thank me a million times.
6. Allbusiness – advice, business blogs, online videos and forms and agreements ( I purchased a package of forms and was well pleased)
7. Inc – online version of Inc. magazine – wealth of info – somehow it made the list twice – must be really good!
8. Get Motivation – inspiration and motivation – articles and quotes
9. Entrepreneur – business tools, resources, online videos and more
10. Helpful Hint – Down load the Web2.0 tool bar today – with this tool bar installed you can search the social book marking sites (del.icio.us, Digg, Technorati and more) as well as a host of blog directories. Easy down load and install plus it is a mega feed aggregator – you’ll appreciate this
11. Small Business Administration – your government at work providing you with (free?) business startup info and more
12. Hot Points – blog authored by Bob Parson’s, owner of Godaddy.com – unique perspective, motivational and helpful – search the archives
13. Helpful Hint – if you go to a site, look for the articles section, these are usually free, but sometimes you have to search for them
14. Helpful Hint – when you finish reading an article, look at the author’s info ( usually in a box at the bottom ), there will be a link to their site or more info, if you are so inclined
15. My Own Business – free online course
16. Better Business Bureau – educating online business
17. SuccessMethods – inspiration and motivation, but you’ve got to do a little searching – hint scroll down the pages
18. Startup Journal – a Wall Street Journal source produced for entrepreneurs
19. Goals Guy – this link will take you to his articles, but explore the rest of the site
20. Harvey Mackay – this is a direct link to his best of columns – great writer and motivator
21. My New Company – startup info and help
22. Visit soupornuts.com often or get the rss feed.

All right, this will help you get started. Just remember, it’s all about being passionate – but passion without knowledge creates a zealot.

• have a goal
• get some knowledge
• develop your idea
• formulate a plan
• make adjustments
• stay focused
• become an entrepreneur

Tags: entrepreneur, business+websites, helpful+hints, motivation

When you work for someone else, you develop a sense of comfort. This is primarily due to the fact that you enjoy a “buffer” zone that insulates you from the direct effects of any actions you may take.

Few, if any decisions that you make have a direct impact on the performance of the company you work for. Of course, I realize that this is a broad statement and excludes:

• rain makers
• those that work for very small businesses
• high ranking members of management

For example, when you work for someone else and you decide to “lay out of work” for a day:

• How did your absence affect business operations?
• Did production stop?
• Did deliveries stop?
• Did the price of the company’s stock rise or fall?

Performance may have been less than optimal, but production and deliveries did not stop. This is because every business has a certain amount of inefficiency built into it. As the company becomes larger, employing more and more people, the affects of your performance decreases in proportion to the number of people employed. Again, the exceptions being for those key persons stated above.

Entrepreneurs cannot afford to get comfortable

As an entrepreneur, almost every decision you make has a direct and immediate impact on your business.

1. There is no option for “laying out of work” or “taking a personal day”.

In most instances, you are the business. You are:

• the owner
• the manager
• the head of production
• the delivery guy
• the receptionist
• the sales force
• the marketing team
• the janitor

Not only is your performance vital to the state of the business, but without you at the helm, normal business operations cannot occur. Typically, entrepreneurs work long hours because:

• their business is their passion
• their success is directly related to their performance

2. You must be able to make decisions “on the fly”.

This means that you have to base your decisions on the information available “right now”, often using only your “gut” instinct. Most of the time you do not have the luxury of taking a “wait and see” approach. Therefore, each decision you make has the potential to have a huge impact on your business.

3. You cannot tolerate inefficiency, bad attitudes or poor performance.

If someone is not working out, be it an employee, supplier or contracted professional, they must be eliminated from the organization. This must be done quickly before their performance can cause a detrimental effect on the business or its reputation.

4. You must be able to cut your losses and move on.

You will make mistakes. It is the nature of the beast. You cannot have all the answers because everyone you deal with is an individual and must be dealt with on an individual and personal basis. If something or someone is not working out, quickly make the decision to confront the issue, modify it or take action to minimize its effects on your business. But if it is a problem then deal with it as quickly as possible. Problems seldom go away on their own.

5. Your business will involve interaction with other people.

You must always be on your toes to present a professional and courteous disposition. No matter what else is going on in your life, whether business or personal, you are the “image” of your business. Personality counts and lack of it will not be tolerated for long.

Entrepreneurs are on the front line of business

Entrepreneurs make the hard decisions because they don’t have any choice. Everyone within the organization affects the performance of the whole. The fewer the people involved, the greater the potential impact of the individual. If there is a problem with personnel, deal with them. And do it swiftly.

Tags: action, action+oriented, entrepreneur, entrepreneurship, decision+making+ability

However, regardless of of popular opinion, there are some things that in and of themselves mean something. They stand alone. They do not need the seal of approval of society, popular opinion or any one else. This is my two point “hot list” of inherently valuable principles.

1. KEEP YOUR WORD

If you say that you are going to do something, then do it. And do it in a timely fashion without anyone having to remind you that you said you would do it. There is no value/principle that is more important to you personally than the trust that others place in you because they know “you’ll get it done.”

Like most trends, it’s popular to say, “I’ll get right on it”, “I’ll get in done”, “It’s a done deal”, or the classic “The check is in the mail.” But in order for your word and thus you to be valuable, your word must be carried out. It must be fulfilled. Every time. Every, single time.

This gives the people who surround you, whether in a personal, business or social setting, confidence. Confidence in you and your integrity. Confidence in you and your ability to come through – to get the job done. You become the “go to guy/gal” because “you always get the job done”, regardless of the obstacles.

When you always get the job done, people will begin to seek you and your services/abilities out. Your value increases and you can begin to demand greater compensation because “you always get it done.” This is all a result of the fact that when you say you will do something, you do it. You have created your power because you live up to your word. And take my word for it, that still means something.

2. GIVE RIGHTEOUS COMPLIMENTS

Everyone likes to feel good. Everyone wants to feel good. You have the power to fulfill this need and desire. Stop for just a moment and consider the pride you feel when someone notices your work or your effort. You step livelier. You hold your head higher. You try even harder because it feels good to be appreciated.

It is basic human nature to need to be appreciated. I have personally seen more bad work attitudes develop in industry, simply because workers did not feel appreciated, nor were they shown any appreciation by management. This is simply a bad and ignorant business practice.

The cost of a “thanks”, “nice job” or any acknowledgment of appreciation by management is minimal if anything. But the value is incalculable because you cannot put a dollar value on a good attitude. It is priceless, overlooked and can be obtained with a simple “thank you”.

Do you want to increase your bottom line? Your company’s value? Invest in saying “thanks”, “nice job” and “I appreciate your effort”. A righteous compliment is a small investment with a potentially priceless return. Use them to your advantage. Other managers will be amazed at the devotion your employees feel for you as well as the increases in productivity, efficiency and communication.

Tags: keeping+your+word, power+of+compliments

Endorsements are big business.

Many professional athletes make as much or more money by endorsing products as they do participating in their respective sports. Athletic shoes, sporting goods / equipment and clothing lines are huge money-makers for athletes and celebrities alike who are willing to attach their names to these products.

But:

• does the attachment of a famous name mean that the product does what is claimed?
• does a paid endorsement make the product better?
• does a purchased endorsement increase the likelihood that YOU will buy a product?

The Rotater

My business partner and I have recently brought a unique product to several markets. This process was initiated in response to a motorcycle wreck which resulted in Scott’s (my business partner) third shoulder surgery.

During Scott’s rehabilitation, he became frustrated at the length of time that the rehab process was taking. So, he asked his therapists if there was some product that he could purchase to use at home that would supplement his prescribed physical therapy. Scott was told that nothing existed other than what he already had.

Rejecting “no”

Not one to take “no” for an answer, Scott set out to design a piece of equipment that he could use at home that would produce the same sensations that he felt during his physical therapy visits. His homemade prototype was the original Rotater.

Eureka!

It became apparent to his physical therapists that Scott was making remarkable progress. When they questioned him about what he was doing, Scott produced his homemade Rotater.

After demonstrating the Rotater to his therapists and allowing them to try it for themselves, Scott’s physical therapists encouraged him to get a patent.

Joint Mechanix, LLC

This initial desire to accelerate his rehabilitation has resulted in the formation of our company, Joint Mechanix, LLC. We immediately began promoting the Rotater to physical therapists. This was a no-brainer to us because we already knew that the Rotater would work for this market.

Along the way, we have received a number of testimonials from both physical therapists and physical therapy patients who have used the Rotater and achieved excellent results.

Athletes feel the stretch

Although not our initial market, athletes have discovered the unique self-stretching properties of the Rotater. This has opened a huge market for us. In fact, we went to the PGA expo in Las Vegas, earlier this month for the sole purpose of getting the Rotater into the hands of serious golfers to get their take on it. We were staggered by the number of teaching professionals who wanted to take a Rotater home with them.

As the Law of Attraction would have it, while we were at the PGA show, we were approached by a professional baseball player in the minor leagues. He asked about the Rotater, tried it and promptly purchased one.

Follow up

Usually, a couple of weeks after a show, either Scott or I or both of us try to contact as many people who received the Rotater as possible in order to see how it is working out for them. And this is how the issue of paid endorsements came up.

I spoke with a teaching pro who had purchased a Rotater from us and I inquired as to how he was liking it. Well, he raved about how good it was, about how much shoulder flexibility he had regained and how much better his shoulders felt.

When he stopped speaking, I asked him if he would like to provide us with a testimonial. I could tell that he was immediately uncomfortable and I quickly found out why.

He told me that his agent had advised him not to provide an unpaid testimonial. Now, I do see his point. As a professional athlete, HE is his product and he has every right to expect to be paid to endorse a product.

It’s a credibility issue for us

However, I don’t believe it is in the best interest of Joint Mechanix to pay someone to say that the Rotater is a great product. To me, it seems to be a conflict of interest as well as a sacrifice of credibility for us. It just doesn’t feel right.

So, if you read our testimonials, you may not see any famous names – but you will know that our testimonials were motivated by results and not a byproduct of financial remuneration.

Tags: the+Rotater, testimonials, credibility

Time is our most precious resource. When it slips by, it is gone. Forever. The successful millionaire and the average Joe are just alike when it comes to time. Each is given the same amount each day. It then becomes very easy to see that those people who are financially successful must use their time in a more efficient manner. The truth of the matter is that a man or a woman usually finds the time to do the things they want to do.

Stealing from yourself is still stealing

If we were like Rip Van Winkle and took a nap one day then woke up and it was twenty years later, we would be furious. To wake up twenty years older, seeing our children grown and with children of their own, that would be worse than any nightmare. But is it any different when we allow minutes and hours to be stolen from us each day? Is it only the magnitude of the time that makes it a nightmare?

Time Bandits

There are events, technologies and people who unnecessarily take up our time each day. I call these things Time Bandits. Time Bandits steal your time. A minute here, a half hour there, a little at a time so you barely notice. But your priceless time is gone just the same. The following are some of the most common Time Bandits:

1. The Telephone: a great device for communicating with someone who is not in your physical vicinity. Do you really need to spend as much time on the phone as you do? Just because it rings, doesn’t mean that you have to answer it. Learn how to relay your message to the recipient in as an efficient a manner as possible or learn what they are trying to say to you, then move on. Use it – don’t allow the phone to steal the one thing you cannot replace.
2. E-mail: another handy device for communication. But do you really need to check it every 5 minutes? Must you reply to every email? There is no doubt that it is both a convienence and a time trap, but it can be tamed and used for your good. Set aside a special time to check and reply to your e-mails. Ignore it otherwise.
3. Cel Phone and Text Messaging: sort of a hybridization of the worst of the telephone and e-mail. They have their benefits, but for your sake, use them in moderation. Plus, it gets very annoying to see someone constantly texting when they are supposed to be doing something else. It’s sort of like communication espionage.
4. The Office Talker: you know who I’m talking about. They stop by to “shoot the breeze”, but all they kill is your time. Not only are they not doing their job, they are also making sure that you are not doing yours. Do yourself a favor, institute some boundaries and introduce the Talker to them. You’ll thank me later.
5. Television: aka – the drone box. Do you think you’ll be lying on your death bed and lament that you would have liked to watch a few more episodes of some show? I doubt it. Be productive and expand your mind at the same time. Read. It doesn’t matter if it is a book, magazine, or an online article, but actively use your mind instead of allowing it to become a sponge for hollywood propaganda.

We live in an era when there are more time-saving devices than ever before and yet we have less time. How is this possible? Time is what we want the most and then use in the worst possible ways. When we waste time, we are devaluing our lives. We will never get it back.

Realize the value of your time

We must “seize the day” and “grab the bull by the horns”. Ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing right now the best possible use of my time?” This simple question, if asked prior to beginning any new task will help you in your endeavor to spend your time wisely. Does reading this blog help you? Does it provide technical or motivational information that is worthy of the time you are devoting to it? If the answer is yes, fantastic. If the answer is no, then stop reading now and move on to something that facilitates your growth and development. Don’t waste time. You don’t get a do-over.

Other Resources:

1. Penelope Trunk at the Brazen Careerist blog wrote an article entitled “10 tips for time management in a multitasking world” that offers great insight for great time management.

2. The Secret of Time Management in J.D. Meier’s blog tackles time theft from different angle.

Tags: time, time+management, time+bandits, lost+time

If you don’t manage your time…

However, by the effective management of our time today, we can create the future that we desire. As the old saying goes, “If you don’t manage your time, your time will manage you.” There must be a commitment to the development of a plan for effective time management. You do not manage your time by accident. It is only done through a definite, systematic plan.

Commitment vs. Interest

Many people are deluded. They truly believe that they are committed to managing their time, but they seldom exhibit this in their lives. Conversations with these people often have comments like:

• “there just isn’t enough time in the day”
• “I don’t have enough time”
• “I am too busy”

…sprinkled throughout the dialogue. Perhaps there is a misunderstanding of “commitment”. Here is a short example that helps me remember what commitment really is.

Two men, Bob and Tom, were traveling down a small river in a canoe. It was a nice, simple trip. Just a lazy day drifting. But on this particular day Bob and Tom each shifted in the canoe at the same time, in the same direction, which resulted in the canoe capsizing.

Bob was interested

Bob, being an excellent swimmer, came up and slowly considered the temperature of the water and how refreshing it made him feel, then lazily began swimming toward the side of the river. Bob was interested in getting out of the water because he was uncomfortable.

Tom was committed

Tom however, did not know how to swim. When he surfaced, he did not care how refreshing the water felt or what the water’s temperature was. He didn’t even notice the water’s temperature. He simply gasped for air and began to fight, all the while frantically searching for something to grab onto. He pushed, pulled and struggled to breathe. Tom could see the shoreline and he desperately wanted out of the river. Tom was committed to doing whatever necessary to get to the shoreline. For Tom, getting out of the river was not just a “good idea” or “an excellent theory”. It was the key to his survival. Tom was committed to doing whatever was necessary because he wanted to survive.

Effective time management requires daily commitment

Like Bob, most people are interested in time management. They think that it is a good idea. The highly effective, successful few are like Tom. They realize that their survival and their future depend on their commitment to a systematic plan of time management. They are as committed to time management as they are to breathing.

Study time management. Study your lifestyle. Do the two compliment each other or do they clash? What we become tomorrow will be the result of:

• how we think today
• what we do today
• how we use our daily allotment of 24 hours

Commit to a time management philosophy today.

Tags: time, time+management, commitment, dedication

This video has humbled and inspired me to realize that all limits are truly self-imposed. Thank you Adam and NIck.

Tags: inspiration, motivation, inspirational+video

In my professional career, I’ve both managed and been managed. I’ve seen some great managers and some who couldn’t manage to come in out of the rain. The quality that seems to divide these two extremes is “attitude”.

Being a great manager is no accident. It takes:

• effort
• time
• dedication
• continuing education
• a high degree of commitment to developing the skills which lead to greatness

The first step in achieving excellent or even adequate management skills is the desire to be a better manager. Recognition of the need for personal growth and the development of necessary managerial skills is paramount.

Regardless of what you may have heard or believe, very few (an infinitesimally small number of) people are natural-born leaders! It is amazing to witness the apparent arrogance of those who believe that possession of a degree or title makes them competent managers.

In any field of endeavor, excellence requires a commitment to the development of that excellence. There are no craftsmen that I know of, who believes or would dare to even joke that “I am a natural-born carpenter”, or ” I am a natural-born welder”. It just won’t happen. The humility of hard work, study and long hours of practice in their craft strip away the false bravado. It has taken them years to develop and hone their skills. Becoming an excellent manager is no less strenuous.

Managers manage people

After realizing that being an excellent manager requires diligent effort, a potential manager must decide what he is going to manage. Someone will say that because of my background, education or previous training, that “I will manage the accounting department”, or “I will manage receiving”, or “I will manage production”. The managers that think these thoughts have missed the boat and are doomed to failure, because what managers manage is people!  P E O P L E !  (yes, I know that all caps is shouting on the web — it’s that important)

So, if you desire to be a manager and you recognize that managers manage people, then you are beginning to realize that only “your people” can demonstrate to others how effective your management skills are. It stands to reason then, that you must develop your people skills.

How you treat “your people” can make or break you and will directly impact your effectiveness. If you want “them” to respect you and your management philosophy, then you will have to:

• show your respect for them
• show your respect for their ideas
• show your respect for their needs

Smile and greet the “little” people, talk to them, acknowledge their existence, question their methods, explore their expertise, get to know them. Remember, you manage people not reports, not meetings and not conference calls. In most cases they will reciprocate and be more productive.

Without a doubt, the ultimate manager is the military leader who can motivate his troops and convince them to follow him into armed conflict. It is imperative then that the leader make sure that every soldier in his or her command knows of their importance to him. This leader’s success literally lives and dies with “his” people.

But in reality, doesn’t every manager’s success live or die with “his” people?