Many of us are heading into a holiday weekend.  (It is a 3-day weekend here in the U.S.)

Lots of people will be rushing to clean up their work so they can get out of the office.

Are you ready to leave your work behind?  Are you ready to have fun?

Are you ready for your holiday?

How to Unwind and Enjoy Your Holiday

It is strange how we hurry and stress during our day-to-day work, but then holidays and vacations come along and we have all kinds of new stress.

Are we packed?  Are we done at work?  What will happen while I am gone?  What if there is a problem?

You need to be able to leave your work behind so that you can unwind and enjoy your time off.  Otherwise, you will come back just as stressed and worn out.

So, for this weekend’s holiday, here are just a few tips to help you “Unwind and Enjoy Your Holiday”

• Turn Off the Work Email – Unless your profession requires you to be on call, turn off your work email.  Don’t check it, don’t even glance at it.  If there is an emergency, someone will call you. If this is not the practice at your work, then you need to make it so.
• Leave Work At Work - Don’t bring home work that you don’t have to do.  If you are bringing it home because you might get to it this weekend, then you are just imposing yourself with unnecessary guilt and stress.
• Wrap Things Up Before You Leave – This can make a world of difference.  Make that last call.  Write that last report.  Close that one last issue.  Many people are in so much of a hurry to get out of the office, that they leave things undone.  This comes back to haunt them as the worry and stress about it during their time off.  A few minutes invested before you leave can make all the difference in your peace of mind while on holiday.
• Plan Something That You Are Excited About – If you really want to get away from work, ensure that you plan something that you want to do on your time off.  Recharging is good, and it can be beneficial to go relax mindlessly for a few days.  However, if you plan something that you are excited about, it will let you unwind that much more.  It doesn’t have to be a fancy vacation.  It can even be something small that you are excited about.  It could be a hobby, an activity, even renting a movie.  Whatever it is , it will give you something to look forward to on your time off.
• Did I Mention, Turning Off the Work Email? – Turn it off! If you are using an iPhone, it is only a few taps to reach the email account “on-off” button.  And it is that easy to turn back after the holiday.  Your family and friends will thank you.

Have Some Fun…

I hope you enjoy your time off, if this is a holiday weekend for you.

Unwind and do something that you are passionate about.

Best wishes!  See you after the holiday!

What are your plans for the holiday?  How do you unwind?

Related posts:

Are You Unplugged This Weekend?

6 Tips to Free Yourself From Your Technology Leash

Why Can’t You Take a Day Off?

The other day, I was headed to a meeting.  As I headed down the hall, I passed two coworkers who were at the soda machine talking about their weekend activities.

55 minutes later I came back to my office from the meeting that had just ended.

I did a double take when the same two people were still at the soda machine and now were discussing the latest sports scores.

Was that a good use of their time?

Maybe.

Probably not.

But, it got me thinking…

Is there a difference between good and bad wasting of time?

A Bad Waste of Time?

In this case, these two employees appeared to be wasting time at the soda machine just chitchatting.  It seemed that they were just wasting time.  They had not done anything productive in their time at the soda machine or received much of value.

How do we define wasting time?  It certainly can depend on your perspective.

However, in the simplest sense, we can say…

Wasting time =  not working = spending time on activities that do not provide any value

Some examples of bad wasting of time:

• Doing trivial activities when something of higher priority needs to be done
• Actions that are not productive and bring no direct value
• Procrastinating when one should be working
• Activities where nothing is learned or no mental/physical benefit is received

But, is all wasting of time…bad?  Can you waste time and still do good?

Good Wasting of Time = Investing

Are they any examples of wasting time that are a good use of time?

This sounds like an oxymoron.  But, sometimes it is a matter of perspective.

Let’s go back to our two soda machine employees.  Maybe this was a manager trying to take care of one of his employees that had just suffered a personal loss.  Perhaps, the colleague was trying to take the employee’s mind away from other topics or cheer them up.

That changes the perceived value of the time spent.

Additionally, what about recharging?  Resting?  Learning?

We can frame this as…

Good waste of time = time spent as an investment

There may be no immediate return, but there may be benefits in the future.

What I am referring to is activities that take up time, but have some potential positive value.

For example, the other night, I spent 2 hours researching video techniques for my blog.  While surfing the various video blogging sites, I was wasting time that I should have been using to write.  (Or maybe do the laundry.)

But, I was investing time so that I may be able to produce better video blog posts in the future.  When you contrast this with spending 2 hours mindlessly watching TV, the difference becomes apparent.

Examples of Good Wasting of Time

• Learning a new skill - Activities that teach you new skills are almost always a good investment of your time.
• Hobbies – Some people look at hobbies as diversions.  But, I believe that “you need a hobby to be more productive.”  Your personal passion can drive productivity in all areas of your life.
• Building Relationships – It is important to spend time building relationships.  And sometimes the best way to do that is to just spend time with someone.  Brian Tracy said that when it comes to people, there is no such thing as “quality time.”  Rather it is “quantity time,” how much time you spend with them.
• Recharging – We all need to recharge at some point.  Sometimes a little downtime can produce better results when we return to our work.

Is It a Waste of Time?

Next time you find yourself “wasting time,” ask what future benefit you may receive?

Are you aimlessly watching TV or are you learning new skills and information that you will benefit from.

Are you procrastinating and not doing the tasks that you should be?  Or are you recharging so that you can be more productive in your work?

As a final thought, consider that many of the best business ideas started as hobbies or passions that were at some point considered a waste of time.

What are your best examples of good and bad wasting of time?

Related Posts:

The 5 Best Ways to Defend Your Time

Lost Time is Never Found

Ten Minutes to Go

What time did you “Get up!” this morning?

I am not necessarily referring to what time you woke up.  What time did you “Get Up!” and get to it?

I have a challenge for you today.

Get up! and do something active!

Don’t waste time watching TV and other sedentary activities.

What do you need to “Get Up!” and do today?

Get Up!

When people tell me that they do not have enough time to do the things they want and need to do, I challenge them to Get Up! and get at it.  We all have the same amount of time. It is how we choose to spend it that matters.

Most people come up with a startling number if they tabulate how much time they watch TV, web surf, read news and gossip during a given week.  (What is your number?)

If you want to spend your time on the couch in front of the TV… that is your choice.

If you want to spend it at the watercooler spreading office gossip… that is your choice.

But, don’t complain you are not where you want to be.  That you don’t get done what you need to.  And that your goals are no closer than they were yesterday.

Instead, choose to “Get Up!”

Here are 7 Ways to Get Up and Go!

1. Get Up in the Morning! – People say they need more time in their day.  Then get up earlier.  How badly do you want it?  I have several friends who are also bloggers.  They get up very early to work on their passions.  What is your passion?  Are you willing to get up early for it?

2. Get Up Off the Couch! – TV and movies can be a healthy diversion, but too many people waste hours a day mindlessly watching the tube.  Want to make difference in your life?  In your health?  Then get outside and do something!  Anything.  No one ever became a success watching TV.

3. Get up and Finish Something! – What task has been lingering?  What have you been avoiding?  Get Up! and complete that outstanding todo.  Finishing things builds momentum and feels great!

4. Get up and Start Something! – Having trouble starting a task or new activity?  Use the Five Minute Start!  Set a timer for five minutes.  After those few minutes into the task, you will be motivated to keep going.  Try it.

5. Get up and Get a Head Start! – Are you always rushing during your day?  Or hurrying to finish things on time?  Get Up! and stay ahead of the rush.  Finish something early.  Stay ahead of those deadlines.

6. Get Up and Spend Some Time With Someone! – Who have you been meaning to spend more time with?  Whether at work or in your personal life, build a relationship today.  A few minutes can make all the difference.

7. Get Up and Do Something That You Wouldn’t Have! – This is one of my favorites.  Pick something that you would not have done today.  Something that is outside your normal routine.  Get Up and do something to stretch your comfort zone.

Get Up Today!

I challenge you to Get Up! today.

Today, make a choice how you will spend your time.  Decide what is important.  Find your passion.

What are you going to “Get Up!” and do today?

Related Posts:

Tomorrow is Always Tomorrow

What’s Blocking Your Path Today?

Start Your Week Ahead of the Pack

This post is not for the faint of heart.

Things are going to get ugly with your inbox.

(Some might even say dangerous!)

And some email is going to get hurt.

Today, we are going to get to the bottom of your email inbox…

Have You Seen the Bottom?

When I tell people that they are going to empty their inbox, often their first response is,

“You can do that? Is that allowed?”

I have discussed the inefficiency of email communication before.  (See here and here.)

However, in today’s world, email is still the major communication for business.  For that reason, you need to stay on top of it and you need to stay current with it.

Not doing so has consequences.  These range from overlooked opportunities to late deliverables to missed communications.

So…are you drowning in your email inbox?  Or do you regularly keep it in check?

How to Get to Empty

Many people’s inboxes resemble the “Big Pile” method.  I have seen some  inboxes that have 3000+ messages in them.

They are big piles.

What would your boss say if he or she walked in to your cubicle and you had 3000 memos piled on your desk?  Probably not a good situation.

In today’s business world, the term “email bankruptcy” seems to come up frequently.  This refers to when a person falls so hopelessly behind in their email that they eventually declare bankruptcy.  They simply nuke their entire email inbox and start over.

I don’t agree with this approach.  First, there was probably something of value in your inbox that you just threw out.  Second, it doesn’t solve the problem and often you will be right back where you started in a short timeframe.

However, I do believe in keeping your inbox near empty.  And I believe in being tough with your email to keep it there.

Email Rampage!

Here’s where it gets a bit gruesome… this is the part when we get mean with our email.  Just in case you need to look away.

Set aside an hour (or two!) to do nothing but attack your email backlog.  Turn off the phone.  Shut the door.  Minimize interruptions.

Ready?  Let’s go…

8 Tips to Get to the Bottom of Your Inbox:

1. Get Stuff OUT of IN – You will never empty your inbox if you don’t have a place to put your emails.  You must have a “filing” method for getting stuff out of your inbox. Choose the method that works best for you.  But, make that choice, because it needs to be law for your inbox.  I prefer the simplest setup.  Some people create dozens of folders to categorize each and every email.  That is overkill.  With today’s search tools, I can find an email from 4 years ago in seconds.  No separate filing needed.  The only individual folders I set up are for travel and receipts/bills.  I archive all old email into one archive folder.  (BTW, Gmail does a wonderful job of this, in fact, it even has an “archive” button.)
2. Emails Are Not Todos – The reasons that many people leave emails in their inbox is because they are still “working on them.”  But, emails are not todos.  You need to get the tasks out of your communication stream.  You need to put the todos straight on your todo list.  After you have done this, then yes, file that email. If you need to reference it, you can always come back to your archive.  Most likely, you won’t need to.
3. Work from Newest to Oldest – Many want to start with the oldest email.  After all, those have been sitting the longest, and they feel more guilt about them.  However with email, often an issue has been updated in a more recent message.  So if you start from the back, you will find yourself responding to items only to read subsequent emails that the issue was already resolved.  How often to you see responses from team-members only to then see a second email, “Oh, I hadn’t read the other message yet.”
4. Deal With Email in Groups – To take the “Newest to Oldest” method even further, by dealing with email conversations by group or thread.  Let you mail client group the related messages.  Again, starting with the most recent, you can often archive a whole group of messages at once.  This makes batching down you inbox much quicker.  I do this both in Outlook and on my iPhone.
5. Delete Delete Delete! – Slash slash slash!  Do not be afraid to delete emails. This act bothers some.  What if I need it again?  Again? You haven’t even read it once?  Let it go.  If it is that important… it will come back.  You will get another message.  DELETE!
6. Set an Auto Archive – This is a powerful technique.  Set up your email client to automatically archive any messages over two weeks old.  This sets up an automatic rolling deadline, where anything you leave for more than two weeks disappears into your archive.  This is good, because it is there if you need it, and you don’t have to worry about your email inbox reaching 3000 again.
7. Don’t Respond Unless Needed – A mistake that many make when trying to empty their inbox is that they go down the list and try to deal with every email…meaning responding to each.  Don’t fall into this trap.  Not all emails need another email.  Don’t unnecessarily respond.  This leads to email Ping-Pong!  And of course, more email.
8. Remove Those Last Few Emails – When victory is in sight, most people stop short.  They end up with a handful of “important” emails that they want to keep in their inbox.  Don’t stop there.  Those last few emails are likely tasks that need to go on your todo list, and those emails need to be archived.  (Refer back to #1 and 2.)

There is a Bottom

Despite myths to the contrary, there is a bottom to your inbox.

And you can get your inbox to empty.  Because email is virtual clutter, it is easy to let it pile up.

Get tough with your email.  Go on a rampage to get it under control.

Then be consistent to keep it under control.  Quick attacks from time to time will prevent you from having to work down from hundreds (if not thousands) of emails again.

Do you need to go on an email rampage today?  When was the last time you saw the bottom of your inbox?

Related Posts:

TMN’s 9 Rules for Work Email

7 Ways to Be Ruthless With Your Email

Email Ping-Pong!

I would like to take this Wednesday to thank everyone who has sent me supportive messages about Time Management Ninja.  I really do appreciate all the encouragement and try to return all correspondence.

Today, in appreciation of all TMN readers, I want to ask you…

What would you like to see on TMN?

I would love to hear your suggestions, questions, and more.

• More reviews of tools?
• Advice on specific topics?
• More business advice?
• Specific training or webinars?
• What else?

Please share your questions, ideas, and requests in the comments below!

Thank you for your support,

Craig

PS – We have many new readers lately, so here are some of my favorite recent posts:

Stepping Forward… Toward Your Goals

Do It Right The First Time and Do It With Class

6 Tips to Free Yourself from Your Technology Leash

The Secret of Today Versus Todo

The Person Who Can’t Keep Appointments

Why Complex is Easy, Simple is Hard

Do you have have an iPad?

Do you use it for work?  Do you use it for fun?  Or both?

There has been interesting debate lately as to whether the iPad is more for consumption or for creation.  In other words, is it more for accessing media? (Surfing the web, watching movies, reading books)  Or can it truly be used to create content? (Do work, create documents, etc.)

I do believe that at the current time, it is better at consumption.  Much of this is by design and also due to a lack of productivity apps. However, the apps are catching up rapidly.  And it seems almost daily there is a new use for the iPad.

Today, I thought I would share some of the apps that I use to “get work done” on my iPad.

How I Use the iPad as My Laptop

Perhaps, the biggest computing shift for me is carrying the iPad.  At work, I used to lug my laptop around the building to meetings and more.  Now, I find that my laptop lives on my desk.  I bring the iPad instead and most of the time forget that I am carrying it.  In meetings, it is very unobtrusive.  In its black case, most people do not even recognize it sitting on a meeting table.

Here are just a few of the apps and uses I have for my iPad at the current time:

Calendar/Email

Of the built-in apps, I think that the calendar and email clients are wonderful.  They are truly a step above what is available on most mobile devices.  The iPad’s increased screen size makes it possible to see views that are more usable that those on any smartphone.

I love the calendar app.  It is great being able to see a full screen weekly or monthly view.  (See pic above).  I often find myself showing the calendar to co-workers via the iPad screen when planning an appointment.

Mindmapping: iThoughts HD

My friends and colleagues know that I love to use mindmapping techniques to brainstorm new ideas and projects.

There are several mindmapping apps for the iPad.  Again, with the increased real estate of the iPad screen, these apps are truly functional.  I was not a fan of the iPhone versions because the screen size limited your ability to see the big picture, which is what mindmapping is all about.

Currently, I am using iThoughts HD.  It has the simplest and most intuitive interface I have found on the iPad.

Some of the things I like:

• Auto Topic Organization – I like my mindmap to auto layout the topics in an orderly fashion.  You can turn this on for each map in the settings menu.
• Right Map Layout – This is a personal preference, but I prefer maps to be “Right Maps” meaning all the topics branch off the right side.  For me, this makes them more readable.  Sometimes on a large project I will go with a multi-sided map.
• Export/Save options – iThoughts HD has many save and export options.  It supports multiple file formats and can send maps via email, Dropbox and more.

iThoughts HD ($7.99) in the app store.

Document Creation/Editing: Office² HD

I use both Keynote and Pages on the iPad.  And currently, there are no apps that are as polished as Apple’s own document tools.  However, where Apple’s apps fall short is in the document management and sharing areas.  It is not convenient to get documents off the iPad from Pages, Keynote, or Numbers.  Sure, you can email them, but with the exception of Pages, you are limited to the Apple doc formats.  (Pages will export Word format).  Until Apple updates their apps for better document sharing and formats, there are several great apps out there.

I am currently using Office² HD.  It has basic editors for documents and spreadsheets.  However, where it shines is in document management and sharing.

Office² HD works with your Google Docs, MobileMe, and Dropbox accounts.  It is very powerful.  As far as I know, it is still the only app that can access Google Docs…edit them…and re-save them to the cloud.  Very impressive.

Office² HD ($7.99) in the app store.

Notes/Document Filing: Evernote

If you are not using Evernote to manage your digital note storage, then you need to try it.  As I wrote yesterday, I still use a Moleskine notebook for my handwritten notes.  But, for everything else, there is Evernote.

It is an amazing system for collecting digital notes, references, whatever.

And the iPad app really shines.  You can get to your notes from anywhere.   The interface lets you search for individual notes, or as in the picture above, browse your Evernote notebooks.

The best part?  The basic Evernote account and even the app are free.

Evernote (Free) in the app store.

How Do You Use Your iPad?

The use of the iPad is still evolving.  It still has a way to go in the area of document management and cloud access.  But, this is changing quickly as app development catches up with the device.

I predict that the iPad will be used more and more in the workplace in near future.

How do you use the iPad for work?  What are your best uses and apps? Share below.

Related Posts:

How the iPad Replaced My Laptop in 30 Days

How the iPad Replaced My Laptop – Part II

9 Ways the iPad will Change Time Management

Where do you capture your notes?

On a legal pad?  In a notebook?  Or your computer?

Having a good method and tool for capturing notes is essential to any time management system.

As I have written previously, I use my iPad extensively.  This is especially true for calendar and contacts.  However, when it comes to taking notes, I use a Moleskine notebook. (affiliate link)

If you have been reading around the time management circles, you have probably heard of these notebooks.  Most of the people who use them are very devoted to them.

Today, I wanted to share a few reasons why you should try one.

Moleskine: The Best Notebooks?

So, what makes a notebook stand out from the rest?  After all, you can go into your local office supply store or bookstore and find dozens of different brands.

Moleskine notebooks stand out due to their quality and design.

They are simple really.  A small bound notebook with an elastic closure and a ribbon bookmark tied into the spine.  They are available with many different page types: ruled, blank, grid, and more.  There are many sizes, as well, from pocket to X-Large.  I prefer the 5.4″ by 8.4″ size.

When you crack one open for the first time, you will understand why people have come to love them.  They just feel right.

I often say, “Use tools you’ll use.” If the tools are suited to the task and you enjoy them, you are more likely to continue using them on a regular basis.

Here are some of the reasons and uses for my Moleskine notebook:

- Durability – Moleskines are extremely durable.  I have driven off with one on the roof of my car and it survived.

- Keeps It All Together – I prefer one journal to multiple notebooks, even for work.  For me, the benefit of having all my notes in one known place outweighs the use of 2 or 3 notebooks.  Simplicity is key.

- Variety – There is a Moleskine to fit everyone’s need and purpose.  From really big to pocket sized.  From hard-bound to softcover.  You can find a Moleskine to suit you.  I have tried many different types over the years.

- Notes – I love the Moleskine notebook for note taking.  It is just the right size.  The paper is thick enough that it tends not to bleed through.  And it is very inconspicuous in a meeting environment.  Taking notes on a PDA or computer still stands out in a group setting.

- Brainstorming – Besides notes, I love taking a full two-page spread in my Moleskine to brainstorm a new project.  It gives you room to write, draw, and layout the miscellaneous ideas of a new project.

- Journaling – Some people love Moleskines for journaling.  I do this sometimes, but tend to do my journaling on my home computer.

- Eliminates Lose Paper – I resist the temptation to write things down in multiple places.  Whether it is a voicemail message or a quick note, it goes in my Moleskine notebook.  No more searching for lost Post-Its or scraps of paper.  What was that number from that VM two weeks ago?  No problem, flip back a few pages in your Moleskine and there it is.  (BTW, Moleskines also have a small pocket in the back cover.  Great for capturing business cards or receipts until they can be processed.)

One Place To Capture It All

A Moleskine notebook is a great tool to have “One Place to Capture It All.”  Notes.  Miscellaneous info.  Messages.

As a capture notebook, the Moleskine is second to none.  It outshines my iPad for note taking and is better suited to the task.  I also enjoy the design and durability of the Moleskine, so I always have it at my side.

Moleskines used to be difficult to find, but now you can find them in most bookstores.  I get mine from Amazon.  (In the standard black, or the bolder red.)

Try one for yourself and let me know what you think.

Do you use a Moleskine notebook?  Which is your favorite?

Photo credit seanmcgrath

Related Posts:

The Power of 1

Why You Must Define Your Time Management System

How the iPad Replaced My Laptop in 30 Days

There are many types of office games.  However, in today’s world, the favorite seems to be “Email Ping-Pong.”

(Some offices have official leagues…)

People love to send volleys of emails back and forth.  Some like to see how quickly they can do it.  Others like to see how far they can send their message.

The problem is that email sport wastes a lot of time.  The back-and-forth is counterproductive.  Email was intended to help get work done, but it usually gets in the way of productivity.

Do you play the email ping-pong game?

Email Ping-Pong: Sport of Annoyance

Do emails “ping” and “pong” around your office?  Sometimes you can literally hear them bouncing around.  ”Ping!”  A computer here.  ”Pong!”  A cell phone there.

One of the basic email laws to remember is:

“The more you send, the more you get.”

It does take two to tango, and email Ping-Pong requires you to play their game.

If you choose not to get involved in the silliness, you can dramatically reduce the time you spend on email.

Variations of Email Ping-Pong

The are many ways that email Ping-Pong can be played.

Before you consider “going pro” with your email sporting skills, let’s look at a couple of the variations:

1. The Endless Email Thread – Everyone has seen this one.  It appears that your team is going for the Guinness Book for the longest email thread.  The replies just keep coming.  Each person has to add “just one more thing.”  If an email thread goes back and forth more than 3 times, I ask the individual to just call me.

2. The Email Ping – Tag!  You’re it!  Email can be a great way of reaching out to someone in a non-urgent manner to address things.  However, it becomes a problem when the other person decides to use it as their personal concierge system.  Dashing off an email as if you were their personal Google.  ”Where is that file from last week’s meeting?”  ”How does our company do X?”  Um… why don’t you go look it up?  Or call the help desk?  Or do something.

3. Hiding Behind Email - Email really emboldens some people.  They feel safe and powerful when hiding behind their email.  They say and do things over email that they would never do in person.  Sometimes this can go to people’s heads.  Flame mail, upward delegation, and other silliness ensue.

4. The Email Shuffle - There are people in the workplace that make a living shuffling email.  They appear busy by sending emails.  (Is this the modern equivalent of the paper pusher?)  They think that they more emails they send, the more work they are doing.  Unfortunately, it usually has quite the opposite effect.  At least, for those on the receiving end.

5. Copying Too Many People – Some people feel that the more people they copy on their email, the more important they appear.  These are the email “communicators.”  They want everyone to think that they are very busy, so they over-communicate.

6. Abuse of Distribution Lists – Speaking of copying too many people, some take it to the “pro” level by abusing distribution lists.  It is one thing when you copy all of your co-workers, it is another when you start spamming distribution lists with items that they were not intended for.

7. Thank you! (to Everyone) – Here is a simple one, folks.  If you are thanking someone, thank that ONE PERSON. Do not hit “Reply All” to thank Johnny for sending out the meeting notes.  (Unless, of course, you are following Rule #5.)

8. And You’re Welcome! - Is it really necessary send a “You’re Welcome” email to every “Thank You” email you get?  I say no.  BTW, triple points if you “reply all” with your “You’re Welcome” message.

A Sport Not Worth Playing

While others are busy sitting in front of their computers waiting for the next volley of email, you can be out actually doing your work.

Remember, for the majority of people: Email is not your work.

So until email goes away… (which is probably not too far off)… I recommend staying out of the Ping-Pong games.

Does your workplace play email Ping-Pong?  What are your best examples?

Related Posts:

TMN’s 9 Laws for Work Email

Should Email Be a Minimum Job Requirement?

7 Ways to be Ruthless with Your Email

5 Reasons Email is Now Snail Mail

What did you do today to move closer to your goals?

Whether it is that promotion at work?
Or to get in shape?
Or to finish that home improvement project?

Big goals are very rarely accomplished in one effort.  It takes lots of small steps to reach them.

So, what is your “one step” forward today?

One Step at a Time

Reaching your goals is all about incremental progress.  If  goals were easy, everyone would be wildly successful.  But, they are not.

Goals take lots of concentrated effort over a long period of time.  Sounds daunting.

However, progress always begins with one step.  And one step is easy.

Stepping forward is what it takes to get things moving.  Effort brings action.  Action leads to momentum.  And before you know it, your goals are closer to being realized.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of ONE Step

Small steps reveal more steps.  Other hidden things that need to be done.  Opportunities show themselves.

People underestimate what it takes to get there… often because they have not discovered all the requirements yet.  Stepping forward helps reveal the path to success.

Here are just a few small steps you can take to move toward your goals:

• Make a list of the required materials for that project that has yet to be started
• Learn one thing today that will advance your career
• Complete one more task before leaving the office
• Do the workout that you were going to skip
• Make the extra effort to reach out to the person that you are trying to build a relationship with

What is Your One Thing?

What is something that you need to do to move closer to your goals?

Pick something that you have been meaning to do, but has not made your daily list yet.

Maybe it is a smaller task or a subset of a bigger project.

Do it today.  And take one step closer to your goals.

What step forward are you going to take today?  Share your “One Step” below.

Related Posts:

What’s Blocking Your Path Today?

The Secret of Today Versus Todo

How to Get Everything Done by Doing 1 Thing

Tomorrow is Always Tomorrow

I have heard it before,

“I can’t take a day off from work…”

Why not?

The excuses start flying…

• “I am so far behind on my work.”
• “Because they need me there.”
• “I am the only one who can do…”
• “I will never catch up if I miss a day.”

What other excuses have you heard?  Are they your excuses?

Why Can’t You Take Off?

People convince themselves that they cannot take a day off from work.  The numbers are staggering how many  people do not take their allotted time off.  Studies show that approximately half of U.S. workers do not use up all their vacation time each calendar year.  (Yet, vacation days are usually a major issue when negotiating a job?)

Many people do not take care of themselves by taking their time off to recharge and relax.

Even worse is when people come to work when they shouldn’t.   Maybe they are sick.  Or their kids are sick.  In their self-serving obsession to the job, they become a disruption to others.  Ever had a sick co-worker refuse to go home and then get the whole office sick???

Here are just some of the impacts of not taking time off:

• Too Much Stress – Even the best cannot run at 100% pace, 100% of the time.  Everyone needs time to relax.
• Missing Family Events – There is so much discussion about work-life balance, yet how many people “choose” to miss family events for work.
• Coming to Work Sick – This is one of my personal pet peeves.  First of all, if you are not functional, you should not be working.  Second, have some respect for your co-workers by not bringing your illness to the office.
• Working On Your Day Off – When some people finally do take off, what do they end up doing?  Endlessly checking their email.  I know some people who dial-in to conference calls when off.
• Dealing With Issues on Vacation – From there it progresses to actually having to work while on vacation.  Working on or cleaning up issues that co-workers should have been able to address.

How to Take Off…

There are times to stay plugged into work.  However, when you are really taking time off, take the time off.

You will be more productive both at work and in your personal life.  You will return to your job recharged, instead of stressed from working while off.

Here are some of TMN’s rules for “Taking Time Off:”

1 – Unplug – Technology is great when it allows us to work when and where we want.  But, you have to unplug if you want to truly take the day off.  Stop checking email on your mobile.  Better yet, turn it off.

2 - Set Expectations Before Leaving – Let others know who to reach in your absence.  This one tip can prevent many unneeded interruptions while off.  Also, many underestimate the power of the simple “Out of Office” message.  Most people will respect reaching out to you, if they know you are gone.

3 – Don’t Hesitate to “Take One Day Off” – When people think of time off, they often relate it to a multi-day vacation or trip.  Don’t get stuck in this paradigm.  Sometimes it makes sense to take one day off for yourself.  To relax.  To recharge.  Maybe just to work on that personal project or to spend it with your kids.

4 – Avoid Being “the Only One” – Ensure that others can carry out your duties in your absence.  Don’t get trapped by being “the only person” who can do a particular task.  This makes you the “Single Point of Failure” (SPOF) for a particular issue.  This is dangerous for both the individual and the company.  Avoiding this issue benefits both sides.

5 – Put Someone in Charge – Make sure you designate someone to address your work while you are gone.  Even if you are not in charge of a team, empower someone to take action in your absence.  It is important that they are not just a “point of contact” for you, but are authorized and ready to make decisions on your behalf.

6 – Schedule Catch-up Time – One of the reasons people dread coming back form vacation is because they walk into an onslaught of meetings, projects, and tasks.  It can be stressful trying to get back in the groove.  Plan for it. Schedule time on your day back to do nothing but catch up.  Don’t let people fill your return day with meetings galore and project deadlines.

Get Out of the Office!

So, what’s stopping you from getting out of the office?

Make sure you take your time off.  It is there for a reason.  Have fun and recharge while unplugging from work for a short time.

If you find yourself unable to get away, it might be time to take a look at “why” you can’t…

What about you? Do you take all of your allowed vacation time?  Can you take a day off from work?

Related Posts:

- 6 Tips To Free Yourself From Your Technology Leash

- Are You Unplugged This Weekend?

- 7 Tips to Jump-start Your Work After a Break