Productive & Organized

Sometimes Taking Action is Not the Right Choice

Sometimes taking action is not the right choice.  I have been thinking about that statement for a while now.  Then, tonight it came up again as I was interviewing Des Gray on Mindset.  OK, so maybe it is time that I write about it again.

It seems funny for me to say it because I'm continually telling people they need to get into action and out of perfectionism and procrastination.  Just do something!

However, I'm reminded that not all action is good action.  In fact, last year when I told you about my theme for 2011 of Decisive Productive Action I touched on some of these points too.  It is worth rehashing here though, because it is an important point to understand.

12 Quotes that Get Them to Take Action

I have been collecting quotes since I was in grade school.  In fact, when I worked in corporate, I had my interior windows plastered with quotes. (They worked to eliminate distractions of people walking by too.) 

Quotes from others have a way of resonating with our psyche.  They have a way of making us get up and go when other things might not.  

Over time, I have learned that many people use quotes, but the same quote could have a totally different effect on different people.  So, I asked my panel:

What quote have you read that gave you the motivation needed to take action? The language of a quote can stimulate you to take positive action or assist you to stay focused and more.  What is your favorite and what does it say to you?  How do you use it to stay on track?

Here is what they shared:

High Productivity from Modern Workplace Design

There was a time that "open office design" was a new term, but it was a way of organizing your facilities that was reserved for large corporations.

I remember, back when I worked in corporate the move we made from traditional offices to "open space."  I have to admit, I was really resistant!  However, over time, I came to realize how valuable that open space was for my team.

Today, open office design is for more than large corporate entities.  Many small businesses and shared office spaces are using the strategy to be able to stay flexible to the climate's changing business needs.

Dean Stier shares more on this topic today in his guest post:

I Invite You to Make 2012 Different - Take a stand and say YES with me.

Warning - this message may be a bit more harsh than you are used to reading from me.  Read it anyway!

If you are like most business owners, you created your business because you wanted to live on your own terms and you knew that you have something amazing to offer.

But, have you realized that dream?

Are you doing what you love, or putting out fires? Do you have minor business problem gathering other problems, rolling downhill and ending up smack, dab in your personal life?  Do you find you are getting sidetracked and not finding the traction you need to move your business forward?

The truth is every performance gap, every little inefficiency, every lack of organization or productivity, not only reduces the effectiveness of your business, it also steals time from your personal life! This is TRUE FOR all BUSINESS owners!

As business owner you need to confidently take your business to the next level… if you’re not, you may be going nowhere fast...  In fact if you are like 95% of business owners, you are already there…in the area of a million ideas and nothing getting done.

Small Biz Gifts to Help You Simplify and Celebrate! You've got to check these out.

I have a secret to share. 

I LOVE Gifts!  I love giving them and I love getting them.

'Tis the season.

That means the SmallBizChristmas giveaway is back!  The fantabulous Michelle Shaeffer is hosting and she invited me to share a gift, along with 12 other entrepreneurs and small business owners.

These gifts have been created especially with YOU in mind, to help you reduce stress, get organized, grow your business and more.

Want a sneak peak?  Keep reading.

Favorite Books on Productivity and Business Growth

There are 1000s of books that you could read to grow your business, but how do you know which ones are good for where you are in the life cycle of your business?

I asked my expert panel:

To be productive means to be in a position where you have the quality or power of producing especially in abundance. It is about getting things done and growing your business.

What book has positively impacted your ability to be productive in your business? Please share title and author.

What is your favorite learning point from the book you mentioned?

Today, I'll share 13 ideas and I'd love for you to add yours to the list in the comments!

Words They Live By - Some of My Colleagues Share Their Favorite Quotes

If you follow me on any of my social media sites, you know that I love quotes.  I've been collecting them since 5th grade.

Quotes have a way of moving our soul.  The can make us think of things in a slightly different way.  They can represent our feelings when we have a hard time finding our own words. 

Today, some of my colleagues share their favorites on organization, time management or productivity. 

Join Me! *Top Ten Productivity Tips for Better (and I mean, WAAAYYY Better) Meetings*

If you attend meetings that you know could be better, wish were more valuable, and yearn to have be more productive, then I hope you'll take part in a special **no cost** class that Dr. Meggin McIntosh will be presenting.

http://steph.bz/megginmeetings

Monday, December 19, 2011
1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (Central)

Meetings don't have to be a drain on your energy and time!

Meggin says:

"Great meetings produce results that could not be achieved in any other way and the benefits go on for days, weeks, and years in terms of energy, time, productivity, and morale.

Dreadful meetings suck up energy, steal time, dilute productivity, and have an impact on morale.  Learn ways to stop having blah meetings and have more of the GREAT ones!  It is possible and you can start making it happen right after this teleseminar."

To learn more and to register, just go this webpage with all the information:

*Top Ten Productivity Tips for Better (and I mean, WAAAYYY Better) Meetings*

I have known Meggin since 2007 and have had the pleasure of interviewing her a few times as well as attend many of her programs.  As a former college professor, she knows how to teach!  You will get great actionable information as well as awesome worksheets.  But don't think that you are going to get a stodgy class.  Meggin infuses fun into all of her presentations and makes discovering new things a joy.  I have learned loads of ideas from Meggin McIntosh over the years and I know from experience that this class is one that will more than deliver on her promises! Plus, it’s no cost to all of us!

Visit this link to get signed up:  http://steph.bz/megginmeetings

To your success!

Answers to YOUR Biggest Challenges to GETTING IT ALL DONE - What Do I Delegate / Outsource?

We go to work every day with the intentions of getting things done.  Some days that works great, while other days it is not as successful. 

I wondered, what keeps us from getting things done?

So I asked my Facebook group:

I would love to know what is YOUR biggest challenge to GETTING IT ALL DONE?

I heard:

"Determining what and how to outsource, streamlining email process (where I am getting buried and losing things that need my attention because I get focused on things that really don't)."

No matter if you own a business with 1000s of employees or are a solo-entrepreneur trying to figure out how to work with their first support person, delegation can be tough.

Today, I'll share some thoughts on outsourcing/delegation and an example of how I saved 2.5 hours a week with one simple change.

Answers to YOUR Biggest Challenges to GETTING IT ALL DONE - Setting priorities

Every once in a while, I'll ask a question out on my Facebook Page and it sparks a good conversation. 

So I asked:

I would love to know what is YOUR biggest challenge to GETTING IT ALL DONE?

This is what they said:

 "Setting priorities"

 "I agree. What goes with setting priorites that is an issue is knowing how to select those things which add value to your project , assignment and goals as well need to be done. Also how do you address distractions and what is considered a distraction."

OK so let's tackle those items today.  Setting priorities and focus/distractions.