Make Those Work Hours Valued

A workday is typically eight hours. Seems like a long time, right? As any working person with a demanding job knows, it’s not – the hours seem to fly by and it feels like you just don’t have enough time to meet your deadline.

So then begs the question: what is the most effective way to be productive with your hours? Let’s break this down by hours to be more specific – what is the best way to spend one hour to achieve the most you can? We all know each hour is precious in the working world.

Luckily, there are some steps you can add to your daily routine to be productive for not just one hour, but every single day. 

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link

 

Wake up early & take an hour for yourself. Feel like there’s never enough time in the day? Waking up early gives your body time to wake up and process what you need to do. Some people use the early morning time to focus on mental health, such as meditating, listening to music, or journaling their intentions for the day.

 

Prioritizing your health (especially if you have a high-stress job) is essential in being productive. If anything, spending your one hour checking in with yourself is one of the most productive things you can do – if you are overwhelmed and stressed out, you won’t perform well in your career.

Create a list/goals

Another way to productively use an hour is to create a list of your goals, intentions and what you need to get accomplished that day.  Sometimes, we can feel overwhelmed by the number of tasks we need to get done that our job demands from us. If we can take a step back to realistically figure out what needs to be done today versus tomorrow, you can prioritize your focus on one or two tasks instead of a million, making your hour of work more productive.

Put your phone away

While cell phones are necessary for work, try to avoid going online as a means to distract yourself or procrastinate. It can be so easy to feel overwhelmed and unmotivated, and to pass time scrolling through social media. This, however, is a poor decision – that absent-minded scrolling can lead to a lot of wasted time.

Try muting or putting away your phone, computer, or anything else that would tempt you to avoid doing your tasks. Sometimes putting it out of sight with the volume down can help prevent distraction. When you complete your one hour of work, then you can check and take a five-minute phone break. Having that incentive to finish your work to check your phone is a way to motivate yourself.

 

While it may seem like a small amount of time, one hour can be very productive – if you use the time wisely. 

Smart Ways to Invest Time for Great Success

Time is the ultimate currency.

Like our money, our time is ours to waste, spend or invest.

We all have the same number of hours each day. But it’s what you decide to do with that time that directly impacts your success in life.

If you are not sure where and when you are losing time, these are the most common ways many people waste their time:

Trying to do many things at once — in the end, you hardly make real progress. Reacting to all those emails — email is one of the biggest time-sucking tools ever created (despite its benefits). Don’t get trapped in the cycle of answering every email in real-time.

Obsessively checking your social media updates — how many times have you caught yourself doing this when you should be doing great work?
Putting off or delaying or deferring high-value actions — no one sets out to procrastinate, but it happens.

Saying yes to the many requests from others — defend your time like your productivity depends on it because it does.
People who find success in life and career are often willing to not only put their limited time to good use but invest it in the things that truly matter.

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link

 

Not everything brings the same return on your time. So, the real question today is: What are you doing with your time?
Time is free but priceless, and you are either investing, spending, or wasting your time with every choice you make.

 

Invest in right systems to get things done. Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things. Do you have control over how you use your time? Many of us work in an endless stream of tasks, emails, notifications, meetings, multitasking in the process, never pausing to measure the significance of our daily inputs versus our outputs. Doing one thing means not doing something else. And there is a big difference between the things that should be done and the things that must be done.

Resist the temptation to multitask. If you have several items to focus on within the same day, try breaking your work time into short, focused bursts. 

Invest in thinking time. The state of your mind determines everything. It pays to make time to pause, reflect, refresh and start over. “Time to think” is a priority if you want to be increasingly efficient, solve problems better, and improve how you work.

Mental breaks increase productivity, replenish attention, solidify memories and encourage creativity. You can’t afford not to plan for downtime.

You make time to exercise your body to stay strong, and healthy. You have to do the same thing for your mind. Schedule time when you can be alone to do nothing but think. Thinking involves slowing down and actually soaking in a problem and your creative brain thrives in a “break” mode. 

Shake up your routine and create white spaces for yourself.
Schedule it. Block off 15 minutes every day, on your calendar, if you can — in the middle of the day — to THINK. Find a place comfortable and quiet. No Internet. No television. No other people present. Just you and your thoughts.

Time spent thinking is an investment.

But don’t overthink issues you don’t even have to spend time thinking about. Balancing thought and action are a challenge for many people.

Results come to those who “act” while others are discovering the “right” ways to generate results. Think to generate better ideas, but act before it’s too late.

Avoid Missteps in Virtual Meetings

 

Lockdowns, quarantines, Zoom meetings, and no toilet paper (remember!) yeah, we did not see this coming! The year 2020 has gone from us all “Having our 20-20 vision,” and this being “My decade” to all of us impatiently waiting for 2021 (It’s here, at last!!). 

 

With how unpredictable this day and age has been, there is a lot to account for and more changes than ever before.

However, the one predictable thing, although not in person for obvious reasons, is meetings, meetings, and more meetings…only this time virtually! At school, at work, family time and even during the holidays.

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link

 

We are thankful for Zoom and Google Meet, which for the most part, have allowed us to experience some set of normalcy during a worldwide pandemic, even if it is through a computer screen. That being said, our adjustment to Zoom has been few and far between with the level of mishaps and general lack of awareness.

 

While virtual meetings might be the new norm over the last year, the changing circumstances have led to an entirely new set of virtual meeting etiquette problems. There are missteps out there when it comes to virtual meetings that one needs to be aware of!  

 

While different from in-person, social etiquette is not thrown out of the window just because you happen to be in a virtual meeting. All social rules apply. Therefore, here are some no-no’s below that one should avoid while virtually live on camera (or as you will see right below, not on camera) that you should be aware of!

 

Not turning on the camera. For many, the blank screen and no camera has become a chronic habit. Not having your camera on serves as a way to “not” pay attention to the meeting at hand while it is assumed that you are. While you might think you’re trying to get other things done, if you ask a presenter, talking to a blank screen can be draining!

Sure, you might be driving your car, but this is a no-no too! Not having your camera on, regardless of the reason, signals a lack of respect and transparency on your part that will likely turn off those on the other end. Be mature; turn it on!  

Not being presentable. Look presentable in a Zoom meeting; it is simple as that. What is normal for most meetings is the same for most virtual meetings! It is easy to tell that you just rolled out of bed or haven’t tidied up a bit.

Take the extra step and make yourself look good, and that way, you’ll feel good too. Whether you need to find a cheap haircut in a hurry, or you keep a button up next to your desk, having a professional top and looking lively is a good habit for virtual meetings!

Forgetting to mute the mic. On platforms like Zoom, you have the option to turn on/off your mic when you speak and are finished speaking. However, keep in mind that when you do speak, sometimes the screen brings your name up on the main screen, and doing that without knowing your mic is on, can lead to an embarrassing situation. It’s best to enter meetings on mute, and always double-checking that real quick can reduce mishaps from happening. It’s courteous to others when it is not your turn to speak.

Final thoughts. Sometimes being on a video conference instead of in person can be tough to adjust to because it requires more of something we simply are not used to, and perhaps will take time. Still, it is essential to say that we need not substitute our professionalism for comfort. Always use the litmus test when attending virtual meetings, “Would I do this in person?” and if the answer is no, don’t do it virtually! Just because you’re online doesn’t mean social etiquette never stopped remaining in effect. 

If we learn to be respectful, courteous, and polite by making sure we are focused, free of distractions, camera-on, in plain sight, and all of the necessary bells and whistles of Zoom in check, you won’t ever have to worry about committing a virtual meeting misstep again! 

Create a Work-Life Balance at Home

 

With the pandemic still raging, many office workers are now working from home. I, for example, have been working from home since March. 

 

With no physical boundary between home and work these days, it becomes more important than ever to talk about how to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here are some tips on how you can achieve a good balance. 

 

Carving out a separate space designated only for work is a great solution to create that physical boundary within your home. If you are fortunate enough to already have a study in your house or apartment, then I recommend that you make full use of it for work.

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link

 

Use a different room from your main area of relaxation. If you live in a small space with no spare room or basement, then you may want to work in a room that is different from your main area of relaxation. For example, if you typically relax in your bedroom, then work in the living or dining room. Although it is not the ideal situation, it at least gives you a bit of a separation from your main area of relaxation.

 

Put away all work-related items after work. When you are done working for the day, putting away all work-related items helps you transition from working to living. As people say, out of sight, out of mind. Putting away my work laptop and notebooks has now become an evening ritual that triggers my brain to relax. After all, you still deserve some time to enjoy the little things in life that does not involve work.

Set clear boundaries. All your co-workers know that you are working from home and not going anywhere. However, just because you are technically available for all the virtual meetings doesn’t mean that you should be working 24/7.

Setting clear boundaries for yourself is critically important to make sure that you can fully unplug at the end of the day. 

 

If possible, log off from your work laptop and turn off your work phone at a time that you are comfortable with. If you don’t have a work phone, log off from all the work-related apps that you may have installed on your phone.

The emails you receive at 11 pm can most likely wait till the next morning to respond to.

  

Focus on tasks that matter. You may have a long to-do list. Therefore, it is important to zoom in on tasks that will make the most impact. It helps to categorize the tasks into four buckets: Urgent and important; Important but not urgent; Urgent but not important; Not urgent and not important. Focus your energy on the first bucket, and don’t waste your time on the last one. This way, you can improve your return on investment (ROI) of your time.

Although it is important to stay connected with your team, having a good work-life balance will help you achieve more productivity and happiness in the long-term.

A Simple Path to Goal setting

Are you kicking 2021 off by setting fresh goals? Good call - having goals can help you stay focused and get so much more out of the new year.

 

Goals give life meaning, direction and purpose, and help you get out of bed with enthusiasm every single day.

 

While it’s important to enjoy the journey and find fulfillment in the present moment without waiting for something external to make you happy, having a results-oriented mindset can also enhance your life and career.

 

Results matter and a goal-oriented mindset helps teach that. That’s a very crucial lesson to learn because a lot of people like to say it’s just the journey that matters, but no, arriving at the destination actually matters too. Who you become is important but getting there is as crucial too. 

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link

 

But don’t shoot yourself in the foot. Making mistakes during theprocess of goal setting can backfire and discourage you. Here are some simple ideas to set yourself on the path to setting meaningful goals for the New Year.

 

No timelines. Without a timeline, it’s so easy for a goal to fall to the side. The biggest common mistake is that people don’t give their goals deadlines.

 

Without a deadline, it’s just a dream, it’s just an idea. We need to create urgency and work against the clock, and there needs to be a consequence for not achieving the goal. Assess your goals. Are they things that you want to have achieved by the very end of the new year? Or are there some goals on the list that will most likely be accomplished by mid-year? Estimating how much time you’re giving yourself for tackling your various objectives will ensure you keep your eyes on the finish line.

 

Zero Accountability. There are three types of accountability: self-accountability (telling yourself that you’re going to accomplish something), coach accountability (hiring a coach to work with you), and public or peer accountability.

 

Peer accountability is the most important one because it’s about mentioning your goals to people you don’t want to disappoint. The most powerful way to set goals is to tell a best friend or someone you truly do not want to let down. Without factoring in mechanisms for staying accountable is a mistake you’ll want to avoid if you want to be successful. 

Be well-rounded. Glorifying hustle culture and burnout is so yesterday. When setting goals, it’s important to favor well-roundedness over single-mindedness.

You would not want to be a one-dimensional human being, you want to set goals in your physical life, intellectual life (which can be related to your career, mindset or growth), relational/emotional life (could be goals you want to set with your spouse or family members), and spiritual life.

From health and fitness to career and relationships, think of the areas of your life you want to give attention to in the coming year. And avoid falling into the pitfall of focusing on one area at the detriment of others.

Avoid being vague. Don’t make the mistake of being too vague or conceptual. Starting with broad intentions is a great way to find more clarity around what you want to do in the next year, but don’t stop there.

Become a big believer in smart, concrete goals instead of conceptual goals. Memorizing 52 Bible verses over the course of the year is a clear and smart goal. And, so is earning $10K per month or getting down to 8% body fat.
People who say, ‘I want to be more thoughtful’ need to add a tangible action to the goal. What kind of measurable result would help you identify in an instant whether you successfully achieved a goal? Take a moment to reflect on your goals and ask yourself whether they are concrete and easy to track and measure or whether it would be best to flesh them out a little bit further.

With these simple yet unique ideas, you are better prepared and ready to face the challenges of the New Year. Believe in yourself!

Things You Must Sacrifice for a Brighter Future

Good things come from sacrifice. If you want what you’ve never had, you must do what you’ve never done. It’s to start sacrificing the right things so you can have a better future. 

 

Don’t let anyone define success but you. Stop being “busy,” and start being focused.  

Spend your time wisely because many things want your attention and energy. Make sure they’re the right things. 

 

Oftentimes, when you try to implement some of the mentioned elements, you may run into challenges. To resolve this very issue, I wrote my book "The Breakthrough Accelerator - Resolve your Biggest Challenge in 4 weeks"- Receive a Free download of this book by Clicking this Link 

 

Take a look at the 3 topmost things that can define and secure a better future for you, professionally and personally:   

 

1. Other people’s definition of success. At some point, you have to realize that you have to give up other people’s definition of success. This is one of the most difficult things to give up because it is so deeply embedded in our cultural narratives that it becomes the standard by which we measure our lives. Even as entrepreneurs we have collectively agreed that fame and fortune are the markers of success. 

 

But, giving up other people’s definition of success is incredibly liberating and ultimately leads to the fullest expression of who you are and what matters to you.  

 

It’s not a one-time thing. It’s a daily habit of comparing less and creating more. “Success” doesn’t just mean what the larger mob of society says it means: lots of money, fame, and fortune. Many people with fame, fortune, and money have terribly empty, imbalanced lives. Your success isn’t defined by what other people say. No one can define your success but you. If you continue to let others tell you what success is, you’ll never reach it. Even if you did, it wouldn’t be a true success, because it’s not what you really valued. 

 

2. Busyness. The saying goes, “The most successful people I know are not busy. They’re focused.” How you spend your days is how you spend your life. 

 

A lot of people love being “busy.” They wear it as a badge of honor. When you ask them how they’ve been, what’s the response? “I’m so busy,” they lament.  

 

But it’s a subtle brag. They like the feeling. When you’re busy, you don’t really do anything — just because your calendar is full of meetings, appointments, and commutes doesn’t mean you’re actually making any progress towards your true goals. Are you focused, making tangible action steps towards what truly matters? Or are you just “busy?” 

 

When you’re busy, you are on autopilot. You can’t see the hours slipping away, time you’ll never get back. 

 

But when you choose to be focused — to spend your time and energy on achieving your true goals — that’s where the magic happens. That’s where focus turns into flow states, hyper-focused mental efforts to make fast progress. 

Most people prefer the emotional boost of bragging about how “busy” they are, instead of actually doing the real hard work. Choose focus, not busyness. 

 

3. Distraction and Entertainment. Reinvesting your free time is one of the most important ingredients to your success. Successful people don’t see it as ‘free time.’ They see it as the only time they have to do the things they really want to do in life and they don’t take a minute for granted.  If you’re working a full-time job, with a commute and family and bills, you don’t have a lot of free time. If you’re like most people, the precious little free time you do have is spent on entertainment and distraction, not learning, and growing. 

 

This is low-level thinking, and it will lead you to a, frankly, low-level life. 

But true success requires sacrifice. A common misconception many of those sleep-when-you’re-dead hustle-entrepreneurs claim is that you need be working all the time.  

 

The truth is you need to work your butt off — for a time. After you’ve spent the time creating your life, you can sit back and enjoy the work you’ve done. If you want to make great strides and achieve a truly extraordinary life, you need to reinvest your free time into learning new skills, putting in the work, and being productive. It won’t last forever. But you need to put in the time now, so later, you can have the life you want.