Monthly Archives: August 2011

Multi-Tasking & Multiple Mistakes

Mistakes happen.  Sometimes it’s unavoidable but I’m stuck by how often we make mistakes simply because we are distracted by thinking of several things at once.  Somehow, the idea of “multi-tasking” became the buzz word a few years ago for being a superior performer.  “Ability to multi-task” became a common job interview question and key criteria for hire.  If we were able to master running from task to task we were suppose to be better than our colleagues.  An interesting skill but is it really effective or even efficient?

Nine Minutes to Refocus

Step back and watch yourself on a typical busy day.  What happens when phones are ringing, people are coming by your office, your computer screen is flashing and the cell phone is beeping at you.  Yes, you can jump back and forth but your ability to concentrate is greatly reduced.  The research (and our own observations) show clearly that it actually takes between 9 – 15 minutes to refocus to your original place when you have been interrupted.  Sometimes, that’s perfectly fine for simple tasks but for anything that needs concentration, creativity and focus that’s a lot of time trying to get back to where you left off.  The ripple effect is significant . . . we make more mistakes; feel more stressed because we’re not getting anything done well and the sense of enjoyment on a job well-done is often gone.

Five Ways to Avoid Multi-Tasking

Resist the temptation to multi-task by practicing concentrating on one thing at a time – especially anything that is important to your work and your employer.  Be truly present in the moment by doing these five things:

Bodie Gold Town

Know when you are at your best during the day (morning, afternoon, evening, late night).
“Chuck” your time by setting aside blocks of time to concentrate on certain tasks.
Don’t read your email early in the morning (it will distract you!).
Be more realistic about how much time a task will actually take.Close your eyes when talking on the phone (you will naturally be much more present).
And finally (my favorite) take at least 3 things off your “to-do” list today.  You can’t do it all and that’s okay!
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Take the Day Off! It’s Good for Business

Now this is different . . . a day in the middle of the week with nothing pressing.  A half-day meeting got cancelled at the last minute; the Internet at the office isn’t working; no client sessions are scheduled; it’s 92 degrees in Reno, NV and it’s the last week before my college-age daughter returns to school on the east coast.  So an idea floats up as I’m driving home from work . . . how about just taking the day off tomorrow and heading up to our beautiful Lake Tahoe.  So the next morning an ice cooler is packed, beach towels and suntan lotion are thrown in and we’re ready for “Road Trip!”.

Of course, the daughter is a bit less enthusiastic about rising at the crack of dawn and keeps asking “But what are we going to do?”.  As I hustle her into the car, I explain that on a true road trip you don’t know what you’re going to do until you’re doing it.  And that’s exactly what we did . . . cinnamon crepes in Tahoe City and then a look at the map to say let’s do something we’ve never done before.  So around the lake we go.  And we wind up hiking to the Vikingsholm – a magnificent  Norwegian castle on Emerald Bay at Lake Tahoe.  Then on to an early dinner on the deck of my favorite lakeside restaurant and rolling back down the mountain to Reno by sunset.  A wonderful way to finish off our “delicious” day.

Delicious Days Are Good For Business

A “delicious day” is a day just for you – to rest and renew – that is slipped in between normal busy work days.  As Americans, we tend not to give ourselves permission to take those days especially when economic times are tough.  We push harder making each business day a bit longer and hopefully more productive.  But actually when we take the time to slow down and relax the endless chatter in our heads we are really far more creative, flexible and productive.  It’s the best thing we can do for our own businesses, our customers and our employers.

Alternate Work with Rest

One of my favorite books Full Engagement describes fascinating research that shows how high performing athletes (and workers like us) do far better with alternating periods of intense activity/training with downtime.  I’ve used this research many times in workshops and people are always intrigued.  It makes sense.  As humans, we simply are not made to physically and mentally perform at 110% every day all day.  We simply can’t do it and be at our best.  But if we take a lesson from professional athletes and alternate highly focused work times with real relaxation we can actually bring much more value, skills and talents to our work.  Think about it and then take that day off!

 

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Consulting with Your Colleagues

As I was driving into my office this morning, I found myself appreciating my network of professional colleagues here in the Northern Nevada area.  They feed my soul; create synergy for new ideas, support me when life is in a whirlwind and challenge me to stretch and grow.  And I do the same for them.

Easy to Get Isolated

It’s easy to get isolated when you own your own business.  This is especially true when you are a sole proprietor and are in the human services field – coaching, training, consulting, counseling etc.  If you have your own office or are working from home it’s easy to not see or even talk to your colleagues for several days.  And interestingly, this isolation often increases the longer you are in business.  We can get complacent – taking relationships for granted. 

It Takes Work

It takes work . . . to reach out and connect regularly with your colleagues when times are both busy and when it’s a bit slower.  And it also takes a commitment of time, energy and money.

I have owned my own training & coaching business for over ten years and have a wonderful multi-disciplinary network in this Northern Nevada community.  I’ve worked hard to build these relationships and it’s often involved taking a leadership role in the organization.  Leadership is a great way to meet the “movers & shakers” and to become known.

For now, this is what is working for me. I am an active member in my two professional associations (ASTD training & NPCA coaching); belong to two business organizations (Chamber of Commerce & WIN) and one volunteer community organization (that feeds the passion).

I also try to bring colleagues together often – usually over coffee – to just talk and share ideas on how we can help each other succeed in our own professional businesses.   The exchange of wisdom, experience and expertise creates a wonderful synergy.   I always feel energized and inspired afterwards!

 Set Time Aside Each Week

So here’s an idea . . . set aside some time each week (yes, weekly!) to stay connected to your professional network.  Friday mornings are the best for me.  Pick up the telephone and call one or two colleagues. Find out what’s new with them and always be thinking how you could help them achieve what they are working on.

Let them hear your voice – and you hear them.  It’s good for your business and for you personally as well.  So now I’m off to meet a favorite colleague for a quick lunch.  What a great way to end the work week!

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A Powerful Question to Ask Yourself

In all the years of being a professional coach, I’ve used numerous “powerful” questions to help clients discover and clarify their personal and professional strengths.  But there is one question that really captures it all.  And that is “When are you really at your best?”

I ask clients to think about that question – not to hurry – and to come back to our next session with three or four stories that capture a picture of themselves at their very best.  The stories will have a theme through them – a red thread – that tells us what comes together to bring out the best of themselves.  These are natural talents that are coming together and over time have often become career and life strengths.

People, Ideas or Things

Lake Tahoe at Its Best!

These themes fall into three interest areas: an interest in people; an interest in ideas or an interest in things.  For myself, I have always gravitated toward work with people in some capacity.  When I ask myself this powerful question, I always come back to involvement with people during significant life and career transitions.  That theme has always run through my years as a Masters level social worker; an adult, child & family psychotherapist; my community volunteer work, and now as a corporate trainer and a professional career/life coach.

Now It’s Your Turn to Ask

 

 

 

 

 

 

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