Geoff Steck’s

THANK GOODNESS IT’S MONDAY

TGIM #238

IT’S TIME FOR SOME

COMMON-SENSE TIME MANAGEMENT

Wasn’t one of your 2010 resolutions to get more value from your time? Good!

So I can save a big hunk of time from the get-go and simply make the observation that, if we would start by applying some of the better time management principles that we’ve read and heard about from the beginning of time, we might have a solid foundation to build on.

Or maybe not.

Here’s a big catch: We’re all human, and with that “humanness” comes fallibility. But a great deal of the “classic” time management advice doesn’t seem to take that into account. It doesn’t allow room to be reasonable with our expectations for ourselves or others.

But …

Human beings are not automatons – mindless, emotionless mechanical beings who perfectly carry out every task or order like clockwork. And we don’t perform at our best when we’re treated that way.

So let’s invest the rest of this TGIM time in reviewing and challenging golden-oldie thinking and investigating some strategic alternatives.

TGIM Time Challenge #1: Fast action pays off. We’re reminded time and again that it’s important to be decisive, keep meetings short, keep the ball rolling. Doing things quickly supposedly saves time.

But …

Let me tell you a story: An executive in one of our client firms, desperate to do all these things, trained himself to be as brief as possible in meetings and abruptly cut through discussions with curt remarks like, “Get to the point” and “What’s your problem?”

By doing so he apparently saved time. But, as it turned out, he and his coworkers often had differing ideas of what had been decided and what would be done after a particular meeting.

Result: Fast action can slow results. Because of miscommunication, resolutions would inevitably become garbled and confused down the line. In the end the exec would spend twice the time that had been “saved” straightening out the mess.

TGIM ACTION IDEA: Be clear about being clear. Stay alert for times when rushing the decision-making process might backfire. Be more intent on reaching sound decisions than with quickly dispatching meetings and the like. Take a little extra time, even when you’re sure you’ve reached the end and everyone concurs, to recap — and hear others recap — for the benefit of all, “Who will do what, when.”

TGIM Time Challenge #2: Priority vs. Interest. Many time-management experts place great emphasis on doing things in order of priority. And, as a rule we would all agree it makes sense. Between watering the garden or putting out a raging fire, the right “priority” choice for the person with a hose in their hand is clear.

But …

Sometimes it’s better for people to do what they’re psychologically ready to do, even if it’s not the highest priority item. People are more interested in doing better, and therefore actually do better, when they’re able to follow their own “normal” routines rather than always being or feeling forced to do things strictly in some prioritized order of importance.

TGIM ACTION IDEA: All things being equal or almost equal, don’t force priorities onto the daily routine. Do what’s most interesting when it attracts you.

Added point: If you have the power to layout the agenda for others, allow them as much set-your-own-order leeway as possible, unless you can give them a compelling, high priority reason to do otherwise.

TGIM Time Challenge #3: Efficiency isn’t always “efficient.” Stopwatch toting time/motion study champions – the so-called efficiency experts – extol doing things in the most time-economic manner possible.

But …

Sometimes doing things a little less efficiently is far more enjoyable and more beneficial in the long run.

Let’s take another “meeting” example: One exec we know could easily cut the time he spends in meetings, probably by half. But he usually doesn’t want to. He enjoys talking and listening. Although it seems less efficient, he feels he gets a more nuanced sense of what’s going on with his staff and in his company and that he’s a better leader and decision maker for that.

Added benefit: His employees like the relaxed atmosphere too. And without “this meeting will end in a half-hour, precisely” pressure, they feel free to raise issues that might otherwise go unaddressed.

TGIM ACTION IDEA: Enjoy your time. And use more of your time for the things you enjoy. As Einstein pointed out, it’s relative. He really said, “Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour and it seems like a minute.” I may not comprehend the math and the physics of relativity but that makes sense to me.

TGIM Takeaway: Good time management principles are not immutable laws that apply equally to every situation and every person. As a group we are all so varied that few prescriptions can cover everyone at all times. So, in the quest to maximize the value of your time, realize that principles are neither absolute nor infallible and apply them with commons sense and tact.

The only true test is to find what works for you over time. Experiment, then – providing it doesn’t waste the time of the others you interact with — go with what works for you.

Time to test that Einstein wisdom. I’ve no doubt about the stove part, so I’ll skip that. It’s on to part two.

Geoff Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373
tgimguy@gmail.com

P.S. “Time flies like an arrow … Fruit flies like a banana.” Julius Henry Marx (1890 – 1977) — the inimitable Groucho – is alleged to have said that.

P.P.S. You might also want to take a moment now to investigate some of the additional Secrets & Strategies in the Best Year Ever program.  A key component is the section Got Time? Prioritize & Maximize Your 24/7/365. Click HERE.

GEOFF STECK leads Alexander Publishing & Marketing, a company he formed in 1986. The core AP&M mission: To create and publish leadership, sales mastery, self-improvement and workplace skill-building resources and tools. The focus: Areas such as business communication, staff support, customer care and frontline management. Geoff also puts his corporate and entrepreneurial experience, independent perspective, and skills as a catalyst to work for other firms (ranging from multinational corporations to more modest operations), not-for-profits, and individuals who have conceived or developed programs or initiatives but are frustrated in getting them implemented.

Geoff Steck’s

THANK GOODNESS IT’S MONDAY

TGIM #237

WE ARE BOUND

AND WE ARE BOUND

Not so long ago I had the honor of delivering the first toast at the wedding of two good friends – Julie and Jerry.

And since each was (and is) fond of both playing games and using words effectively, that gave me the opportunity to stand up at the microphone with the wedding band behind me and recall a bit of verbal sparring that would occasionally take place when friends and family gathered. For example –

The challenge: Think of a word that can mean the opposite of itself; a word with two generally accepted meanings that contradict each other.

One easy-to-think-of one comes from slang usage.

Cool – definition: Frosty. “She was cool to the idea.”

Cool – definition: Hot! “Wow! She was a really, really cool chick.”

Or how about:

Fast – Moving rapidly. “Fast track.” “You got here fast.”

Or the opposite “fast” that is, fixed in position: “Hold fast, help is on the way.”

And one more:

Original – something creative or new. “That’s an original idea.”

Vs. Original in the sense of plain or unchanged, as in “the original flavor.”

Got it? Good. So did the wedding guests although, by this time they were wondering where this all was heading.

You too? To find out – and how it relates to today’s Martin Luther King observance and gives us a TGIM Takeaway

Contronyms. That’s what these self-contradicting words are called.

And, as I got around to making the toast, there’s one, I said, that was particularly appropriate for the couple and their wedding day:

BOUND

Bound together. Two people who have found each other, and know each other and love each other and choose to be interlocked, secure, united. Two families, joined. Bound.

And the opposite meaning: Be in motion. Move toward something. Bound away for new, shared experiences. Bound off for a new life, together.

The Toast: “To Julie and Jerry – today bound and bound – and bounded, as in surrounded, with all the love and support of your family and friends.”

Awwww. OK. So as I stepped away from the mike the lead singer in the band said, “You know that James Taylor song?”

I do. And in retrospect it’s obvious that it influenced my thinking and toast. And it’s the glue that connects us to this Monday as Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a TGIM Takeway.

Do you? The singer/songwriter James Taylor (no relation to Eric, sorry to say) was obviously inspired by MLK Jr. and, in 1991, on the album New Moon Shine, recorded this original song that both honors and pays forward the principles that guided the hero we celebrate today.

Shed A Little Light

Let us turn our thoughts today

To Martin Luther King

And recognize that there are ties between us

All men and women

Living on the earth

Ties of hope and love

Of sister and brotherhood

That we are bound together

In our desire to see the world become

A place in which our children

Can grow free and strong

We are bound together

By the task that stands before us

And the road that lies ahead

We are bound

And we are bound …

Listen up: That’s just part of it. You can hear James Taylor sing his lyrics here.

TGIM Challenge: What do you think about its message?

TGIM Takeaway: On the national holiday in the United States that commemorates the birthday of the late Martin Luther King, it’s tempting to let his eloquence speak for itself. There’s a world of wisdom in his writings and speeches that we all can apply in the pursuit of self improvement and a Best Year Ever and a Best Life Ever for ourselves and others.

But it’s also useful to realize how he inspired others and continues to, far beyond the limited frame of the Civil Rights Movement. I was pleasantly surprised to realize how, at some level, the spirit of what we as a people now honor with a national holiday moved into popular song and worked its way into a wedding toast.

And, in the light of the recent devastating tragedy in Haiti, it also speaks to our individual obligation to all in the the human family.

TGIM IDEA IN ACTION: We’re strong advocates of modeling the behavior of all-time greats. We talk often about carefully selecting your heroes and mentors. Who’s your Guru?

Choose wisely. Once again, in 2010, we are bound and we are bound.

Sisters and brothers, I hope you are as well.

Geoff Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373
tgimguy@gmail.com

P.S. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Hate multiplies hate, violence multiplies violence, and toughness multiplies toughness in a descending spiral of destruction…. The chain reaction of evil – hate begetting hate, wars producing more wars – must be broken, or we will be plunged into the dark abyss of annihilation. MLK Jr. said that in his book Strength To Love.

P.P.S. Who’s your Guru? Want to know more about proven-in- action ways to Model Your Mentors to Accelerate Your Success? It’s part of the Best Year Ever program.  Click HERE.

GEOFF STECK leads Alexander Publishing & Marketing, a company he formed in 1986. The core AP&M mission: To create and publish leadership, sales mastery, self-improvement and workplace skill-building resources and tools. The focus: Areas such as business communication, staff support, customer care and frontline management. Geoff also puts his corporate and entrepreneurial experience, independent perspective, and skills as a catalyst to work for other firms (ranging from multinational corporations to more modest operations), not-for-profits, and individuals who have conceived or developed programs or initiatives but are frustrated in getting them implemented.

Geoff Steck’s

THANK GOODNESS IT’S MONDAY

TGIM #236

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE BENJAMIN

Benjamin Franklin that is. Join me in celebrating his birthday this week — January 17.

Although Ben was born in 1706, his thinking and accomplishments are as inspired and inspiring a decade into the 21^st Century as they were before the American Revolution was being contemplated.

School daze: Impressive though it is, the Ben-as-a-Founding-Father lessons we were exposed to in the required history classes of our youth are a mere shadow of all he accomplished in his time and the lasting legacy he left.

And in the limited space of this TGIM I couldn’t begin to do them justice.

But that won’t stop me from sharing some highlights and looking for some TGIM Takeaways.

Let’s start with this: We can all recall Franklin was an inventor and improver of existing inventions – bifocals, the lightening rod, a battery, the practical Franklin stove, and an odometer for establishing the most efficient postal routes.

He played the violin, harp and guitar; composed music and, to less acclaim, invented a musical instrument. He also created a phonetic alphabet.

He experimented with electricity, made unprecedented discoveries in the natural world and contributed much more to many sciences.

He organized and inspired others, in the process creating a networking self-improvement group, volunteer fire departments, America’s first subscription library, civic leadership groups, scientific societies and insurance concerns.

But it wasn’t all business with Ben. Not by any means. He’s the first chess player known by name in the American colonies. He championed swimming when few knew how and invented a type of swim fins (for the hands) to make each stroke more efficient.

But, IMHO, his best invention is seldom considered.

Benjamin Franklin invented himself. And in doing so he invented the “modern” American and set the standard for all of us even 300+ years after his birth.

Thumbnail early biography: Ben was the fifteenth of 17 children born to a poor Puritan candle maker/soap maker in Boston. At age 10, with virtually no formal education, he was put to work with his father. At 12 he was apprenticed to his brother, a printer. At 17 he ran away from Boston to Philadelphia and became the creator and personification of the American Dream.

If you’re interested in self-improvement, Ben’s THE man. He practically invented it as it’s practiced these days. And if you’re interested in business and wealth building, being “all about the Benjamins” is being all about THE Benjamin; he’s the guy who popularized so many of the maxims we quote today.

TGIM ACTION IDEA: Ben taught himself by reading. He was a voracious reader. And, fortunately, he was a damn good writer in his eighteenth century way. So read what he wrote.

TGIM IDEA IN ACTION: Start with the two-page essay Advice to a Young Tradesman where he offers wisdom that, if followed, would have prevented the entire recent financial debacle.

Try The Way to Wealth aka Father Abraham’s Speech which is a narrative version of many of the Poor Richard maxims. It won’t be hard to find. Before the end of the eighteenth century The Way to Wealth was reprinted at least 145 times in seven different languages.

And, of course: Read (and own) Franklin’s Autobiography. It conveys his legacy as he intended others to see it with actionable what-to-do and how-to-do-it ideas.

OK, class. You have your reading assignments. Now, for today’s classroom lesson I’m handing out Ben’s 13-point plan for how he would live his life.

Be like Ben: He put together this list and plan when he was 20. It was so successful that he stuck to it and continued to practice it in some form for the rest of his life. He would focus on one point each week — “leaving all others to their ordinary chance” — and so would cycle through the whole set four times per year. He kept track of his progress with a chart on which he would put a red dot for each fault against each virtue committed that day.

In his own words: This is the set of values he says he set for himself in 1726 (plus his added commentary).

Thirteen Virtues

1. TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation.

1. SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation.

1. ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time.

1. RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.

1. FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.

1. INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ’d in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.

1. SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.

1. JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.

1. MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.

1. CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation.

1. TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.

1. CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another’s peace or reputation.

1. HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.

Like the George Washington fable, Ben couldn’t tell or live a lie either. Delve deep enough into Ben’s biography and you’ll easily discover he didn’t live completely by his virtues. In fact, by his own admission, he fell short of them many times. Still, he believed the attempt made him a better man contributing greatly to his success and happiness.

Celebrate Ben’s birthday this year. Contribute to your own success and happiness. We can do it by honoring his autobiographical wish concerning the Thirteen Virtues which was: “I hope, therefore, that some of my descendants may follow the example and reap the benefit.”

Will do, Ben. This week I’m going to reap humbly.

Geoff Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373
tgimguy@gmail.com

P.S. “The doors of wisdom are never shut.” No need to tell you who said that.

P.P.S. If your plan at this juncture is to make 2010 Your Best Year Ever, it probably makes sense to investigate the many useful secrets and strategies for creating the future of your dreams in the Best Year Ever Program. You can find out more HERE.

GEOFF STECK leads Alexander Publishing & Marketing, a company he formed in 1986. The core AP&M mission: To create and publish leadership, sales mastery, self-improvement and workplace skill-building resources and tools. The focus: Areas such as business communication, staff support, customer care and frontline management. Geoff also puts his corporate and entrepreneurial experience, independent perspective, and skills as a catalyst to work for other firms (ranging from multinational corporations to more modest operations), not-for-profits, and individuals who have conceived or developed programs or initiatives but are frustrated in getting them implemented.

Geoff Steck’s

THANK GOODNESS IT’S MONDAY

TGIM #235

NEW YEAR,

NEW RULES?

About the middle of last year (2009) we recounted a bundle of “Universal Rules” – remember? (If not, you may want to click back to TGIM #206.)

With New Year 2010 significantly under way, I’m wondering if, as part of your year-end resolution-making and goal-setting and planning, you’re thinking of enforcing any New Rules for yourself or recommitting to any Universal Rules you try to live by.

For starters: I’m sticking by a Universal Rule that’s guided my actions for many, many years. I’ve shared it with you before. The shorthand version goes –

EHFTB-FTWMIH

That stands for Everything Happens For The Best – For Those Who Make It Happen.

And for 2010 I’m going to keep applying a New Rule I recently discovered called:

“The 15-Minute Rule”

It works like this: When I don’t want to work out (which is pretty much most of the time) I have a little negotiation with myself. I tell myself that I’ll work out 15 minutes and then renegotiate. In the limited time I’ve been applying it, I find that the 15 minutes of activity breaks down my resistance and I roll on. (And, honestly, a few times I’ve called it quits; but I’m still ahead by 15 minutes, right?)

TGIM ACTION IDEA: Next time you’re confronted with a huge project … a mundane task … a craving … an action-blocker… whatever – try The 15-Minute Rule. And remember, EHFTB-FTWMIH.

But wait, there’s more. You didn’t think I’d end the first TGIM of 2010 with only that wisdom, do you?

Much more: I’ve gathered 20 “Rules” for success that are traditionally linked to famous names we recognize. To check them out – and learn a really terrific Rule Of How To Make The Most Of R.U.L.E.S. –

Zig Ziglar’s Rule: You can have everything in life you want, if you will help enough people get what they want.

Ann Lander’s Rule: It’s not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that makes them successful human beings.

Walt Disney’s Rule: If you can dream it, you can do it.

Jim Henson’s Rule: Be kind to one another.

John Wooden’s Rule: It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.

Marian Anderson’s Rule: You lose a lot of time hating people.

Pearl Buck’s Rule: The secret of joy in work is contained in one word – excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it.

B C Forbes’ Rule: If you don’t drive your business, you will be driven out of business.

Malcolm Forbes’ Rule: Executives who get there and stay there suggest solutions when they present the problems.

Harold Geneen’s Rule: It is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations are explanations, promises are promises – but only performance is a reality.

J. Paul Getty’s Rule: No one can possibly achieve real and lasting success or “get rich” in business by being a conformist.

Henry J. Kaiser’s Rule: Problems are only opportunity in work clothes.

Woody Allen’s Rule: Eighty percent of success is showing up.

Alex Noble’s Rule: Success is a process, a quality of mind and way of being, an outgoing affirmation of life.

Irving Berlin’s Rule: Talent is only a starting point in this business. You’ve got to keep working on that talent.

Bill Cosby’s Rule: If you drop out, you miss out.

William James’ Rule: The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

Rudyard Kipling’s Rule: If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting, too …

Dr. Benjamin Spock’s Rule: Trust yourself. You know more than you think you know.

Mr. (Star Trek) Spock’s Rule: Live long and prosper.

Welcome to 2010. Learn the rules. Make up your own. Abide by the ones that work for you. Set aside old rules that no longer apply. And live long and prosper.

Geoff Steck
Chief Catalyst
Alexander Publishing & Marketing

8 Depot Square

Englewood, NJ 07631
201-569-5373
tgimguy@gmail.com

P.S. No, I didn’t forget. Here’s –

The Rule

Of How To

Make The Most

Of R.U.L.E.S.

Read them.

Use them.

Live them and

Encourage others by

Sharing them.

And that leads to the Rule Of Making Up Additional Rules: Please share your useful rules via a response to this blog post or to tgimguy@gmail.com.

P.P.S. If your plan at this juncture is to make 2010 Your Best Year Ever, it probably makes sense to investigate the many useful secrets and strategies for creating the future of your dreams in the Best Year Ever Program. You can find out more HERE.

GEOFF STECK leads Alexander Publishing & Marketing, a company he formed in 1986. The core AP&M mission: To create and publish leadership, sales mastery, self-improvement and workplace skill-building resources and tools. The focus: Areas such as business communication, staff support, customer care and frontline management. Geoff also puts his corporate and entrepreneurial experience, independent perspective, and skills as a catalyst to work for other firms (ranging from multinational corporations to more modest operations), not-for-profits, and individuals who have conceived or developed programs or initiatives but are frustrated in getting them implemented.