Denying A Workplace Distraction

In preparation for a webinar last week I polled a question to the participants. The title of the webinar was "Minimizing the 5 Most Dangerous Distractions In Your Workday," and the question was, "Which of the following workplace distractions is most prevalent for you?" The answers (and responses) were:

Technology (40%)

Mental Monsters-like unfinished tasks and procrastination (32%)

Lack of Intention (16%)

Expectations (12%)

Health (0%)

None of the numbers really surprised me except the response rate about health. Maybe it's because in a forced choice question people really do see the others as being more prevalent. My experience with many people in the workplace today, however, is that those who aren't taking care of their health are more easily distracted by the other 4.

When I say health, many people's minds immediately race to physical health, and that is the most important subset of the group. It was the one that woke me up at 40 and caused me to make some lifestyle changes that skyrocketed my ability to focus on a daily basis. Once I saw the benefits from being more physically healthy, I started looking at other areas of my health that needed to be addressed. Here's a more complete look at other areas to review to evaluate how your productivity may be sabotaged by poor health:

Physical

Nutrition/Exercise/Sleep How do you physically feel throughout the day? Is your lack of physical energy ever an excuse for not working on a specific task? (For a great review of the value of sleep and what happens when we don't get the proper sleep, check out this infographic)

Mental

Managed Input/Sacred Idleness. How often do you suffer from information overload? Do you have a plan to manage it? Do you unplug mentally from time to time and give your mind a chance to relax and recharge?

Emotional

Relationships/Laughter/Service. How often do you laugh each day? How strong are your relationships? And are you taking the time to help out those less fortunate or skilled than you?

Financial

Debt/Purchases/Financial Plan. Are you quickly distracted when thinking about a heavy financial burden or how you will pay bills at the end of the month? Does any unplanned expense rattle your ability to stay focused?

 The reality is that our health is probably the ultimate key to sustaining productivity over the course of a day, week or month. If you didn't like the answers you gave in response to the questions above, don't fool yourself into thinking they aren't impacting your success...they are.

To Trust Or Not To Trust

Michael Wolff has a thought-provoking article in the January 7 issue of USA Today. He examines why our trust of so many groups, ranging from corporations to politicians, is lacking or non-existent.

His comments made me think about what factors influence me to trust someone. My list includes:

• Meeting an agreed-upon deadline
• Communicating potential problems with meeting a deadline-BEFORE the deadline arrives
• Being honest
• Taking action on what they say is important to them-and not just talking about it
• Telling me what I need to hear, not what they think I want to hear, in a way that maintains their integrity-and mine
• Taking personal responsibility when things go wrong and offering solutions on what corrective actions will be taken

As I review the list, my mind goes to Gandhi's quote, "Be the change you want to see in the world." I need to get to work on improving these same qualities within myself.

What are the behaviors of others that win your trust?

Improving Your Motivation in 2013

 

We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.

-Ellen Goodman

Goodman's quote smacked me in the face when I read it January 1st. Like most people, I, too, focus on my areas of deficiency and ones needing improvement instead of looking at the potential that already exists. It's much easier to build on the positive than to try and correct a negative.

To improve your motivation to get better results in 2013, look at areas of your work or life where you already have momentum or resources available. What can you do to keep things moving in the right direction in 2013?

Procrastination's Sidekick

 

Almost every superhero or villian has a sidekick. Someone who helps them carry out their mission. They typically work behind the scenes. This week I once again met procrastination's sidekick: Waiting.

For the past seven days I have been waiting to hear from publishers about my next book project. The interest has been strong and I am proud of the work Todd Musig (co-author on one of my previous books, Juggling Elephants) and I put into the project for over three years. On the downside, however, I have noticed that I am avoiding work on some tasks, justifying it with, "I'm waiting to hear back about the book."

The reality is that the book project should not have such a tremendous hold on my schedule, but that's what waiting does. It takes us captive and supports procrastination's goal of putting off what's important. As I've worked through the waiting this past week, I have learned that there are several things I can do to not allow waiting to "tie me up." They include:

• Focus on tasks not connected to the answer you are waiting on.
• Ask yourself, "What can I do now that will allow me to better celebrate the answer I hope to get when it comes?"
• Also ask, "What actions can I take now that will lessen the pressure to get the answer I want?" An example for me is to continue to develop new book and presentation ideas instead of relying on this one book project to define my steps.

Just know this. If you are prone to procrastination, the villian of waiting is close at hand.

Leadership And Being "Cellotastic"

One of my new musical passions is a duo called The Piano Guys. Here's the facts: One guy plays the cello and one plays the piano. Not impressed? I wouldn't be either. You have to SEE them performing to get hooked. Both Jon Schmidt and Steven Sharp Nelson have a love of their instrument that is incredible. They also exude a level of humility and respect for others that is rare in today's world. Oh, and they have a fantastic sense of humor. When their performance of a song is complete I find myself thinking, "WOW! I wish I could play the cello or piano like them."

Growing leaders is a huge focus in business today. With an increasing number of workers retiring each year, the pool of potential leaders is shrinking. While speaking at a recent conference involving over 300 leaders and managers the question was asked, "How many people would want to rise to the next level of leadership in their department?" Less than 10 percent raised their hand. Yes, leaders have pressures placed upon them that did not exist in the past, but strong leadership is needed today more than ever-in corporations, government, non-profit organizations and even our families.

The ultimate question is, "Are you performing your duties and opportunities as a leader in such a way that other people want to be YOU one day?" If not, start by watching a few moments of The Piano Guys, and start growing more leaders in your work and life.