14 Things Productive People Do In The First 15 Minutes Of The Workday

The first 15 minutes of your workday sets the tone for the rest of your workday.
If you are already too busy at the start of your workday, imagine what the rest of your day might be like when challenges arise and other people start seeking you for help.
Here are 14 things productive people do in the first 15 minutes of their workday to help them stay productive for the rest of their day.

1. They stroll into the office at least 15 minutes before official working hours

Productive people know the importance of reporting to work early. Instead of rushing to work anxiously and hoping to be on time, they leave their house early and stroll into the office calmly. They set a relaxing tone right from the start of their workday and give themselves an extra 15 minutes to be ready for work.

2. They set up their workspace like professionals

Similar to a surgeon performing an operation and a chef working in the kitchen, productive people make sure their tools are in proper position before they begin their work. Every minute counts in the operating theater and kitchen, so too in your workspace! Productive people keep their workspace organized so that they don't have to spend unnecessary time looking for what they need.

3. They review what they have done previously

It's good to review what you have done previously, especially if you've just returned from the weekend or holidays. Productive people warms themselves up for work by reminding themselves where they left off previously. Instead of jumping straight into a task, they review past achievement to give themselves some direction on what to do next and a sense of accomplishment.

4. They review their to-do list and deadlines

Productive people have a to-do list. They review their to-do list at the start of their workday so that they can strategize and plan ahead. They remind themselves of important deadlines and meetings so that they can prioritize and schedule their work accordingly.

5. They identify no more than 3 important tasks for the day

Productive people know they will be overwhelmed if they plan too much for themselves. To stay focused at work and prevent themselves from multitasking they identify no more than 3 important tasks for the day. Leo Babauta, founder of the productivity blog Zen Habits, also sets himself 3 most important tasks (MITs) each morning to move himself forward.

6. They ask themselves good questions

Productive people gain clarity on what they want to achieve each day by asking themselves good questions. They identify problems clearly and assess if these problems need to be solved. They don't waste time during their day solving unimportant issues. Asking good questions also motivates during the day. For example, Ron Friedman, an expert on human motivation, suggests to ask this question at the beginning of your workday:

The day is over and I am leaving the office with a tremendous sense of accomplishment. What have I achieved?   

7. They check their emails only if they absolutely have to

Productive people like Tumblr founder David Karp don't check or read their emails in the first 15 minutes of their workday. They know they will get distracted easily. If they anticipate important emails from their superiors and customers, they will scan their inbox for these emails and schedule replies accordingly. They don't read emails in chronological order and reply to emails immediately.

8. They put their mobile phone on silent

Productive people know they get the most work done in the morning, so they prioritize what is important and plan their work first. They put their mobile phone on silent and do not have their schedule dictated by incoming messages and notifications.

9. They close their eyes and visualize what their workday is going to be like

Similar to athletes who use visualization techniques for training and competition, productive people run through positive images of success and achievement in their mind. They mentally rehearse and practice what they have to do for the day and program their subconscious mind. When it's time for them to actually perform the task, they find it much easier.

10. They take a moment to breathe and be present

After visualizing the future, productive people take a moment to be present. They know they may get too busy during the day so they take a break even before they start their work. Breathing deeply provides oxygen to your brain. It makes you think clearer and allow you to be calmer. Successful people like Oprah Winfrey and Arianna Huffington take time to mediate in the morning too.

11. They do some light stretching

Productive people know they have to sit in front of the computer all day. They know that being inactive for too long would bring them health problems in the long run. To combat this they do some light stretching in the first 15 minutes of the workday and schedule time to stretch throughout the day.

12. They give their colleagues space and time to warm up for work

Productive people don't talk to their colleagues about work issues first thing in the morning. They respect other people's time and they know their colleagues need time to get ready for work. Unless you want others to find you early in the morning, don't go into your office and ask others for favors straightaway.

13. They serve their own needs before helping others

Productive people know the importance of fulfilling their own needs before helping others. They determine their own priorities first and slot in other people's requests later. They don't try to be supermen or superwomen and help everyone in need. They respect their 15 minute routine in the morning and will politely reject or delay requests if they are approached by others.

14. They are grateful for work and challenges ahead

Productive people remind themselves each morning how blessed they are to have a job and be of value to others. They see challenges as opportunities to grow and stretch themselves. They look forward to work each day. When you feel good about your work, it removes any negative feeling or procrastination you may have that prevents you from being productive.
Featured photo credit: Tim Ferriss by Scott Beale / Laughing Squid via laughingsquid.com
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10 Things You’ll Never Find In A Productive Office

To ensure that work is completed, deadlines are met and workflow is steady throughout an office, employees must be productive. There was a time when this meant employees should work at full capacity constantly and that they must prioritise their tasks above all other responsibilities.

Fortunately, this is swiftly becoming an outdated idea. Today, many bosses are encouraging their members of staff to be creative, sociable and happy as well as proactive, accurate and productive. These new work environments that avoid an uninviting, bureaucratic setting or situations where employees feel overwhelmed often result in a significantly more productive atmosphere!

To ensure your office is a constructive and dynamic workplace, check out these 10 things you’d never find in a productive office:

1. They Avoid Progression

As I mentioned above: times are changing. Employees can no longer be viewed from a head office as stock-humans that must dedicate all of their attention to work between the hours of 9am and 5pm.

For productivity to flow, trust to build and overall employee happiness to flourish, you must encourage it. By following these steps you can begin to evolve, progress and improve.

2. Leaders Set Unclear Expectations

When it comes to working with others, be it in an office or everyday life, it’s important to remember that your group is not comprised of psychic super beings. If you are unclear about your expectations your team will have no real idea of what they’re supposed to be achieving.

Be sure to set clear, attainable goals for both the team and the individuals within it. Be accommodating to each individual and make sure you are fully understood by all before sending them on their way.

3. Nobody Plans Ahead

It’s far easier to plan ahead than to regret a project’s flaws in hindsight. Worse still, trying to work out a plan whilst in the middle of a task can completely drain your productive energy and focus.

Make sure you construct a few guidelines and goals before beginning an assignment and you’ll have it done in no time.

4. Delegating Is Discouraged

Have you ever wondered why potential employers always want to know whether you work well in a team? Well one of the reasons could be because they expect you to delegate work to increase productivity. Each individual in an office has different skills that are better suited to different tasks, so it makes sense to assign tasks to those best suited instead of becoming overwhelmed and disheartened.

5. Multitasking Is Encouraged

Whilst delegating is a great idea, multitasking isn’t. Switching and sharing your attention between tasks may mean you get more done, but it doesn’t necessarily guarantee a satisfactory level of quality. Focus all of your attention on one task and your dedication will show though.

6. There Are Interruptions And Distractions

Whilst were on the topic of focus: nothing is more detrimental than being constantly interrupted or distracted. Whilst you’re working, close your email and other tabs to ensure you are 100% disruption free. If it’s an employee or manager that’s causing the interruptions, it may be time to hold an interruption intervention.

7. Breaks Are Few And Far Between

If you’ve ever seen a movie or TV show set in an office then you’ll know those who have breaks around the water cooler are often seen as slackers. Meanwhile, those who skip their breaks are depicted as productivity champions who are more dedicated to their work than their social lives. This could not be more wrong!

Breaks are a fantastic way to allow employees to decompress their brains, relax, get their thought juices flowing and most importantly: enjoy work. Walk around, grab a coffee, go on social media or call someone: these are not time wasters! When you return to your work, close your tabs and put your phone away you’ll feel refreshed and ready for another focused, productive few hours.

8. Games Are Forbidden

Speaking of breaks: what could be more fun than a game of pool or ping-pong? Games areas are becoming more and more popular in work environments, particularly in the tech industry and in start-ups. Allowing games into your office will encourage bonding, develop team dynamics, relieve stress and advance activity.

9. Working From Home Is Not An Option

Another idea that’s becoming more popular is telecommuting. Many employers believe working from home will lead to a decline in productivity, when really many employees will work harder in order to disprove these misconceptions and maintain the privilege.

Working from home has never been easier, with new video conferencing apps, chat tools and task sites being developed almost every day.

10. No Flexible Work Times

For decades now, a 9 to 5 day has been the usual and for most this just isn’t beneficial. Modern life and workloads can be unpredictable, meaning some people may need to come in earlier or work later into the day. To accommodate this, try trusting your employees with their working hours. For example, if somebody stays late on an evening, why not allow them to come in later the next morning.

Featured photo credit: Workspace Desk from Above via picjumbo.com

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10 So-called Personality Flaws That Will Make You Highly Successful

Do people call you eccentric or different?
Maybe they get angry with some of the things that you do. Maybe they don't agree with them. You begin to question yourself and wonder if there's something wrong with you.
But many great people in history have had so called "flaws" that have actually sky-rocketed them to success. Perhaps you might identify with some of these.

1. You get obsessed with things easily

Obsession can be dangerous if left unchecked. It's great to love something, but when you begin to lose sleep, relationships, and your health to it, that's an issue.
But obsession with something can also be a powerful force. Nobody ever achieved something by "kind of liking" it. They believed in it with all their heart. They knew that if anybody was going to make it happen, it had to be them.
And so you to are obsessed with something. Perhaps it's music, writing, a hobby, a passion, but that obsession will drive you to success.

2. You rely on other people for support in your goals

There is a large movement in society today to be an individual. Yes, it's great to "be yourself" and chart your own path. But that doesn't mean you don't need the help of others to get there.
Getting to the top is great, but what if nobody is there to celebrate with you when you finally get there?
It'd be a very lonely place.
Every single great person, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Richard Branson, needed and accepted help. And you doing the same is a great thing. You propel yourself to success but you understand others will help you get there.
You don't default to them and assume that they will do everything for you, but you let them give you some speed – whether that's as a business contact, an intimate relationship, or otherwise, you understand people can and are necessary to help you.

3. You are stubborn and refuse to quit. You are OK with failing . . . a lot.

Unsuccessful people hit a road bump or fail and give up. Successful people keep failing and keep going, because they know it leads to the reward at the end. About inventing the lighbulb, Thomas Edison is famous for saying, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
So go ahead – be stubborn. Keep trying until you get what you want.
"But you failed, doesn't that hurt?" people ask.
"Nope," you respond. "It just means I need to try something else."

4. You may have introverted tendencies

In Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, Susan Cain talks about how society is extravert focused – big open offices for working, bars for meeting people. These are all great for extroverts to shine, but not introverts.
And so when an introverted person needs time alone to work, or is quiet and listens in a conversation compared to being a chatterbox, or prefers reading a book at home to going out, they are thought of as weird, depressed, or anti-social.
Or, maybe after they go to a party and then need time to re-charge (as socializing, talking, and the outside world is a HUGE drain on introverts), they decline social invites and their friends get mad at them.
There is nothing wrong with being an introvert, and some amazing people belong to that category. Abraham Lincoln, Bill Gates, and Albert Einstein are just a few (see more here).
So go ahead – read that book. Just make sure to get some outside air once in a while. Introverts thrive in extroverted environments sometimes BETTER than extroverts at times, if they've had time to recharge in their own world.

5. You follow a different path, and care less about what people think

Society pushes you to follow a specific path – elementary/high school, university, 9-5 job, marriage, 2.5 kids, work 40+ years, retire around 65, live until somewhere in the 70+ range and then pass on.
You see people posting to Facebook, Twitter, etc. for validation. You think, "What's the point? Why do I need to constantly tell people what I'm doing?"
And you don't agree. You want to go become a monk for 3 months. You want to just scrape by in terms of salary and travel the world. You don't want to ever get married.
Good. Carve your own path, and don't listen to anyone else. There's only one person you can make 100% happy 100% of the time:
You.
Nobody great ever became great by doing exactly what others did.

6. You put yourself and your time first in a manner some might call selfish or weird

Continuing on from the above, the actions you take may make people think you are a bit strange – not going out all the time, not getting a specific job, not taking the swankiest apartment, saying no to helping a billion people so you have time to yourself.
The most valuable asset you have is not your money, but your time. Time is gone once it passes, so go ahead, be selfish. If someone is not deserving of your time and energy, leave. If something is not deserving of the time either, don't do it.
Be ruthless.

7. You are OK with making others angry, sad, or unhappy with you

And so as you follow a different path and put yourself first, people become upset with you. Maybe you make your Mom sad by not being at home as much as you travel the world. Maybe you leave a relationship behind to continue a business. Maybe you hold your boundaries on a deal you agreed upon with a business partner and demand terms be met.
Well keep going.
You don't intentionally want to make people unhappy, you just hold your personal boundaries and know there's nothing you can do to force people to feel great about your choices. And you are OK and accepting of this.

8. You see the positive in everything and shirk most of the negative (or aren't as affected by it)

Assuming everything is OK when things need to be taken care of is unhealthy.
For example, not having a place to live and running out of money living in hotels and saying, "Oh I believe it will come to me if I just think of good things" is ludicrous. It's the same as not having a job and needing an income. Or, being single but wanting to date.
However, what is healthy is to focus on all the opportunities and positivity that is out there:
"I don't have a place to live, but I can put time into finding one, and I have money to support myself for now."
"There are tons of places to look for jobs. I'm qualified and highly educated, so if I send out some CVs and ask some of my contacts I'm sure I can find something."
"There are hundreds of people around me every day, I should try talking to them. Or, I can sign up for online dating services. There's lots of people out there looking for someone just like I am!"
If all you think are negative thoughts, all you get are negative emotions. Successful people process challenging or negative situations and may get sad or angry, but are quick to turn the situation into a positive and take affirmative action.
Some say you should be chained down by misery and problems. You say you should take decisive action but continue to enjoy life. You understand that it's worth learning how to be happier.

9. You over-prepare a tiny bit

On a trip, you bring medicine just in case. For a business proposal, you have an alternative idea or budget in case your boss shoots it down. If the restaurant is closed, you know of another one nearby.
You might be a bit anxious, and you're OK with thinking on your feet. But you prefer planning in advance to deal with possible situations.
People say you over-complicate a bit, and sometimes this is true. But most of the time you have the last laugh when things go over smoothly because you had the foresight to plan. And foresight, is the name of the game when it come to success.

10. You move slower than everyone else

People rush to get a billion things done in a day: see 50 travel sites, talk to as many people as they can, go to 10 parties.
You don't understand this.
Not only does moving slower allow you to do things better, but you enjoy life more and aren't running around with high blood pressure all the time.
You accept you can only do a finite number of things during the day, talk to a certain amount of people, and do a certain amount of stuff and work to the best of your ability to accomplish these goals.
You believe in quality over quantity, and it shows in the rich fabric you weave in the story that is your life.
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10 Most Fascinating Facts About Dreams

You standing alone in the dark, stormy night and your heart is pumping like a drum. A murderer is following you in a black coat and you are his next victim. When your body is shivering and you hardly can walk, you still running for the life. Then suddenly…you wake up.

Sounds familiar?

This is one of the most common dream seen all over the world. Dreams and questions associated with it have always been a mystery from the beginning. Why we dreams? What they mean? The list of questions is long, but the answers are blurred.

The following are the 10 most fascinating facts about dreams:

10. Blind People Dream

We see faces and objects in our dreams. But those who are blind by birth know nothing about images and colors. Yet, they see auditory dreams. They listen sound, recognize odor, and feel vibrations in their dreams. Those who become blind later in life, though, see images. Moreover, a Danish study shows that blind people have more nightmares than sighted people.

9. We Forget 90% of Our Dreams

We spend nearly one-third of our life asleep, and unfortunately we couldn’t remember most of it. About 95% of our dreams forgotten as we gets out of bed. Though we most likely to remember our dreams if awakened out of REM sleep as compared to full night sleep, but that doesn’t explain the whole story. A study in the Journal of Adolescent health in 2011 showed that adolescent girls were more likely to remember dreams as compared to their male counterparts.

8. We only dream of what we know

We see strange faces in our dreams. About 48% of people in our dream are unknown to us. But are they really strange and our brain is creating those faces? No, they are real faces and we’ve seen those faces somewhere in our life. May be the man, who were trying to kill you in your last dream, met you in grocery store when you were a child.

7. Few people dream in black and white

Though most of us see dreams in color, but there are some percentage of people who claims that they dream without colors. They see dreams in black and white. When they have been asked, right after awakened from dream, to select color from a chart, they frequently selected soft pastel. A 2008 study at University of Dundee found that people who only exposed to black and white television in childhood are more likely to see dreams in black and white.

6. Lucid dreams

Imagine you decide where to go, whom to meet, and what to do in your dreams. For some people this imagination is possible and they do it all the time. There is a whole community of people who claims that they have mastery in dreaming, and have abilities to control their dreams completely. They use different techniques to learn controlling their dreams and can do unbelievable things like flying, passing through walls, traveling to different dimensions and even back in time. They are lucid dreamers.

5. Inventions inspired by dreams

Dreams have always been inspiration for writers. But some dreams inspired for the discoveries and inventions.

One dream inspired Madame C.J. Walker to invent hair products that made her the first female American self-made millionaire. Elias Howe invented the sewing machine inspired from one of his dream. Some other discoveries are;

• The idea of Google – Larry page
• Alternating current generator – Tesla
• DNA’s double helix spiral form – James Watson
• Periodic table – Dimitri Mendeleyev

4. Premonition dreams

Premonition dreams are to see the glitch of future. There are many cases where people claim they saw some event prior to its occurrence in their dream. You can say it is a coincidence but they claim that the things happened exactly in a same way that they saw in their dreams. Some of the famous premonition dreams are:

• Abraham Lincoln dreamt of his assassination.
• 19 verified precognitive dreams about the Titanic catastrophe.
• Mark Twain’s dream of his brother’s demise.
• Many of the victims of 9/11 had dreams warning them about the catastrophe.

3. DMT (A Dream drug)

Some people have such addiction to dreams so that they create them artificially by using a drug known as DMT. “DMT (Dimethyltryptamine) is a chemical created in trace amounts by the pineal gland during normal metabolism, and may be released in massive amounts during birth, death, hallucinations and dreams” says Dr. Rick Strassman. It is illegal and most wanted psychedelic drug which is rare to acquire. In an experiment with this intense psychoactive compound between 1990-1995, Dr. Strassman found some subjects experienced alien abduction, mystical, religious and saw things which was not there.

2. Dreaming can help you learn

Remember the movie “The Matrix” where Neo got all his training through dreams. To learn things while dreaming may sound fictional, but it is not. A study found that dreaming about a task we’ve learned is associated with improved performance in that activity. In an experiment in 2010, 99 participants were asked to navigate virtual maze on a computer screen. Half of them then allowed to sleep after the task and half were not allowed. That study found students who dreamed about a computer maze task they had learned showed a 10-fold improvement compared to participants who didn’t dream.

1. Men vs Women Dreams

Despite there are some common dreams, they varied depending on gender. A women’s dream world is different than a men’s dream world. Women tend to see more frequent and nightmares than men, and more likely to remember their dreams as compared to men. When 67% characters of men’s dream are other men, 48% characters in women’s dream are other women. When men often dream about aggressive encounters with other men, women more often dream about family and familiar surroundings.

Written By: Munender Singh

24 Steps for the Most Productive 24-Hour Day

"Rome wasn't built in a day" is a saying that demonstrates the need for time to create great things. Mastering a skill, craft, or habit can take a long time – sometimes years.
John Heywood, who was an English playwright from hundreds of years ago, put a remarkable twist onto this famous saying: "Rome wasn't built in a day, but they were laying bricks every hour." According to Heywood, Rome is just the result and the bricks are the system. The system is greater than the goal.
Whether you want to launch a successful business, get promoted to a management position within your company, or invent the next big social media network, in order to reach your goal, a brick by brick approach is going to have to be taken from the moment you get up until the second you fall asleep.
Envisioning the entire day ahead of you can be a daunting task. Whether you have deadlines to meet, a flight to catch or important meetings to attend, making sure you have a positive outlook for the day ahead is crucial for being able to tackle issues and accomplish goals.
Throughout the span of 24 hours, a great deal of work can be achieved for the most productive 24-hour day.

1. Wake Up Early

This might sound difficult to pull off, but doing so will provide you with more time to accomplish important tasks and activities.
Apple's CEO Tim Cook is known for getting up early and sending out company emails at 4:30 in the morning. According to an article by CBS, emails sent from 6 am to 7 am are about three times more likely to be opened than emails sent at 4 pm. Many CEOs and top-level executives wake up in the early morning. What is holding you back?
With limited distractions in the morning, this time has the potential to be your most productive part of the day.

2. Visually See Your Goals

Jeff Gittomore, author of The Sales Bible, suggests that you put your goals in front of your face. Write your goals on Post-It Notes on your bathroom mirror and read them twice a day until they're accomplished. Then post them on your bedroom mirror.
Visually seeing your goals each and every day will not allow for you to forget about what you are trying to accomplish.  Looking at your goals each day will make your 24-hours more productive.

3. Watch Motivational Videos 

Let's face it; projects at work aren't going to go perfectly 100% of the time. It can be hard to stay motivated if something doesn't go your way. Each day before you open your first email, watch a motivational clip online to get your mindset in the right place.
Zig Ziglar is a master for motivating individuals, businessmen and businesswomen.
When you watch a short and positive video to start the day, your mind will start thinking optimistically, which will provide you with a positive outlook for the day

4. Leave Drama Behind

If you want to be able to concentrate properly at work, there cannot be drama and stress weighing over your head. If you got into an argument with your significant other the night before, make sure to make up before you start the workday.
According to helpguide.com, emotional intelligence is built by reducing stress. The ability to resolve conflicts positively and with confidence will help reduce your stress level. This will lead to a more productive day.

5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast

According to WebMD, adults need to eat breakfast each and every day in order to perform at their optimal levels. Eating a wholesome, nutritious morning meal will get your body feeling great.
By recharging your brain and body, you'll be more efficient in just about everything you do.

6. Write Down Daily Goals

The author of The Sales Bible, Jeffery Gittimore, suggested looking at your long-term goals each and every day.
There is nothing better than accomplishing a task from your "to-do" list and being able to cross it off your checklist. Writing down daily goals will help you stay more organized and accomplish more.

7. Stay Hydrated

When you are putting in long work hours over the course of 24 hours, it is vital to hydrate your body so it can perform mentally and physically at its peak level.
According to the Mayo Clinic, the lack of water can lead to dehydration, a condition that occurs when you don't have enough water in your body to carry out normal functions. Even mild dehydration can drain your energy and make you tired.
Make sure to drink 8 glasses of water per day and you will see your energy levels over the course of the day start to increase.

8. Check Fewer Emails

In the digital age that we live in, it is hard to unplug from our desktop and mobile devices. This can also result in an obsession with checking email.
When you are constantly checking and responding to emails, you will be less productive with other tasks that you are trying to accomplish.
According to a study out of the University of British Columbia, the average person checks email 15 times a day. Amazingly, the study suggests three times is the right amount to keep added stress away.
Start checking your inbox less frequently and start accomplishing more. You will feel like a completely new person with the added time you have by not obsessing over your inbox J

9. Do Something that Makes You Happy

If you enjoy reading your local newspaper on the weekends, start incorporating this into your daily routine. If you are waking up earlier each day, there will be more time to do activities that you actually enjoy doing.
Life is too short not to enjoy each and every day. Incorporating an activity that makes you happy should be a part of your 24-hour schedule.

10. Workout

The combination of work and family in addition to errands can make 24-hours seem like a short time span. Even if you don't have the time for a long workout, doing some type of physical activity will be extremely beneficial for your health.
According to US News & World Report, exercising increases your productivity and gets your endorphins going.
Do a quick set of 25 pushups and 25 sit-ups each and every morning or in the evening before you go to bed. This will get your heart rate going and provide you with more energy.
Your physical and mental health will improve if you incorporate some type of workout into your daily routine.

11. Less Meetings

Thomas Sowell, an American economist, said, "The least productive people are usually the ones who are most in favor of holding meetings."
An article from Forbes suggests scheduling meetings for half of the time you originally intended to. If the meeting is scheduled for a shorter time span, the agenda can likely still get covered in a quicker and more efficient manner.

12. Reduced Commute Time

I have a business acquaintance in New York that commutes into the city 90-minutes each way.
Luckily, I am able to walk to my office within 10-minutes based off of the great location of my apartment. By having a much less drastic commute time, I'm able to save 15-hours per week compared to the New York businessman.
Sometimes, your living situation can be hard to change. If you have the opportunity to make your commute shorter, this can greatly increase your effectiveness in the office and enhance your overall style of life outside of the workplace.
Imagine having an extra 3-hours per day for either the gym or to read your favorite magazine? By reducing your commute time, this daily schedule change can become a reality.

13. Do something that makes you uncomfortable

Science has proven that doing something that scares you will make you more productive.
Whether you decide to strike up a conversation in the elevator with a stranger or cold a CEO to try and land a meeting, you should make it a goal each day to do 3-things that make you uncomfortable. Each day
We are creators of habit and are known to get stuck in monotonous routines. Doing something that makes you uncomfortable each day will allow for you to stand out amongst the competition and accomplish goals you never thought could be achieved.

14. Don't Hold Grudges

The Mayo Clinic states that letting go of grudges and bitterness can make way for happiness, health and peace.
Grudges typically pertain to events that have happened in the past. Make sure to focus on the present moment and the future and not waste your time on something that can't be changed from the past.
Confucius said it best. "To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it."

15. Reach Out to Influencers

Let's say that you have been reading a specific sports blogs over the past few years and continue to find inspiration from this columnist. You like the content so much that you have contemplated starting your own sports blog!
Find this blogger's contact information and reach out to him or her! Tell the blogger how much inspiration his or her articles have given you. You will be pleasantly surprised by how often someone will appreciate the kind words and respond to you.
Whether the response is through a tweet or an email, hearing back from someone to whom you look up can provide you with a huge boost of motivation.
If you reach out to someone you admire each day, the influential people that you will end up meeting will amaze you this will drastically grow your network.

16. Write A Journal Entry Each Day

Psychcentral.com states, "There is increasing evidence to support the notion that journaling has a positive impact on physical well-being."
You can learn a lot from going back in time and looking through all of your journal entries. You will be able to see the growth you have achieved and remember both the good and bad times in your business and personal endeavors.
You never know if the journal entry from today will lead to your next big business endeavor or great invention. Venting in the form of written communication is also a great stress reliever.

17. Face-to-Face Meeting

With our reliance on social media and smart phones, face-to-face interaction seems to be forgotten at times.
Make sure to schedule a face-to-face meeting during your day. Whether this is with your best friend for happy hour or your college professor, it is always a nice feeling when you can talk with someone in-person about what is happening in your life.
If you hold more face-to-face meetings each day, more important events will happen in your life.

18. Don't Multi-Task

Focus on just one task at a time and do it with your full focus. This creates less stress and will allow for better results and less chaos.
Don't be scared to turn down projects. There is nothing worse than doing multiple projects with a mediocre result. Instead, focus on one-task and hit a homerun with that project.

19. Drink Coffee

Some people might not need caffeine in their life, which is a great feat in and of itself!
Having a cup or two of coffee before lunch can give your workday a nice jump-start with the added fuel. Just make sure not to drink too much, otherwise you can be a jittery mess.
Drinking coffee on a daily basis can give you a nice boost of energy to accomplish more over the span of 24-hours.

20. Plan Ahead

At the end of each day, plan ahead and make a "to do" list for all of the tasks you need to accomplish for the following day. Completing and checking off the items on your list will help motivate you to accomplish your project goals. This will also reduce stress when you plan ahead.
Alan Lakein states it best. "Failing to plan is planning to fail."

21. Read Often

If you are in the real estate field, reading up on news within the industry help you stay fresh and relevant when it comes to your line of work.
Reading can also help you come up with fresh ideas. After all, if you are reading information pertinent to your industry, there will be many ideas that you have while observing the information.
Even if you read just for pleasure, this will help stimulate your brain on a daily basis while helping you develop more ideas. Start reading each day and incorporating this into your routine!

22. Organized Calendar

Maintaining a calendar for meetings, deadlines and events is an absolute must.
When there are a million and a half things taking place in your day, it is hard to remember information pertaining to the future. An organized calendar will help you be productive for future events.

23. Go to Bed Early

If you are watching television until midnight, you should change your habits and start getting a good eight hours of rest per night. Experts generally recommend seven to nine hours a night for healthy adults.
If you really want to make the most out of your 24-hours, you should start getting a good nights rest so you will have the proper energy to tackle all of the tasks that lay ahead of you.

24. Smile

Researchers at the University of Kansas found that the act of smiling has a positive effect on our happiness and physical health, helping the heart recover more quickly after stressful events.
More people want to be around someone that smiles. If you are happy, you will be amazed with what you will be able to accomplish with an optimistic attitude. Start smiling more each day and enjoying everything that your life has to offer. This will help in many areas of your life.
Featured photo credit: BigStock Photo via bigstockphoto.com
The post 24 Steps for the Most Productive 24-Hour Day appeared first on Lifehack.

How To Work Faster And Smarter

Do you want to work faster and smarter? It can seem like an impossible task when your to-do list is as long as your arm and the work is still piling up, but the reality is that often the common methods we choose when working are not the most productive ones.
Check out 10 tips to help you to work smarter and faster.

1. Avoid Multitasking

Although a small amount of people are great at multitasking, for most people multitasking just reduces efficiency. Doing two tasks at once means you're more likely to make little mistakes, as your brain is jumping from task to task. Focus on one task and fully complete it before moving on to the next one to produce better quality work in the same amount of time – or less!

2. Turn Off Your Non-Essential Technology

Nowadays technology is a huge part of most people's working day, but it can really slow you down. When are you most productive during your working day? Whether it is first thing in the morning or early in the afternoon, schedule two hours to put your phone on silent and switch off your email notifications.
You can ring and email people back once the time is over, but during that time you will work faster because you chose to only focus on your work.

3. Shut The Door While You Work

Many companies have an open door policy at work to encourage openness. However, if you want to work faster, close your door for at least a few hours during the day. Interruptions and distractions are much more likely to happen if the door is open, so cut out the temptation if you want to have an extra productive day.

4. Create A Personalized Structure

Most people tend to work faster and smarter if they have a structure. Remember that everyone is different; something that works well for your boss may not work as well for you.
Think about when you are at your most productive, and try to plan your working day around that time. Remember to plan responding to calls and emails, too; most people simply do this throughout the day, slowing down their work and making themselves less efficient.

5. Set A Finish Time

If you know you will be leaving the office at 6, it will help you work more efficiently until then. Knowing you have a deadline will help you to prioritize tasks, as well as making you less likely to procrastinate.

6. Pre-Plan Breaks

Taking short breaks helps you to stay focused so that you work faster and smarter. If you
don't schedule them into your day, you can end up taking breaks that are too long, or not taking any at all, which can result in you becoming stressed or working to a lower standard.
Try to spend your break productively – stretch your legs and make a cup of tea, rather than logging onto Facebook.

7. Remember Some Tasks Are More Important Than Others

Many people feel like they have put too much effort into a meaningless task at work at least once. Try to remember this when you decide how important each of your jobs are; some are career-changing and some will never be noticed.
If a task only takes 10 minutes, don't try to make it amazing and spend half an hour on it – it won't become any more important. Instead, focus on the tasks that you know matter.

8. Set A Bedtime And Keep To It

As well as a work schedule, having a sleep schedule for the days you work will help you to work faster and smarter. You will work more efficiently if you have slept well, so set a bed time that means you get enough sleep, and turn off the internet on your phone so you stick to it.

9. Keep Your Desk And Laptop Clutter Free

The less clutter you have, the less stress you will feel. This especially applies to work when your stress levels are often higher. Keep a clear desktop and desk to make it easier for you to find anything you need, so you don't have to waste time and you can keep a clear head.

10. Make Sure You Have Everything You Need

Planning ahead and making sure you have everything you need will help to save you time and help you to work faster. Before you start your working day, make sure your phone and laptop are charged, and that you have all of the equipment you need. Having to look for a pencil, or charge your laptop could take quarter of an hour out of your day, and you may struggle to refocus on work afterwards.
The post How To Work Faster And Smarter appeared first on Lifehack.

10 Signs You Are A Workaholic But Not A High Performer

According to "Psychology Today", the average person will spend 90,000 hours at work during their lifetime. That's a lot of meeting for meetings to schedule your next meeting. I feel your pain too.
The truth is, we will spend A LOT of time at work. And unfortunately, not all companies have the culture or progressive mindset to create work-life balance within the workplace. According to the Quality of Working Life Report, 25% of employees say work is their main source of stress and 40% say their job is "very or extremely stressful."
But the key here is to not wait for your company to create balance in your work life. Instead, you have the opportunity to take charge!
Because we all know stress + unhappiness + workaholic tendencies = low performer.
Don't let this happen to you! Here are 10 signs you are a workaholic but not a high performer.

1. You chase feverishly after nothing.

One of the most common signs you are a workaholic but not a high performer is that you work like a dog — long days, long weeks, long projects that seemingly focus on nothing tangible. It's like watching a dog chase their tail.
High performing people are goal oriented, while workaholics are volume oriented. As in, "wow, look how much we accomplished" instead of "wow, look what we accomplished."
As Henry David Thoreau put it, "What you get by achieving your goals is not as important as what you become by achieving your goals."

2. You never pull back on the throttle.

Go, go, go is your motto! Like life, energy is not infinite. However, workaholics will literally work themselves to exhaustion — and then try to work some more. High performers leverage awareness to know when to turn it up or down a notch.

3. You put everyone else's needs before your own.

Don't be a martyr. High performing people recognize and understand that it's okay to put their needs in front of someone else from time to time because in doing so, they provide the best version of themselves.
Workaholics, however, tend to be selfless in nature but in doing so often over-extend and create an unsustainable version of themselves.

4. You focus 100% of your energy on things you have absolutely no control over.

At the end of the day, time is really all we have in life. Unfortunately, workaholics will spend a majority of their time placing their energy into things they cannot control – income, outcomes, coworkers, etc.
High performers are naturally their own critical judges as they focus much of their time on their effort. They eat, breathe, and sleep the mantra "the best version of you."

5. Your day is comprised of reacting to "things."

When you walk into work every morning, do you go in with a game plan and build your day around the most important tasks, or do you let others dictate how your day will go? If it's the latter, then you might be a workaholic. High performing people are the drivers of their schedule, workaholics sit shotgun.
Tony Robbins was once famously quoted asking the question, "How am I going to live today in order to create the tomorrow I am committed to?"
Perhaps you should ask yourself this question too.

6. You allow others to determine your worth.

This is a tricky one, especially for Millennials. Workaholics crave external validation – supervisors, colleagues, and friends. They just want some praise! Unfortunately this is a very similar characteristic of Millennials, as many were raised during the "and you get a trophy for breathing" era.
High performers, on the other hand, recognize their own self-worth and thus create feedback loops to continue to develop and grow professionally. Again, being proactive instead of reactive.
As the great Walt Disney said, "The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique."

7. You constantly find yourself unhappy with your results, even after obtaining a goal.

If you use the word "enough" in a negative connotation in your work life, you are probably a workaholic. This isn't good enough, I am not good enough, and there isn't enough time in the day – enough, enough, enough…enough!
High performing people value and recognize the margin needed for success regardless of whether it's a little or a lot.

8. You become judgmental of your colleague's work ethic.

Workaholics obviously put in a lot of extra hours at work "to get the job done." However, in doing so, many often become judgmental of their counterparts, as they focus on quantity and not quality.
A high performer's number one goal is to do business – and recognize that business will come in waves. A workaholic's number one goal is to be busy, and if they feel other people aren't "busy," then they aren't putting in maximum effort.

9. You eat every meal at your desk.

The key is to work smarter, not harder. Workaholics tend to believe harder is smarter, and because of that they don't see the value in intermittent periods of renewal in their days. High performers know the value of taking time for themselves throughout the day, especially when it comes to replenishing energy stores.

10. You work all the time and hardly ever get promoted.

When it came to your last review time, were you passed up on a promotion? Did your supervisor use phrases like "you definitely worked a lot" or "you get a lot done," but then struggled to pinpoint specific, impactful achievements of yours?
If this sounds like your last review, then you may be a workaholic too. High performers will frequently get promoted – not only because of what they did, but what they can do moving forward. And you can't be visionary and talk about what you "can do" if you are stuck in the weeds all of the time.
The post 10 Signs You Are A Workaholic But Not A High Performer appeared first on Lifehack.


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15 Inspiring Books Every Leader Should Not Miss

The ideas and stories we read as leaders shape us. To improve your leadership, take the time to read these important books. You will learn from the giants of history and pick up new skills that will help you to grow further.

1. "Good to Great" by Jim Collins

Jim Collins has earned a reputation as one of the best business authors and researchers of his generation. I have read several of his books and recommend starting with this title. For leaders in corporate America, this book is outstanding. In their chapter on leadership, the authors demolish the claim that egocentric CEOs are required for companies to achieve greatness.
For an introduction to the ideas, read Good To Great by Jim Collins, an article that provides an overview of the book's key ideas.
Buy "Good to Great" on Amazon.

2. "Getting Things Done" by David Allen

Self-management and organization are essential for leaders. While some leaders have assistants to aid them, an assistant cannot help if you do not provide direction on what you want.
David Allen's classic book on organization provides a comprehensive system to organize your life and stay focused on priorities. After all, if you are distracted with your email inbox, you will never have the capacity to develop your people.
Buy "Getting Things Done" on Amazon.

3. "Washington: A Life" by Ron Chernow

Leaders study other leaders. Washington himself studied Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. This sweeping 800 page biography ranks as one of the best biographies I have ever read.
As America's first president and a central leader during the Revolutionary War, Washington holds a special place in the history of world leadership. Yet, I was most surprised to learn that Washington often avoided taking leadership roles because he was concerned that he would be labelled a dictator or would-be king.
The book is also excellent in showing how Washington dealt with teams during the war and the presidency.
Buy "Washington: A Life" on Amazon.

4. "Mastery" by Robert Greene

Leadership (and power) comes in many forms. In this book, Robert Greene explains how to become a master in a given field. The book covers mastery from a variety of approaches.
For example, Green strongly encourages aspiring masters to apprentice themselves to masters who can teach them new skills and accelerate their growth. Whether you seek to achieve excellence in art, technology, business or another field, do yourself a favor and read this book.
Buy "Mastery" on Amazon.

5. "Developing The Leader Within You" by John C. Maxwell

"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. The leader adjusts the sails." – John C. Maxwell
Maxwell has made a name for himself as one of America's top experts on leadership. I read this book last year when a friend gave it to me. Why should you read this book?
Maxwell makes the point that leadership ability starts with your character and abilities. One of my favorite observations from the book: that problem solving is the quickest way to gain leadership. The book is also full of thought provoking comments and workbook style sections to help you put the ideas into action.
Buy "Developing The Leader Within You" on Amazon.

6. "Churchill: A Life" by Sir Martin Gilbert

"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often." – Winston Churchill
This one volume biography of Churchill offers an outstanding introduction to one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. Written by Churchill's official biographer, this book is a serious read that took me weeks to work through.
Gilbert works through Churchill's long career – in the Army, in the House of Commons and his leadership during the World Wars. For leaders seeking inspiration, I recommend studying Churchill for several reasons.
First, Churchill was a master public speaker and writer: he won the Noble Prize in Literature in 1953. So his works are definitely worth studying.
Second, Churchill faced the challenge of leading his country through terrible wars: if you are working through a difficult task, Churchill can inspire you.
Buy "Churchill: A Life" on Amazon.

7. "The Effective Executive" by Peter F. Drucker

Peter Drucker (1909-2005) was one of the most influential management thinkers in American history. This short book is an excellent companion to "Getting Things Done" referenced above. This book provides clear recommendations to help leaders master their time and make decisions effectively.
These key skills separate top leaders from those who struggle to make an impact. Mark Horstman, the co-founder of the Manager Tools consulting firm, has read this classic book multiple times.
Buy "The Effective Executive" on Amazon.

8. "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die" by Chip and Dan Heath

Published in 2007, this book is a must read for leaders seeking to communicate a message to the world. Whether you are launching a new product, fundraising for a cause or simply making an impact, "Made To Stick" is well worth reading.
For example, memorable ideas tend to be unexpected or have some surprising aspect. To learn the other key aspects of why some ideas fail and others succeed, read the book.
Buy "Made To Stick" on Amazon.

9. "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor E. Frankl

After seeing this book recommended over and over again, I finally read this book in December 2014. And it is no wonder this book comes so highly recommended.
Frankl shares his experience of enduring concentration camps during the Second World War and what he learned from the experience. For leaders who are struggling through a time of great suffering, Frankl's book may be exactly what you need to gain a new perspective.
Buy "Man's Search for Meaning" on Amazon.

10. "The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World" by Niall Ferguson

Leaders need to know how the world of money works. For those seeking the big picture perspective, Ferguson's book is one of the best books I have read on economic history. He explains the long relationship between risk and money.
In addition, he also looks at the history of bubbles – the Dot Com bubble of 2000 and the housing bubble of the 2000s are only the latest installments in a much longer story. Reading books like this gives leaders the ability to ask better questions and handle money more effectively.
Buy "The Ascent of Money" by Amazon.

11. "Tribes" by Seth Godin

Godin first made his name as a marketing expert and has now moved on to broader questions of leadership and personal development. "Tribes" makes the point that digital tools allow almost anyone to become a leader. Godin shows that resources and tools are no longer the main restriction on leaders.
Instead, leaders are only limited by their courage to stand up and organize a tribe around their shared interests. If you are looking for a book with practical ideas that you can read in a few days, "Tribes" is the book for you.
Getting started leading a tribe doesn't have to be difficult because we are living in project world. You don't need outside funding to start a project or a tribe, you simply need ideas and some digital tools.
Buy "Tribes" on Amazon.

12. "The Success Principles: How To Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be" by Jack Canfield

Jack Canfield's books and training programs have changed the lives of people around the world. I started by listening to this book on audio from Audible.com a few months ago. However, I found the book so valuable that I was happy to go on and buy the 10th anniversary edition in book form.
The principles in the book – such as "Take 100% responsibility for your life" – are absolutely essential for leaders to absorb and practice. The book combines both foundation principles (e.g. on goal setting, visualization etc) and tactical recommendations on networking and advice to help you achieve your financial goals.
Buy "The Success Principles" from Amazon.

13. "The Innovators: How a Group of Hackers, Geniuses, and Geeks Created the Digital Revolution" by Walter Isaacson

As leaders, we regularly make use of digital technology. Yet, do you ever wonder where all our technological marvels came from? In this sweeping book of history, Isaacson introduces the reader to the many innovators that made the digital age possible.
For leaders, the greatest lesson from this book is how often teams and cooperation made a difference. Very few technologies of note were solely created and promoted by a single individual – that means we can all do to improve our team work skills.
Buy "The Innovators" on Amazon.

14. "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" by Patrick Lencioni

What comes to mind when you think of teams? Do you think of a group of people coming together to achieve a challenging program? Or, do you think of a group that struggles to get real work done?
When you lead people, especially if you are a leader of leaders, mastering the art of team work matters. Lencioni explains the factors that prevents teams from operating at a high level, such as a fear of results and a lack of trust.
If you struggle with most business books, you will probably enjoy Lencioni's style. He shares his principles through stories that are engaging and entertaining to read.
Buy "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" from Amazon.

15. "How to Win Friends & Influence People" by Dale Carnegie

This classic book appears on many lists of top business books for a good reason. It is an excellent introduction to the people skills leaders need. Modern readers may find some of the language and examples in the book out of date, but do not let that stop you from reading.
Carnegie's book offers great tips to help you relate to other people (especially helpful if you are in sales or management). After all, making that connection with other people is a key leadership quality.
Buy "How To Win Friends and Influence People" on Amazon.
Featured photo credit: Untitled/ Joe St.Pierre via flickr.com
The post 15 Inspiring Books Every Leader Should Not Miss appeared first on Lifehack.


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