Have things to do but can't get yourself to follow through? Tasks, chores, or to-do lists that have been left to linger? No problem! With just a handful of quick and easy tips you'll be moving in the right direction in no time at all.
BREAK IT DOWN
Tackling projects all at once is a sure way to keep things from getting done. Break your tasks down into manageable steps. Entire house need cleaning? Just take it one room at a time. Need to organize and file your taxes? Break them down into smaller categories - gathering forms, listing deductions, finding receipts, etc.
GET HELP
If you can't find a way to get yourself to follow through, find someone who can. This tip can work in two ways. First, you can find a friend or family member who can tackle the job with you, cutting the work in half. Get the kids to help with chores or invite a friend on the morning run you've been skipping.
Your other option is reaching out to the people who are good at motivating you to get moving. Explain your procrastination frustration and see if they can work their magic. Either way you go, be sure to return the favor; if the procrastination bug ends up biting them, be the first to jump in and lend a hand.
ASK "WHY":find answers
Why are you putting it off? If you can get to the heart of your procrastination, you may be able to find a different approach to reach the same result. For instance, if you've been putting off studying for an exam because you get too distracted at home, change up the routine and head to the coffee shop or bookstore.
JUST SKIP IT
Looking for the cause of your procrastination has another benefit: the thing might just be worth putting off. Ask yourself, "Does it really have to be taken care of right now?" or, "Does it have to be taken care of at all?"
If you've been putting something off time and again, there's a chance it doesn't need to be done now - or ever. But this only works with to-do's low on your priority list. If you know it needs to get done sooner than later, sometimes the best advice is to...
JUST DO IT;don't waste time
Have you ever thought about putting something off for so long that you could have actually taken care of it in half the time? If you know it has to be done, don't waste your precious time worrying or stressing out about it. Don't waste any time "thinking" about it. Just get up and start.
If the office needs organizing, get up and do it. If the checkbook needs balancing, open the book and balance. Don't fall into the trap of over thinking things and making a mountain out of a molehill. If you know it needs to be done, decide then and there to clear your mind and get your body moving.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Inspiring Employees:The Greatest Management Mistake
Preparing and cooking ice cream in the same manner as a hamburger would obviously result in failure. You can't treat all ingredients and meals as the same thing - they are all different, requiring different methods and techniques to achieve their particular result.
The greatest management mistake should becoming painfully clear: many managers treat all employees as the same assortment of ingredients trying to motivate them toward greater success using one cookie-cutter approach.
Just as failure results from throwing ice cream on a grill, so too will a manager fail in inspiring his people if he attempts to do so using a single method.
The people on your team are as different as baked beans and apple pie. They each work from a unique set of motivators, responding to some with excited action and others with boredom or even anger.
It's up to you to discover what drives each one of your team members. What elements excite them? What elements turn them off? It may take a little time and concerted effort on your part, but uncovering the powerful motivators that drive your people will be the best thing you can do for you and your team.
Remember, you may respond to financial rewards or incentives, but that doesn't mean everyone on your team will share your sentiments. Listen to your people. Recognize and utilize their motivators. You are dealing with a wide assortment of ingredients, and following this principle will allow you to prepare each one with amazing success.
The greatest management mistake should becoming painfully clear: many managers treat all employees as the same assortment of ingredients trying to motivate them toward greater success using one cookie-cutter approach.
Just as failure results from throwing ice cream on a grill, so too will a manager fail in inspiring his people if he attempts to do so using a single method.
The people on your team are as different as baked beans and apple pie. They each work from a unique set of motivators, responding to some with excited action and others with boredom or even anger.
It's up to you to discover what drives each one of your team members. What elements excite them? What elements turn them off? It may take a little time and concerted effort on your part, but uncovering the powerful motivators that drive your people will be the best thing you can do for you and your team.
Remember, you may respond to financial rewards or incentives, but that doesn't mean everyone on your team will share your sentiments. Listen to your people. Recognize and utilize their motivators. You are dealing with a wide assortment of ingredients, and following this principle will allow you to prepare each one with amazing success.
by Jason M. Gracia - Motivation123™
Monday, March 2, 2009
Recession and Inspiration
Every human being needs to be inspired to achieve their goals in life. Emotions are at the center of inspiration, as such we need to have a control over our emotions. Inspiration has changed the world to what we see it now. All the inventions of this world are as result of people being inspired.
As the world faces this recession or credit crunch probably the worse in our time, its important to work together all people of this earth no matter what race or what country we belong to. Moreover the world needs inspiration to over come this financial melt down. We all need to inspire each other and have an attitude that things will get better soon.
Therefore, this calls for great leaders,Leaders who can motivate and inspire their people. This however, will prove a challenge to developing countries like Zambia which lack quality leaders. But with inspiration anything is possible. As the world is becoming a global village, a one world with no restrictions of country or race it is important to work together in challenges we face as a world not as africa or asia alone and above all to inspire one another starting with those close to you.
As the world faces this recession or credit crunch probably the worse in our time, its important to work together all people of this earth no matter what race or what country we belong to. Moreover the world needs inspiration to over come this financial melt down. We all need to inspire each other and have an attitude that things will get better soon.
Therefore, this calls for great leaders,Leaders who can motivate and inspire their people. This however, will prove a challenge to developing countries like Zambia which lack quality leaders. But with inspiration anything is possible. As the world is becoming a global village, a one world with no restrictions of country or race it is important to work together in challenges we face as a world not as africa or asia alone and above all to inspire one another starting with those close to you.
So with that, here are a few ideas for how to inspire others. Feel free to add your ideas in the comments.
- Be a role model of courage. When our managers demonstrate courage, this will inspire us to do the same and we will respect them all the more.
- Take a stand. Share your perspective and be open. The most inspiring leaders have a strong vision for how things ought to be.
- Reject politics! Many of us are sick of politics and would gladly follow and respect leaders who rejected the mucky muck - even if we do not agree with him or her all the time. The wishy washy spin speak is nauseating.
- Listen more, speak less. Show your employees that you value input and collaboration. This applies to your team members and peers - show them you respect and include your peers.
- Beat your goals and don't rest until you do. Managers who are OK with mediocre performance (even if they can make the case that it's not their fault) are uninspiring. People want to work for successful leaders.
- Spend time in their shoes. In fact, swap places with your employees every now and then. Show them you want to understand what their world looks and feel like. Bonus: You will learn tons!
- Reject over the top perks. OK, so you earned the promotion. Don't flaunt your trappings and take a stand to reject perks that separate you from your team. Think about how you felt when you were in their positions. Try to spread the wealth on great experiences like conferences, trainings, product offerings, and other perks.
- Represent your employee's needs to senior management and with your peers. Take the initiative to make things better. Wow, that will speak volumes about your intention to serve them and this is very inspiring.
- Be the best expression of your unique style. We are all different, so don't turn into a corporate clone. That said, be the classiest version of you possible. Like a fine grape varietal, be the fullest expression of you.
- Be inspired by others. Share your role models and why they inspire you
Motivating Others:Bringing The Best In others
We have all known those people who bring out the best in others—coaches, teachers, parents, bosses. They seem to possess a knack for inspiring people. How do they do it? How do they inspire and motivate people?
Here are four actions that will help motivate and inspire others:
1. Identify with people. Don’t say, “Look at the challenge you face,” but rather, “look at the challenge we face.” If you want people to look at a problem from your point of view, don’t stand across from them and yell. Go to their side and identify with them and guide them to your side.
2. Acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. Don’t hide things from those you’re working with or try to sugarcoat the problem. Face the facts.
3. Have a call to action. Challenge others to specific action. You can think, discuss, investigate and plan all you want. Until you get people to take action things are not going to move forward.
4. Assign tasks. Once you have a response to action, lay out the plan. An effective leader can cut the problem down to size. Assign each person a task that they can manage.
The people who make an impact on the world don’t have to be geniuses or the best looking or the most talented. They are those who can inspire others to action.
Here are four actions that will help motivate and inspire others:
1. Identify with people. Don’t say, “Look at the challenge you face,” but rather, “look at the challenge we face.” If you want people to look at a problem from your point of view, don’t stand across from them and yell. Go to their side and identify with them and guide them to your side.
2. Acknowledge the seriousness of the situation. Don’t hide things from those you’re working with or try to sugarcoat the problem. Face the facts.
3. Have a call to action. Challenge others to specific action. You can think, discuss, investigate and plan all you want. Until you get people to take action things are not going to move forward.
4. Assign tasks. Once you have a response to action, lay out the plan. An effective leader can cut the problem down to size. Assign each person a task that they can manage.
The people who make an impact on the world don’t have to be geniuses or the best looking or the most talented. They are those who can inspire others to action.
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