In the old days, work was self-evident. Fields were to be plowed, machines tooled, boxes packed, cows milked, crates moved. You knew what work had to be done--you could see it. It was clear when the work was finished, or not finished. Increasing your productivity was all about making the work process more efficient, or simply working harder or longer.
Now, for many of us, there are no edges to most of our projects. Most people that I know have at least half a dozen things they're trying to achieve or situations they'd like to improve right now, and even if they had the rest of their lives to try, they wouldn't be able to finish them to perfection. You're probably faced with the same dilemma.
Topics: Goals, Managing Stress, Self Improvement, Growth
Let's say you work as a manager in a software development firm where dozens of software engineers write mountains of code every week. The products are so complex that the overall design is divided among several teams. After years of your employees bringing in projects late or riddled with bugs, you discover that the key to consistent high-quality performance is getting them to practice two vital behaviors: (1) admit when they have problems, and (2) immediately speak up when they won't meet a deadline. When your software designers do these two things consistently, products get completed correctly and on time. When they don't, they don't.
-Grenny, Patterson, Maxfield, McMillan, and Switzler, Influencer
Topics: Business Skills, Goals, Teamwork, Analysis, Leadership and Management, Expectations
Clarity is the most important concept in personal productivity. The number one reason why some people get more work done faster is because they are absolutely clear about their goals and objectives and they don't deviate from them.
-Brian Tracy, Eat that Frog!
Topics: Business Skills, Goals, Confidence, Time Management
We are in the business of taking care of people. It doesn't matter if you're a doctor, a nurse, or a janitor or if you carry a leadership title, we all must champion and execute on the common goal of coming in every day to make sure we take care of our next patient.
-Dr. David Feinberg, former CEO of the UCLA Hospital System, quoted in Prescription for Excellence
Topics: Being Attentive, Goals, Culture, Passion
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