Productivity – My Next Step

Part of being productive is making strong decisions. Sometimes it is easy to make those decisions, but difficult to follow through, keep those decisions a part of your life, and maintain the decision you make through thick and thin.

A couple of decisions that I have made are exciting! They are:

• Develop a two-step consultation process for new clients
• Develop an assessment that potential clients will take
• Start coaching with Stacy Brice

The consultation process has been developed and I will be using it moving forward. Why a two-step process or even a three-step process? These different steps give the PC and I a chance to listen to each other’s voice during the first call (15-minutes) and then we can move forward to the second call (60 minutes) to discuss deeper questions and really get to know each other. Some VAs use a three-step process, but using two calls is the next step for me.

The assessment was a challenge. Thanks to Stacy and the other AssistU VAs, I was able to come up with questions that will help both the PC and myself determine if we are a great fit. Why is this important? Because sometimes while talking to a PC, I glaze-brain over very important aspects that they might say. Something like, “I finance my business on a credit card.” What does that mean maybe one or two months down the road? It means that they will have a ‘cash flow’ issue and cannot afford to work on retainer anymore. It also will help clarifying work style, expectations and more.

The next step will be one that I know is the right one for me. Coaching with Stacy will not only be good to shore up my wobbly floor, but also challenge me to find out why things happen or don’t happen. Out of all of them, this is the one that will provide the best ROI. I must admit, I am nervous about this. Why? Because it will make me think, investigate, and recognize practices or thoughts that are in need of change.

But, as was pointed out to me the other day, I crave freedom but without discipline freedom will not happen.

How about you? Do you crave something? Are you working really hard to achieve that something? Is it ever elusive or comes and goes?

Then your next step is to make a decision and find some solutions to support that decision.

Productivity Starts with Making a Decision

I working on developing new habits. Yes, old dogs can learn new tricks.

I am focusing on improving productivity among other things in my life and business. One of the best motivators that I am taking advantage of is Brian Tracy’s “Double Your Productivity” audio on iLearningGlobal. I make sure I listen to it every day to absorb each step that he recommends and discusses.

The first step, make a decision, is a very important one. How far can I get in increasing productivity or accomplishing something I want to do if I cannot or will not make a decision? Not far! As Brian indicates, new habits are learnable through practice and repeating an action makes it a habit. A decision can be as easy as “Do” or “Stop.” He also states that the best description of this is the ability to make yourself do what you should do whether or not you feel like you should do it.

My first “Do” was to clean and rearrange my office and keep it that way. For a clutterer, this is an awesome undertaking.

My second “Do” is to be very proactive about getting client work completed way before any deadlines.

So, I am actually working on two new habits at once. Since it takes 21 days to establish a habit, I only have 19 more to go!

Remember those “swept up in the groove” feelings you have when you attend seminars and come out them all jazzed about what you have learned or heard during the event? Then two days later, you have not even opened the notebook? Well, I am practicing that jazzed feeling everyday because I am such a believer in the power of iLearningGlobal and how it can enhance my business, as well as my life. I get that encouragement every day after either watching one of the videos or listening to the audio while I work.

This is such a “Do” for me! More about productivity later and I will so keep you up-to-date on the state of the office! (Husband thinks it won’t last!)

Blog Action Day – Poverty – It is Closer Than You Think

Today is an amazing day! Bloggers are writing and recognizing one of the most serious issues to hit individuals, families, and countries. Poverty. Today is Blog Action Day 2008 – Poverty.

I live in a city on the western slope of Colorado. We have relatively mild winters, a strong economy in spite of the economic situation, and poverty. Here in Grand Junction, CO, rents are high because of the influx of energy workers/companies and lack of affordable housing. Most families have a median income of $30,000 or less. They work two jobs to survive. Many are just one paycheck from being homeless.

In addition, it is pretty common to hear that other cities buy the homeless bus tickets to come here.

How can we help? Get involved. Don’t turn your back and think that someone else will help and you don’t need to.

A local art center held their annual event for the shelters and Catholic Outreach this month. Local artists donate a handmade soup bowl and they are sold, along with homemade soup, and all proceeds are given to charity.

I help and donate at the local food banks.

There are lots of places to donate your time and/or dollars to help prevent people from living in poverty. We have a Treehouse organization that provides shelter, food, and community for teens who are homeless. Can you imagine not having a safe secure homelife for one of the most influential times of your life? I can’t.

Give. Donate. Volunteer. The families of the world are depending on you.