Korene's Blog

We talk a lot about goals and focus, but the reality is that keeping sight of your goals and focusing on the steps to achieve them truly does bring success. As the new year begins, refresh your sense of purpose and strengthen your focus by keeping these four ideas in mind.
 
Multi-tasking is a myth.
The software industry, time management gurus and the overall climate of modern business and personal life have convinced us that we can not only do everything, but do it simultaneously. Don't believe it. As professionals, as individuals and as family members, we as a nation are over-scheduling ourselves into ineffectiveness. Instead of having time to do things thoughtfully, or having the downtime that gives our brains much-needed rest, we are filling our minutes with multiple priorities and obligations.
 
Break the cycle.
Start learning to assess whether you can really add more to your schedule before just agreeing to it. For many people it's hard to say "no" or "I can get to it, but it may take a little while." But understanding when and how to say no to those you work with can be just as important as meeting deadlines. Of course, if a new obligation or task truly outweighs a current one, then have one replace the other, but don't try to double up and consistently over-achieve, as that can yield mixed results.
 
Pick one tool and stick with it.
Between the web, smart phone apps, software and plain old paper and pens, there are scores (and perhaps hundreds) of productivity tools to help you create task lists, track your time and become a master of your destiny. Here's the problem: Many people adopt one of these tools, use it for a week or so, and then move on to the next hot thing, as they may be continuously attracted to the next shiny new productivity tool. Don't make that mistake. Jumping from technology to new technology can slow your business down and have you focused more on implementing a new process rather than delivering results. Be aware of emerging technology, but understand there may be many ways to accomplish your same goals. Newest isn't always best.
 
Your communications — who's in charge?
From email to texting to social media, our online communications tools have become so ingrained in our lives that we are constantly monitoring, managing and responding to them. Think about it: How often do you catch yourself checking your inbox on your phone at the dinner table, or reading Facebook posts at your kid's soccer practice? That is because your tools have taken over. Work on reversing that.
 
Your inbox is not your job, so check your inbox as infrequently as possible. When you do access it, first scan by sender and subject line for emails that you know will help you accomplish your agenda items, and prioritize those. Then go through everything else, deleting the obvious noise and clutter. For the remaining emails, take one of five actions immediately: trash it, answer it, refer it to someone else, file it for reference or delete it.
 
Ultimately, many of our modern organizational problems stem from the fact that we often confuse the means with the end. We can become so fixated on the how of getting things done that we have decided that managing our systems and tools equates to actually accomplishing something. Stick to your purpose and you will see a less frazzled and stressful, and more focused and successful, 2012.