Productivity Blog Archive
My Journey To Using Attention Management to Unlock Productivity
I didn’t always understand that mastering attention management is critical in today’s workplace. In the beginning of my professional career, I focused on helping people get better organized so they could take action to get things done. More than 20 years ago, a...
My New Attention Management Book! Road-Tested Strategies to Increase Productivity
I was thrilled when an editor at Source Books invited me to write a book about attention management for a new imprint called Ignite Reads. Books in this line deliver content to readers that "sparks impact in just one hour!" So in a perfect marriage of content and...
How to Manage Interruptions with Attention Management
You may know that I am currently gearing up for the release of my latest book, Attention Management: How to Create Success and Gain Productivity—Every Day! I asked my network about their biggest challenges to managing their attention. I got some fantastic feedback...
Checking Email on Vacation Just Isn’t Productive
If you know my work, you know I'm no fan of checking email on vacation. A recent email exchange I had with a friend reminded me why this is such a damaging habit. Me: When can you get this done? Friend: I’m on vacation, but maybe tomorrow. Friend, on a new topic: See...
How to Stop Procrastination and Improve Productivity
Have you ever thought about how much more productive you'd be if you could stop procrastinating? The problem, though, is that we really, really like putting things off. In fact, our brains deliver a dose of feel-good chemicals when we choose something fun over...
How to Set a Company Email Policy That Improves Productivity
Do you have a company email policy? If not, a recent study out of Virginia Tech University suggests that you should create one. The study found that even the expectation that an employee will have to deal with after-hours emails creates anxiety for both the employee...
Looking for a Productivity Speaker? I’m a Certified Speaking Professional
Are you a member of your industry association? A couple of years ago, I (re) joined the National Speaker's Association. We didn't have a local chapter where I live in Austin for many years, but then some of my friends and colleagues restarted the chapter here. It took...
After-Hours Email Solutions
In last week's post, I shared some new research regarding the problems of after-hours email, and also offered some solutions. Today I wanted to share a short (5-minute) excerpt of a corporate training I recently delivered that offers additional solutions. To be clear,...
After Hours Email is a Bigger Problem Than You Think
In my work with hundreds of companies and thousands of people in the last 16 years, I recognized an issue with regard to corporate communication; specifically after hours email. The pace and timing of email can have a damaging affect on productivity and on the culture...
What is Attention Management and How Can It Help You?
You’ve probably been introduced to the idea of attention management before now. The phrase existed before I began using it. At that time, however, it was not used in relation to productivity. It was not used in a way that was relevant or important to our everyday...