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...
distraction Archive
Email Overload? Here’s Why You’re Drowning – and How to Fix It
Do you dread even opening your inbox? You're not alone. Most of my clients are perpetually drowning in email. In my training programs, I provide a 4-step strategy to overcome email overload. Here's an overview of that process. You Aren't Filtering Chances are, your...
How to Prioritize
You probably know the big stuff you're supposed to be getting done. But what's often less clear is how to accomplish your work priorities when there are all sorts of other, urgent (or seemingly urgent) demands on your time. This comes down to a question of how to...
This Popular Step to Manage Email and Texts Isn’t Enough
Your job involves an overwhelming amount of communications from others. Managing email and texts is a vexing challenge. So you take a cue from what you've observed others doing. You add a line to your email signature saying "I check my email infrequently, so if your...
Distractions Steal More Than Productivity
I've written before about how distractions and the failure to practice attention management take a toll in the workplace. In my latest article for Harvard Business Review, I expand on those themes: Distractions aren't just detrimental to our work. They are also making...
Tackling Distraction With ‘The Innovation Show’
Distraction is the No. 1 enemy of productivity. I talked about how to strengthen your battle plan against it during my recent interview on The Innovation Show. Hosted by Aidan McCullen, The Innovation Show is a podcast for forward-thinking leaders, entrepreneurs and...
Podcast Preview: Knowledge Workers’ Productivity
If you're a leader, do you manage with the wellbeing of your knowledge workers' brains in mind? I talked about why this is essential during my recent interview with Andrea Simon for the On the Brink podcast. Andi is a principal and founder of Simon Associates...
How to Retain Star Performers
Employee retention is business leaders' top concern right now. In a competitive job market, how can your company retain star performers, making sure they are are happy and that they don't leave for greener pastures? Raises can be part of the equation, but other perks...
Work Without Walls Review: A ‘Must-Read’
My latest book, Work Without Walls, has been steadily gaining momentum since its launch in February. It's great to see the book resonating with readers and reviewers who want to learn how to create thriving, productive workplace cultures. I'm especially excited about...
3 Overlooked Components to Improve Productivity
Before you can improve productivity, you have to define it for yourself . The definition I use for myself and to inform my work with clients is, "achieving or producing a significant amount or result." (Emphasis mine). Productivity is subjective (and hard to measure)...