This post was refreshed on July 26, 2022 Leaders typically underestimate the cost of distraction, but when I walk my clients through the implications of constantly interrupted work, they are often surprised by how much money their company is wasting on lost...
General Productivity Articles Archive
How to Make Remote Work Successful
I recently spoke with Chase Warrington, Head of Remote at Doist, a company that creates tools that promote more fulfilling ways to work and live. I love these tools and recommend them to my clients. They include Twist, a team communication platform, and Todoist, a...
6 Tips for Working from Home: A Productivity Trainer’s Best Advice
This post was updated September 10, 2021 It wasn’t too long ago (even though it feels like forever!) that a majority of American workers sat at their office desks and wished they could telecommute instead. The longing was based on a need to reclaim time in their day,...
THIS Is How to Check Email In the Morning
This post was updated on April 29, 2021 Conventional wisdom says that checking email first thing in the morning hijacks your productivity for the day. But if you don’t check it, maybe you’ll miss an important change to your schedule or a critical piece of information....
Attention Management Tips on Forbes
My latest articles on Forbes relate to issues that are especially relevant now. I wanted to share previews here in case you don’t follow me on the Forbes Leadership Channel. They all contain attention management tips designed to help you be more productive, a more...
Boost Team Productivity by Conquering Communication Debt
My clients often tell me about their rising anxiety as they attempt to zero out their email inboxes each day. Like a horror flick, they describe how they nearly conquer the enemy, when suddenly, their inboxes start to refill. Worse, they say that while they’re...
Now on Forbes! Leadership Strategy & Insights
I’m excited to share with you that I’ve been invited to be a contributor to the Forbes Leadership Channel! Twice each month I’ll be sharing insights from my lifelong study of productivity and performance, and my work with executives and teams. You can sign up to...
Why Time Management Training Is Holding Back Your Team
This post was updated May 17, 2020 Leaders know that one of the most challenging aspects of their role is managing and developing people—identifying gaps in their skills, and helping them to fill those gaps. And, given its historical popularity, when they determine...
Three Ways to Overcome Distraction and Unleash Your Genius
If you want to “unleash your genius” at work, first get a handle on the extent of your distraction. Ask yourself these questions: Are you constantly interrupted at work? Do you ever feel like you’re starting to make some real progress, only for someone to drop in with...
The Importance of Work Life Balance in the Digital Age
In our digital age, it’s impossible to overstate the importance of work life balance. Today two-thirds of American workers report feeling burned out at work. Having a strategy to combat this is critical to our mental health and emotional well-being. It’s also key to...