I experienced a VERY embarrassing few minutes last weekend.  At our annual sales meeting, the concept of time management came up and Roger and Eric were reinforcing how effective the 2-Hour Solution was.  When asked how often I used it, I replied, “What’s that?”  Not good.  It’s the basis for our Time Management program.  My answer spurred an impromptu 15-minute “refresher” on the concept.  The bad news is that about 17 seconds into the description, I realized I DO in fact know what the 2-Hour Solution is all about.  At 18 seconds, things went from bad to worse as I realized as a P.A.C.T coach, I have TAUGHT the 2-Hour Solution Read More...

By Alina Dizik

Want to work work smarter–not longer–hours? Start here with advice from Y Combinator, Techstars, Founder Institute, Excelerate Labs, and Seedcamp.

For startup accelerator programs, teaching wannabe entrepreneurs time management skills is critical. These camp-like incubators have one of the steepest learning curves of any professional environment, and making sure entrepreneurs stay productive is the key to success. For startups, managing time is a matter of sink or swim, and infant companies can only succeed if they stay on task.

Of course, balancing your time isn’t reserved for startup founders tackling the first part of their business plan. It applies to anyone who’s eager to work smarter–not longer–hours. So we asked founders and partners at the world’s top accelerator programs for time management tips they always share with bleary-eyed entrepreneurs. Here’s what they said:

1. Avoid the email time Read More...

There goes a saying around my house — Jana wants, and Jana gets.  Not because I deserve it, but because I ASK for it.  There are very few things in this world not worth asking for.  Have you ever complained about not getting something you want?  Have you considered taking responsibility for it because you did not ASK for it?

Perhaps you did not ask for a referral from a client, a raise from your boss, the sale, help from your spouse around the house, the pretty girl on the train for a date, or a refund for airline luggage fees when your luggage was lost?  If you could have asked for something you wanted, and you didn’t…why?

Did you not think about it, or were you scared of getting the answer, “ NO”?

Fear of rejection is a Read More...

Amanda McCarthy
Staff Researcher/Part-time Writer
SeniorCare.net

Memory loss is a natural process that comes with aging. It can be devastating to realize that your mind isn’t as sharp as it once was. However, we don’t have to completely surrender to memory loss. There are many things you can do to slow down memory loss or help prevent Alzheimer’s. Forgetfulness is nothing you can’t overcome by working at it. In fact, bettering your memory can be fun if you incorporate a few simple activities into your daily life.

Read More...

The other day I was forwarded a wonderful question as a result of a recent Weekly Instructor Led Development (WILD) call that I felt was appropriate to address in a blog post. It is my hope that this will be beneficial and provide some insight to all who read this:

“…how can we stay positive when we are around negative people, (specifically) family members and/or co-workers?”

I love this inquiry for two reasons: One, it is specific and two; it is something we can all relate to at least one point in our lives. It’s not uncommon to have that one family member who undoubtedly, by their mere presence sucks the vitality out of us with their Read More...

I met a young college man today at a function and noticed some successful characteristics that he exhibited and wanted to share them.  This guy was sharp, great eye contact, nice handshake and always smiling.  I asked a few questions, how old, go to school, girlfriend, college major, etc.  He seemed like a man on a mission in how he was living his life.  So I asked, What do you want to do with your life?  He smiled and said “I want to make a Super Bowl Commercial” in a confident and knowing way.  He proceeded to tell me how excited he was for the day when he is watching the Super Bowl with family and friends and it comes on.

In reflecting on this interaction with this young man, I noticed 4 things that he was doing well and that over time, these 4 things will get him where he wants to go.

KNOW what you want, it’s different for everyone. Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal.  Meaning that you are a success when you Read More...

Recently, my hometown of Seattle, WA just endured what is being called the Snopocalypse. Record setting amounts of snowfall and ice blanketed the region for an entire week, completely shutting down most business, government, and any routine way of life for most people in the area. It is clear that the history of the weather we normally experience here is changing very rapidly. New records are being broken in the last year or so for snowfall (some areas here had over 16 inches this week), flooding, and number of people without power. And this is SEATTLE. What occurred to me while experiencing this was how great an analogy this is for the rest of our current Read More...

We all know what makes the best succeed in business.  Brilliant with the basics, educate yourself, listen to those who have succeeded, stick to your schedule, smile and bring energy and value to your clients and simply follow proven systems.  When we interview those who have led the charge for the month, the answers always seem to be relatively the same.  The answers that we hear mostly are in line with these same ideas.

What I am going to share with you has helped me get through tough, challenging times repeatedly in our business.  It is the idea of “Grinding it Out”.  I had heard this concept Grinding it out a couple years ago when I was watching The Masters Read More...

I have re-learned something this week that has really helped me look at my time and how to take more control of my time.  For most of us we have a lot to do and it sometimes seems that we do not have enough time to accomplish those things.  Whether it be on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis.  This article will help you take control of the emotions and feelings that you have about your time to then get more things done.

Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the amount of tasks, duties, etc. that you need to get done?  Are you being stretched in too many directions?  Are you thinking about other tasks while performing the task that you are in?

Guilty, we all Read More...

CAN I HAVE SOME MORE HOURS?

We all have the same 24 hours in the day to make of, as we will, but how is it that some people are able to accomplish so much and others are scrambling to get the minimum required in any given day? How can some find the time to balance work, personal life, health, and family and still manage to take that vacation without stress or concern? What abilities do they have that I don’t?

I was asking myself these same questions five years ago as I was struggling to make a living as an actor in New York. I worked two and sometimes three jobs to barely get by and make enough to pay for the necessities of life. I was searching for the magical cure to my busy but unproductive Read More...