Hi Everyone:
Below is a guest blog from Stephanie Callahan which proves my point about resting over the weekend and putting away your electronic toys. So, stop screaming at me and pay attention!
Would you like to see these things happen in your business?
.Better communication between team members
.Closer relationships and more shared personal information between team members
.Better planning
.More streamlined planning
.Improved client service
Then you should consider encouraging (even better forcing) your staff to take time off in predictable patterns. You will gain productivity benefits. This according to the October issue of the Harvard Business Review who published a 4 year study on this very topic.
Professor Leslie Perlow followed 12 consulting teams at Boston Consulting Group. Note, BCG is known for hard-driving work ethic so they were an excellent company to study. They were asked to modify how they approached the work schedules of their employees.
The results of the study were so positive that the company is now rolling out the team strategy to many of its other groups this year and in 2010.
In addition to the benefits listed at the beginning of this post, perhaps the most important benefit Boston Consulting experienced was that clients also reported improved client service. This is presumably a result of the better team focus, planning, and communication.
Turning OFF is Important! Here is what they did -
The participants in the study were guaranteed one night a week off. The night off meant, no work after 6:00 pm with no contact to work either (including Blackberries, iPhones and computers.) To many, this might seem like a small change, however, the consultants initially found it very difficult to set the time aside for themselves. They were afraid that it would impact other days and even the weekend. By the end of the experiment, however, the consultants reported that they could "turn off" for a while and still produce high intensity, high quality work.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the company benefited in many ways too. After five months, Boston Consulting found that employees participating in the study were
more likely to stay with the firm compared to consultants not in the study and were
more satisfied with their jobs, and happier with their work-life balance.
The final word -
Shut down time is important. It allows your mind to recharge and refocus. This study found major improvements with one night of not working. Imagine the gains that could happen if you took time off to do other things? Now you have an excuse to plan vacations! It is good for your business.
Brought to you by Stephanie Callahan at www.NetworkWithSteph.com. and www.AskTheExpertOrganizers.com, for Great Organizing Give Aways!
'Til Next Time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Great Organizing Giveaway
Hi Everyone:
Yes, I am writing this blog on Saturday, but I have a reason. The first is to let you know about the Great Organizing Giveaway. Go to Facebook and check it out. There are all sorts of organizing giveaways, including mine. But don't delay as this started on the 25th and today is the 30th. Go to www.AskTheExpertOrganizers.com There is good reason why I'm late with the news of this.
On the 20th my eldest daughter called us to say that her husband had been rushed to the hospital. He had been found unconscious by his boss at work. He never came to and on Friday, the 22nd, my daughter took him off life support. There was really no reason to keep him on. He was a young man of 49 but he had diabetes since he was a child and had been suffering with congestive heart failure. He did everything he could to take care of himself but his heart just gave out. We are terribly sad, we will really miss him, but we know that he is no longer in pain and is with God, dancing on the streets that are Golden! God is Awesome and will comfort us through this transition in our lives. We stayed with our daughter for a week and just returned from CA yesterday.
I hope that all of you are taking care of yourselves and that you have taken the weekend off to relax and enjoy your families and friends.
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Yes, I am writing this blog on Saturday, but I have a reason. The first is to let you know about the Great Organizing Giveaway. Go to Facebook and check it out. There are all sorts of organizing giveaways, including mine. But don't delay as this started on the 25th and today is the 30th. Go to www.AskTheExpertOrganizers.com There is good reason why I'm late with the news of this.
On the 20th my eldest daughter called us to say that her husband had been rushed to the hospital. He had been found unconscious by his boss at work. He never came to and on Friday, the 22nd, my daughter took him off life support. There was really no reason to keep him on. He was a young man of 49 but he had diabetes since he was a child and had been suffering with congestive heart failure. He did everything he could to take care of himself but his heart just gave out. We are terribly sad, we will really miss him, but we know that he is no longer in pain and is with God, dancing on the streets that are Golden! God is Awesome and will comfort us through this transition in our lives. We stayed with our daughter for a week and just returned from CA yesterday.
I hope that all of you are taking care of yourselves and that you have taken the weekend off to relax and enjoy your families and friends.
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Monday, January 18, 2010
Let's Start Anew!
Hi Everyone:
It's Monday, the start of the week. Time to start fresh. Were you able to make it through the weekend without all the distractions? For your sake, I hope so.
According to an article I read from San Francisco on Sunday, "Distracted walking a growing problem." Here I am, trying to get people weaned off their computers and cell phones and texting and tweeting, and up pops this article about people literally walking into poles, holes, and cars because of their use of cells and texting. Good grief, someone could get killed just for the sake of texting. Is it really worth it?
What are your goals for this week? Do you know how to prioritize them? Take two, look at them and decide which one is more urgent. Set the less urgent one aside. Then look at another one and compare it to the most urgent one. Now of these two, which one is more urgent. Keep doing this until you get to your lst urgent, 2nd urgent, 3rd and so on. Yes, this takes a bit of time, but it also saves you time in the long run trying to figure out which goal to tackle and then just sitting there staring at that piece of paper! By the way, when you are asking yourself which goal is more urgent you can always keep in mind what your primary goal is to help you decide which goal is more urgent. So, if you have a project due at the end of the month (a goal), then you have smaller goals that you have to accomplish daily and weekly to meet that goal. Would calling customer A help you reach that goal today, or would calling customer B help you reach that goal today?
Many people tackle their jobs in a "putting out fires" mode. Being prepared is a much better way to handle tasks. There are always emergencies that arise, but if you are handling everyday projects proactively, then you will be able to handle the emergencies that also crop up without having any real damage occur to your desired goals.
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
It's Monday, the start of the week. Time to start fresh. Were you able to make it through the weekend without all the distractions? For your sake, I hope so.
According to an article I read from San Francisco on Sunday, "Distracted walking a growing problem." Here I am, trying to get people weaned off their computers and cell phones and texting and tweeting, and up pops this article about people literally walking into poles, holes, and cars because of their use of cells and texting. Good grief, someone could get killed just for the sake of texting. Is it really worth it?
What are your goals for this week? Do you know how to prioritize them? Take two, look at them and decide which one is more urgent. Set the less urgent one aside. Then look at another one and compare it to the most urgent one. Now of these two, which one is more urgent. Keep doing this until you get to your lst urgent, 2nd urgent, 3rd and so on. Yes, this takes a bit of time, but it also saves you time in the long run trying to figure out which goal to tackle and then just sitting there staring at that piece of paper! By the way, when you are asking yourself which goal is more urgent you can always keep in mind what your primary goal is to help you decide which goal is more urgent. So, if you have a project due at the end of the month (a goal), then you have smaller goals that you have to accomplish daily and weekly to meet that goal. Would calling customer A help you reach that goal today, or would calling customer B help you reach that goal today?
Many people tackle their jobs in a "putting out fires" mode. Being prepared is a much better way to handle tasks. There are always emergencies that arise, but if you are handling everyday projects proactively, then you will be able to handle the emergencies that also crop up without having any real damage occur to your desired goals.
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Friday, January 15, 2010
Into the Countdown
Hi Everyone:
We are now into the countdown towards the weekend. Do you know what to do? Are you prepared? Let me help you:
1. Open your calendar (electronic or paper), and put in your appts. for next week;
2. Go through your To Do's and decide on what day you will do them - add it to your calendar;
3. Decide which of your To Do's you will do first thing Monday morning and place them in the middle of your desk (or table) in a red folder or some other bright colored folder;
4. Check for any EMERGENCY emails;
5. Check for last minute blogs;
6. Check for last minute tweets - then turn computer OFF.
This works whether you are in an office or in a home office. It is now time to enjoy your weekend and spend time with family and friends. Time to regain what we have all lost in this world of technocraze.
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
We are now into the countdown towards the weekend. Do you know what to do? Are you prepared? Let me help you:
1. Open your calendar (electronic or paper), and put in your appts. for next week;
2. Go through your To Do's and decide on what day you will do them - add it to your calendar;
3. Decide which of your To Do's you will do first thing Monday morning and place them in the middle of your desk (or table) in a red folder or some other bright colored folder;
4. Check for any EMERGENCY emails;
5. Check for last minute blogs;
6. Check for last minute tweets - then turn computer OFF.
This works whether you are in an office or in a home office. It is now time to enjoy your weekend and spend time with family and friends. Time to regain what we have all lost in this world of technocraze.
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Why The Floor is Not an Option!
Hi Everyone!
I was asked the other day, because the title of my book is, The Floor is Not an Option! why the floor isn't an option? That's a good question, so let me explain so that you will easily understand and agree.
The title of the book refers to organizing one's living spaces, or working spaces. If you are consistently coming home and kicking off your shoes as you enter the door, then shoes soon pile up near that entry. And if you add to that pile a jacket, or more, some newspapers, mail you don't have time to read, backpacks because it's Friday and the kids won't need them until Monday, then you have created a big pile of clutter at that entry. Now what happens when you need to leave the house or come back into the house? That's right. You're tripping over all the stuff. Now let's say that in addition to all that stuff you have gone into the kitchen and started looking for snacks that you know your roommate or spouse has stashed away somewhere. You start pulling out boxes and cans so that you can hopefully find what is lurking at the back of the cabinet, and yeah! you've found the bag of chips. Off you go to watch TV - without giving one thought to the stuff you pulled out of the cabinet, which has now fallen to the floor.
Do you get the picture? Now when you walk back into the kitchen you either have to walk on, over or around the mess you created. It would have taken less than one minute to put that all back. But no, you'd rather create a safety hazaard because you didn't stop to think about what you are doing. Play it safe and ALWAYS put things back that you take out, and pick up what you've put down. It will save you a bunch of time in the long run and tripping hazards will be avoided!
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
I was asked the other day, because the title of my book is, The Floor is Not an Option! why the floor isn't an option? That's a good question, so let me explain so that you will easily understand and agree.
The title of the book refers to organizing one's living spaces, or working spaces. If you are consistently coming home and kicking off your shoes as you enter the door, then shoes soon pile up near that entry. And if you add to that pile a jacket, or more, some newspapers, mail you don't have time to read, backpacks because it's Friday and the kids won't need them until Monday, then you have created a big pile of clutter at that entry. Now what happens when you need to leave the house or come back into the house? That's right. You're tripping over all the stuff. Now let's say that in addition to all that stuff you have gone into the kitchen and started looking for snacks that you know your roommate or spouse has stashed away somewhere. You start pulling out boxes and cans so that you can hopefully find what is lurking at the back of the cabinet, and yeah! you've found the bag of chips. Off you go to watch TV - without giving one thought to the stuff you pulled out of the cabinet, which has now fallen to the floor.
Do you get the picture? Now when you walk back into the kitchen you either have to walk on, over or around the mess you created. It would have taken less than one minute to put that all back. But no, you'd rather create a safety hazaard because you didn't stop to think about what you are doing. Play it safe and ALWAYS put things back that you take out, and pick up what you've put down. It will save you a bunch of time in the long run and tripping hazards will be avoided!
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Monday, January 11, 2010
Refreshing Start
Hi Everyone!
Well, how many of you made it through the weekend without your computer or access to your Blackberry? I've already heard that some of you "failed." Let me remind you that you have not failed. You "almost made it!" Changing is difficult. Sometimes we can do it by sheer will overnight, but usually it takes a number of tries before we can actually master the change. Afterall, quitting MESSAGING is like quitting smoking. You have become so addicted that you just quite don't know what to do with your hands, nor your time. And I'll venture to say that many of you don't even know how to contact anyone without Tweeting them. Or Texting them. Are you sweating yet? Just exactly how ARE you going to get in touch with someone without the use of your computer or Blackberry or cellphone?
If anyone can tell me the answer to this quiz, please post it, but only during the M-F time that I work. Now, get on with your week. If you did manage to go without your computer, etc., this weekend, good for you! You should be well-rested and able to take on your week!
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Well, how many of you made it through the weekend without your computer or access to your Blackberry? I've already heard that some of you "failed." Let me remind you that you have not failed. You "almost made it!" Changing is difficult. Sometimes we can do it by sheer will overnight, but usually it takes a number of tries before we can actually master the change. Afterall, quitting MESSAGING is like quitting smoking. You have become so addicted that you just quite don't know what to do with your hands, nor your time. And I'll venture to say that many of you don't even know how to contact anyone without Tweeting them. Or Texting them. Are you sweating yet? Just exactly how ARE you going to get in touch with someone without the use of your computer or Blackberry or cellphone?
If anyone can tell me the answer to this quiz, please post it, but only during the M-F time that I work. Now, get on with your week. If you did manage to go without your computer, etc., this weekend, good for you! You should be well-rested and able to take on your week!
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Friday, January 8, 2010
Clutter-free Mind Weekend!
Hi Everyone!
Starting today in this New Year, I, Coach Sheila, challenge all of you to check in with yourselves this weekend. That means, no blogging, no emails, no twitter, no pinging, nothing! No cells either! How many of you can take the challenge? How many of you can actually break away from all the habitual urges that grab you every day?
Try reading a newspaper or a book. Watch a movie on T.V. - a movie, not a sitcom. Go for a walk in a park. Take a bicycle ride. Visit a museum. Stroll through a mall WITHOUT buying one darn thing except maybe lunch or a soda. Try these things with a friend, or not. Let's try getting back to a more gentler, quieter time when we could actually do these things without worrying about how many emails or tweets we've missed.
Let me know how you did on Monday, because once I'm through with my blogging and tweeting for the day, I'm done. My quiet weekend is ahead of me! Have fun everyone!
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
Starting today in this New Year, I, Coach Sheila, challenge all of you to check in with yourselves this weekend. That means, no blogging, no emails, no twitter, no pinging, nothing! No cells either! How many of you can take the challenge? How many of you can actually break away from all the habitual urges that grab you every day?
Try reading a newspaper or a book. Watch a movie on T.V. - a movie, not a sitcom. Go for a walk in a park. Take a bicycle ride. Visit a museum. Stroll through a mall WITHOUT buying one darn thing except maybe lunch or a soda. Try these things with a friend, or not. Let's try getting back to a more gentler, quieter time when we could actually do these things without worrying about how many emails or tweets we've missed.
Let me know how you did on Monday, because once I'm through with my blogging and tweeting for the day, I'm done. My quiet weekend is ahead of me! Have fun everyone!
'Til next time . . .Coach Sheila of clutter STOP
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