Posts By: Thom Quinn
Time Boxing
Question: How do you eat a whale? Answer: One bite at a time! Anytime you decide to focus on a single task, you need to decide if it can be reasonably be finished the same day or if it will take more time. If it is the latter, you may want to consider Time Boxing. Time boxing […]
Read MoreMission Statement
The BIG Question: Why are you here? To be productive, you must have a mission, a purpose, a reason for being. Otherwise, all your actions could just turn out to be noise. Everyone is unique. Certainly, genetics is part of that; however, the real key is what you choose to do with your life. Mission Statements […]
Read MorePrepare First
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” – Attributed to Abraham Lincoln I love the above quote as it makes clear that preparation is a key attribute of highly productive people. Of course, trial and error learning is necessary for any beginners; yet, there […]
Read MoreThe Five Productivity Choices
Productivity is the result of five basic choices. Starting a new activity:This means beginning a new habit, goal, or project to your life, such as a new exercise program. Stopping a current activity:This means completely eliminating a habit, goal, or project, such as television viewing. This step can be difficult but much needed to reach […]
Read MoreLearn to Say No
Two-Year old children quickly learn how to employ this powerful word: NO! Some individuals retain this ability from childhood through their elder years; yet, for many adults, saying Yes is easier than No. People want to please managers, direct reports, clients, friends, mates, and children. Why not just be a nice person and always respond […]
Read MoreDo Anything
Here is a short aphorism that everyone should remember: One may do anything, but not everything! You are finite being and do not have enough time to try, much less complete, everything. You cannot read every book, see every town, or have a pint at ever pub. The solution is to choose well: focus on quality, […]
Read MoreBetter Meetings
In corporate America, few things waste as much potential productive time as meeting. As the poet Lord Bryon wrote ‘Nothing is so difficult as a beginning’ and this applies to meetings as well. A great meeting begins before it begins. How often have you attended a meeting that did not seem to have a purpose, […]
Read MorePromodo: For the Present Moment
Many find etymology an enjoyable activity. I agree. It also can be educational for two reasons. First, it gives a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of language, as it illuminates the origin, history and (sometimes) shifting meaning of certain words, as most have long and distinguished lineages. Second, understanding words can also, on occasion, help […]
Read MoreWisdom of the Hive
Everyone should observe bees to discover their wisdom. These successful insects are truly amazing. One might ask ‘What is the secret to making honey?’ Of course, hard work is involved. I have never heard anyone accuse a bee of being lazy. In fact, we commonly describe an active individual as ‘busy as a bee’. Yet, […]
Read MoreThree Simple Rules for Better Living
This will be a very short post to save you time. Tick-Tock! Sometimes our lives become too closely tied to clocks and calendars, resulting in the tyranny of ‘the schedule’ which dictates our lives when we should listen more closely to our bodies and minds. Here are three simple rules to live better: When you […]
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