Greetings readers…
Welcome to the Summer Solstice. I don’t know about where you are, but here in the DC Metro area, temps have been in the 90′s! I hope you’re staying comfortably cool wherever you are.
Recently I picked up my favorite magazine, Wired. It was a back issue from Jan 2009, one I keep in the foyer bathroom of my home. While flipping through it, I came across an appropo article, Diary of a Self-Help Dropout: Flirting With the 4-Hour Workweek. The author, Chris Hardwick, is a comedian and host of Wired Science. While the article definitely was written with a comic bent, Chris mentioned, on a few occassions, the book and associated media of the great book, Getting Things Done.
I had heard of this phenomena of time management mindset, but I never really investigated it further until I found about the website and creator of GTD, David Allen. From the looks of the site (one which many of you may already be familiar with), it’s packed with valuable information. I’ll definitely see how worthwhile it is.
It makes me wonder…with all that information being made available via his website, webinars, podcasts, books, etc., when does he have time to “get things done?” :-)
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Ok, road trippers, this tip is just for you. I have discovered a new way to make sure that dirty laundry doesn’t mingle with your clean stuff. Check out this quick video and let me know how you manage laundry when you’re on a road trip.
Click here to see more great videos on our YouTube Channel
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A few weeks ago, some wonderful person flung a brick through my car window while I was working with a client, and attempted
to steal a tote bag on the back seat. My car was parked in front of the client’s home and we both heard it when it happened. But, when we didn’t hear an alarm or any other sounds, we went right back to re-designing her game/TV room. Fortunately for me, someone witnessed the brick throwing incident and called me as well as the police. I can’t really describe the how I felt but let’s just say that I wasn’t happy.
There were a few things that made this a little easier to deal with, things you may want to consider if this ever happens to you.
· Valuables. There was nothing of high value left in the car. My phone, GPS, purse, and work bag were all with me inside the client’s home. This was a HUGE plus.
· Vehicle Docs. Once the police arrived, the first things they asked for were my license, registration, and insurance papers. My license was inside my wallet (which was in my purse) and the other two docs were in a labeled plastic envelope inside the glove compartment. Thank goodness I didn’t have to go searching these items…though I have heard that the registration should be kept in your wallet or purse. True?
· Knowledge. I know my car. I know what’s inside and where I keep things. When I was asked to look through the car and trunk to see if anything was missing, I could tell straight away if that was the case. Because I keep my valuables with me, the only other things were items that could be easily replaced (e.g., post-its, pens, invoices, garbage bags, face masks, etc.).
There was one particular thing that I normally do that, on the day in question, I didn’t do. Remember that tote bag I mentioned? I usually put everything that I’m not keeping with me in the trunk. On this day, I left the bag on the back seat. Inside were a few books, a container of vitamins, my iPhone ear buds, and some pens…but if I hadn’t left the bag in there, my brick experience would not have happened.
Out of this negative experience, there were some positives…
As it turned out, the brick-thrower realized that there wasn’t much in the bag and dropped it. So, I have my tote bag back, though it repulses me that someone’s grubby hands were all over it.
…after riding around with a garbage bag for a window (my client taped it on while I was talking with the insurance company…), I was happy to have my window replaced in just three days…
…there was an outpouring of concern from several friends…so many people checked in on me…did I mention how helpful my client was? After taping up my window, she put my phone & GPS chargers in the glove compartment…
The biggest positive: NO ONE GOT HURT. This was the best possible outcome.
…though I would recommend that anyone in this situation have some tissues handy…for the unexpected tears that come when it’s all over.
“The typical businessperson experiences 170 interactions per day (phone calls, hallway conversations, emails) and has a backlog of 200 to 300 hours of uncompleted work.”
Read More:
Don’t Manage Time, Manage Yourself | FastCompany.com | 3.31.98
Do you think this stat has changed much since 1998?
This is the 3rd and final installment of a three-part series by guest blogger, Mike Neumann. He shares tips on how to make business travel more organized and less stressful. Click here to read Part I
and Part II.
Now that you’ve finished your trip, it’s time to prepare to come home. If I’ve brought a bag to check, I try to load this bag up with as much as possible, keeping in mind the typical 23Kg (50Lb) weight limit for checked bags. Going home is when I dress casual. Jeans and a long-sleeved shirt w/pocket (for boarding pass/passport) are the usual. Keep your carry-on bags light, because…
Return Airport
Airport and airlines rules and practices vary widely around the globe. Everything from expectations of the security personnel (shoes/no shoes, belts on/off, passport in shirt pocket ok/not ok) to the baggage policy (carry-on and checked) of the airline will impact your experience at the return airport.
Some airlines, for example, Qantas Airlines, have very strict carry-on restrictions that involve not just size and number of bags, but weight as well. I wasn’t prepared for this on one of my trips to Oz and was required to check my “heavy” roller briefcase and most of its contents and purchase a small, disposable bag for my computer, music player, and other things that I didn’t want to check, but were under the 7Kg (15lb) limit per bag.
“Debrief”
Sometimes, there is only a very brief period before heading out on the next business trip; every now and then, less than 24 hours. Aside for the expected laundry gymnastics, there are a few things make the next trip much easier.
1) Get all of those receipts in order. Even if I don’t have time to finalize the expense report, I will make certain to have all of the receipts in the envelope sorted in chronological order and add slips of paper for the minor (<$10) expenses.
2) Clean out the “cruft.” I go through each pocket of my backpack removing loose change, re-group the currency Ziploc™ bags, and if its not already in there, put the itinerary and hotel information for the next trip in to the travel folder.
3) Finish the quick “ToDo” list for follow-up. Business cards, follow-up emails, etc., that must be completed in the next few days – that all goes on to a list while it’s fresh in my mind.
The Bottom Line
Plan to be flexible. “Semper Gumbi” should be your motto. Remember that you’re not that big a deal, getting there tomorrow really won’t be the end of the world, and that a smile and a “Thank You” no matter the circumstance will make everything much, much better.
About the Author
Mike never planned to launch Agile Set, LLC and consult to smart card clients worldwide. He planned to be an astronaut. Now, he is a Certified GlobalPlatform Trainer and editor of ISO/IEC 24727-3, a standard poised to influence future card and system architectures. After earning his MSME from Virginia Tech, Mike intended to play for a year, and then get serious. Seventeen years and two kids later, the serious part has yet to kick in.
Connect With Mike: Twitter
The OTR authors are on a short break. We’ve re-posted 3 tips from one of our popular articles, “6 Simple Time Management Tips” [March 2010]. Be sure to leave a comment with strategies that have worked for you.
1) Plan your next day the night before, just as you find that quiet time before retiring. Your mind is generally (keyword is generally) less active and can better assess what lies ahead without the daily distractions.
4) Have your workspace as organized and clean as possible. I’m a sucker for workflow ergonomics with a ‘lil feng shui mixed in. Many people often comment, “Wow, your recording studio is SO NEAT!” :-) A clean and organized space will help make the planning process go easier.
5) Visualize yourself accomplishing the goals you set for the time allotted (e.g., the next day, next few days, or week ahead).
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The OTR authors are on a short break. In fact, one of them (moi!) is unplugging this week, which means she has very limited internet and cell phone access. Check out the excerpt below from our previously published blog post on that subject, “Quick Tip: Unplug” [September 2009], and stay tuned for an update…
Alright, so this isn’t new news, right? When you’re working on an important project, you need to focus and not answer the phone and check email…or fiddle with your BlackBerry. We know this, but we just don’t do it. Well, friends, we should. One organizer I know, Monica Ricci, suggests that we unplug for a weekend. Ouch! Three hours I can do. Three days, not so much…but I might give it try. What say you?
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The OTR authors are on a short break. Please enjoy one of our previously published articles, “Can Procrastination be Good For You?” [September 2009]. Below is an excerpt from that article. Tell us – are you a planner or do you get a rush from racing to meet a deadline?
So, can procrastination be good for you? Does it help you build your “quick on your feet” skills? Are you less stressed because you’re dealing with things in the moment? Maybe when you delay working on your important projects to hang out with friends or go to the beach – or just do nothing at all – maybe you’re building up those endorphins and, therefore, making yourself happy and reducing stress?? Kinda like eating chocolate. If you’re a person who thrives under pressure and enjoys the thrill of racing to meet the deadline AND you almost always meet those deadlines, is procrastination really that bad? Is that kind of stress “good stress,” the motivation type of stress?
Does planning work well for you or do you prefer “the last minute” dance?
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“According to the Self Storage Association, there are 2.21 billion square feet of self-storage in this country. That means there are more than 7 square feet of storage per U.S. resident.” [The Best Industries for Starting a Business · Christine Lagorio · Inc.com · May 24, 2010]
Feng Shui expert, Ann Bingley Gallops, has shared her insight with us before. Today she’s back with a specific focus on how to reduce stress in the bedroom.
Did you know that 43% of American adults suffer adverse health effects from stress? Or that two-thirds of all visits to doctors’ offices are due to stress-related symptoms?
If you or your clients suffer from stress, one of the things you may be missing out on is deep, healthy sleep. Feng Shui offers a few simple solutions for creating a bedroom atmosphere that’s relaxing, soothing and serene, where you can reduce your stress and regain your health.
Take these steps to a better night’s sleep – and reduce the stress in your life.
1. Clear the clutter.
A cluttered bedroom = confused, nervous energy surrounding you as you sleep. Sort through everything in the room, removing everything that’s not strictly sleep-related – that includes books, electronic equipment, the treadmill… you get the idea. If your bedroom absolutely must serve a secondary function – as a home office, for instance – find a way to screen it off from view when you sleep.
2. High ceilings?
Cathedral ceilings have become a fact of life in many modern American bedrooms, but they are a Feng Shui no-no in the bedroom, where feeling coddled and safe is priority #1. Overly high ceilings call for a solution that brings things back to a more human scale: a canopy bed, curtains that create a cozy nest, even darker paint on the ceiling to bring it “back down to earth.”
3. Remove mirrors.
Even though they are so very common in bedrooms, mirrors may be increasing your stress by stirring up the atmosphere as you sleep. Their hard, cold energy – reflecting every little bit of light in the room — is the opposite of cozy, warm feeling you want to create. I’ve had so many success stories with clients who have removed the mirrors from their bedrooms – try it and see for yourself.
4. Place your bed to put yourself “in command.”
With Feng Shui’s Command Position you reduce your stress by putting yourself in control of your room, even as you sleep.Place your bed so you can easily see the door to your room as you lie in bed. The ideal spot is out of the direct line of the door, so “Chi energy” can meander around the room a bit before flowing around you as you sleep.
5. A headboard for your bed.
A headboard for your bed = a mountain at your back. This classic Feng Shui principle keeps you feeling even safer and more secure as you sleep. It’s best to avoid metal or barred headboards: solid wooden headboards are best for a warm sense of sanctuary and protection.
6. Keep the lights down low.
Bright or overhead lights make your room feel like it’s daytime. Avoid “full-spectrum” lighting in your bedroom, and put as many lights as you can on dimmers to create a dark and welcoming environment that’s conducive to sleep.
Feng Shui is a wonderful stress-reduction strategy. I hope you’ll put as many of these tips into practice as you can to live a more relaxed and happy life.
About The Author
Ann Bingley Gallops and Open Spaces Feng Shui offer a modern, practical approach to the ancient art of Feng Shui, enhancing your life with balance and good health. Ann has been practicing Feng Shui since 1996, and received her Practitioner’s Certificate from the Western School of Feng Shui.
Her background includes an MBA from Columbia University as well as Red Ribbon Professional accreditation from the International Feng Shui Guild, the highest Feng Shui qualification available in the U.S. Ann’s services include consultations for homes and offices, plus space-clearing & blessing ceremonies and long-distance “virtual” consultations.
Connect With Ann: Blog | Twitter | Facebook | E-Mail | 646.382.3878
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