How To Trash Your Own Career In 9 Easy Lessons By: Marsha Egan | - We work hard at developing our careers, carefully crafting our futures and growing our experience and skill sets. Too often, we fail to realize how easy to is to undo all that hard work and completely sabotage your own career. Here's just a few popular ways that people do this, to help you avoid them:
1) Believing that hard work is the sole reason you will get ahead: How many people do you know with their heads down, hell-bent on working every available hour? Even if their work is ... Tags:Marsha Egan, maintaining job, career
Are You An Email Addict? By: Marsha Egan | - When we think about addiction, the first things that usually come to people's minds are things like drugs and alcohol, before we think of more benign things such as particular TV shows or chocolate. However, I'd like to challenge you to think about a somewhat insidious addiction of our modern age - addiction to email.
Goal Getting Is Easier Than You Think! By: Marsha Egan | - We're rushing headlong towards 2012, and we're approaching that time of year again when people start thinking about making resolutions. We make these with great intentions, but it often isn't long before many resolutions fall by the wayside - think of all that unused and unloved gym equipment people buy and then soon stop using!
Here are a few tips and suggestions to help you accomplish great things in the coming year:
Gain An Hour Per Day With Email Savings Time! By: Marsha Egan | - The end of Daylight Savings Time is right around the corner and you know what that means: We're all about to lose an hour!
Okay, okay, we don't really "lose" an hour… but with the clocks being shifted back an hour it certainly feels like it. So, in response to the end of Daylight Savings Time, I'd like to propose that we begin Email Savings Time! This means that starting on November 6th, everyone reclaims an hour per day from their inbox by managing their email more effectiv ... Tags:email productivity, Marsha Egan, daylight saving time, productivity, efficiency, checking email, email
The Energizing Power Of Goals By: Marsha Egan | - How much more effective are you at getting projects finalized and your work cleared down in the few days before you're due to go on vacation? You know that you need to get a report handed in, make a particular phone call, or pass certain tasks to colleagues to advance a project BEFORE you leave; you push yourself and make sure it's all organized, knowing you'll relax all the better on vacation knowing it's dealt with. Can you imagine what the working world would be like if we were like that all ... Tags:attaining goals, productivity, procrastination, Marsha Egan, Inbox Detox, time management, accountability, planning
Build Your Goals On Firm Foundations By: Marsha Egan | - We all know that we need to set goals, and the more energy you have towards reaching a goal, the greater chance you'll have of getting there.
So, what can you do to give your goals some wings?
The most important thing is to give yourself some deadlines. Make them firm and unmovable - deadlines are the foundations of your goals - build them firm and your building will stand. Fail to build firm foundations and they'll just slide away from under you.
Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities By: Marsha Egan | - "I've always meant to learn better IT skills, but every time I'm going to sign up for the class something comes up. It would really help me at work, but…"
"I've always really wanted to get my MBA. I know it would really make a difference to my career, but it's expensive, and I've never really gotten around to getting it started. I would definitely do it next year, but…"
Recession-proof Your Job By: Marsha Egan | - We must all focus on recession-proofing our careers. Many are worried about their jobs, but most don't do anything about it. Instead of sticking their heads in the sand, people need to make sure they're brushing up on their skills so that, even with so many cutbacks happening across just about every industry, their companies will see them as the valuable assets that they are. Here are some simple steps that people can take that will help recession-proof their skills: There's no doubt about it, t ... Tags:career management, leadership skills, leadership, recession, cutbacks, economy, jobs, employment, economic crisis
Your Deadly Inbox By: Marsha Egan | - This sounds like it's going to be a lecture on phishing scams or spam email, but that's not the case at all. This is a warning on the hidden dangers of what YOU do with your inbox, not what others put in it!
Dealing With Performance Issues By: Marsha Egan | - There's no such thing as the perfect employee. No matter how great your staff are, the odds are that, at some point, they won't be performing at their best. They'll go through a tough time, they'll misunderstand an instruction, or they'll just, plain and simple, mess up.
The Art Of A Great Apology By: Marsha Egan | - No matter how hard you try to be perfect, I can guarantee that, at some point, you'll have the need to apologize to someone! I find it interesting that a lot of people think that having to apologize is a sign of weakness, when it is really a sign of humility, self confidence, caring, and strength.
Face The Fear Of Feedback By: Marsha Egan | - Whether it is standing in front of the mirror rehearsing a speech, recording yourself for a presentation or performing in the living room for your family; we all want positive feedback and praise. But what about the feedback we don't want to hear, but often times need to hear.
No One Is An Island By: Marsha Egan | - Simon and Garfunkel once famously sang "I am a rock, I am an island". It's a great song, but it simply isn't true! For whatever reason, we all seem afraid to ask for help, even from those closest to us, regardless of whether we need or deserve it. There's something in our society that seems to dictate that we have to do it all ourselves - either a perception that we'll be seen as weak, or just simply pride.Simon and Garfunkel once famously sang "I am a rock, I am an island". It's a great song, b ... Tags:leadership, productivity, attitude, pride, successful leaders, management
The Blame Game By: Marsha Egan | - "I'm sorry I didn't call, I didn't have your number in my phone.
"I'm sorry I'm late, I got stuck in traffic and didn't know any detours."
"I'm sorry about that report. My PC crashed and I lost the supporting information and the replacement files were back at the office."
Excuses. We all have them. It starts early in our lives with such gems as "The dog ate my homework".
Planning your day and your work may seem like a complete 'no-brainer', but you'd be surprised how many of us fail to do so consistently and effectively.
The more you plan, the more effectively your time will be spent. Being busy and being productive are two completely different things and, the more productive you can be, the less busy you have to be! Effective planning is the key to accomplishing your ... Tags:Performance, management, time management, organization, marsha egan, leadership, planning
Praise Is A Free Gift That Keeps Giving By: Marsha Egan | - I'll bet you could tell me exactly when the last time someone gave you a meaningful compliment. In fact, I'll bet you can remember exactly what the person said that made your day.
Sadly, one of the main reasons these moments stick in our heads is that they're all too infrequent. So when someone does make the effort to acknowledge something you've done, it stays with us a long time.
Is Positive Politics An Oxymoron? By: Marsha Egan | - When we think of the word 'politics', we can't help but think of political rallies, scandal and confrontation. Regardless of which side of the political divide you identify with, as a nation, politics has a very negative connotation.
Of course, the word 'politics' means so much more than whether you're a Democrat or a Republican, and who's currently coming out on top on Capitol Hill. Politics can also describe 'the complex or aggregate of relationships of people in society, especial ... Tags:politics, management, corporate ladder, marsha egan, positive politics
Let's Keep It Simple By: Marsha Egan | - How Leading a Simple Life Can Help you Enjoy Your Life
We've all heard of the KISS method. Keep It Simple Sam. In this over-committed lifestyle we all seem to be leading, there are a number of good reasons to "keep it simple."
Email Efficiency: The 'touch It Once' Rule - How's That Working For You? By: Marsha Egan | - We've all heard of the 'touch it once' rule - where smug associates with seemingly empty desks tell you they owe their serenity to never allowing paperwork to touch their desk more than once. Have you ever tried it for yourself and found yourself no better off, if not worse?
Stop The World, I Want To Get Off! By: Marsha Egan | - Almost every day, I hear someone remark how fast the world is changing - and it's true. It's almost unrecognizable from our parents' days, and even from the world we grew up in.
We live in a world far more touched by a constant state of change than any generation which has gone before us. Global communication and sharing of ideas combined with ever-increasing technology has given us a world that moves incredibly fast. Add to that the increasing world population, increased global com ... Tags:change, resistance, organization, management, stress, stress management
Goals Work Better On Paper! By: Marsha Egan | - New Year is the time that many of us assess where we are both professionally and personally; and often make resolutions for the coming year.
The single most effective tool in making sure your goals last longer than the Christmas chocolates is so simple, but far too few people put it to use:
Do You Promote A Culture Of Creativity? By: Marsha Egan | - In today's fast-paced culture of constant change and innovation, organizations that want to grow and prosper need to be flexible and malleable to keep up with the pace, especially if they not only want to stay with the pack, but be leaders in their field. The rigid command and control structures of yesteryear are a barrier to moving with the times.
How Are You At Building Reserves? By: Marsha Egan | - How are you at building reserves? And we're not just talking about money, although the concept is the same. Do you have reserves of time, resources and energy? Are you running your life, or is your life running you?
We are all familiar with the concept of building financial reserves. Your family advisors tell you to put funds aside for emergencies; they give you advice on how much you should put away (A half year's salary? A full year's expenses?) They work with you to regularly ... Tags:Energy, Resources, time management, finances
10 Ways To Send 10% Fewer E-mail Messages By: Marsha Egan | - Information Overload Awareness Day is fast approaching. Yes. We all struggle with the barrage of information that we receive and is available to us daily. And one of the ever growing sources of that information is e-mail.
Consider the world productivity impact if everyone sent 10% fewer e-mails than their average -- every day from this day forward. Not sure what that number is? Simple. Just go into your Sent Mail over the last few days and check how many messages you sent. Take 10% ... Tags:Information overload, email, email productivity, marsha egan, email overwhelm
Look no further... Here is YOUR answer to getting things DONE at alllll those meetings we attend.
All it takes is three little words. Here are the "three little words" that will change your meeting life forever. Who knows, they may even bolster your career!
Remember The I In Leadership By: Marsha Egan | - Leadership is about having a vision and inspiring others. This has been and will always be true, but modern leaders face the challenge of processing information faster than ever before. Managing today means making the time to lead and knowing when, not just how, to share your ideas with your team. This ability to "self manage" or "self lead" is critical. Self-management enables leaders to focus on those actions that are most important for the business.
Five Great Ways To Sabotage Your Career By: Marsha Egan | - So many times, people don't realize how easily they can sabotage their careers, unknowingly, they will do or not do things that hold them back. Here are five cautionary behaviors:
Pretending that there are no politics: sometimes people take the view that they are not going to acknowledge or participate in the political framework of their organization. This is definitely career limiting. People need to be aware of the political aspects; they do not necessarily have to be political ... Tags:meetings, leadership, career, promotion, relationships, strategy
Just as with how the overlap between our work and our home lives has become blurred, and technology has connected us to people and tasks around the clock, we could all be working 24/7 and still feel overwhelmed. How can we get it all done?
You're not alone. Millions of Americans are frustrated with their growing to do lists, their constant connectivity, in their seeming inabilit ... Tags:goals, overwhelm, boundaries
Break The Ice To Get Your Meeting Going! By: Marsha Egan | - Icebreakers are great. When you get people together to work on things, getting them to know each other will spur on other positive results.
I make it a habit to have an icebreaker at just about every volunteer meeting I conduct, whether the group is large or small. After all, these people chose to volunteer, let's make it fun for them. These ideas also thrive in a working environment; they help people build the relationships that can move an enterprise forward.
Are You Doing The Right Stuff? By: Marsha Egan | - These days, it seems like we are being pulled in so many different directions. Priorities compete with each other, and it just seems like we can't get everything done, doesn't it?
What's worse, it seems like our daily "to do" lists grow much faster than our abilities to check them off. No wonder the world is showing more stress.
Sometimes it is helpful to step back, and evaluate all those things we're doing, to make sure that the important "stuff" is being addressed.< ... Tags:management, priorities, goal setting, organization, balance
The reality is there are quite a number of things that you can do, personally, to keep your e-mails to a minimum. Here are a few tips:
Be very clear. By making sure that the content of your e-mails is very understandable, you can avoid people e-mailing you with questions. Taking a small amount ... Tags:email, e-mail, organization, productivity, management, leadership
If Your Employees Were All Taking Two-hour Lunches, Wouldn't You Address It? By: Marsha Egan | - In these trying economic times, we are all looking for opportunities to save costs and increase productivity. Businesses have a huge opportunity to increase productivity staring them in the face that unfortunately has gone virtually undetected.
What is that opportunity? The reclaimed productivity comes from changed e-mail habits. You think I kid? The research firm Basex recently estimated the cost of information overload to the world economy $900 billion annually. E-mail handling ha ... Tags:management, leadership, email, culture, organization, time management
If You're Thinking Of Checking That Blackberry In A Meeting, Don't! By: Marsha Egan | - We've all done it. The meeting is going on and on. Your boss is rambling. You "get" the gist of the concept. You're bored. Your mind drifts. Hmmm. Wonder what newfound treasure has appeared in my PDA? Who will notice if you sneak a peek?
Your boss will. Others in the meeting will. Don't do it. You could be committing career suicide.
Robert Half & Associates recently conducted a study of 150 senior executives, which showed that 31 percent of them found it inappro ... Tags:management, smartphones, career, business etiquette
Five Tips On Dealing With Change By: Marsha Egan | - Everything is changing so fast! I hear this comment almost daily. And the reality of it is, -- it's true!
The changes that we are experiencing today are significantly more than the changes that our forefathers had to embrace. The world is moving at an extremely fast-pace. And the illuminating thought, or should I say reality, is that today's pace of change is probably the slowest rate of change we will experience ever again. Yikes!
Email Management: Forget The "touch It Once" Rule! By: Marsha Egan | - So many of us have so many items on our to-do lists, it can be a source of stress to just about everyone! We need more minutes in the day... How will we get it all done?
Well, first of all, we need to give ourselves permission to not get it all done. Instead we need to look at setting the right priorities, and working on the most important stuff. That, in and of itself, is a subject that would take much more than this column to solve. Instead, let's start small with a suggestio ... Tags:email, organization, time management e-mail overload, productivity
If you place yourself at the center of this net, you can see how your direct links, or connections, extends outward. And each of those links extend outward as well. Yet they are all interconnected. This is what we want our net to look like, and even more, to "work."
Playing Gotcha Doesn't Work By: tbota01 | - about how human beings interact with each other, I would eliminate "gotcha" forever.
What is "gotcha"? Before we talk about eliminating "gotcha", it is important to clarify just what "gotcha" is! "Gotcha" can come in many forms. In the verbal form, we know it more commonly as "I told you so," but "gotcha" can take on many other forms. "Gotcha" is not only noticing that someone makes an error, but using it against them. Sometimes the intent of a "gotcha" is to try and make someone fe ... Tags:a Reading, PA based professional
Playing Gotcha Doesn't Work By: Marsha Egan | - If I could wave a magic wand, and change something about how human beings interact with each other, I would eliminate "gotcha" forever.
What is "gotcha"? Before we talk about eliminating "gotcha", it is important to clarify just what "gotcha" is! "Gotcha" can come in many forms. In the verbal form, we know it more commonly as "I told you so," but "gotcha" can take on many other forms. "Gotcha" is not only noticing that someone makes an error, but using it against them. Sometime ... Tags:partnership, business, collaboration, relationship, leadership, management
Career Strategy: Ask For Help! By: Marsha Egan | - People who have more luck than others aren't afraid to ask others for help. While some might think that this is a sign of weakness, it really isn't. It is a signal of success.
Asking people for help in terms of a referral to someone or opening the door for a possible meeting with someone is totally acceptable behavior. Asking others for constructive criticism is another form of requesting help. The same goes for asking for assistance in an area where you are not an expert.
... Tags:career, strategy, weakness, help, referral
The Secret To Motivation: Recognition! By: Marsha Egan | - If you'd like to have energized and motivated employees or members, people who love what they are doing, and a thriving organization, then ask yourself how much of a recognition culture you have in your organization.
Recognition and appreciation are not "once and done" events. To build a recognition culture in your organization, you need to do it regularly and often. And not only you. If you have a recognition culture in your organization, people at all levels of the organization ... Tags:recognition, appreciation, work culture, motivation, leadership, encouragement
Do You Play Positive Politics? By: Marsha Egan | - How many of you have heard the expression positive politics? This is the opposite negative politics and I believe you can see a shift in political positioning and behavior as your move to the higher levels in just about any organization.
As you go up the corporate ladder, or any organizational structural ladder, you're going to find that the people who are higher to the top are rarely engaged in what I consider to be negative politicking. Negative politicking is where the overt "bac ... Tags:management, leadership, politics, organization, motivation, encouragement
Life Success: The Difference Between Values And Goals By: Marsha Egan | - Whether you believe it or not we are all governed by values. Our values influence how we make decisions and effectively run our lives. Values can be instilled in us or we can choose to adopt them. Our values can change. The important thing to know is that when we have strong values, and positive values, they will be integral to our achieving what we want in this life.
Values are not goals. Goals are targets. Values are the base upon which we run our lives.
Business Email Culture: Manage It Or Watch Your Profits Slide Away By: Marsha Egan | - Every time you let your email interrupt your productive work, it takes you an average of 4 minutes to get back on track. If in one day you let 15 emails derail you, you've just lost an hour of billable, productive time. Multiply that by every employee every day and you can see how office-wide unproductive email use can be an enormous drain on your profits.
By selecting an option whereby you program your email software to deliver every 90 minutes, or even every two hours, you will be able to consolidate your work. Very little is truly urgent; those urgent items are usually handled by telephone or personal visit. Better yet, turn the delivery option off completely, and YOU decide when to retrieve email - and not more than ... Tags:e-mail overload, e-mails, emails, email overwhelm, productivity, tools, email tips, e-mail tips
Is Your "email Noodling" Adding Hours To Your Day? By: Marsha Egan | - Email Noodling?!!! Watzzat? Chances are, you know exactly what it is, although you may not recognize the name... We call it E-Noodling, for short.
Email Noodling is the pervasive and time wasting practice of looking at all the subjects in your inbox, scrolling up and down, opening one every here and there, closing them without working on them, marking them unread" to make sure you read them again, scrolling up and down some more, lamenting about all the work you have to do, then ge ... Tags:email productivity, e-mail, email, organization, productivity, time management, priorties, management, time waster
So, let's not only make New Year's resolutions and/or set new goals for the year, but write them down. Sounds so easy doesn't it? The reality is that only about 2% of the people in the world have written goals. I'd like to challenge you to be part of the 2%."
When you ask anyone, "Do you have integrity?" they all say and feel that they do. Don't you? Integrity is key to character; we all want to have integrity. We all want to have character. But we all know of people and situations where their integrity doesn't match their intention.
* The grocery store shopper who knows he or she has 22 items and still goes through the express checkout.
Meetings Can Make Or Break Your Career By: Marsha Egan | - Oh, how much time do we all spend in meetings???! Some are effective; some aren't. They take time away from our abilities to do other things. Some times they're boring and wasteful. Sometimes they're not.
But one thing they all have: opportunities for you to showcase your abilities.
How To Get It All Done... By: Marsha Egan | - So much to do -- so little time to do it all. I can't tell you how many times I have heard exasperated people lament that they just don't know how they will get it all done.
That's part of the problem -- if our expectation is that we are supposed to get everything done that is on our to do list, our expectations are just plain unrealistic. We have essentially failed before we have even begun.
