Happy holidays! Bah Humbug?

"The Productivity PRO!"(R) news"E"letter Number 55,
December 2003

By Laura M. Stack, MBA, CSP, (Certified Speaking
Professional)

"The Productivity PRO!"(R) news"E"letter is a monthly
electronic newsletter distributed to our clients, human
resource personnel, and colleagues to help them leave the
office earlier, with less stress, and more to show for it!

If you enjoy this newsletter, please forward it to
interested associates so they may subscribe.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to
www.theproductivitypro.com/r_subscribe.htm.

___________________________________________________
In This Issue:

* Message from Laura
* Teleseminar Series
* Article: "Eliminating Traffic Jams and Bottlenecks in the
Workplace"
* Time Tips and Traps
* Words of Wisdom
* Topic of the Month
* Ask the Expert
* Featured Seminar: "Surviving Information Overload"
* Where in the World is Laura?
* Contact and Subscription Information

___________________________________________________
Message from Laura

Happy holidays! Bah Humbug?

Despite the festive mood of the season, some people still
aren't feeling very merry. Perhaps you're still recovering
from the rough economic times you've had to weather this
year. Perhaps you're working harder and longer than ever.
With U.S. employee productivity rates hitting a whopping
9.4 percent in the third quarter, you may be running
yourself ragged.

STOP! Take a deep breath and catch the holiday spirit. As
you trim the tree and bake holiday cookies, remember to
savor the moment. Give yourself permission to forget
about all those tasks still left on your to-do list. You don't
have to have *every* inch of your home covered in lights,
the fanciest food, and perfect decorations. Decide what's
truly important and let the rest be "good enough."
Remember that moments lost with your children, friends,
and family can never be replaced.

___________________________________________________
Teleseminar Series by Popular Demand

*January 19 Teleseminar SOLD OUT!*

In response to your requests, I'm pleased to announce the
new “Leave the Office Earlier” Teleconference Series! Join
me for a ten-part teleconference series on mastering your
personal productivity. Each one-hour teleconference will
cover a chapter in my new book “Leave the Office
Earlier.” You will receive a self-study guide with your
investment.

Time: 4:00 Eastern, 3:00 Central, 2:00 Mountain, 1:00 Pacific
Duration: One hour
Investment: $29

For detailed outlines and to register, go to
http://www.theproductivitypro.com/webinar_series.htm.

Teleseminar dates:

JANUARY 26, 2004: Order—organizing information and
creating systems
FEBRUARY 2, 2004: Discipline—maintaining persistent,
productive behavior
FEBRUARY 9, 2004: Unease—overcoming overload and
stress
FEBRUARY 16, 2004: Concentration—increasing focus and
attentiveness
FEBRUARY 23, 2004: Time—mastering activity- and self-
management
MARCH 1, 2004: Information—controlling technology and
using tools
MARCH 8, 2004: Vitality—discovering physiological
productivity factors
MARCH 15, 2004: Equilibrium—creating life balance and
boundaries

__________________________________________________
Article: "Eliminating Traffic Jams and Bottlenecks in the
Workplace"

You could be so much more efficient if it weren’t for other
people, right? We waste a lot of time waiting for
approvals, return phone calls, opinions, information, or
pieces of a project. But if you’re waiting on the same
people repeatedly, or you routinely use “I’m waiting” as
an excuse for not meeting a deadline, you need to take
steps to minimize bottlenecks. Here are some techniques
to analyze the patterns and minimize common slowdowns:

* Reorganize the workflow. Getting together with all the
players in a particular process (sales, engineering,
manufacturing, customer service, etc.) may quickly reveal
what’s broken. Sometimes a simple change in the flow of
work will boost productivity. Use sticky notes to plot an
entire process, using a wall to diagram the different steps.
Ask, “What would work better?” “How can we eliminate
this step?” “How can we do this more efficiently?”

* Eliminate dependencies. Do you feel excessively
dependant on others to get your work done? Perhaps you
need training or additional experience to help you
function more effectively in your present job. Perhaps
your manager is over-supervising or micromanaging your
work to a point where you feel nervous making simple
decisions anonymously. Make an appointment with your
supervisor and have a candid discussion about ways you
can be more efficient.

* Don’t be a bottleneck yourself. If you hear others saying
things to you such as, “I need you to look at this before I
go on,” or “When will you have time to review this for
me?” are symptoms of other people trying to control your
schedule. On one hand, it’s a compliment to your
expertise; however, their lack of confidence keeps them
from handling things without you. If people truly don’t
have the skills, that’s one thing. But if others are routinely
delegating decisions to you, take a stand. State
specifically, “I’m confident you’ll make the right decision.”
Or “You are responsible for managing this project.” Or
“ This task is due September 5. This is how I will measure
your success. This is your budget. If you run into
problems, keep me informed on how you’re handling
things.”

* Keep the process moving. When coordinating a project
with a co-worker, get buy-in on the due date. Once
promises have been made, repeat and nail down the
commitment. Say, “Great, you’ll get that to me by close of
business Wednesday.” Then let that person see you write
it down. Say, “Thanks so much for your support. I can
always count on you.” Appealing to someone’s honor in
this way may increase the chances of timely completion.
When people finish a promised task, no matter how small,
thank them. Never take others’ work for granted. They will
want to help you again the next time.

* Accept partial delivery. Some people are perfectionists,
so create the proper expectations from the beginning.
Explain what you need at a minimum to get moving. Let
people know you’ll take incomplete information until the
complete information is available. They can provide things
in formal or final form at a later date. If necessary, escalate
the problem to your supervisor to negotiate the situation
at a higher level.

Bottlenecks at work are like traffic jams: they bring things
to a standstill. The “traffic jam” in your work will continue
to occur until you do something about it. Pinpoint that
recurring “thing” that halts your work and put energy into
eliminating it. You’ll save much time and frustration in the
long run.

(C) Copyright 2003 Laura Stack, MBA, CSP. All rights
reserved. Portions of this newsletter may be reprinted in
your organization or association newsletter, provided the
following credit line is present:

"Laura M. Stack, MBA, CSP, is "The Productivity PRO," (R)
helping people leave the office earlier, with less stress, and
more to show for it. She presents keynotes and seminars
on time management, information overload, and personal
productivity. Contact her at 303-471-7401 or
Laura@TheProductivityPro.com."

___________________________________________________
Time Tips and Traps

* Each year around this time, my kids and I sort through
their toys. We dump out bins and take things off shelves,
collecting missing pieces and putting them away. Then
we sort the toys into keep, donate, and toss. My kids
always discover treasures they'd forgotten about. We then
drive the donations to our church. It's a wonderful way to
teach kids about the spirit of giving and gets the playroom
organized at the same time.

* Do you have college-bound teens? College guidance
counselors will tell you a campus tour is the best way to
evaluate a school. But who has the time and money to
tour schools all over the country? Now, you can take a
virtual tour of more than 350 college campuses around the
United States at www.collegiatechoice.com. The person
behind the camera acts like a typical parent, asking the
tour guide about the school. The tapes won't win prizes
for cinematography, and they shouldn't replace an actual
visit to a school your child is serious about, but it will
inexpensively reduce the number of schools you have to
see in person.

* Stop waiting for a "block of time" to start a larger task. If
you only have twenty minutes before a meeting, get
cracking on that one hour task instead of wasting it. Three
twenty-minute sessions, and you're done. We work in
" chunky time." No longer will you get that large block of
time, unless you leave your office and hide in a deserted
conference room.

__________________________________________________
Words of Wisdom

"The "how" thinker gets problems solved effectively
because he wastes no time with futile "ifs." -- Norman
Vincent Peale

"It's a mere moment in a man's life between an All Star
Game and an Old Timers' Game." -- Vin Scully

"You may delay, but time will not." -- Benjamin Franklin

___________________________________________________
Topic of the Month

Each month, I'll invite comments on a topic (if you have a
topic idea or dilemma, let me know). Responses will be
posted in the next month's newsletter.

DECEMBER TOTM:

What is the biggest waste of time in your workplace?

Please send your
brief response (75-100 words) directly to
Laura@TheProductivityPro.com. Please put "Topic of the
Month" or "TOTM" in the subject line.

___________________________________________________
Ask the Expert

Q: Hi Laura,

Just a quick question on organization to the Master. I have
a whole lot of articles from Reader's Digest that I would
like to tear out and organize. The subject matter is all over
the board. Any helpful hints that you can pass along?

Sincerely,

Brian C., Colorado

A: Hi Brian!

For hardcopy articles, you could set up a subject file. Use
Pendaflex (hanging) folders, rather than manilla folders.
Think of some broad categories to describe the type of
articles you're saving. For example, I have folders marked,
“ Time Management,” “Information Overload,” “Life
Balance,” “Stress Reduction,” etc.

You could also think about scanning them and using an
electronic database like askSam.com to track them. Then
you use keywords to do a search whenever you want a
particular type of information.

Productively yours,

Laura

___________________________________________________
Featured Seminar: "Surviving Information Overload"

*New clients: book this program through January 31, 2004
and receive a 10% discount when you mention this
newsletter.*

Description:

Do you get 100 emails every day? Do you have to work
twice as hard just to keep up? Does the sight of your
messy office and overflowing email in-box frustrate you?
Then this course is for you! Technology can undoubtedly
improve your productivity, but it can make you LESS
productive if you’re not careful. After attending this
program, you will be able to handle the daily onslaught of
information!

Learning Objectives
· Understand the Causes of Information Overload
· Master New Principles of Organization Required for
the Digital Age
· Implement a Single Sorting System That Organizes
Incoming Paper, Email, Voice Mail, and Action Items
· Discover Little Known MS Outlook Tricks That Will
Amaze You and Simplify Your Life
· Learn Secrets for Keeping Your Email and Paper In-
Boxes Empty
· Keep Track of “Things You Need To Do in the Future
But Don't Know Where to Put Them”
· Create Filing Systems That Are Easy To Use and
Maintain
· Learn Voice Mail Etiquette and Email “Netiquette”

___________________________________________________
Where in the World is Laura?

Jan 7, 2004 Denver, CO 01:00 PM
Jan 9, 2004 Denver, CO 08:30 AM
Jan 12, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Jan 13, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Jan 15, 2004 Denver, CO 09:00 AM
Jan 19, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Jan 26, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Jan 28, 2004 Denver, CO 08:30 AM
Feb 3, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Feb 3, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Feb 4, 2004 Denver, CO 08:30 AM
Feb 6, 2004 Minneapolis, MN 09:30 AM
Feb 9, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Feb 11, 2004 Denver, CO 09:00 AM
Feb 16, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Feb 20, 2004 Wichita, KS 01:00 PM
Feb 23, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Feb 24, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Mar 1, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Mar 4, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Mar 8, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Mar 16, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Mar 16, 2004 Denver, CO 02:00 PM
Mar 17, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Mar 24, 2004 Cheyenne, WY 09:00 AM
Apr 6, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Apr 21, 2004 Denver, CO 09:00 AM
Apr 27, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
May 3, 2004 Denver, CO 08:30 AM
May 4, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
May 10, 2004 Denver, CO 08:30 AM
May 18, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Jun 3, 2004 Denver, CO 09:00 AM
Jun 8, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Jun 29, 2004 New Orleans, LA 02:15 PM
Jul 1, 2004 Denver, CO 08:00 AM
Jul 7, 2004 Denver, CO 09:00 AM
Jul 14, 2004 Atlanta, GA 08:00 AM
Jul 26 - 27, 2004 Denver, CO 09:00 AM

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Reprint, Contact, and Subscription Information

Laura M. Stack, MBA, CSP, is "The Productivity PRO," (R)
a personal productivity expert who helps people leave the
office earlier, with less stress, and more to show for it. She
presents keynotes and seminars on time management,
information overload, and personal productivity. Contact
Laura at 303-471-7401 or Laura@TheProductivityPro.com.

If you enjoyed this newsletter, please forward it to
interested associates so they may subscribe.

To subscribe or unsubscribe, go to
www.theproductivitypro.com/r_subscribe.htm.