Article by Anat Baniel, author of Move Into Life 

Normally, when we think about vitality, we think about people, about our own vitality and how we can augment it. However, when looking at our business, we can also gauge it in terms of its vitality. The Nine Essentials for Vitality are what the human brain requires to keep us energized, creative, healthy and full of life. Since people create business, the same principals apply the ‘brain’  of your business and can help your business move from surviving to thriving. 

1. Movement with Attention: Our brains are organized through movement.  As we introduce new patterns of movement, combined with attention, our brains begin making thousands, millions and even billions of new connections.  Not only is this true physically of our brains and bodies, it is also true of the movement you generate in your business.  Encouraging movement in your business, and paying closer attention to the various elements of your business can bring the vitality of your business to a higher level.   
2. The Learning Switch: Learning occurs in the brain.  However, for the brain to do its job, the “learning switch” needs to be turned on.  It is important to cultivate a culture of learning within your business. By doing that you will get more vibrant, intelligent, and creative employees that can become a tremendous source for the success of your business.
3. Subtlety: Your brain thrives on subtlety, on gentler, less-forceful, more-refined input.  What we discover with this Essential is that subtlety generates new possibilities that can open up remarkable new possibilities. Learning how to listen for the subtleties in interactions with employees and business partners, learning to reduce the force in communications, can open up worlds of possibilities that weren’t there before.
4. Variation: By introducing variation into the way you think, you will discover new ideas and solutions that wouldn’t otherwise have been possible.  Even if everything in your business is “good enough,” or is going along “pretty well,” or maybe even “couldn’t be better,’ we encourage you to be on the lookout for opportunities to introduce variation to energize your business and to usher in ever greater creativity. 
5. Slow: Slow gets the brain’s attention and gives it time to distinguish and perceive small changes and form new connections.  It is true that we live at the speed of light in this present age—there’s fast food, the fast track, fast turn-around, accelerated processing, instant printing, instant messaging, and the quick fix.  When you intentionally create time for Slow for yourself and your employees, you change the culture of your business and allow for greater intelligence to come forth on the part of everyone.
6. Enthusiasm: Enthusiasm is the amplifier by which you can turn up the volume, boosting the energy of everything you do, think, or feel.  Enthusiasm can take the seemingly small and turn it into something new and magnificent.  It is of utter importance for everyone in the business to develop their ‘enthusiasm muscle’. You’ll be amazed how becoming enthusiastic about ‘small’ stuff allows for the miraculous to occur.
7. Flexible Goals: Goal setting is important for getting what we want from life.  However, how we go about achieving our goals can become a real impediment by creating resistance to change.  Rigid and forceful approach to goals limits our vision and creativity and gets us to miss opportunities and solutions.  Holding your goals loosely gives you permission to adjust, invent and even exceed the initial goals.
8. Imagination and Dreams: Imagining and dreaming can change your life as well as your experience in your business.  You can invite your employees to write down their ideas, and dreams for the business. What they imagine for the business. Have them share it with each other and see the impossible becoming possible.
9. Awareness: Awareness is different than attention, which was part of Essential #1.  Attention is when we focus on something; it is possible to pay attention without being aware.  Awareness is the highest level of human functioning. Instill a culture in your business that values awareness of self, others, and that which is occurring in the business. You will help develop a culture that values the greater good. 

Your physical, mental, and emotional vitality is essential for your business vitality and success!

Thank you Anat!

Additional Resources

• Move Into Life, by Anat Baniel! The Nine Essential for Lifelong Vitality, you can learn more about the essentials and how to apply them in your life and to your business. 
• For more information on how to vitalize your self and your career log onto www.anatbanielmethod.com

In my recent interview at BNET, we got to work at the whiteboard. I drew and explained the breakthrough concepts behind the Results Curve which have helped thousands of business professionals manage their focused and collaborative time!

Now you can share this with your manager, your staff, your colleagues, so that you can better synchronize your focused and collaborative time, so everyone starts to become more awareness about where everyone else is in their workflow before you interrupt them:

40-minute focus for breakthrough results--at the whiteboard:

Looking forward to your comments here and on YouTube!

Christine Heckart, CMO of NetApp, shared some valuable insights with us at the BMA meeting yesterday.  These ranged from high level concepts to practical advice on how to lead, manage, and get results and get differentiated in a world where everyone is trying to claim they are the one. One of Christine's insight was:

THINK BIG, start small, move fast!

So how do we apply this in our daily productivity effort? I would like to take this approach and translate it to some of the tips and techniques that I have been practicing with business professionals from all walks of life and seeing some breakthrough results.

THINK BIG

Stop for a few minutes, and imagine what success "would" look like! It helps to have a time period in mind. Usually, I ask my participants to select 3 months or 6 months (after all we live in a rapidly changing work environment). Describe success vividly. See it. Hear it. Feel it. Unlimit yourself. Once you are excited about the vision of success that you create it, write it down, and refine it.

Now, the real work starts. Translate this vision of success into 3 to 5 key results. Keep refining these results until they are specific. Then start the brainstorming process. Ask yourself: "How do I get there?" Expand on this until you have narrowed it down to specific activities that are likely to get you there. Start to schedule these on your calendar to bring them to life . Without Thinking Big, we stay busy with the small stuff. But without flushing out the details and getting them onto the calendar, we stay at wishful thinking!

Stay tuned for the "start small" and then the "move fast" tips and insights. For now, THINK BIG! And share with us your thoughts!

Yes, Thor!

"At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero and ends up protecting humans when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth."

What can we learn from Thor?

We can learn about "change" and more importantly changing our outlook on things to achieve meaningful things!

Two years ago, Dr. Carol Dweck, author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, addressed the same issue at our lunch & learn webinars. In her presentation, she described two types of mindsets. One that she calls the Fixed Mindset and the other the Growth Mindset. The Fixed Mindset is characterized by a belief that our abilities are fixed and either we have "it" or we don't. While the Growth Mindset believes that we can learn and we can change. While we (and Thor) might seem initially to have a Fixed Mindset, it is possible that circumstances can open our mind to learn and change and adopt the Growth Mindset--a lesson that Thor had to learn by visiting us, humans.

When it comes to productivity and to accomplishing meaningful things, embracing change and adopting the Growth Mindset are critical. One of my opening statements at the Accomplishing More With Less workshop is that we cannot make significant improvements, not to mention breakthroughs, if we don't do things differently (in other words undergo change)!

Let us welcome and embrace what may seem to be initially difficult (even a punishment in the case of Thor) and see what mindset this might open!

I couldn't have said it any better. "When everything is a priority, nothing is a priority" said my client today as I was shadowing him in order to better understand his organization's work process and tailor our training programs accordingly. Shadowing is such an insightful exercise. It allows us to take a look at what is under the hood; the nuances that make each work environment unique. It is a great learning for everyone involved; the observer, the one being observed, and everyone around them.

Back to the priority overload

Priority overload seems to be a common complaint which we hear about often in our workshops. It is a complaint that we need to pay closer attention to!

Creating a priority (such as communicating that an issue is urgent or a task needs to be performed under a tight deadline) needs to be taken very seriously and exercised with utmost care. If not, and if too many priorities are created, and if they are reactive rather than strategic, the result is counterproductive if not even harmful. If this persists over time, it can lead to the team getting tired, then exhausted, then fatigued, resentful, and maybe rebellious. Then comes exodus!

By the way, priority overload need not be confused with changing priorities and with being flexible and responsive to changes in the marketplace. Priority overload is about having too many priorities to the detriment of being successful at any of them. Changing priorities on the other hand is part of being dynamic and responsive, but should also be considered carefully and strategically.

The key question: "What is the link?"

So how do we ensure that the priorities we are creating or changing are carefully selected and don't backfire? One practice that we stress in the Accomplishing More With Less Workshop is a simple but overlooked one, which is getting into the habit of asking the question "What is the link?" In other words, what is the link between this task, or this priority or project, and the end results that we are seeking? If the link is clear, we are good to go. If not, trouble is on its way and careful reassement is in order!

Managers and executives, beware!  And be strategic! And be attentive as to whether your team is already on the graph above!

Constant interruptions can really get in the way of our productivity. In a recent conversation with BNET (the CBS Interactive Business Network), I discussed this issue and outlined some tips for those who want to effectively solve these workplace challenges (or "landmines" as the BNET team calls them).

Watch the video and/or check out some of the key points below.

Host Question: I have a colleague who is constantly sending me Instant Messages and often stopping by to talk to me.  It's not that I don't like this person but these constant interruptions are having an adverse impact on my ability to make real progress.  What can I do?

Answer: There are two important issues that we need to discuss with our workgroup.

First, how do we indicate to them that we are focused. In other words, when we are trying to focus and prefer not to be interrupted, how do we make this known to them so they become aware of it and therefore minimize their interruptions? Some groups approach this playfully and agree that a person would post a visible “sign” of some sort indicating that they’re focused. Other groups use their Instant Messenger status.

Second, we need to discuss with our group how do they escalate issues to us when critical issues come up while we’re focused. Using e-mail to escalate issues is not the answer because we would need to monitor e-mail all the time and therefore can’t focus. Phone, cell phone, pager, text messaging, work much better.

Host Question: How about my manager? Many of my interruptions actually come from my manager?

Answer: Ideally, you would have a similar discussion with your manager, and also agree on a response time. It would be helpful if the issues are grouped into two categories: Urgent issues that require immediate attention, and less-urgent that can wait until the next time you are on e-mail or next time you see your manager.

Host Question: So what should managers do?

Answer: I have three tips for managers. First, clearly differentiate between what is truly urgent, and what is perceived urgent. Second, have a designated place to capture the issues that are not truly urgent instead of e-mailing them or calling your team members right away. This can be a paper journal or an electronic document. Third, make it okay for your team to say “no” and to ask to postpone discussions until they are finished with their current focused task.

In Summary?

Constant interruptions can really get in the way of our productivity and to minimize them we need to discuss these issues with our group openly and come up with a win-win formula where we can help each other stay focused and yet stay responsive to urgent and critical issues when they come up.

Additional Resources

• The Results Curve (free download)
• The Accomplishing More With Less Workbook
• The Accomplishing More With Less Workshop

As the deadline approaches for completing the manuscript for the Accomplishing More With Google Apps book, I needed to take some drastic measures to stay on track. One of them was to take two whole days out of my busy schedule and work uninterrupted on writing and editing.

The thought of spending two full days on one task is not necessarily the most appealing especially when it comes to writing and editing; a process that takes energy, creativity, and requires a certain mindset/mood.  I had to pull every trick I know, and every tip  and technique I teach, in order to make it through!

So here are how I turned these 20+ hours of writing into a fun and successful project:

1. Started with a vision:  I spend some time reflecting and reminded myself of why this is important to me, and what the finished product will look like. As you know, I am a strong believer in writing things down. So I described this vision vividly on my journal!
2. Proceeded to breaking the project down: I divided the two days into 4 half-day chunks, with a goal for each, and each half-day chunk, into about 5 or 6 smaller focused sessions. The exact times were loosely defined to allow for flexibility and spontaneity.
3. Alternated between focus sessions and mini-breaks and play time: After each focused session of exactly 35 minutes (for some reason my default guidelines of 40 minutes seemed too long for some reason), I engaged into an active fun break or exercise of some sort. This included moving around, stretching, and/or a little walk. I even designed a 5 minute exercise that I will be soon introducing at some fo the workshops (those who are attending my May 18th workshop are likely to experience it).
4. Arranged the environment ahead of time so I can stay uninterrupted during this project: I cleared the inbox, handled any outstanding and time sensitive issues, and even full cleared my desk. So now my workspace and my mind were ready for focus. Most importantly I cleared by schedule and set the expectation that I won't be available.
5. Stayed offline the whole time: While there was an overwhelming temptation to check e-mail on the breaks, I resisted and shut down e-mail all together. No e-mail and no browsing except when I needed it for my task--writing and editing. With no connectivity, focus got deeper and deeper, and momentum got higher and higher. No connectivity largely contributed to the success of this project.

How did you manage your last important project or deadline? Did you apply any of the above and how? Or what other tricks did you pull to overcome interruptions, complexity, and procrastination?

I belong to this organization (its name to remain anonymous) and it was time to renew my membership recently. I was asked to fill out the membership application again (same application that we filled out last year). Being the productivity and efficiency evangelist that I am, I couldn’t “digest” that request very well. So I objected and questioned why we would be asked to submit the same information again! Shouldn’t we all be focused on doing work that has some purpose after all?

This didn’t stop here! When the application was not received in time, our company profile was deleted from the organization’s website and it seems it was not stored in any other backend database. Now we have to fill out an application that we already filled out previously, and re-submit the profile information that we have submitted previously!

This didn’t stop here either. I got a lengthy response from the baby boomer in charge, explaining the logic behind the “illogical” process!

Let us learn something from Gen Y. And that is having things be practical and doing only things that make sense! Not to mention that Gen Y can’t learn a thing or two from Baby Boomers—I will point that out at the next opportunity as I continue to promote a multi-generational workplace where we all learn from each other! What can you learn from other generations? Your turn!

More Resources

Review recordings of the following lunch & learn webinars at the "Accomplishing more with less" Facebook group:

• Gen Y in Action by Jenny Blake
• Gen X in Action by Adam Christensen
• Baby Boomers in Action by Peggy Wolf
• Seniors in Action by Bill Denyer
• Generational Panel Discussion

Are you watching over your brand and your users like the Delicious.com team?

Additional Resources

"Motivation Day 2K10" (organized by California Staffing Professionals) started today with a keynote by Craig Silverman, Partner and Vice President of Sales & Marketing at Albin Engineering, which was indeed insightful and motivating. Among the many things that Craig shared with the audience were these questions which he encouraged everyone to reflect upon and answer:

• How do I rank my ability to ask good questions
• How do I rank my ability to listen
• How strong is my understanding of my clients businesses and how they buy
• How good is my ability to track metrics, progress, and results
• How strong is my ability to develop great relationships

There were additional reflections, but I just want to highlight these areas because I would like to suggest that these apply not only to our success with our motivation in pursuing business goals, and our effectiveness in dealing with customers, but just as well in our Social Media effort.

The Social Media experts continue to stress the important of listening to the conversation instead of simply broadcasting messages (Brian Solis) and staying on brand instead of entertaining everyone with our lunch or weekend plans (Jason Alba in his lunch & learn webinar with us last year) and Elaine Starling (in her lunch & learn webinar last Fall). So could we extract some simple but valuable Social Media best practices from these insights?

A few simple best practices for our Social Media conversations

Best Practice #1: Observing and listening before jumping in and/or hijacking the conversation.

Best Practice #2: Contributing with relevant and compelling content; not the chatter! or use the 80/20 rule. In this case 80% compelling, 20% chatter.

Best Practice #3: Tracking progress and results using metrics that are carefully defined

This is a start, and now your turn to add to this! Please share your comments below!

More resources

• Craig Silverman's blog
   
• Brian Solis' blog
   
• Old terminology, new terminology: "People connecting with other people"
   
• How to avoid being overwhelmed and consumed by social media?