The ultimate productivity lesson

Saying no and cutting back time commitments are some of the hardest things to do when attempting to be productive.  We get stuck on doing things a certain way and for particular reasons that made sense when we began but may lose their logic as time goes by.

After a year of blogging in support of my book, I will be taking a hiatus while I decide whether to proceed.  Since I've only had three pageviews in the last month, all from Russia, I don't think I'll be missed.  If I am, please let me know in the comments or by email.  Thanks!

happiness at work

We feel more motivated to work if we are happy at our jobs.  Sometimes, however, this can be difficult.  Perhaps the position isn't challenging, maybe we have other issues going on in our lives, or maybe we are just having a rough patch.  Jon Gordon's blog offers us an insightful post on happiness at work that can help us develop the mindset to motivate us to put in our best efforts.

procrastination and academic writing

This week I share another useful column from Inside Higher Ed entitled Write Now!  Tackling the everpresent curse of procrastination, the columnists offer good tips for getting writing done in the face of all the academic distractions we face (teaching, service, life outside of work, etc.)   There are excellent tips for building and sustaining momentum.  Check it out!

Working hard or hardly working?

As we approach the holiday season it can be a little difficult to get motivated.  Luckily Dumb Little Man provides us this week with 6 Ways to Trick Yourself into Working Harder.  Give them a shot, I know I will!

keep your goals to yourself

Lifehacker shares last week a video from the popular TED conference of Derek Sivers discussing how keeping your goals to yourself can help you reach them.  Controversial in some ways, but something I can completely understand.  It can limit you in some ways when you declare you will achieve something, and this speaker explains how in a very relatable way.  He offers other suggestions on how to build motivation around your goals that make sense.  What do you think about sharing your goals?

interesting technique for networking

As a natural introvert, networking in general can be hard for me, but I know it's an important part of the conference experience.  Last week I came across a tip from blogger Sid Savara:  Offer a snack to your fellow conference-goer.  He recommends a banana.  What an interesting idea!  It appeals to the mom in me, and the hungry conventioneer as well.  Although I personally can't stand bananas I think I might have to try this.  What techniques do you have for breaking the ice when out of your comfort zone?

willpower

Part of my book dealt with willpower and self control as a cure for procrastination.  Makes sense, but how do you build willpower?  Is it something you either have or don't?  Most people believe you can increase your willpower with a bit of work, but a new school of thought espouses that we have all got a good amount of willpower and it's just modern life that makes it hard to not be distracted and procrastinate.  The New York Times reports on this line of thinking.  What do you think?