Category Archives: productivity

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Why Emotional Decisions Aren’t Always Bad

Written on January 18, 2012 by in mindset, productivity

Okay, listen up guys. I don’t say this often but here goes…

I was wrong.

Well, maybe not completely wrong. But a little wrong.

You see, I’ve written a lot in the past about why letting emotions guide you in the decision-making process is a dangerous thing. I, like the rest of the world, have been trained to believe that emotional decisions almost always lead to disaster.

“Calm down,” people say. “Don’t make a decision while you’re feeling emotional.”

Logic, we’re told, is the key to rational decision-making. Use your head, not your heart.

Only, the problem is, that’s not entirely true. Emotions aren’t just there to distract us. They have a purpose, and a rather important one at that.

Ignoring your emotions or simply “setting them aside” while you intellectually evaluate a problem means you could be missing a critical message from your subconscious brain.

I’m currently listening to an audiobook called “How We Decide,” by Jonah Lehrer. In it, he talks about the psychological pathways that lead us to make good (or bad) decisions.

Emotions, he says, can be a great source of intuition. Sometimes, your brain is able to connect the dots of the information it receives in a way that is so subtle it’s actually not even understandable by the conscious brain. The brain can see patterns we aren’t even aware of. Often, this information is translated into a “feeling.”

Let’s say you’ve just received an offer for a new job and you have a gut feeling that it’s not the right thing for you. When you set aside the emotion and just look at the facts, you see no reason to decline the offer. After all, it pays well, it’s close to home, it has all the elements you said you were looking for. And yet, something just feels off.

That feeling could be your body’s way of telling you there’s a problem. Perhaps your subconscious brain has picked up on signals you missed. Maybe it sensed patterns that matched dissatisfying past job experiences.

On paper, everything might look perfect. But, just because you can’t see it or understand it or explain it, doesn’t mean your brain isn’t picking up on real evidence that this is the wrong fit.

Feelings can be red flags telling you to sit up and pay attention. Don’t discredit them just because they aren’t supported by the kind of “logic” you’re familiar with. The brain is a powerful thing. And feelings ultimately come from the brain.

Now, I’m not saying that you can set aside facts and solely rely on your gut. That’s just silly. But I do believe that emotions can and should play a role in decision-making. And that’s where I’ve been wrong. I’ve long advocated that rational, unemotional, intellectual evaluation is the best path to making a good decision. The evidence in “How We Decide” proves that isn’t always the case.

Photo Credit: Blizz (Flickr)




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Why Blindly Following the Rules Is a Mistake

Written on November 17, 2011 by in productivity

The other night, my parents and I hit a local restaurant for happy hour. We ordered a round of drinks at discounted prices and were hoping to get a final round in before the cutoff time (happy hour ended at 6:30). We called the server over at what we thought was the right time and ordered. She went to grab our drinks but came back and said it was 2 minutes past the cutoff. Drinks were now full price. She asked if we still wanted them. Mind you, we were already eating appetizers and had let her know we would be getting dinner after as well. But she didn’t seem to think we warranted making an exception or even much of an apology.

Was the waitress doing her job? Yes. She was following the rules. But let’s be honest: 2 minutes late seems a little silly. Of course, we still placed our order and it wasn’t a big deal. But it set off alarm bells for me.

How often do we follow the rules at the expense of something else, perhaps more important? In this instance, it was at the expense of exceptional customer service.

It would have been so easy for her to “wow” us in that moment. She could have come back and said we were past the cutoff but that she was going to try to get an exception from her manager. She would have shown a desire to please us by averting the silly rule and, whether or not the exception was made, we would have felt special. It would have been so easy!

This whole experience made me realize something: When you blindly follow the rules, you might be doing your job, but you also might be missing the bigger picture.

The Trouble with “the Rules”

I’m not saying you always have to break the rules (or even bend them) to make people happy. But we all know that there is leeway in much of what we do. The rules are there to give us a structure. But sometimes, the rules are just plain silly. I’m talking about more than customer service now. I’m talking about the business rules and processes and systems we follow each and every day. The patterns and routines we accept as simply being “the way we do things.”

When we blindly follow, we stop seeing opportunities. We stop seeing inefficiencies. We close ourselves off to “a better way of doing things.”

We must be willing to sometimes bend the rules—or break them entirely—and make up new ones for the sake of the customer, or the team, or productivity, or simply for the sake of innovation. There are plenty of reasons. Business is always changing. New circumstances are always surfacing. Every now and again, we have to take a risk and try a new way because the old way no longer makes sense (maybe it never did)…or because it’s downright counterproductive.

Let’s face it; if our waitress had even attempted to forego the rules for our second drink order, her tip would have likely reflected it. Our entire customer service experience would have felt different. And isn’t her role (primarily) to provide outstanding customer service? Is that the restaurant’s primary concern? Do you think her manager would have thought twice about making the exception for a table with a bill totaling over $100? If she were thinking in a “big picture” kind of way, it would have been a no-brainer.

I bet everyone has an experience like this, where they experienced less-than-exceptional service because of some silly rule. And I bet at least a few of us have had amazing service—the kind you tell your friends about—because someone was willing to “think outside the box” and make an exception to a silly rule.

Let’s think about other areas where this concept might apply. Evaluate the rules you live and work by. (Yes, this applies to your personal life as well.) Where have silly rules prevented you from performing at your very best? What rules do you blindly follow at the expense of more important things? What would happen if you offered a new rule? What would happen if you adopted a new rule without anyone granting you permission?

Just to be clear, I’m not advocating blind disregard for the rules either. I’m just asking you to think critically before obeying or disobeying…which is sadly rare for many of us.

Photo Credit: Adam C. Smith Photography (Flickr)




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Procrastination: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Written on July 6, 2011 by in productivity

This article is the third in a 10-part series on the topic of overcoming career-limiting habits.

Let me be honest: I’ve been putting off writing this article for a few days. Since we’re looking at the career-limiting habit of procrastination, I feel it’s appropriate that you know this. And let me also say that I don’t whole-heartedly think procrastination is a “bad” thing.

Before you storm off and accuse me of promoting poor work habits, hear me out…

In a recent study that cited the 10 most common career-limiting habits, procrastination ranked at number 3, just behind unreliability and “that’s not my job.”

Now, I can assume that the kind of procrastination being referenced here is the kind that leads to missed deadlines and other shoddy performance indicators. But not all procrastination is equal. And procrastination, in my view, isn’t at all like unreliability. Here’s why:

It’s never cool to be unreliable. On the other hand, it’s sometimes perfectly okay—even desirable—to procrastinate. It’s a form of prioritization and a tool for time management. We can’t do every single task right this minute. Some items are more important than others. Some are more urgent. We have to purposefully defer less important/less urgent tasks to make room for the ones that take priority. So, I’m not willing to lump procrastination in a big bucket just a few steps removed from unreliability.

Procrastination becomes a problem, however, when it’s not being used productively or when it becomes a mindless form of escape. For example, when you find yourself putting something off because you simply don’t want to do it, or because you’re afraid of doing it, or because you conveniently find other, more interesting things to do (even when the activity you’re putting off really should come first).

So how do you know if you’re procrastinating in the career-limiting kind of way or if you’re just prioritizing? Well, it’s all about purpose and performance.

What are your reasons for procrastinating?

Are you deferring projects because other items rightfully should come first? Or are you simply hiding from what needs to get done? Often, problematic procrastination stems from fear: You’re afraid to work on a specific task because it feels overwhelming, or you don’t know where to start, or you’re a perfectionist and you fear your work will never measure up. There are all kinds of fears that can prevent you from just getting started even when you know you should.

Is your quality of work slipping?

Are you putting off important tasks and then finding yourself rushed to complete them on time? Are you failing to give your work the appropriate amount of attention? The outcome is what matters so you know your procrastination has gone too far and stumbled into “unproductive territory” when it leads to poor performance results.

What can you do about it?

If you’re plagued by procrastination for all the wrong reasons and it’s negatively impacting your work, try the following:

1. Learn to Prioritize Correctly

Each task should be evaluated based on importance and urgency. The unimportant, non-urgent items are the ones that can be easily deferred with little or no harm (and hopefully, in the future, they can be deleted all together). If you’re procrastinating the incorrect items, it’s time to review your prioritization practices.

2. Forget Perfection

Remember that everything evolves. You can make improvements as you move forward. Don’t get stuck because of some unrealistic standard you’ve imposed on yourself.

3. Keep It Bite-Sized

If you’re overwhelmed with the size of a project and putting it off because you don’t know where to start, break it down into bite-sized pieces. One step at a time is the best way to tackle these projects. You’ll be able to wrap your head around what needs to be done and you’ll also experience small victories along the way as you accomplish each baby step.

4. Stop Fooling Yourself

People often tell me that procrastination helps them focus. They wait until the last minute because the added pressure gives them a boost of energy and creativity. This smells like an excuse to me.

In all probability, you could produce even better work given the time to think about what you’re doing. You’ll catch mistakes that would go unnoticed in a pinch; you’ll have the ability to explore alternative solutions instead of simply rushing down the first path you find; and you’ll be able to really focus on the work, rather than being distracted with the stress and anxiety of an impending deadline.

Take some time to evaluate your procrastination practices. Are you using this tool effectively or are you suffering with a career-limiting habit?

Photo Credit: Bondseye (Flickr)




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Free Webinar: 10 Simple Strategies for Effective Time Management

Written on July 5, 2011 by in EYC News, productivity

How would you feel if you had enough time to get everything done AND you still had time to relax and enjoy the company of friends and family? 

You’d feel AWESOME, right? 

What would you do with that extra time? Take a long, hot bath? Go hiking? Sit down and read to your kids?

What if I could snap my fingers and give you an extra hour in your day? Or maybe a FEW extra hours? In a way, I can. Because I can give you the tools to be more efficient and, ultimately, it will FEEL like several extra hours have been added to your day—hours that don’t have to be spent catching up on work, racing from one task to the next, or worrying about how to get it all done.

You’re invited to join me for an exclusive FREE webinar where I’ll be sharing 10 simple but POWERFUL strategies for managing time effectively.

In this session, you’ll get tangible, real solutions you can put into place immediately to gain a better sense of control over your life and work.

Limited to 100 participants so register TODAY!

Even if you’re unable to attend the live session, register anyway. I’ll send you a link to watch the recorded version online when it’s ready.

Those who attend live will be given the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session. Only 100 participants can join the live session so please come early so secure your spot.

Date: Thursday, July 14, 2011
Time: 2:00 pm EST / 11:00 am PST This session is FULL! New Session Added: 4:00 pm EST
Length of time: Approximately 1 hour
Register: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/435149670

This webinar is celebrating a special promotion I’m running. If you’d like to pick up a copy of my Career Success Combo Kit, which includes my two most popular e-workbooks (on the topics of Time Management & Stress Management) you don’t want to miss this 50% off sale. It’s the LAST TIME these e-workbooks will be offered together at this low price. Learn more here >>




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How to Have Better Judgment at Work (or How I Almost Lost My Job and $10,000 In One Day and What I Learned)

Written on April 13, 2011 by in productivity

While working at a bank many years ago, I approved a $10,000 fraudulent transaction. When the FBI showed me pictures of the man who had pulled a fast one on me, I didn’t even recognize him. In fact, the whole situation was kind of a blur. At some point, they pulled the footage from the branch security cameras and, as I flipped through photos of myself smiling and giving what appeared to be excellent customer service to a man on the FBI’s watch list, I could hardly believe my naivety.

Unbelievably, I wasn’t fired. Though it would have been completely justified. My boss really stepped up for me. Not normally the sympathetic type, I think he was just as blown away by the situation as I was.

Clearly, that wasn’t a shining moment in my career. In fact, I’d venture to say it was the biggest and most devastating mistake I’ve made at any point in my professional life. Thankfully, I don’t believe in failure. So I see this as a critically important lesson in judgment.

To help you avoid such painful lessons, I thought I’d share the top 5 things I learned from this experience.

1. Don’t Zone Out

The most inexcusable part about my “situation” (as we will now refer to it) was that I didn’t even remember my thought process. I couldn’t justify my actions. Why? Because I was “in the zone”. Or rather, I was zoned out. I was doing my thing, the monotonous daily tasks I had come to take for granted. My brain was on auto-pilot. I ran hundreds of transactions a day. At some point, it only makes sense that I’d stop paying close attention to each one.

Good judgment is an active process. Engage the brain. If you feel yourself falling into a mindless routine, shake it up. Start working with the opposite hand or move the items you use most frequently. Showing strong judgment doesn’t mean you won’t ever make mistakes, but when you do, you should have a clear understanding (and recollection) of what thought process led you to that conclusion.

2. Slow Down

The truth is, I was probably competing with the other tellers to see who could move through customers the fastest. Man, I hate admitting this. But that was a common occurrence. I was a manager so running a teller drawer wasn’t my favorite thing to do. I only jumped up to help out when the line was out of control. And my presence always forced the other tellers to pick up the pace. We made it a game as a way to relieve the tension. That backfired.

Never sacrifice quality for speed. It’s so tempting, especially when impatient customers are right in front of you. But breathe deep and take slow, methodical action. Good judgment requires time. Give yourself a minute to think about what you’re doing. Rushed decisions are never as defensible as those made with measured, deliberate consideration.

3. Multi-Tasking Is Dangerous

You guessed it. I was multi-tasking. It might not seem like it at first, but my attention was in fact divided. I was running a transaction while chatting it up with a customer. Now, I’m not saying I should have ignored the man in front of me. But there’s a time to shut up and focus, which I never did. I was more concerned with being friendly. I probably was trying to upsell him to an investment product. I definitely wasn’t giving the most important task in front of me the attention it deserved.

I’ve written before about the dangers of multi-tasking so I won’t rehash my point-of-view here. Just remember: Good judgment requires full focus. Give it less and you’ll get less.

4. Stress Manipulates

It’s only been in the last few years that I’ve learned how to appropriately manage my stress. Before that, I truly let it run wild. Stress has a way of manipulating your thoughts. Scientifically, it can actually alter your brain chemistry. Stress can physically change the way you see the world and how you react to it. If you’re under severe stress, you can pretty much guarantee that your judgment will suffer. Get it under control now or pay later.

5. People Aren’t All As Nice As You

This is a hard lesson to learn. I worked at the bank right after college and, until that point, I didn’t really understand just how much “bad stuff” happened each day out in the big world. Don’t get me wrong—I wasn’t an idiot. But I always thought I could SEE danger. And I trusted my gut. So I figured danger would either jump out with a neon sign over its head or I’d instinctively just know. Turns out, danger hides in all kinds of charming, fun, easy-to-talk-to places. Danger lives inside the most unsuspecting people and moments.

Good judgment means you’re willing to see what’s really there, even when it’s hard. You’re willing to look beneath the surface and confront the reality—that people aren’t always good and truthful. You may be a target. You may be the person who looks easily swayed or distracted, the one whose judgment looks questionable. Don’t let them get away with it. Show them that your judgment is sharp and nothing gets by you.

I wonder what it would have been like if I had followed these tips on that fateful day. Would I have stopped the man? Would I have notified the police, saved the bank thousands of dollars, and possibly even played a central role in bringing down the fraud ring this man was a part of? Who knows? It’ll always be a question for me.

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