Six Really Simple Ways to Boost Your Productivity

Of course we all want to be productive, however there are times when we find ourselves overwhelmed.  And then we find ourselves procrastinating and wasting our time without intention.   You know as well as anybody, that a lack of productivity over time will have a negative effect on your business and its success.  So what to do about it?  Well there are lots of ways to boost your productivity, but here's 6 quick tips!

6 Ways to Boost Your Productivity:

1- Be 100% focused:  Truly productive people become 100% focused on the task they are doing.  When they attempt to complete a task during the time blocked for that task; they put away their mobile phones, they don’t check their email or Facebook and they stay committed to the task at hand until they are done.  

2- Develop courage: Sounds like a weird advice, right? Actually it was discovered that procrastination is sometimes your mind’s method to help you escape from the tasks you fear to do or from the fear of failure.

3- Don’t wait for the right mood: While I wish you happiness everyday still this is not how life works. One day you might find yourself sad, the second day you might find yourself irritated while the third day you might find yourself not in the mood. Waiting for the right mood can kill productivity.  You have a business to build so get to it!

4- Don’t wait for the right time: Sometimes waiting for the right time becomes the excuse we use to escape from responsibilities and the tasks that we don’t like. Just like waiting for the right mood will slow down your productivity waiting for the right time will never help you get your tasks done. Start right now!

5- Know exactly what you should do:  In order to become very productive start by developing a daily to-do list for the tasks you must do.  A common reason for procrastination is often not knowing exactly where to start.  

6- Are you motivated enough? Productivity needs motivation.  If you aren’t motivated enough you won’t feel like working and productivity will have no meaning. Understand the reasons behind your lack of motivation and treat them in order to become truly productive.

Anna Gibbs is a certified Business Coach and a Certified Life Coach dedicated to helping entrepreneurs and sales professionals who are looking to bridge a gap in their performance and achieve greater results in order to grow their business through more effective systems and behaviors.  For more information about Anna Gibbs and her coaching services please visit www.powerfultransitions.com

Have a better day

Below is a list of  simple ways to have a better day, today!   Why is this important to you and your business?  Because positive people are more successful, productive and profitable.  Period.
We all have a positive and negative side to us.  It's part of our human nature. The key is to feed your mind with more positive thoughts so the negative side starts to starve.   The more we think and feel positive; the more positive we become and the stronger those feelings become.  The actions are simple.  We just need to make them a habit and do them every day.  Here are a few ways to make that happen: 1. Practice Gratitude - You can't be stressed and thankful at the same time. Gratitude is like muscle, the more you exercise it the stronger it gets.  Take some time every night and write down those 5 things that happened today that you are thankful for.   2. Turn off the News - it is just too negative! 3. Smile More - It will make you feel happy for no reason,. and besides it's contagious.   4. Read uplifting books or devotionals.  5. Take a look at who you spend time with.  Get together with more positive, uplifting people. 6. Write a few Thank You Notes  - We have already talked about how expressing gratitude will make you feel and writing a hank you note is also good for business.  Imagine how your relationships will develop if you could send out a note to say thank you for your business, thank you for the referral, thank you for your time, etc. 7. Be a Coach - Coaches bring out the best in others. The best coaches mentor, encourage, praise, inspire, and lead with optimism and positivity.  Today, feed others and yourself with positivity by being a coach. 8. Decide to Make a Difference - When you help other people with their problems you forget about your own. What strategy will you start today to feed your positive self?

Why Living a Life of Gratitude Can Make a Difference

“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.” 

– Meister Eckhart

Many years ago Oprah Winfrey spoke about her gratitude journal on the Oprah Winfrey show.  She shared the deep effect writing in it had on her and her life.  Oprah said, at the end of each day she writes down the 5 things that she was most grateful for today.  She felt it was better to write in this gratitude journal at the end of the day because you would work harder all day long to find things, even the smallest things, during the day to be grateful for.   She challenged the audience and her devoted fans (me being one of them that day) to keep a daily gratitude journal.  I thought that was a great idea, but I didn't do it.  

Now don't get me wrong, I really did think it was a great idea.  And I do believe in the power of gratitude.  As a matter of fact, I believe I live in a constant state of gratitude each and every day.  If I say thank you once, I must say it about a thousand times a day.  I speak it out loud, I say it silently, I am mindful of it, I am grateful.  Therefore, I had myself convinced that I did not need to actually write any of those grateful thoughts down in a book!  I had it all in my mind, I was feeling it each and every day, wasn't that enough? 

Then one day, recently, I realized ...maybe it is not enough to just think it.  Maybe there would be a benefit to writing down my gratitude each day.  So, I tried it.  And I have to tell you in just a couple of weeks I think I am more focused, more energetic and more aware of doing the right things to be more positive.  Why?  Because the act of writing down why I am grateful every day helps to connect me to those feelings more.  And the simple fact that it is recorded in a journal allows me to revisit those previous feelings each day.  All of which makes me feel more and more grateful for each day and its blessings.  It is a very humbling feeling and it makes me very happy.  

Why should that be? Why should the simple act of thinking about who and what I’m grateful for and then writing it down make such a big difference in my life?

Just a few reasons:

• Because it reminds you of the positive things in your life. It makes you happy about the people in your life, whether they’re loved ones or just a stranger you met who was kind to you in some way.
• Because it turns bad things into good things. Having problems at work? Be grateful you have work. Be grateful you have challenges, and that life isn’t boring. Be grateful that you can learn from these challenges. Be thankful they make you a stronger person.
• Because it reminds you of what’s important. It’s hard to complain about the little things when you give thanks that your children are alive and healthy. It’s hard to get stressed out over paying bills when you are grateful there is a roof over your head.
• Because it reminds you to thank others. I’ll talk about this more below, but the simple act of saying “thank you” to someone can make a big difference in that person’s life. Calling them, emailing them, stopping by to say thank you … just taking that minute out of your life to tell them why you are grateful toward them is important to them. People like being appreciated for who they are and what they do. It costs you little, but makes someone else happy. And making someone else happy will make you happy.

What do I give thanks for, privately, in my little gratitude session? It varies every day.  Personally, I thank God first.  I thank Him for his blessings, his mercy and his direction in my life.  I am grateful for my loved ones.  My family and friends.  I am grateful to do what I love each and every day.  I am thankful for the people around me, especially my clients, my experiences.  Sometimes, I am just thankful for the good cup of coffee I had to start my day!  

How to Live a Life of Gratitude
The thing is, simple acts of gratitude don’t cost you much (especially once you get over the initial discomfort some people feel with thanking others). But they can make a huge difference.

If you’re interested in living a life of gratitude, here are my suggestions:

• Morning gratitude session.  Before your feet even hit the floor ...take even just one minute each morning to give thanks, to whoever or whatever you’re grateful for. You don’t have to do anything, other than close your eyes and silently give thanks. This one act can make a huge difference in your day and in your life.
• Say thank you. When someone does something nice for you, however small, try to remember to say thank you. And really mean it.
• Call to say thanks. Sometimes you might think about something nice that someone did for you. Perhaps you remember during your gratitude session. When you do, pick up the phone and call the person, just to say thanks. Let them know what they did that you’re grateful for, and why you appreciate it. Takes a minute or two. If it’s too early to call, make a note to call later. Even better is telling them in person, if you happen to see them or if they’re on your route. Almost as good is a thank-you email — keep it short and sweet.
• Give thanks for “negative” things in your life. There’s always two ways to look at something.  Many times when we think of something as negative — it’s stressful, harmful, sad, unfortunate, difficult.  And at the time, it might be just that.  However, I know (from experience) that the blessing often comes after the breaking.  Therefore, is it possible, that the same experience can then be looked at in a more positive way?  There is often a gift or a lesson that comes of it.  Be grateful to have had the opportunity to be changed or transformed.   Problems can be seen as opportunities to grow, to be creative and become stronger, wiser.
• Keep a gratitude journal.  Choose a journal or notebook for the sole purpose of recording the 5 things that you were most grateful for each day.   Keep it on the table by the side of your bed and do this before you go to sleep.  You may have your best night's sleep!

Let me leave you with a prayer of gratitude that I’ve always found … well, perfect.  I shared this with my newsletter subscribers last November as a Thanksgiving wish and I know so many of you replied with a big "Thank You" for sharing!

Be Thankful
Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire,
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something
For it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations
Because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge
Because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary
Because it means you’ve made a difference.

It is easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.

GRATITUDE can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles
and they can become your blessings.
~ Author Unknown ~

10 Simple Ways to Get to the Next Level

We all want to "get to the next level".  I believe humans have an innate desire to constantly grow and improve ourselves and our situations.  It is why we are alive.  So here are 10 simple ways to help you create a plan and focus on personal growth.

 

1. Commit to life long learning – People who have more information have a tremendous advantage over people who don’t!  And though you might think it takes years to acquire the knowledge you would need to become super-successful, the truth is that simple behaviors like reading for an hour a day, turning TV time into learning time & attending classes & training programs can make it surprisingly easy to increase your knowledge – and your level of success.

2.  Stay motivated with the Masters – Listen to audio, read books and attend trainings delivered by people who have done it; people who are inspiring and successful.  Learn from the best!

3.  Find ways to maintain your passion and encourage your enthusiasm everyday.

4.  Learn to control your time and re-define it.  Prepare and plan for great results.

5.  Stop majoring in the minors!  Instead of dedicating yourself – and your time – to mundane, non-productive, time stealing activities – focus on the 20% of activity that will bring you the best benefit.

6.  Write it down! – Seeing your plans and your options in writing will help crystallize your thinking and determine what questions to ask, what information to gather, what your plan of attack might be, etc.

7.  Coaching- You would never expect an athlete to reach the Olympics without a coach.  Of all the things successful people do to accelerate their trip down the path to success, participating in some kind of coaching program is at the top of the list. A coach will help you clarify your vision & goals, support you through your fears, keep you focused, confront your unconscious behaviors & old patterns, expect you to do your best, help you live by your values and show you how to earn more by working less.

8. Attend a Mastermind Group- New thoughts, new people, new resources

9. Show Appreciation – Appreciation is a secret to success.  When you are in a state of appreciation you are in one of the highest vibrational (emotional) states possible.  When you are in a state of appreciation & gratitude, you are in a state of abundance.  Your focus is on what you have received, and you always get more of what you focus on.

10. Be a "Class Act" – Develop Class Act behavior.  Live by your highest standards.  Increase the quality of every experience through your conscious thinking and actions.  Learn to take responsibility for actions and results.

The Leader Within You

The Leader Within You

Leadership…everyone talks about it, many want it, yet few understand it.  What comes to mind when you hear the word?  Is leadership something we’re born with or is it something we discover?  Or better yet is it something to develop?   

What makes someone a good leader?  We know that leaders inspire and motivate rather than intimidate and manipulate.  They encourage others because they know that encouragement is what brings out the best in people.  Your vision not only for yourself but for the world around you is the first step toward developing the leader within you.  

Leaders understand the importance of a positive attitude and disposition because it will have an impact on their ability to influence.  The leader’s ability to influence others is at the heart of leadership skill.  John C. Maxwell is an internationally recognized leadership expert and he says, “Leadership is influence.  That’s it.  Nothing more, nothing less.” 

I believe there is a little more to leadership than just influence, albeit important.   A leader is also someone with a vision; someone who can get others to not only see the vision but to help in achieving the vision.  Leadership is not a position, rank or a title; it is the ability to influence others and gain followers.  However, the one who influences others to only follow is not really a leader.  A true leader is someone who influences others to influence others to create a bigger following so more people can work to carry out the vision.  Basically, a true leader is someone who can develop people.

Before you can develop others; you should begin developing the leader within you.  Everyone has the potential to be a great leader!  It is our calling to do so.  Developing your leadership qualities is really your obligation to the world.  The world needs more leaders who can add value to the people and organizations they wish to lead.    

As you work to discover the leader within you, ask yourself a few important questions: 

How do I add value to the people and organizations around me? 

Do I normally come from a place of genuine contribution? 

Why is it so important to develop the leader within me?

Something else to consider as you develop the leader within are these 5 attributes of leadership.  What areas are your strengths?  What areas do you need to improve in?

• Self-discipline – the ability to make yourself do the thing you need to do even when you don’t want to
• Positive attitude – Leadership has less to do with position and more to do with disposition
• Vision – Leaders see it (the vision) and pursue it and they help others to see it and  pursue it
• Integrity – being who you, doing what you say, having credibility and knowing how to do the right thing
• Influence – getting people to see what you see and support you in getting there.

Success Starts Now!

Success Starts Now!

“A successful person realizes his personal responsibility for self-motivation.  He starts with himself because he possesses the key to his own ignition switch.”

Kemmons Wilson

Founder of the Holiday Inn Hotels

There is a difference between interest and commitment.  When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient.  When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results. 

Are you interested in success?  

Or are you committed to it?  

Are you interested in living a better life or are you committed to it?   

Do you have a “no matter what it takes” attitude?   

Are you ready to give it your all in order to achieve your desired results?

Don’t fight with yourself over whether or not you will keep your commitments or stick to your disciplines or carry out your action plan.  Just do it!

Adhere to the “no exceptions” rule when it comes to your daily disciplines.  Once you make a 100% commitment to something there are no exceptions!

You’ve heard it before, you get what you focus on or what you focus on expands.  What will you be focusing on?  Possibilities or problems?  Opportunities or obstacles?  Success or submission?

Make a decision to live an abundant life.   

Think in terms of abundance.  Strive to have more than enough.  More than enough love and harmony in your life.  More than enough business, opportunity and money in your career.

One of the first requirements of becoming successful and wealthy is to make a conscious decision to do so.  You have to decide now from the deepest place in your heart to have wealth in your life – without worrying yet, if it’s possible or not.  Decide how much wealth you want.  Create a vision for it.  Check out my blog post on how to create a vision board.

When creating wealth in your life, remember that there is the life you want to live now and the life you want to live in the future.  The life you are currently living is a result of the thoughts you have thought & the actions you have taken in the past.  The life you live in the future will be the result of today’s thoughts and actions.