How to Put Feeling Into Your Work Part 2 of 2

In our first post on feeling and its role on productivity, we discussed the importance of looking at your tools for getting things done as well as a few other tips.  In this post, we look at the role that others can play in our quest for deeper levels of productivity.

Consider the case of Phyllis.  She leads a software development team in Boston.  Her style is energetic and upbeat.  She is generally well liked and respected and has one attribute that most people don't know.

She's an introvert.  

It's not that Phyllis is shy.  Her positive energy rubs off on her team every day and her friendliness is contageous but deep down, she craves quiet times and remote places where she can think and get things done.  Lunch is a daily ritual best spent alone, thinks Phyllis often to herself.  

None of this is an issue so long as Phyllis can accomplish two things:

 

  1. She needs to have the deep self awareness of her introversion. 
  2. She needs to place people around her who compliment her disposition.

 

And this is where feeling comes into play.  For Phyllis, and for you and me, productivity is not just a solo act.  Rather, it's something that we do with other people.  Even for the consultant, the writer, the performer- all need others at some level.  This is how we are as people: we are social.

So here are today's tips:

 

  • Recognize that the teams with the most feeling are varied.  There are introverts, extroverts, geeks and people persons, etc.  Together, they have a chance to harness feeling better than a group that leaned more in one direction than another.
  • Do anything that will help you to be more self aware.  Whether it's in the form of a mentor, a discussion group, or daily journaling, find ways to become more aware of your own tendencies and foibles.  The more self aware you become, the better a leader you'll be.  

Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are, and doing things as they ought to be done.
Harriet Beecher Stowe

 

Today: Free Trials of Log My Task!

logmytaskIf you maintain a project list, and I hope that you do, you'll know that it gets very frustrating when others are not exactly on top of their list.  I currently have over 30 projects that I'm either heading up or touching in some way so any way that I can better manage their progress is a boost for productivity and overall personal peace.

Allow me to introduce Log My Task, a new method of tracking the various items that are within your project list.  Remember that David Allen defines a project as anything that takes several steps to complete.  This could be a simple trip to the market or a renovation to your beach house.  The nice things about Log My Task are threefold:

  1. It's affordable: trials are free until more users jump in. Then, it's still only .99 a month.  Very cheap.

  2. It does what it says: it tracks the time you're spending on a task.

  3. It promotes collaboration: various teams can be formed and then, similar to Google Docs, you can share documents and progress on various tasks.


The good folks at Log My Task have given The Daily Saint users a code, enter thedailysaint and they'll allow the free access to take it for a spin and test it out.  Enjoy!

10 Ways to Collaborate in a Down Economy

Collaboration is hot once again, but this time for more dire reasons.  People are fighting to keep their jobs and scared of losing their livelihood.  With a down economy, collaborative folks have an advantage.  With each act of collaboration, they add value to themselves and expand their sphere of influence.

Here are 10 ways to collaborate in a down economy:

  1. Prepare more thoroughly for meetings.  This may seem basic (and it is) but too many folks simply show up and forget that they also have to show out.  By reviewing meeting minutes, asking insightful questions and being nice to colleagues, the collaborative guy/gal gets more done via meetings.

  2. Follow up wherever and whenever needed.  Think of all of the areas at home and at work where you can follow up.  The next time you promise to do something ("let me get back to you" or "I'll send you that email contact"), write it down and then process your notes later in the day.

  3. Go the extra mile, especially when it's not expected.  Do the small things that separate you from the average worker.  Make the call, write the note, do the research.  Surprise others with your exemplary customer service.

  4. Reach out to those who are struggling.  Few things are remembered more than when a person reaches out to someone in need.  Attend the funeral, viewing or memorial service.  Aid someone who is having a tough time.

  5. Line yourself up for a hot project.  What new endeavor at work can you be a part of?

  6. (Work) outside the box. You've heard of thinking outside the box?  Now try working outside your own facility by doing freelance work on the side.  This is a great way to stay fresh in your field and earn some extra income.

  7. Social network with people you'll never meet. Experiment with Twitter if you do nothing else in the next year.  David Allen has been on Twitter for nearly two weeks and has 100,000 followers.  That's a wow in my book.

  8. Publish for people you want to meet.  Volunteer to write an article for someone or some organization that you enjoy.  Many articles that I've published have come as a result of me reaching out to the publisher.  Don't wait for someone to discover you- become discovered through your own ingenuity.

  9. Blog because you can.  Blogging expands the creative capacity and gets things off your chest.  Try it out via Wordpress.com or Typepad.com.

  10. Listen empathically when you're tempted to give up. Above all other steps, be a listener. As someone who wants to collaborate, it's critical that you actually care about those around you.  People can spot a phony.  Dig in, get to know those around you and let your listening be a vehicle to care for them on a deeper level.


Photo by Challenge Business