Trends I'd Like to See in 2011: Productivity

This is part III of III on Trends that I'd Like to See in 2011.  Today we turn to things that would be a welcome sign in the next year in the area of productivity.  Here goes:

1. More GTD in non-business settings. Pastors need GTD (Getting Things Done) as much as CEOs.  Just read Fast Company's treatment of Pastor Bill Hybels' Global Leadership Summit and you'll see the benefit of the business-faith dynamic.


2. DISC Profiles all around. If you're not familiar with the DISC Profile, you're missing out on something.  This is the single most powerful tool that I've used in the past year.  Manager Tools does the best job around of utilizing the power of the Profile.


3. Podcasting that's consistent. I'm as guilty as the next guy of dropping a cast to iTunes and then not seeing the podcast studio for months at a time.  I don't think we need daily casts but a solid weekly cast would be more welcome.


4. Productivity coaching that's affordable for non-profits. Let's make a commitment to help our non-profit leaders get more productive through affordable means.  They need to be on their game as much as anyone in order to change the world so let's figure out ways to help them be more productive.

What would you like to see in the area of productivity in 2011?

*photo by smemon

Six Months into the iPad Experience

The hype for the iPad was almost too much to handle.  The rumors about its shape, operating system and practicality all contributed to a masterful job on the part of Apple.  Even its name was a surprise until it debuted with the help of uber-magician Steve Jobs.

You just wanted one!

Imagine a major computing company staking part of its future on a product that didn't seem to have a niche market of competitors.  If you're Jobs, who has the guts of a burglar, you simply smile.  To call the iPad a success would be an understatement as it sold 300,000 on the first day alone.  Since then, it has dominated the tablet market to the tune of nearly 8 million sold since then.  8 million units sold to the tune of between $499-$829.  That's a lot of dough.

When I was issued an iPad by work, I had mixed feelings.  Like Michael Hyatt of Thomas Nelson Publishers, (read An Elegant Solution in Search of a Problem) I liked the device but found it totally  different from my omnipresent iPhone.  The iPhone changed my life (not even remotely kidding) but the iPad felt somehow unnecessary.  It was supposed to be about "media consumption" rather than content creation.  Now, after six months, let's evaluate what I call the "iPad Experience".  Has it lived up to the hype? Read on to find out.

Core Functions

Unlike the iPhone which allows you to do virtually anything from Skype to text to ... well, about anything that 200,000 apps allow you to, the iPad is based on what I describe as core functions.  I use it to manage my calendar, to listen to podcasts and to stay up with the news.  That's it.  I don't use it to take notes (impractical) and my ADD is too strong to only use it to read books.  I'm sure others use their iPads differently but it's important to settle in on whatever core functions are important for you.

Multitasking

The iOS 4.2 update with multitasking was very significant for me and meant that the iPad was faster, more usable and constituted a more iPhone-like experience.  The keep a download going while I do something else or listen to Pandora sounds like a small detail but the 4.2 upgrade made the iPad a more luxurious (and practical) device.

Apps Worth a Try

There are so many app reviews on the internet so I won't go into the benefits of the following, but here are my top seven:

OmniFocus: sure it's expensive but really, one try will convince you to manage your To-Do's with OmniFocus.

Twitter: free and user-friendly.

iBooks: incredible syncing with iPhone version; a fun way to read ebooks.

Ambience: terrific sounds app with audio from nature and various spots around the world.

Informant HD: like the iPhone version only larger and more useful; beautiful calendar manager.

DropBox: free app with spectacular syncing across platforms; useful for cloud document storage.

Keynote: I use this in my classroom to walk around the room with my class notes.

Honorable Mention: Nozbe is almost there as a solid To-Do manager.  Looking forward to future versions with bigger buttons.

iBooks

iBooks is a clever app that allows ebooks to be shared across your iPad / iPhone platforms.  I've read several ebooks and while the iPad feels a bit heavy, the cross-platform usage makes up for it.  Can't wait to see how future iPads improve on this app.

Commuting with the iPad

A big part of my life is my commute to and from work. Rather than waste the time, I listen to podcasts and audio books.  The iPad is perfect for this as it allows a larger screen for video content and a simple way to organize my podcasts for each week.  I create a new playlist each week with the casts that I want to hear.  (e.g. Week of December 27)

Portability

There's nothing like lying on the couch and puttering  around on the iPad.  You can't do this with as much ease on a laptop.  The iPad shines when you need to surf the net and want to relax in the process.

Conclusion

While I had a slow start with my iPad, I recently had to go a few days without it.  I really missed it and found my MacBookPro somewhat bulky in its absence.  I love my iPad and even though it's not perfect, it's elegant and fun. The more you use it, the better your productivity will be.

What's your iPad experience been in comparison to mine?

The Achilles Heel in Your Productivity System?

Climbers know that the difference between success and failure is often a small crevice or an opening for a handhold.  A nudge here.  A pull there.  They are keenly aware of how far they can push themselves before going "too far".

Great leaders are similar, knowing how to build on their strengths. They don't stress over their weaknesses and try to get crystal clear about their areas of opportunity.

As Marcus Buckingham says, "By far the most effective way to turn fear into confidence is to be clear — to define the future in such vivid terms that we can see where we are headed. Clarity is the antidote to anxiety, and therefore clarity is the preoccupation of the effective leader. If you do nothing else as a leader, be clear."

The leaders I know are working hard on improvement. They are mindful of their calendar and take time management very, very seriously. A friend of mine described himself as "relentless" when it comes to carving out time for meetings and events. Wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley...just saying.

Back to the point- are you aware of the weaknesses in your system? After all, if all you do is focus on your strengths, you might not see the blind side which, if left unattended, could bring the whole thing down.

Here are five areas (and questions) that can sidetrack even the most productive person:

1. The Weekly Review: are you taking time each Sunday to review your week and get "clear and clean" for the week ahead?
2. Meeting Notes: are you taking 15-30 minutes after each meeting to process your notes into actionable items?
3. Ineffective Meetings: are you allowing your schedule to be sidetracked by wasteful meetings and agenda-less talk sessions?
4. Email Mayhem: are you checking email more than 3x per day? Has it been weeks (months?) since your inbox was at zero?
5. Leaving on Time: are you allowing yourself to linger, putter and putz at work when your family is missing you at home?

Which achilles heel is slowing you down? (hint: #2 is tops on my list!)

Imperfect Productivity

Imperfection is attractive on so many levels.

When I was in college, I would attend daily Mass at the Dominican House of Studies across from CUA.  When someone asked me why I chose the Dominicans instead of a more "hip" group like the Legion of Christ, I didn't have an answer.  Years later, I would realize that one odd quality drew me to the 13th century community of brothers: imperfection.

The Legion guys were better dressed, more articulate and seemed to be the up and coming group.  The Dominicans?  Slightly chubby, somewhat bookish and more than a little bit old fashioned, the Dominicans would have lost the annual volleyball game if outward appearances were all that mattered.

What they did win was my attention.

These guys were real.  Imperfect men who strove after God and built a community of strong, masculine believers who welcomed the stranger.  I was at home when I joined them each day for prayers.

As for the Legion of Christ?  Their founder was outed for having a double life that included an illegitimate child and the possible abuse of seminarians.  The community is now reeling and losing members each day.  Their obsession with perfection may have been a mask for a deep disconnect with self.

The Productivity Link

Now make the jump from the Dominicans to the world of work.  Many times we are imperfect in our productivity.  We clean out the inbox one day but not the next.  Our project list is accurate on Monday but by Thursday is out of whack.  We're on time for a meeting today but late for one tomorrow.  Now put a few coworkers around you who have the same bad habits- pretty darn frustrating!  What gives?

What gives is our own doggone imperfection.  Try as we may, we can only rely on the power of our will so much.  What really moves the rock forward is momentum.  Habits done over and over that eventually delete the need for choice and push the automatic button.  This is mind of mattress material we're talking about.

Turns out imperfection may be an asset after all.  It keeps you humble.  It might eventually turn you towards God as you realize your own tendencies to habit regression.  It also helps each of us appreciate the people we need who are around us.

The bottom line: those who get ahead at work are often not the ones who strive to be perfect. Rather, the ones who realize they are imperfect and accept themselves for it- they are like the Dominicans and make you feel most at home.

*Photo by RickyDavid

Should the CEO Practice GTD?

What do you think of this new clip courtesy of GTD Times?  I've made it a habit of recommending David Allen's books and resources to all new hires.  It's become a bit of a game to see which GTD tool will help each person.  Will it be the GTD Implementation Guide, the DavidCo website or one of David's books?

As an executive myself, I've seen time and time again that the principles behind GTD never get old.  Write things down...clear your head...manage your lists.

Focus and Detachment: Getting the Right Things Done

"Wherever you are, be all there. Live to the hilt every situation you believe to be the will of God." -- Jim Elliot

You are plugged in.  Your cell phone is with you nearly all of the time.

You are media savvy.  You have access to music, video and the Web nearly all of the time.

You are productive.  You capture ideas when they arise and put them in placeholders.

You are relational.  Your family and friends matter to you.

Put all of these together and you have an opportunity to do great things.  Or, an opportunity to be distracted.  I don't mean distracted for 5 minutes when you should be working on a project.  I mean the kind of distraction that creeps into a life and leads it off course.

I was walking in my neighborhood last night with my kids.  As a productive guy, I had my cell phone in my pocket as a capture tool.  Inspiration can strike at any time.  We were enjoying the muggy New Jersey night air and a moment flashed in front of my eyes- I had a choice.

I could be the dad whose kid is riding in the neighborhood, having fun while he was chatting on his cell phone and missing the action.  Or, I could be the dad who practices what the ancients call "detachment" and focus instead on my kids.

Thankfully, in that given moment, I chose the latter.  I wish I could say I make that choice all of the time but I don't.  A work in progress.  At these times, we need the spiritual principle of detachment more than ever.

What is detachment? A good article can be found here.

As Marcellino D'Ambrosio puts it, "Detachment does not mean that you shouldn’t enjoy your secular pursuits and approach them with energy and enthusiasm.  It just means that your daily activity must be placed on the altar, offered up to God as a living sacrifice."

In other words, put first things first.  God, family, work, friendship, worship, generosity, and compassion.  Your list is probably similar.

It's not always about getting more things done.  It's about the right kinds of things.
*photo by nathaninsandiego