Your Career Deserves More Listening

There's a real debate about careerism today: to hustle or not to hustle. One one side of the ring is best-selling author Jon Acuff.  His new book, Do Over, makes a case that hustling is a core element to anyone's life having meaning. 

Acuff, in being interviewed on Expert Interview said this, "I think that one of the phrases I often talk about is that hustle is fuel, it’s the fuel that makes you actually do the things you want to do."  Others describe hustle as the drive to be more and climb the ladder of success.  

Standing on the other side of the ring is Jeff Goins who interviewed Amy Porterfield on his show, The Porfolio Life.  Neither is a fan of hustling to find your life's work but rather, a soft combination of listening and hard work.  

Listening... most of us aren't too good at that and when it comes to something as valuable as our careers, we rarely know how to marry the two.

Consider listening as a career advantage that equips you to do any of the following:

• Identify when you are hungry for a change
• Surface the reasons why you love what you do
• Discern the length of time you will stay where you are
• Challenge the status quo
• Reflect on your day

In short, listening is important, very important.  It's a spiritual act that can serve as the percussion underneath your daily work.  

I know this from experience.  As a person of faith, listening takes centerstage whenever I feel stale or when I'm not giving my very best to my organization.  I ask myself things like, "How much fuel is left in the tank," or "Do I love what I do?"

Your career deserves the gift of listening.  Listen to those you serve and to the stirrings in your heart.  

Podcast 9: 6 Ways to Solve Your Hectic Schedule

Is your schedule more hectic than you would like?  Errands, your job, family... it all adds up to more than most of us can take in any given week.

In this episode I talk about the tons of commitments that most people have on their plates- too many!  

More than that, we discuss six simple ways that you can counter the onslaught of email, tasks and commitments.  

Enjoy the cast!

---

Podcast 8: A Daily Plan- My Recipe for Staying Organized

What's your formula for getting things done?

In this cast I provide a behind-the-scenes look at how I get things done.  Sure, mission statements are valuable but what about when you are in the thick of it- a busy Wednesday in the middle of September... that's when you need a daily plan for surviving and thriving at work.

The Daily Plan is my recipe for everyday organization, a very simple three-column technique for what you need to do and what you want to do.

Be sure to download the Emergent Leader Quick-Read via www.emergentleaderpodcast.com.

Click here for this week's special download: The Daily Plan PDF document. 

The Amazing Comeback of Paper Notebooks

Why should you have to choose between digital and paper tools for getting things done?  

David Allen, founder of GTD, has long praised the value of a portable paper notebook that he uses to capture random thoughts during the day.

Still, I see lots of people struggling to find the right balance between paper and digital. They feel pressure to use their iPhone for everything.  Or, they've never really thought about how they like to work and just default to what they see other people doing.  They typically fall into one of three categories:

• Random paper on the desk (i.e. post-it notes)
• Multiple notebooks with lists and thoughts inside
• Everything on their phones

Here's the good news- there's a better way!  Even better, there's a better way that can be custom-tailored to your particular style of working.

In the next episode of the Emergent Leader Podcast, I'll be talking about a simple formula that I use for combining paper and digital productivity tools.  

In the meantime, here's what I use every single day:

• Smartphone (for calendar, email, social media, todo app)
• MacBook Air (for blitz emailling, calendar, writing, creative work)
• Pocket capture notebook (with notecards for small thoughts and reminders in the day)
• Black notebook (what I take to all meetings, where I form my daily plan)

Getting Started with Nozbe

Download the Free Guide w/6 Easy Nozbe Tips

Success! Now check your email to confirm your subscription and download your Nozbe Start Guide.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

Email Address

I'd like to receive the free email course. I Want It! Powered by ConvertKit

See the last item?  Yup- a single notebook with old-fashioned paper in it.  Turns out, paper is making a big comeback, especially for people who appreciate aesthetics and for those that see the value of writing things down.

Just check out these recent articles about notebooks and their raging popularity:

• In A Digital Chapter, Paper Notebooks Are As Relevant As Ever

• Mike Vardy: How I Use Notebooks

• How to GTD a Moleskine Notebook

You don't have to go solely digital or solely analog.  The most productive people I know actually use both.

9 Ways to be Less Boring at Work

In a recent post, I suggested that it makes sense to add more “play” into the workplace.  You may not be able to install a two story fun slide or a putting green by the espresso machine but that doesn’t mean that you should give up on the factor of playfulness.

Let me be clear: I am not saying that you should dye your hair blue and shock everyone around you.  What research does support is that an environment where people work should be an engaging place where laughter is acceptable and even encouraged.  The bottom line: it's ok to have fun at work.  

I used to think that showing up early and staying late was “enough” and maybe it is most of the time.  Still, I like to try and do some new things each year that add value to others and really make me stand out in their mind.  A recent example was inviting some other executives to lunch so that they could meet one another, forming a sort of “mastermind” group that would allow them space to talk about their struggles and successes. It was a hit!

With that said, here are 9 ways to be less boring at work:

1. Wear funky socks.  Even the Wall Street Journal has noticed this new trend.
2. Buy new eye glasses. Glasses change your face and even how others perceive you.
3. Upgrade your wardrobe.  With stores like TJ Maxx and Marshalls, anyone can afford decent clothes.  
4. Drive a car that fits your personality.  This is a big one but take a look at your car.  Now think about what it says about you.  
5. Use a pen that doesn’t have “Bic” on the cap.  Nice pens add some flair to our work and increase our sense of style.
6. Install a new desk lamp.  Lamps are increasingly style-oriented and communicate precision and detail.
7. Use an email signature that people will remember.  
8. Coin a phrase.  I work with someone who says "Best day of my life!"  It's memorable to be sure.
9. Deliver results.  At the end of the day, the best way to be remembered is to deliver awesome results, period.

Being memorable is important but not for reasons of popularity.  Rather, being at the “top of mind” of your boss will promote you faster and make you stand out when you go for a new job somewhere else.  Finally, being memorable for the right reasons (and less boring) tells others that you really care about them and about your work.  That sense of caring is a road-sign on the path to excellent things.

The question for your homework is this: what are you currently doing to be more memorable?

Podcast 5: The 11 Signs of Unproductivity

What does it feel like to be "unproductive"?  Is it laziness or just a lack of organized systems to get things done?  

Unfortunately, it's no small thing if your systems and daily workflow are out of sync. It can leave you vulnerable to missed deadlines, missed opportunities and worse yet- being perceived by others as less than "awesome".  Being productive is important for your next promotion and for your next job.  There's just no way around it!

In this cast, I talk about the 11 Signs of Unproductivity based on a blog post I wrote.  

Enjoy the show!