The Seven Signs of a Productive Person

If you've ever interviewed someone for a job, you probably found yourself wondering if the candidate is genuinely productive.  You might even ask yourself:

  • Does she clear out her email regularly?
  • Does he maintain a neat workspace?
  • Do coworkers rely on her to "get the job done"?

I recently interviewed a number of highly qualified applicants and then checked references.  In each call, I wanted to get a sense of two critical factors:  fit and competency.  In other words, would they mesh with the cultural atmosphere of our workplace?  And, just as importantly, can they get the job done?  While I always factor in like-ability (are they likable?), it always seems to come back to both fit and competency.  

In my work at school, character and values play an important role as well.  These additional qualities will vary depending on your industry, etc.

In all of the interviews (and after years of hiring quality folks), I've found the following as signs of productive people:

  1. They write things down.  In meetings.  During the day.  You get the point.
  2. They come prepared.  They are rarely late and have the tools they need.
  3. They do what they say.  You never have to wonder if they will do what they said they would.
  4. They follow up after meetings.  You get their personal notes and emails as tokens of their follow up.  (I wrote about the value of personal notes here.)
  5. They maintain a neat workspace.  Not perfectly neat but tidy and professional.  
  6. They prepare better than the next guy.  They want to be ready for the workday and for the events that matter most.  They take five minutes to get ready, etc.
  7. They maintain an achiever mindset.  They enjoy accomplishing things- big and small.  

While these are just seven signs that I can think of, there are probably more.  Note that I didn't list any ephemeral qualities like passion, humility, character or even vision. Each of these is definitely important but the seven habits (or signs) are all doable and can be practiced by anyone and everyone.  None is dependent on an IQ of 130 or higher.  Not one requires a lot of money.  No new iPhone model is necessary for any of the signs listed.  (that's a relief since my contract isn't up!)

Look around you at work, in your church, and in your neighborhood.  Who is the productive one who is always on the move and getting things done?  Chances are, they are probably practicing more than a few of the signs mentioned above.

Question: which of the seven signs do you practice regularly?  Which can you improve on?

Photo courtesy of fdp.

How to Avoid the Pressures of Social Media

Joan has a Twitter account but hasn't uploaded her photo.  Al has a Facebook account but never posts anything to it.  Juan once opened a LinkedIN account but can't remember the login password.

And so it goes... into the social media abyss, fragments of accounts, intentions and plans to be "more engaged" online. 

The question is "why"? Why do so many people feel pressured to open accounts on Pinterest, Facebook and Google Plus and then never actually use them to their potential?   Why do most of us have so many logins that we can't remember all of them?  

It could be because we feel some sort of invisible pressure to be online all of the time, or at least more often than not.  Or, it might be due to ...

Curiosity...

Pressure from friends...

Genuine interest...

The cool thing to do...

Each person has a different reason for going online and doing what they do.  As I thought about this post, I had to step back and really ask myself why I use what I do regarding social media.  Here's what I came up with: 

  • Pinterest: for collecting quotes and tips for men's clothing. 
  • Twitter: for getting the word out when I post to the blog and engaging with others. 
  • Facebook: for keeping up with friends. 
  • Google Plus: for tech articles and posting Android smartphone themes. 
  • LinkedIN: for establishing a presence in a more professional way. 

How about you? Have you taken the time to do a simple inventory of your social media use?  

The key takeaway is this: use social media how you want and don't let someone else pressure you into something if there isn't the "space" to do it in your life.  There are only so many hours in the day so using them intentionally is vital.  

It's time that we stop feeling guilty for not posting every detail of every day on our Facebook timelines.  It's ok to maintain privacy.  It's normal to share quality time with your family or friends and not be updating your Twitter feed at the same time.  

Life has enough pressures of its own.  No need to let social media add more pressure to your plate.   

*photo courtesy of fdp

Less is More: Why Fewer Words are Best

In a recent newsletter (click here if you aren't yet a subscriber, just sayin'), I spoke about the value of being brief.  In emails, voicemails, even in conversations.

This was born out of several meetings last week in which everyone, and I mean everyone, felt the need to publish every idea.  The result- hours of added meeting time when we could have been with our families and friends.  

So here's the scoop- 

My conclusion: there is more noise than ever and it's made us all very, very chatty.  This of course is sucked into the vortex of "online living" and less towards those we see in person.  (Unless of course you're in one of my meetings last week!)

Speaking digitally, the data points to an emerging need to:

  • Get to the point.
  • Be brief.
  • Let folks do their work.

What can you do to use fewer words and still get your message across?

Photo courtesy of fdp

Time to Kiss Facebook Goodbye?

Roy is a school leader.  He uses an Android phone, uses an iMac in his office and knows how to run a solid powerpoint.  He doesn't use Twitter.  He has used, I think, Google Plus three times in his life.  As for Facebook, he would ask you where that's located in the library! 

None of this is bad, just stating the facts so you can get a feel for his social media habits.

The thing is, after I spoke with Roy for a bit, that he feels as if he should use social media more often.  He feels as if there's something missing or something wrong with him.

There isn't and there's not.

I've said for a while now that social media is whatever you want it to be.  You want to post pictures of your puppy on a skateboard?  Go for it.  Want to share what you're eating every meal?  Why not!  

Here's some of the wacky photos I've posted on Instagram.  

The "rules" of social media are relativistic and that's part of what makes Twitter, Facebook, et al. so powerful.

For Roy, he's looking for reasons to jump into social media.  For others, there may be times to hit the pause button on it.  Or, you may even need to kiss Facebook and Twitter goodbye for a period of time.  

Turns out, people who use social media say that they are more stressed than those who don't.

These reasons may include:

  • You feel overwhelmed by the variety and number of social media outlets.  Part of Roy's struggle is that he doesn't even know where to start.
  • You feel exhausted by the constant "checking" for updates, etc.  (turns out that mobile Twitter users are 181% more likely to use Twitter during their commutes; source)
  • You want to have a simpler digital footprint.  Less time on social media means more time with your family, more time reading books, and more time doing focused work.

As for me, I'm in a point of flux right now.  LinkedIN is more frequent for me these days while Twitter has taken a back seat.  I actually, in small doses, am finding Facebook interesting again.  Ebbs and flows.  Trial and error.  

The key, as always, is to be intentional.  Be thoughtful about what and how you are using social media.  If it's tuckering you out, change it up.  

The Case for Doing Less This Weekend

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Weekends are what most of us live for.  They are often seen as a break from mundane, unexciting jobs.  Most people fill them with yardwork, chores and errands galore.  Sleeping in, staying up late, shopping... fill in the blank as to how you and your family typically use your weekend.

The only problem... (drumroll) is that some of us fill our weekends, supposed to be a time for rest, with so many small crumbs that the weekend itself becomes stressful.  The crumbs add up after a while.  

Errands do make you tired- and use gas. 

Shopping is exhausting- and uses money. 

Yardwork is fun for some- but not for most. 

So here's your homework for today and any weekend- be more intentional about it. Do less.  Breathe.  Take a nap.  Do what makes you happy this weekend instead of what you think you should be doing (by that subtle voice in your head informed by popular culture or social media).   

Speaking digitally, I find that there are times when I want to be up to speed on the news and on what my friends are "up to" online.  Weekends though- I just want to be with Cary and the kids.  I typically tweet less and just use Buffer to automate my online content.  That way, I can sit on the porch and play a game with the kids, go for a leisurely drive or wash the car in the driveway.  It's intentional, light and relaxed.   

What are the benefits of doing less?  First, you'll stress less.  Second, you'll be more fully present to those you care about.  Third, you'll spend less money because you're not doing what someone else tells you you "should".  Fourth... I could keep going but you get the picture.   

So go ahead.  Enjoy yourself this weekend and all throughout the week.   

It's ok to do less if it helps you to "be more" in the other parts of your life.  

Two Ways to Savor the Simple Things in Life

I asked a friend of mine about his plans for the summer and he replied with a list that read like this:

1 trip to Hungary (2 weeks)

1 trip fishing with the boys (1 week) 

4 weeks of summer camp in town (4 weeks) 

1 family reunion (1 weekend) 


I was tired just listening to his schedule and when he asked about my intentions for July and August, I shrugged and said, "Mostly small things with the kids... maybe a weekend away here or there."  

That's been our summer- a wonderful string of small things.  Compared to my buddy's itinerary, my list seems paltry but as I reflect on the kind of summer it's been, (I just can't help but measure things!)  I can't help but smile.  Our highlights have included:

  • sleeping in past 5am
  • watching four seasons of Lost with our 13 year old
  • writing 45 pages of my dissertation
  • going mountain biking with my 10 year old
  • taking my daughters out to the diner for a dad-daughter string of dates
  • going for long drives with Cary as our 3 year old fell asleep in his car seat
  • babysitting a neighborhood 5 year old and welcoming him into our family
  • painting the porch (just because)
  • spending extra time in morning prayer
  • getting in shape

An impressive list?  Probably not to the world.  But to me?  Absolutely priceless.  Savoring is like that- whether the rose is small or in full bloom- it still smells good.   

Two quotes come to mind when I think of this rose-smelling aspect of everyday life:

There is no better means of attainment to the spiritual life
Than by continually beginning again...  Saint Francis de Sales

and

Slow down and enjoy life.  It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why.  Eddie Cantor

The real trick is this: how do you cultivate a habit of savoring life when you are always connected and online?  I suggest first to stop comparing yourself to others.  Again, compared to my friend's summer plans, mine look pathetic.  The thing is that I could care less since I live for an audience of One (God).   

Second, slow down.  Walk slower.  Eat slower.  Drive slower.  Each of these will help you to cultivate mindfulness and gradually unplug occasionally from technology.   

I know several very holy persons. Each is very adept with technology and each is very good at savoring the simple things of life.   

You really can have it both ways.