Productivity Hacks

This article from The Renegade Writer was written for writers, but it's good advice for anyone who wants to develop as a professional. Go here to read it:

http://therenegadewriter.com/2008/08/31/7-more-productivity-hacks-for-writers/

Personal Power

Communicating a sense of personal power comes from a belief you can reach your goals in your own way. You communicate a sense of personal power by developing authority, accessibility, assertiveness, a positive image and solid communication skills.
Tips For Communicating Personal Power
* Identify someone in your circle of acquaintances who epitomizes the kind of authority you want to project and model that person.
* Make time for yourself and take care of your own needs to develop a healthy self-respect.
* Learn to say "No" when appropriate.
* Request feedback as a way to grow and learn.
* Develop an openness for change.
* Focus on your goals, and develop a sense of purpose and commitment.
* List every key person you know and set a goal to make contact with these key people at least once a month.
* Join key associations and make yourself known by volunteering.
* Always ensure that you make the best first impression possible. Stand erect and move energetically. Take every opportunity to practice these skills and you will soon find yourself communicating your personal power every time.

Manage Information

If you're overwhelmed with information -- print and virtual -- you need to implement an information management process. Here are the steps. We'll cover each in more detail in future posts.
· Determine what information needs to be retained.
· Determine major and subcategories of information.
· Sort paper files into major categories, then subcategories.
· Sort electronic files into major directories, then subdirectories and folders.
· Assign a physical location for paper files.
· Provide for back-up of critical electronic files.
· Label everything.
· Establish retention criteria.
· Establish retrieval criteria.
· Create archive files.
· Purge.
· Track stuff.

Courtesy Makes It Easy to Work with Others

Demonstrating courtesy is a mark of respect. It makes work – and life – easier for you and others. On the other hand, abrasive, rude behavior and incivility make work – and life – unpleasant. Business opportunities, customers, and promotions have been and will continue to be lost due to a lack of courtesy. Most discourteous behaviors can be avoided. Practice these courtesy behaviors until they are second nature.

Courteous people:

Freely use the words “please,” “thank you,” “excuse me,” and “may I.”

Show appreciation and give people credit for what they do.

Give compliments when they are deserved and praise other’s accomplishments.

Respond to requests and invitations graciously and promptly, and show up when they say they will.

Smile often.

Are always thoughtful to the people around them and considerate of other’s feelings.