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How much time do you spend planning each of your days? If you are like the majority of people, you spend no time planning. You wake up and slip into your same old routine. At the most, maybe you take some time to jot down a few important things you want to accomplish. If you want to boost your productivity and get more done in the same amount of time, you should consider effectively planning your day using these nine tips:
You can’t get the full benefits of daily planning unless you do it routinely. Planning your day the night before or the morning of is the best time to do it. Make it a habit by doing it regularly and at the same time each day (or night).
Once you have created a daily planning routine, it is time for you to embrace it truly. Don’t treat your planning as a chore. Instead, find a quiet and comfortable spot, pour yourself a coffee or get a snack, and enjoy your planning time.
Make sure you have the right tools to plan your day. For example, some people like to use a pad of paper, and others prefer a bullet journal. Don’t be afraid to embrace technology as well. Dozens of apps can help you plan your day.
Planning your day has to be more than visualizing and mental notes. You need to write down everything you want to complete. The easiest way to do this is to dump all your tasks into a to-do list. These lists don’t work for everyone, so find whatever solution works for you. The end goal is to get your plan out of your head and onto paper.
Once you have a list of things you want to accomplish, it is time to prioritize it properly. First, figure out which of your tasks are most important and most urgent. Focus your time on the tasks that check off both of those boxes (important and urgent).
Now that you have a list of prioritized tasks, it is time to schedule them for your day. A great way to do this is to use a popular productivity method like “Pomodoro” or “Eat the Frog.” If you aren’t interested in a method like these, you should at least create deadlines for each of your tasks.
When you are scheduling your day, make sure to leave yourself some buffer time between tasks. You never know what obstacle might pop up and slow you down. These buffers are also important because you should be taking regular breaks. Taking regular breaks allows you to reenergize and refocus for maximum productivity.
You don’t have to take a spa day after every task you finish, but regularly rewarding yourself is an important step for productivity. As humans, we respond very positively to rewards. So rewarding ourselves for a job well done is a great way to keep us motivated.
When you are planning out your day, it is important to schedule some time for retrospection. This wind downtime gives you a chance to look back at your day and honestly assess. What worked? What didn’t work? What adjustments could you make for the next day?
For decades, each summer, Alabama coaching legend Paul “Bear” Bryant welcomed his scholarship players with the question: “Have you called your folks to thank them? No one reaches this level of excellence in football without the support of others.”
Bryant not only recognized the significance of others in shaping a young athlete’s journey but also wanted the athletes to acknowledge it. This recognition serves as a vital lesson in leadership. No one becomes a successful leader without the willingness of others to support them; help is essential, and part of your development as a leader involves acknowledging and showing gratitude for that assistance.
However, your leadership and career can truly flourish by extending your gratitude not only to those you appreciate and who support you but also to those you may find challenging: the difficult individuals in your life, those who, for various reasons, may cause you distress.
One of the most effective strategies for managing these challenging relationships is to genuinely appreciate them. When you do this, you might discover that you engage with them in unexpectedly productive ways.
The term “appreciation” derives from a Latin root meaning “to comprehend the value.” This means your appreciation for difficult individuals should stem from a sincere understanding of the value they bring to you and your organization.
This involves not just understanding their perspective, but truly valuing it, using that appreciation as a tool to achieve better outcomes—outcomes that might not have occurred without these difficult people in your life. Otherwise, in terms of leadership, your appreciation can become futile.
Here’s a four-step process to transform appreciation into a catalyst for results:
(1) Team Up. To initiate appreciation, recognize that you and the difficult person must work together in this process. Remember, your goal is not to make the difficult person appreciate you, as you have little control over their feelings. Instead, focus on cultivating your own appreciation. This development occurs within a relationship—a team relationship with the other individual, not necessarily a personal one. In this collaborative setting, liking the other person isn’t essential; instead, you need to work together actively and wholeheartedly, regardless of personal sentiments. The objective is to navigate the challenges you face together and establish a leadership process that yields results.
(2) Identify. When dealing with a challenging person, emotions can run high. The first step is to engage in a face-to-face meeting to pinpoint the exact causes of the difficulties. Strive to detach from emotional entanglements. “Break down” the situation as football coaches analyze game film. This breakdown should be a collaborative effort: first, have the person describe the specific instances when issues arose. Focus solely on the factual elements of those moments—what actions and words triggered the emotions. After they share their side, you can present yours. Only when both parties clearly understand and agree on those moments can you begin discussing the feelings connected to those specific actions.
For example, if the person feels you aren’t listening, ask them to illustrate the exact moment they perceived this. Where were you? What was being said? What specifically led them to feel that way?
(3) Agree. Both you and the individual must find common ground regarding the issues you’re facing. Closing the gap between your perspectives is crucial. The measure of success in this process is results. Does the conflict impact the outcomes you need to achieve?
If the person claims you don’t listen, do you agree? Is their perception significant? Until you can reach a consensus on whether you were or weren’t listening—and the importance of that—you’ll continue to face challenges. This understanding is essential for progressing to the most crucial step.
(4) Transform. Turn the specifics of your agreement into a results-driven process that leads to measurable improvements. Without such a process, the previous steps become irrelevant. For instance, if you both agree on the need for greater attentiveness during conversations, you might create a “listening process.” This could involve techniques like “continuers,” a method taught in medical schools to help doctors engage more empathetically with their patients. In this approach, doctors learn to respond with “uh-huh” three times while the other person speaks before responding.
“Continuers” are just one of many techniques you can utilize. Clearly, “not listening” is just one of the myriad challenges you might encounter with those you lead. Whatever method you choose in addressing your difficulties, it must generate specific improvements in results—greater results than if you hadn’t implemented the process.
Regarding the “not listening” example: you might extract one actionable item from the conversation that could lead to improved outcomes. I once worked with a leader who faced accusations of ignoring his team, resulting in resistance to his leadership. They convened around a conference table and followed this four-step process. Together, they established a system for actively and systematically listening to one another, ensuring clarity on what was communicated and understood. They then identified actionable items that emerged from their dialogue and committed to implementing those actions to achieve measurable results.
Just as the needy will always be present, difficult individuals will consistently seek entry into your life, regardless of your experience or success as a leader. Many may even be within your organization, attempting to undermine your authority, thwart your plans, or tarnish your reputation.
Instead of clashing with or avoiding them, consider appreciating them. By employing this approach, you may discover that these individuals are not liabilities but rather valuable assets.
One of the keys to a happier and more successful life is to commit to lifelong learning. There are few things we can do that are more helpful for our well-being than keeping our brains engaged with new pursuits. Some people find that the older they get, the tougher it is to learn new things. Other people don’t have the patience to learn something new. If either of these sounds like you, check out these nine tips to help you learn anything faster.
Studies have shown that people who expect to teach something retain more knowledge and learn faster. The next time you try to learn something, approach it like you will have to teach it to someone else.
One of the best ways to boost your memory is to say things out loud. Studies have shown this increases our ability to recall. When you are trying to remember something, instead of just reading it silently, try speaking it aloud as well.
When you are studying any subject – old or new – you should consider working in short bursts of time. Studies show that brief breaks help increase focus and allows you to pay more attention for a longer period. The Pomodoro Technique is a famous example of this phenomenon.
One of the worst things you can do when trying to learn something new is to forgo sleep. As much as you might want to pull an all-nighter to study a new topic, you are likely doing more harm than good. Harvard Medical has found that consolidated sleep throughout a whole night is optimal for learning and memory.
Finding someone to guide you is a great way to learn something faster. You get to learn from their experience while avoiding their mistakes. A mentor of some sort can guide you with hands-on advice, and they keep you accountable. The next time you want to learn something, think about learning from a professional.
Are you good at taking notes? Taking notes properly as you learn something will significantly boost your ability to retain the information. Also, studies have shown that handwriting your notes is more effective than using your computer …as much as it might annoy you.
Practice makes perfect. The more you do something, the better you will get at it. This probably doesn’t surprise you, though. What might surprise you is that regularly changing how you practice will help you learn faster. John Hopkins found that people who make subtle modifications during their practice routines learn new skills faster.
This might seem like a weird tip, but staying hydrated while studying or learning a new skill will make a significant difference in your results. Researchers found that University students who had access to water scored 10% higher than their thirstier peers.
How many times have you spent an entire night cramming for a test? Think back to your school days, and I am sure you will be reminded of many such nights. The thing is, these long cram sessions aren’t the best way to learn. When you distribute your study sessions more evenly, you learn better. For example, three 1-hour study sessions during the week beat a night-before cram session every time.
Leadership is about achieving results, which inherently relies on human relationships. The stronger the bond between a leader and their team, the greater the results tend to be.
However, many leaders and their followers often view these relationships as one-sided: charismatic leaders are typically defined by the admiration they receive. In reality, effective leadership is a reciprocal process, involving feelings exchanged between the leader and their team.
We truly discover our potential as leaders when we take joy in those we lead. This delight can inspire them to achieve better results while they grow as leaders and individuals.
For example, I recently received an email from my former company commander inviting me to a reunion. He wrote, “I was the luckiest rifle company commander in the Marine Corps because I was surrounded by the best group of infantry officer lieutenants I ever knew. And they all belonged to our company!”
Though decades have passed since I last heard from him, I remember less about my own actions and more about his. He defied the common leadership styles of some officers who prioritized their own careers.
In contrast, my former commander drew inspiration from his troops rather than focusing solely on himself.
In civilian life, I’ve witnessed other leaders who similarly take joy in and are inspired by their teams. I’ve come to realize that this approach is a powerful, though often overlooked, leadership tool.
To effectively harness this tool, keep three key points in mind:
You may not have considered delight as a leadership tool, but it is one of the most powerful because it fosters successful relationships that lead to results. By keeping these three principles in mind when expressing your delight, you can unlock new opportunities for your leadership every day.
When you think of strategic planning, you probably picture a room full of executives in a large corporate meeting room. While that may be valid, we can invite that same kind of strategy into our own lives. Those corporate suits are simply devising a plan to accomplish their goals. Doesn’t that sound like something that could help you right now? If you feel disappointed with your life results, consider these nine ways to live life more strategically.
What do you want out of life? Do you have a life plan? If you don’t have a plan or mission in life, it will be hard to live strategically. It might not feel spontaneous to plan out your entire life, but having an overall plan will ensure you are working towards the life you want. Plus, life is so unpredictable, there will be plenty of excitement!
Having an overall life plan or mission was a great start, but you also need to get specific. Set some specific goals you want to achieve. Focus your goals on both the long and short term. Remember, specificity is important. “I want to retire early” isn’t a goal. It’s a dream. A goal is: “I want to retire when I am 55, with X amount of dollars saved.”
Strategic living means you need to get real with yourself. You need to ask yourself the tough questions like “Do I have the skills to achieve my goals/” “Am I wasting my time?” “Am I on the right track?” Be honest with yourself, and then figure out strategic ways to address your weaknesses or failings.
‘Trendy” is often used as a bad word, but why? Observing trends (both your own and the world around you) is a powerful tool for those who want to live more strategically. A quick example – many of us are saving for the future. How much better off would we have been had we observed and reacted to the cryptocurrency trend?
Strategic people track as much info as they can. After all, the more data and information you have, the more informed your decisions will be. A quick way to get started is to track your wins or successes. You might spot a pattern that makes future success even easier. Other things to track include your time, emotions, etc…
While there is something admirable about those who put their blinders on and run head-on towards their goals, this isn’t always the most strategic choice. You need to make (i.e., schedule it!) time for reflection. What is working? What isn’t working? Adjust your goals to reflect this information.
Strategic living isn’t just about your career or finances. You want to make smart decisions about every area of your life. A big part of strategic living is making sure you take care of your own needs. How can you reach your life’s goals if you aren’t healthy or managing your stress?
You don’t have to go around shouting your life’s plans to everyone, but it is helpful to let the people closest to you know. This way, people will know what you are working towards, and they can make sure they aren’t working against that. It also builds accountability and creates a support system you can lean on when needed.
A big part of being strategic is recognizing your weaknesses or lack of knowledge and then addressing them. A wonderful way to do this is to commit to lifelong learning. This not only keeps you sharp but also keeps your skills and knowledge up to date. You will find reaching your goals more attainable when you never stop learning.
ACTIONABLE STEPS
The key distinction among leaders lies in their ability to listen. Effective leaders not only pose insightful questions but genuinely pay attention to the responses.
Engage your team by asking, “What does our organization REALLY reward?” Listening to their insights could lead to significant improvements in results.
Rewards and penalties are the driving forces of any organization. However, after working with thousands of leaders over the past 23 years, I’ve observed that many organizations tend to reward the wrong behaviors.
While some organizations may claim to reward desirable actions—such as achieving results effectively—what they often truly reward, through promotions and perks, are factors like catering to the egos of top leaders, engaging in political maneuvering, and employing tyrannical leadership styles.
Here’s how to realign misplaced rewards with genuine results:
(1) Inquire within your organization to discover what it truly rewards. You might be surprised by the answers, but refrain from making judgments at this stage. Simply gather the information as an observer.
(2) Evaluate each item on your list against the actual results your organization requires. Does it contribute to achieving results? Does it hinder progress?
To do this: Select one item from your list, outline the associated problem, and identify who can address it. Implement a “stop-start-continue” strategy: what reward should you stop, what should you start, and what should you keep?
Expect gradual progress; many of these incorrect rewards are deeply ingrained habits, and change rarely happens overnight. Consistently ask, “What does my organization genuinely reward?” Over time, addressing these challenges will enhance your results and sharpen your leadership capabilities.
(3) Reflect on “What does your leadership truly reward?” If your leadership focuses on the wrong aspects, you’re limiting your potential results. Identifying and addressing your own shortcomings may be more challenging than recognizing those within the organization.
Conduct a 360-degree assessment. Choose an item from your list and apply the start-stop-continue process. Don’t simply discard the item; it can serve as a valuable learning opportunity. Identify the underlying issue and use the solution as a means to drive results.
You are bound to see improvements. By replacing negative leadership traits with those that drive results, and committing to this process over the long term, you will witness results manifesting in new and often unforeseen ways.
(4) Encourage your team members to reflect on the rewards associated with their own leadership. Pay attention to their responses to your prompts. Do they find this questioning relevant to their roles? Are they interested in involving their colleagues? Would they like senior management to engage in this self-reflection as well?
If team members wish to make this questioning a regular practice, continue nurturing it. If they perceive it as unhelpful, consider taking a break. If employees feel powerless to effect change, such probing questions may only lead to frustration and cynicism.
Moving forward:
Remember, the questioning shouldn’t consume excessive time nor be treated as a standalone initiative like an operations or marketing program. Rather, it should seamlessly integrate into everyone’s leadership activities. Regularly asking, “Are we rewarding the right things?” should eventually become second nature.
Your skin is the first thing that people notice about you, and that is why a proper skincare regimen is so important. Many products claim to help improve skin tone and promote a flawless complexion, but the truth is that there are no such thing as instant results. Instead, an effective skincare regimen is done consistently over time before results will begin to develop.
Exfoliating 1-3 times per week will help to remove old skin cells, dirt, oil, and leftover products from your skin.
In addition to being dangerous where health is concerned, these may also lead to early signs of aging. Everyone loves a suntan, but there is no reason to sacrifice your skin or health to achieve it. If you are in a position where you need to be in the sun frequently, make sure to wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 if you want to look tan (let’s be honest, who doesn’t?), find a self-tanning lotion. Before applying the lotion to your entire body, use it to a small test area to ensure no irritation.
If your lips tend to become chapped, using a natural chapstick will help keep lips hydrated and happy. Pro tip: purchase a value pack always to have one handy!
Dry or cracked skin can be very unbearable. Keep a small container of hand lotion to moisturize on the go! And make sure to use a good cream after bathing, especially on parts where the skin is roughest: elbows, knees, and heels.
When trying out a new item, make sure to apply a small portion to one area of the skin before to make sure you do not have a reaction. Also, always read the label! You never know what is hiding in certain products. Finally, if you have oily skin, buy oil-free products. Taking a few extra minutes in research is worth having the skin you love.
The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes. It should not be considered as or used in conjunction with professional medical advice. Consult your doctor before beginning any skincare regimen or if you have been diagnosed with any disorder involving the skin.
If you would like to see just how your skin is doing, download this app and send me the results @ info@andreafoy.com
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Visit my website at https://www.marykay.com/afoy89
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At some time or another, we’ve all experienced the effects of sunburn – be it a light burn or a more heavy burn.
Although the sting of regret of inadequate protection (from UV exposure) can be an excellent incentive to plan more carefully on ‘future’ occasions, it’s of little help in soothing the immediate physical sting (i.e., pain) accompanying sunburn.
However, if you ‘have’ found yourself having spent a little too much time in the sun, — here are four natural home remedies to help ease the pain of sunburn and assist in the body’s healing process:
Sunburn should, of course, be avoided where possible — particularly as its adverse effects include damage to the skin and the increased risk of skin cancer. Prevention and protection should always be considered the best treatment for sunburn and will ensure your optimum long-term health!
Disclaimer: These are home remedy tips only and should not replace your regular health care provider. If in doubt at any time concerning your sunburn, please seek the appropriate health care assistance.
Sun Care Concern – Skin Care – Mary Kay
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