Positive Prescription

Take two (or more) of Scott H Young’s 29 Happiness Hacks to Feel Better Now.

Four H Framework

John at Success Begins Today wrote about the four elements of a great speech or blog post when thinking about why he blogs. Head, Heart, Hands, and Humor. That’s a great framework for life as well…a goal for each day to: learn, feel, act and laugh.

Tools for the Four Step Plan

Design Your Writing Life has a brilliant four step plan for Goal Setting. The following tools will help to implement it.

1. Find a blank week form: check out Corrie Haffly’s forms inspired by David Seah. Or explore other forms that are available under free tools. Just don’t get too sidetracked!

2. Write down daily definites, everything you do routinely: See repeating tasks

3. Write down goals: See goal ideas

4. List favorite daily distractions: See time wasters

I created a time chart combined with Stephen R Covey’s Time Management Matrix to track activities. Routine tasks fit in quadrant I, goals in quadrant II, time wasters in quadrant IV. Use the Matrix Time Chart with the Printable CEO Emergent Task Timer or another timer to track what quadrant you are spending your time in.

This exercise provides a picture that will show if you’re walking your talk, living your plan.

Additional Reading: Go audit yourself (a time audit) at Genuine Curiosity

Delegation

Sometimes delegating tasks is not an option. However, in situations where a project can and should be done by someone else, invest the time to do it well. When possible, share assignments that provide opportunities for growth. Choose a person with the skills, knowledge, and experience that will be needed for the job. Be sure they have the needed resources. Be clear about the purpose and importance of the task. Then agree on a date to follow-up on progress and schedule it in your calendar. Remember to express your appreciation when the task has been completed, and review what was learned.

Laura Stack, The Productivity Pro has more ideas for ways to manage low-priority items.

Further reading: Mindtools & Businessballs

Discovery of the Day

Steve Pavlina published 33 Rules to Boost Your Productivity volume one and volume two. That’s 66 great ideas!

Storytelling

Storytelling is one of the essential strategies described in the book Make It Stick by Chip and Dan Heath. It’s also one that doesn’t come easily to me. These links provide insight into the art of storytelling:

Goizueta Business Library has an information guide with the key elements of storytelling.

Ira Glass explains what makes a good story at Presentation Zen and Director Tom.