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How to be Less Busy and More Productive

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Many years ago, the government awarded a grant to a major US University. The grant was to research if they could develop an artificial appendix. While it was many years ago, it wasn’t so long ago that the medical profession hadn’t already determined that the appendix was unnecessary for the body to function. When it becomes blocked they simply remove it.

But that didn’t prevent the researchers from wasting time and money busily going about their work. The problem was this: no matter what their research found, it wouldn’t be productive. That’s because no one needs an appendix, especially an artificial one.

I think one of the biggest wastes of time is becoming proficient at doing something that doesn’t need to be done at all. Truly successful people never let that happen to them. They fully understood the vast difference between being merely busy and actually being productive.

Being busy means you’re occupied with tasks. Being productive means you’re achieving results or progress towards your goals. Being busy can mean lots of movement with little outcome. Being productive is different. It involves focused effort that leads to real accomplishments.

I would even go so far as to say that if you can’t clearly state what you did on a particular day to move closer to one of your goals then you were not productive. No matter how busy you were. No matter how tired you were. No matter how much you try to convince yourself otherwise.

You cannot reach your full potential by being busy. If you’re going to use your knowledge and strengths to full effect you’ve got to focus on being productive as often as possible.

So if you want to be less busy and more productive, here’s a few ideas to try.

Prioritize tasks. Identify the most important tasks and focus on them first. I can legitimately guarantee you that no human on the planet has more time than you do. What they may have is a far greater awareness of what their priorities are. When do you things in order of their importance it virtually forces you to be more productive.

Set boundaries. Learn to say no to tasks that don’t align with your goals. Saying NO is like a Superpower for highly productive people. They say no to busy work so they can say yes to productive work. Plus, they understand that no is a complete sentence. They don’t waste time giving long winded explanations about why they are saying no. Sometimes you may have to provide an explanation to avoid being rude but not nearly as often as you think.

Schedule breaks. Allow yourself time to recharge throughout the day. Most busy people eat lunch at their desks. But, the productive people enjoy lunch in the break room or a restaurant. Taking a lunch break and shutting off work, even for 15 minutes, can increase your focus and productivity. It can do so by as much as 30% in the last couple of hours of the day.

Delegate when possible. Share responsibilities with others to lighten your load. So here’s a tip especially for people in leadership positions. If you’re really leading then there are likely things that you need to do that other people can’t do. So delegate to ensure you’re not doing the things that someone else can do. Because if you’re doing something that someone else could do, then you’re NOT doing something that only you can do. That’s called being busy, not productive.

Limit distractions. Minimize interruptions like phone notifications or unnecessary  meetings. Here’s a wild idea. Turn the phone on silent, turn off the vibration setting and place the phone screen down on your desk. Or better yet, learn to use the focus settings that most smartphones have today. Remember, looking at sports scores or the lyrics to Taylor Swift’s new album might make you feel busy. But it’s likely far from the most productive thing you could be doing.

Use time blocks. Allocate specific time slots for different tasks to maintain focus. A time block is like an appointment with yourself and it’s one of the most important appointments you can have. When you set aside a couple of hours to accomplish a task don’t allow anything or anyone to interrupt you. That’s vital because that interruption will make you busier but less productive. Exactly the opposite of what you’re trying to accomplish.

Review and adjust. Regularly evaluate your workload and productivity methods to make necessary improvements. It’s easy to get off track. Remaining productive in the face of distractions and other people’s priorities isn’t easy. But developing the discipline to do it consistently will pay life changing rewards.

One last thing. Be honest will yourself. It’s so easy to reward ourselves for being busy. It’s easy to fool ourselves into thinking our tiredness at the end of the day means we’ve accomplished something. Don’t fall into those traps. Don’t live a busy life. Live a productive life and you’ll never go back to being busy again.

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Dealing with Frustration

Steve Keating 2 Comments

Lots of “stuff” can cause frustration. But only if we let it. People can frustrate us too. But only if we allow them to. Frustration is a natural reaction to circumstances when we believe those circumstances to be beyond our control.

But to some extent being frustrated really is a choice. We can allow frustrating circumstances to get the better of us or we can choose to get the better of those same circumstances. It’s an important choice because frustration can have various damaging effects on a person. Both mentally and physically.

Mentally, it can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression over time. Physically, it may manifest as headaches, muscle tension, or even chronic health issues like high blood pressure. Frustration can also impair decision-making abilities and strain relationships. Overall, it can significantly impact your well-being and quality of life.

So it pays to make an effort to minimize frustration in your life. Making the effort to deal with frustrating circumstances involves specific steps.

1. Acknowledge your emotions. Recognize and accept your feelings of frustration. You can deny frustration all you want but it is what it is. Denying that your frustrated will not eliminate the negative consequences.

2. Take a step back. Pause and take a deep breath to calm yourself. It’s amazing what separating yourself from the source of your frustration, even if only for 30 seconds, can do for you.

3. Analyze the situation. Identify the specific cause of frustration and assess if it’s within your control.

4. Focus on what you can control. Direct your energy towards factors you can influence or change. Trying to control the uncontrollable only adds to your frustration, it does nothing to minimize it.

5. Seek solutions. Brainstorm possible solutions or ways to improve the situation. Just the process of brainstorming can lessen the stress of dealing with frustration.

6. Take action. Implement the best solution and adapt as needed. Nothing kills frustration like doing something about it. Taking action gives you back a feeling of control. Control and frustration cannot coexist. The more control you exercise over your circumstances, the less room there is for frustration in your life.

7. Practice self-care. Engage in activities that help you relax and recharge. This is the same concept as “put your own oxygen mask on first.” You’re not helping anyone or anything if you’re so stressed out you can barely think.

8. Seek support. Talk to friends, family, or a colleague if needed for guidance and encouragement. I’m not necessarily a big fan of “venting” but sometimes blowing off a little steam takes the pressure of frustration off too.

It’s normal to encounter frustrating circumstances. It’s how you choose to respond to the frustrating circumstances that will make all the difference. Choose well!

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Living According to Your Core Values

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Many people struggle with setting meaningful goals for their life. Many of those same people find it difficult to make decisions, especially big, life altering decisions. A good number of those same people have relationship issues throughout their lives. They can’t quite seem to find their “match.”

All of those challenges have one underlying cause. That cause is Core Values.

Just to be clear, it is not a lack of Core Values. It is a lack of understanding exactly what their Core Values are. I believe everyone has Core Values, those values that are life defining. Values that are worth fighting for. Even values that are worth dying for.

But through the years I’ve come to realize that most people, perhaps even the vast majority of people, have invested scant time thinking and reflecting on what their Core Values actually are. Those Core Values are buried deep within them but not so deep that they don’t impact their thinking. Their ever present Core Values inform their thinking but they do so subconsciously.

When people know and understand their Core Values they bring them to the surface. Once surfaced their Core Values help them make better and bigger decisions. They inform them as to what goals truly matter long term. Their Core Values help them find and keep a person who will be their partner for the rest of their lives.

Core Values are a very big deal. They are an even bigger deal once you’ve determined your Core Values and decide to consciously live your life accordingly.

Determining your Core Values involves reflecting on what matters most to you in life. Start by considering experiences, beliefs, and principles that have consistently guided your decisions and actions. Ask yourself probing questions about what brings you fulfillment, what you stand for, and what you couldn’t live without. Write down a list of potential values, then narrow it down to the ones that resonate with you the most deeply. Your Core Values should reflect your authentic self and serve as a compass for making choices aligned with your true priorities.

Core Values vary from person to person, but some common examples include:

1. Integrity: Being honest, trustworthy, and acting with moral principles.

2. Respect: Treating others with dignity, empathy, and understanding.

3. Responsibility: Taking ownership of one’s actions and obligations.

4. Excellence: Striving for the highest quality and continuous improvement.

5. Compassion: Showing kindness, empathy, and care towards others.

6. Courage: Facing challenges with bravery and perseverance.

7. Equality: Believing in fairness and justice for all individuals.

8. Gratitude: Appreciating the blessings and expressing thankfulness.

9. Authenticity: Being true to oneself and living with transparency.

10. Collaboration: Working together and valuing teamwork and cooperation.

These are just a few examples, and individuals may prioritize different values based on their personal experiences, beliefs, and aspirations.

Actually living according to your Core Values involves aligning your actions, decisions, and behaviors with the principles that matter most to you. Here’s how you can do it.

Identify your core values. Reflect on what truly matters to you and define your core values. Write them down to have a clear understanding of what they are.

Integrate values into decision-making. When faced with choices or dilemmas, consider how each option aligns with your core values. Choose the path that resonates with your principles, even if it’s challenging.

Set goals aligned with your values. Define short-term and long-term goals that reflect your core values. This ensures that your actions are directed towards what you find meaningful and fulfilling.

Practice self-awareness. Regularly evaluate your thoughts, feelings, and actions to ensure they are consistent with your values. Adjust your behavior if you notice any discrepancies.

Communicate your values. Be open about your core values with others, including friends, family, and colleagues. This helps create authentic connections and fosters mutual understanding.

Stay true to yourself. Resist the temptation to compromise your values for external approval or short-term gains. Stand firm in your beliefs, even in the face of adversity.

Learn and grow. Continuously seek opportunities for personal growth and self-improvement that are in line with your core values. Embrace challenges as opportunities to strengthen your commitment to what matters most to you.

By consciously integrating your Core Values into your daily life, you can lead a more authentic, purposeful, and fulfilling existence. You will make better decisions, choose better friends, and set meaningful goals that motivate you to achieve your full potential. In short, you’ll live your very best life and you’ll know exactly how, and why you’re doing it.

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How to be More Patient With Yourself

Steve Keating 2 Comments

I have heard it said that patience is a virtue. Many of the world’s greatest thinkers have emphasized the importance of patience. For Aristotle, patience was bitter but the fruit it bore was sweet. Tolstoy said it was one of the two most powerful warriors, with the other one being time. Lao Tzu believed it was one of the three greatest treasures to have along with compassion and simplicity.

Patience is a big deal!

Many of us pride ourselves on being patient with other people. We allow them to learn at their own pace. We cut them “slack” when they make mistakes. We forgive them when they are a little slower to master a skill that we think we would have mastered much sooner. By and large, most people are pretty patient.

Except with one person. That person is most often themselves. This is especially true of highly motivated people who are in a hurry to succeed. I think that’s called “the rat race.” For those of you unfamiliar with the term it comes from experiments in the late 1800’s where two rats are trying to outrun each other to get a piece of cheese. These days it’s an expression describing a way of life in which people compete with each other for power and money.

Some people thrive while running the rat race but most are slowly burning themselves out. So slowly that they don’t often realize it until it’s too late.

The vast majority’s of people living their best lives have learned to be more patient. They cut themselves the same slack they cut other people. They find the balance required to push themselves without burning themselves out.

Finding that balance requires intentionality and focus. You have to work for it. You’ll likely have to make some changes in your life. You’ll possibly have to make some sacrifices too. But you will also discover that granting yourself more patience is one of the kindest things you’ll ever do for yourself.

Being more patient with yourself involves several steps. Some of these are easy, some not so much but all of them will help you live your very best life.

1. Acknowledge Imperfection. Understand that nobody is perfect, and it’s okay to make mistakes or not meet your own expectations all the time.

2. Set Realistic Goals. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This allows you to track progress and celebrate small victories along the way.

3. Practice Self-Compassion. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a friend who is struggling. Acknowledge your efforts and progress, even if they are small.

4. Pay Attention. Stay present in the moment. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment. This helps you become more aware of negative self-talk and allows you to respond to yourself with more kindness.

5. Learn from Setbacks. Instead of being hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned, use setbacks as opportunities for growth and learning. Ask yourself what you can learn from the experience and how you can improve in the future.

6. Practice Gratitude. Focus on the things you are grateful for and the progress you have made, no matter how small. This helps shift your perspective from what you lack to what you have accomplished.

7. Seek Support. Surround yourself with supportive, positive people who encourage and uplift you during challenging times. And do whatever it takes to separate yourself from negative people who attempt to suck the patience right out of you.

By making these practices part of daily life, you can cultivate greater patience and self-compassion. You’ll find yourself leading to a more fulfilling and balanced life. That my friends is worth every bit of the effort it will take achieve, no matter how long it takes you to achieve it.

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How to Develop Perseverance

Steve Keating Leave a comment

There are many very talented people who fall short of reaching their full potential. They are even more people who set forth on a journey towards success who never reach their final goal or destination.

Many of those simply gave up before they reached their goal. Many of those would have reached that goal if they could have just pushed themselves a little further. But they lacked one of the most important attributes of successful people. That attribute is perseverance.

Perseverance is so critical because with every endeavor comes challenges and obstacles. On every journey towards success there will be times of fatigue and stress. There will always be instances where quitting seems like the practical and perhaps only alternative. But sometimes doing what’s practical is the least practical thing to do.

People with perseverance understand that achieving ultimate success often requires doing the unconventional and many times doing it when they would much prefer not to. If you’re not certain that you have the perseverance required to succeed I have good news for you. You can develop it.

Developing perseverance involves two things. You must cultivate a mindset of success and adopt certain practices. These things help you stay committed to your goals despite challenges and setbacks. Here are some of those practices to help you develop perseverance.

• Set Clear Goals. Define specific, achievable goals that align with your values and aspirations. Having clarity about what you want to achieve will provide you with a sense of direction and purpose. You are never too old to set a new goal and it’s never too late to adjust a goal if circumstances dictate it.

• Break Goals into Smaller Tasks. Divide your goals into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes them less overwhelming and allows you to focus on making progress one step at a time. Never forget, all progress, big or small moves you closer to your goal so never let small steps dissuade you from pushing forward.

• Maintain a Positive Attitude. Cultivate a positive mindset and believe in your ability to overcome obstacles. Instead of dwelling on setbacks, focus on what you can learn from them and how you can improve. Your attitude is always your choice and choosing a positive attitude might be one of the most important choices you’ll ever make.

• Develop Resilience. Understand that setbacks are a natural part of any journey. Learn to bounce back from adversity by building resilience and adapting to challenges.

• Stay Committed. Commit to your goals wholeheartedly and prioritize them in your daily life. Avoid distractions and stay focused on what truly matters to you. Share your goals with people who care enough for you to hold you accountable. None of us exactly likes accountability but we all do better when we have it in our life.

• Practice Self-Discipline. Develop self-discipline by setting routines and sticking to them, even when you don’t feel motivated. Consistent effort over time leads to progress and eventual success.

• Ask for Help. Surround yourself with supportive friends and family. Also, seek mentors or peers who can encourage you in tough times. Stay away from negative naysayers who are not on the path to success and would like to knock you off yours as well.

• Celebrate Progress. Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing your progress can boost your confidence and motivation to keep moving forward. Remember, all progress is progress and therefore worth celebrating.

• Learn from Setbacks. Embrace setbacks as an opportunity for growth and learning. Analyze what went wrong, extract valuable lessons, and use them to improve your approach in the future. Some people would say setbacks are the same as failures. The difference is setbacks are mere interruptions. Setbacks don’t become failures until you choose to not pick yourself up and begin again.

• Stay Flexible. Be willing to adapt your strategies and approach as needed. Sometimes, the path to success may require adjustments and course corrections along the way. The most successfully people expect the unexpected. They know “surprises” are likely to happen and they actually plan accordingly.

• Visualize Success. Use visualization techniques to imagine yourself achieving your goals. Visualizing success can help you stay motivated and focused on your desired outcome. In all likelihood, if you can see it, you can do it.

• Practice Patience. Understand that success often takes time and perseverance. Stay patient and trust the process, even when results may not come as quickly as you’d like. Just make sure you’re not mistaking patience for procrastination. Patience allows you to gather information while resting up a bit. Procrastination stops your momentum and most often leads directly to true failure.

By focusing on these practices and making them a daily habit, you can change your mindset. You will gradually develop greater perseverance and resilience to overcome challenges and achieve your goals.

You will be unstoppable!

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The Art of Diplomacy

Steve Keating Leave a comment

Life will always include some amount of conflict. Many people, including people in leadership positions, will go to great lengths to avoid engaging in conflict. Anything that is, except engaging in diplomacy.

Diplomacy makes it possible to resolve a conflict by working with people to find an outcome acceptable to all sides.

You may not believe that you are diplomatic enough to find middle ground with people of differing opinions. But it’s entirely possible you could be. Diplomacy is a skill and as I’ve written many times, skills can be developed through effort.

Being diplomatic involves managing communication and relationships well. It’s about navigating sensitive or contentious situations with tact, empathy, and consideration for others’ perspectives. If you’re interested in improving your diplomacy skills, here are some tips on how to make it happen.

Listen attentively. Understand the concerns, views, and feelings of others. Do so by actively listening without interruption. Show empathy and validate their feelings. Most importantly, listen with an open mind.

Choose words carefully. Use language that is neutral, respectful, and non-confrontational. Avoid inflammatory or accusatory language that could escalate tensions. It’s completely acceptable to have a few moments of silence in a conversation as you think about what you’re about to say. Never forget, once it’s said it can’t be unsaid. I’d rather people think I’m a slow thinking, slow talking individual than to say something I can’t unsay.

Focus on common ground. Find areas of agreement or shared goals. They will build rapport and a positive foundation for discussion. Even the smallest point of agreement can be a building block for a future resolution.

Acknowledge differences. Respectfully acknowledge differing viewpoints without dismissing or belittling them. Validate others’ perspectives even if you disagree. Remember, if you were them, with an identical upbringing and background, you would likely think exactly as they do. It’s not that they are necessary wrong, it’s just that they think different, based on their different upbringing.

Stay calm and composed. Maintain a calm demeanor, even in challenging situations. Avoid reacting impulsively or emotionally, as this can escalate conflicts. Think of it this way, if you lose control of your emotions, you lose.

Seek understanding. Ask clarifying questions to understand others’ concerns and motivations. This demonstrates your willingness to listen and collaborate.

Avoid blame and criticism. Instead of blaming or criticizing others, focus on solving problems and finding solutions.

Offer solutions. Propose compromises that address everyone’s concerns. Be open to negotiation and flexible in finding mutually beneficial outcomes.

Consider timing and context. Be mindful of when and where discussions take place. Choose appropriate settings and timing to have sensitive conversations. If someone doesn’t have time to talk then it’s best not to try and make them talk.

Maintain confidentiality. Respect confidentiality when discussing sensitive matters. Avoid sharing private information without permission. As they saying goes, two can keep a secret if one of them is dead. So when you’re told something in confidence, keep it confidential.

Build trust. Show truth, honor, and reliability in your actions. This will build trust over time.

After reaching agreements, follow up. Check that commitments are honored and that any issues are addressed.

By practicing these diplomatic strategies you can use diplomacy to resolve issues without starting a war. You can handle tough situations well. You can also build better relationships. This will create a more positive and productive environment.

It’ll build a happier you and in all likelihood, a happier “them” as well.

Want more LeadToday? Many of you know I’m very active on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. I post a lot of free content there but I also post 6-10 minute videos two or three times a week. These videos are focused on principles of leadership and living your best life. They are “uncommon” common sense topics designed to help people push themselves to their full potential. Every video is available to subscribers who invest $4.99 a month for their future success. If you’re willing to push yourself towards the life you want and deserve my videos may just be the extra nudge you need to get there. Find your way over to X and follow me there. Once you’ve followed me you can subscribe on a month by month basis just by clicking the subscribe button. Remember, an investment in yourself ALWAYS pays dividends! You’ll find my timeline here: twitter.com/leadtoday

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Curious Success

Steve Keating 6 Comments

I’ve heard it said, often, that curiosity killed the cat. I’m not a cat person so I can’t speak to how accurate that may or may not be. But I can tell you one thing that curiosity does for sure…it creates success.

I went to college to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering. I wanted to invent cool stuff. My high school guidance counselor agreed I was a great fit for that kind of career. We were both wrong. I got my degree and had job offers even before I graduated. I went to work designing currency validation systems. If you’ve ever put a dollar bill in a vending machine you’ve used some of my early work.

But I wasn’t very good at designing new stuff. I was however better than almost anyone at fixing new stuff other people designed. I knew almost instinctively where their design had gone wrong because I knew exactly how electronic components were supposed to work together.

But I just wasn’t curious enough to experiment with new uses for technology. I also wasn’t interested in cleaning up somebody else’s mess so I pretty quickly left my engineering days behind.

After a few career twists and turns I discovered that while I wasn’t curious about circuitry I was very curious about people. That led me to what I’ve now been doing for years and years, “creating” more successful people.

I take as much pride in helping other people succeed as I’ve ever taken in my own success. And I’m still as curious about people today as I’ve ever been. That’s why I can say without a doubt that curiosity creates success.

Being more curious is a valuable trait that can lead to personal growth, learning, and creativity. Curiosity is actually a skill that you can develop. If you’re interested in being more curious here are some strategies to cultivate and enhance your curiosity.

• Stay open-minded. Approach situations with a willingness to explore and learn. Avoid preconceived notions and judgments, as they can limit your curiosity. Every person on the planet knows something that you don’t know. That means you can learn from anyone…if you keep an open mind.

• Ask questions. Develop a habit of asking questions about the world around you. Wonder why things are the way they are, how they work, or what might happen if they were different. By the way, once you ask the question, listen, truly listen, to the answer.

• Seek new experiences. Step out of your comfort zone and expose yourself to new environments, people, and ideas. Traveling, trying new hobbies, or attending events outside of your usual routine can spark curiosity.

• Embrace uncertainty. Instead of feeling uncomfortable with the unknown, view it as an opportunity for discovery. Curiosity thrives in situations where there are gaps in knowledge.

• Engage in active listening. Pay attention to what others say and genuinely try to understand their perspectives. This can lead to intriguing conversations and new insights. Remember, you can learn from anyone.

• Read widely. Explore books, articles, and other forms of literature on a variety of topics. Exposing yourself to diverse ideas and viewpoints can stimulate curiosity and broaden your understanding of the world. Reading is one of the most productive activities you can do. So set time aside, frequently, to read a bunch of stuff.

• Stay curious about yourself. Reflect on your own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Ask yourself why you think or feel a certain way and be open to discovering new aspects of your identity.

• Like every idea for 10 minutes. Less curious people tend to dismiss new ideas too quickly. Train yourself to like every new idea or concept you hear for 10 minutes before dismissing it or trying to tear it to pieces. Those 10 minutes could completely change your thinking, and your life.

• Connect with others. Engage in discussions with people who have different backgrounds, interests, and expertise than your own. Their perspectives can inspire new lines of inquiry and fuel your curiosity. Remember, even if their ideas seem a little weird to you, you’re gonna like them for at least 10 minutes.

• Experiment and play. Approach life with a sense of playfulness and experimentation. Try out new ideas, tinker with solutions, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes along the way. Curiosity is fun and fun is good.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily life, you can nurture and strengthen your curiosity. That will lead to greater success in all areas of your life.

For a lot of people being curious seems a bit risky. But I still would say, unless you’re a cat, there are a ton of benefits to being curious and it’s way better than just living in the world you already know.

I’m curious to know if you agree.

Want more LeadToday? Many of you know I’m very active on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. I post a lot of free content there but I also post 6-10 minute videos two or three times a week. These videos are focused on principles of leadership and living your best life. They are “uncommon” common sense topics designed to help people push themselves to their full potential. Every video is available to subscribers who invest $4.99 a month for their future success. If you’re willing to push yourself towards the life you want and deserve my videos may just be the extra nudge you need to get there. Find your way over to X ON A WEB BROWSER and follow me there. Once you’ve followed me you can subscribe on a month by month basis just by clicking the subscribe button. Remember, an investment in yourself ALWAYS pays dividends! You’ll find my timeline here: twitter.com/leadtoday

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