| A recent study by executive search firm | | | | 4. Stop Multi-Tasking. As management guru Peter |
| Korn-Ferry revealed that 70% of executives plan | | | | Drucker said, "If there is one 'secret' of |
| to make a career related New Year's resolution. | | | | effectiveness, it is concentration." Focus |
| Yet experience shows that more than 80% of | | | | single-mindedly on one thing at a time. By simply |
| them will be significantly off-track before the end | | | | doing this, you can reduce the amount of time |
| of the first quarter. | | | | you need to complete any task by 50-80 percent. |
| Why? Distraction -- the number one enemy of | | | | 5. Use Technology Efficiently. Technology is great |
| success. | | | | when it enhances productivity, but it can also |
| Here are some tips to beat the odds and make | | | | become a major distraction. Remember, cell |
| your resolutions stick this year: | | | | phones, e-mail and the Internet, were designed to |
| | | | be used as tools. Don't let them become your |
| 1. Set Inspiring Long-term Goals. Short-term | | | | master. |
| objectives are fine, but don't often provide the | | | | 6. Beware of the "Open Door." Of course, you |
| necessary inspiration to stay the course. Keep in | | | | need to be accessible at work; but you also need |
| mind this classic quote from Napoleon Hill's, Think | | | | to maintain control of your accessibility. An open |
| and Grow Rich, "The starting point of all | | | | door policy only works well if you set time limits |
| achievement is desire... Weak desires bring weak | | | | and stick to them. Your time is your most |
| results, just as a small amount of fire makes a | | | | valuable resource. If you allow others free use of |
| small amount of heat." | | | | it, you'll pay a steep price in stress and lost |
| 2. Create a Path. Even the best goal-setting | | | | productivity. |
| system isn't enough. You need specific action | | | | 7. Manage Information and Idea Overload. Every |
| steps to follow. When you create a blueprint for | | | | day you're bombarded with more information |
| your objectives, you give yourself a path to run | | | | than you can possibly handle in a week. One key |
| on. If you get sidetracked, as you undoubtedly | | | | to managing it is to be very selective about what |
| will, it's simple to pick up and restart where you | | | | gets your attention now, and what you save for |
| left off. | | | | later. Link your reading, viewing and listening |
| 3. Link Your Activities to Your Goals. Identify your | | | | activities to your goals as much as possible. And |
| top priorities in every area of your life: career, | | | | always keep a notebook or voice recorder handy, |
| family, health, friends etc. Then link all of your | | | | so you can manage ideas and potentially profit |
| activities to your goals. Goal-directed behavior is | | | | from them later. |
| what enables successful people to achieve their | | | | © 2007 Dr. Robert Karlsberg & Dr. |
| objectives in record time. | | | | |