Pat Alva-Green's Blog

Do you ever have a day where your plate is running over with tasks and not enough time to get it all accomplished? You feel frustrated and drained of energy just thinking about how to approach your "to do" list. Developing a consistent way to manage your tasks becomes the key. Below are a few tools to add to your tool bag to help you manage yourself and the things that need to get done.

1. Delete tasks. Delete as much as you can. Figure out what is not important or is not contributing to accomplishing your goals.

2. Delegate. Ask for help. No woman is an island. Delegate based on expertise or by assigning the task to someone on your team that would benefit by completing the task. Delegation is a great way to develop your team.

3. Do. How much are you worth an hour? You should be able to answer this question immediately. Do the tasks that support the value that you bring to your clients, team or manager.

4. Decide. Review your list for list for tasks that require a decision and make it. Many times a task remains on your list because it requires "think time" to make a decision. Plan your "think time". Carver out time on your calendar when you're at your best and focus on those tasks requiring a decision.

5. Chunk it down. A task can be defined as something that can be done in 15 or 30 minutes. Break down your tasks to small chunks of time to complete. You'll be apt to move through your list more quickly.

Review your task list at the end of the day in preparation for tomorrow. Go through the above steps and start experiencing a great sense of peace.

Most everyone could use a burst of energy to get through the day. Your body creates energy from oxygen, nutrients and positive emotions. Knowing how to supply these key resources will give you an instant lift.

1. Rub your ears. It turns out that your ears are particularly dense with pressure points. Stimulating certain pressure points on your body increases your blood circulation--and thus your energy. The ear is a mini representation of your body. Using your fingers, gently rub the entire ear for one minute. Almost immediately, you will feel more alert.
2. Drink water. So many people are fatigued because they're dehydrated. If you skimp on water, the fluids in your body become more viscous, slowing circulation and the chemical reactions by which your cells produce energy.
3. Revive with the right snack. Most snacks will energize you and some snacks are better than others. Opt for a mix of protein, complex carbohydrates, and fat. Your body metabolizes these nutrients steadily, creating long-lasting energy, unlike the sudden spikes and crashes that come with simple carbs, like candy or cookies. Next time you're running on empty, reach for an apple with a tablespoon of peanut buter, almond butter or Laughing Cow Swiss cheese.
4. Take a short exercise break. About 45 minutes of sitting is all your body can take before you start feeling tired. Get up and stretch or walk for at least 3-5 minutes every 45 minutes.
5. Let go of perfection. Having unrealistic expectations for yourself can tire you out. The emotional stress from worrying over a task squelches your mood-lifting neurotransmitters like dopamine,serotonin and norepinephrine. Whenever you notice that you're expecting too much of yourself, repeat the mantra, "let go of perfection". You'll feel more at peace.

Make it an intention to do things better every day. Be observant of best practices you see in others. Study and ask for help.

Below are five ways to increase your productivity.

1. Create a 'talk' file for your customers, peers, teams and managers. Unless it's an emergency, wait until you have two items in the file before you make a phone call.
2. Read the instruction manual or the manufacturer's web site for the electronic organizer you use to find new updates and releases that may further your productivity.
3. Get a spiral notebook and keep all your notes. Date the pages and highlight key action items or lessons learned.
4. Find a tool to keep track of all your passwords. When creating passwords create an easy logical way for selecting each.
5. Start and end your meetings on time. Cover the most important agenda item first.

Select one productivity tips and decide to implement it starting tomorrow.

In a world where people feel they don't have enough time to get things done, there is a moment is which doing nothing helps us do something better and faster. Learning to take a break is just as important as learning how to manage your time.

As an entrepreneur you have the luxury of determining when you work and when you take your breaks. Yet, many times you forget to take a break or not take one at all. Pacing your work includes pacing your breaks. Your brain needs a break!

Below are a few ways to insert a refreshing and rejuvenating break that will ultimately increase your productivity.

1. Take five deep breaths
2. Get up from your desk every hour and stretch.
3. Add a few 10-15 minute breaks to your day.
4. Call your spouse, a friend or colleague who lifts your spirits when you hear their voice.
5. Listen to music.
6. Give your eyes a break from the monitor. Momentary look away breaks are recommended for the eyes.
7. Laugh.

Make the most of your time and talents by taking a break!

It's so important to leverage your business, especially your marketing efforts. One way to leverage your blogging is to connect it with your Linkedin profile. Follow these steps:
1. Open a Linkedin account
2. Edit your profile. Treat it like an online resume
3. Add the Blog Link application from Linkedin
4. Make sure the Website section of your profile has your link to your blog

That's it! You have now leveraged blogging and Linkedin. Kick it up notch! Bam!

I enjoy watching basketball. This year's finals were very exciting. In the process of enjoying the games, I learned several lessons.

1. Never give up. No matter how bad things get keep your passion for the goal in sight.
2. Winning is a team effort. The Cavs could have won if the entire team had played game 6. One player cannot win the game. It takes the effort of every team member to achieve a goal.
3. Take it one game at a time. Focus on winning and successfully completing one project at a time.
4. Start with the end in mind. No doubt the Lakers knew exactly what they wanted and they were relentless in achieving their goal.
5. Celebrate. Celebrate all successes big or small.

Lessons can be learned from any activity and any one. Keep your eyes and ears open for wisdom and learned lessons from others.

Twitter is a relatively new means of communicating. It's a great way to establish your expertise. The secret is to engage your followers. Keep in mind the following next time you tweet.

1. Be descriptive. Provide a level of detail that your followers can find value in.
2. Be interesting. Add a twist to your message. Your followers will remember it.
3. Be useful. Your goal is to be recognized as an expert. Give a tip that will help your followers.
4. Be interactive. Go beyond telling people what you're doing. Ask questions and answer questions.
5. Be Personal. Write as if your holding a face to face conversation.

Happy tweeting!

Who are the extraordinary people in your life? In your business? Make a list of these people and make it a point to touch base with them on a regular basis. If you feel your list is too short, how can you create an alliance with four extraordinary people?

"Pay any price to stay in the presence of extraordinary people" – Mike Murdock

According to Jack Welch, former CEO of GE, "There are 10 permissions you need to give yourself if you want to succeed in life."

1. Give yourself permission to try.
2. Give yourself permission to fail.
3. Give yourself permission to ask for help or guidance.
4. Give yourself permission to make mistakes.
5. Give yourself permission to look foolish or silly.
6. Give yourself permission to want what you truly want.
7. Give yourself permission to have doubts and try anyway.
8. Give yourself permission to astound your critics.
9. Give yourself permission to stand out.
10. Give yourself permission to succeed!

What will you give yourself permission to do today?

Sometimes you lose that enthusiasm and passion that once was there and got you motivated to open your own business. When you lose that spark, the quality of your product or service may suffer. Ask yourself before you delivery a product or service "Is this my best?"

"To know that one has never really tried--that is the only death." --Marie Dressler. When I take this quote to heart, it reminds me of opportunities that await us every day. How many times have you passed up on an opportunity because it was "new". The voice that tells you "I've never done that and don't know if I'll be good at it" some how takes over and you don't move ahead. When that happens to me I just say "thank you for sharing". I'd rather try and fail than to not try at all. What's the worst that can happen?

Spending time in your business to dream and write down ideas is very important. In your week, time should be set aside for creative thinking. Execution is just as important. Pick one idea and run with it until its complete. Create a plan with all the details. Communicate this plan to family, friends, employees and colleagues. You'll be surprised at how much your support group wants to help you succeed. The key is to be very clear about your vision and the kind of help you need. People execute successfully when they know what is expected of them and when. When you plan up front, stay focused and execute the plan, you will create a product or service you're proud of and others are excited to buy.

Do you know the top five strengths of your team members? One of the best ways to grow your business is to assign tasks and responsibilities to your team members that align with their strengths. For example, if you have someone on your team who has strong people skills, consider assigning them tasks associated with direct contact with your clients. There are many profile tools that will help you uncover the strengths and personality traits of your teams. One of my favorites is Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath.
What tools have you used to discover your team strengths?

Do you know your top strengths? How would it help you in your business to know your strengths?

Pat Alva-Green
Alva-Green Coaching
"the gal to call when you tried of thinking small"
Coaching from the power of strengths.

It is said that people need to be touched seven times before they say "yes". What a lesson in tenacity and patience. How many times are you reaching out to your ideal clients? Are you giving up too soon? There are so many ways to touch a client these days. Below are a few suggestions:
1. Person to person. Schedule lunch or a cup of coffee with your ideal client.
2. Send an e-mail. Include in your e-mail something of value.
3. Setup a Linkedin account and invite your clients to join your network.
4. Twitter. This is a great way to communicate a short message quickly.
5. Post Cards. They're inexpensive and you another way to get your message across.
6. Phone call. Imagine that!! Plan your call. Make it short and show your value immediately.
7. Free teleseminars. This is a great way for your client to get to know you and trust you.

It's easy to get caught up in the "doing" of our business and forget to have fun in the process. I found this great quote I'd like to share with you.

Business should be fun. Without fun, people are left wearing emotional raincoats most of their working lives. Building fun into business is vital; it brings life into our daily being. Fun is a powerful motive for most of our activities and should be a direct part of our livelihood. We should not relegate it to something we buy after work with money we earn. - Michael Phillips

How do you have fun in your business?

When it comes to business, it's all about relationships. In many of our relationships, negotiations are required. When you go into your negotiations play "win-win". If you play anything else, you're really playing "lose-lose". What you should strive for is the preservation of the relationship. If you get what you want, but the relationship is not preserved, you've just burned a bridge. Play "win-win" in all you do.

Pat
"The gal to call when you tired of thinking small"
www.patalvagreen.com