Want to know a secret?
I am not always reachable.
I don’t always answer my phone. Sometimes, I don’t check email all day.
And I get a lot more done because of it.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Guy Kawasaki’s New Book – Enchantment
I had the privilege of receiving an advance copy of Guy Kawaksaki’s new book, Enchantment. The book is being released today.
You are probably familiar with Guy Kawasaki. Former Chief Evangelist for Apple, and currently the founder of Alltop and venture capitalist to many start-ups.
In the book, Guy explores his theory of Enchantment.
He discusses the techniques that companies (and individuals) use to charm their customers and through the process deliver strong relationships and value.
Guy does this via a myriad number of stories and real world examples. If you like books that relate via story, you will like Enchantment.
Enchanting Examples
Guy presents lots of common sense in his book.
From handshakes to smiles, he starts with the most basic building blocks of relationships. He goes on to explore how to please your boss and delight your customers.
All of these topics are explored via real stories. For me, this is what kept the book itself enchanting.
Many business books “talk” about how to play the game, but Guy has a unique way to translate the messages to real life examples.
As I read the book, I kept asking myself,
“Why don’t more companies and people display these qualities?”
But alas, they don’t.
As we know, common sense isn’t always so common.
One of my favorite sections of the book is where Guy turns his theory around and talks about resisting certain types of enchantment, and not being taken in by false charm. (The Dark Side of Enchantment?)
Get Enchantment
I really enjoyed this book by Guy Kawasaki.
If you like business books about building relationships and your personal brand, you too will like Enchantment.
It is a quick read, about 180 pages. I finished it in one evening.
Check out Guy’s new book, here on Amazon: Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki. (affiliate link)
PS – As I let some readers know, Guy was going to stop by and do a quick Skype chat on TMN. Hopefully, we can get Guy to stop by and share some of his productivity insights in the near future. 
2011 Is Off To a Sprint!
2011 is off to a sprint!
I cannot believe we are already finishing the first week of 2011.
Many are hoping for a better year than 2010.
(I look for a better year every year!)
Things have gotten off to a record pace.
How is your start going?
Happenings – 2011 Jump Start
Only one week into 2011 and already a lot has happened…
Interview on Accomplish Radio
On Monday of this week, I was interviewed by Darlene Willman for Accomplish Radio. Darlene runs a daily Internet radio show where she interviews top people in the areas of success and motivation. Their themes for January include time management, productivity, and goal setting. So, check out Accomplish Radio for some great information and upcoming shows.
Darlene and I talked about time management tips and tools for almost an hour.
Listen to my Accomplish Radio interview here.
Guest Post on Chris Brogan’s Escape Velocity
Chris Brogan was very supportive of me in 2010, and to start off 2011, I wrote a guest post for his blog, “Escape Velocity.”
Head on over and read my article, entitled, “Speed and Direction.”
Closing Out 2010
If you are still closing out 2010, make sure you check out the “Best of TMN 2010 – Yours and Mine.”
It contains the top TMN posts from last year chosen by readers and a few of my favorites, too.
Mapping For 2011
Monday’s post about having a map for 2011 generated a lot of response.
I have mapped out my 2011 goals and am ready to take on a new year.
Do you have your map for 2011? If not, read “Do You Have a Map for 2011?”
Things to Come
Lots of exciting things will be happening on TMN in the new year.
Look for some great new material including product reviews, tool tips, and more. I will also be doing a lot more video in 2011. So, be on the look out.
In the immediate future I have a “Goals Setting Course” that I will be releasing. Perhaps, just in time for some of those falling off their New Year’s Resolutions.
Later this Spring, look for a technology webinar that I am partnering with a friend on.
And of course, there are a few double-secret projects… which will have to be revealed in the near future.
How Is Your Start Going?
Are you running into the new year?
I hope your year is off to a strong start. Best wishes with your plans and goals for 2011!
Is your 2011 off to a sprint? If not, what do you plan to do about it?
How Blocking My Time Saved My Week
This was a busy week. In fact, there were several times this week when I looked at my calendar and saw that people were trying to double and triple book meetings with me. I was having to tell new requests that they would need to look at next week.
The bigger issue was that I wasn’t sure how I was going to get any work done when I was completely locked down in meetings.
However, as the week progressed, I found that I did have time to get important things done.
What’s With Half Day Friday?
You probably know that I love “No Meeting Friday.” That is, setting aside Friday for creative work and not allowing any meetings that day. I find this to be a tremendous productivity booster.
However, lately I have noticed a disturbing trend on Fridays. I don’t want to paint with too broad a brush, but it seems that more and more businesses are empty on Friday afternoons.
Is your office a ghost town by mid-afternoon on Fridays? Is 2PM the normal departure time before the weekend?
When did casual Friday turn into casually working Friday?
Taking Time To Make Time
Is it possible to make time?
The other day while discussing “5 Ways That Your Time Management Is Broken,” I made the point that…
“Time Management is suppose to make time, not take time.”
My point was that many time management systems are too complex and actually take up more time than they are worth.
However, there are many things we do that take time, but in the end, actually make more time for us later.
Sounds counter-intuitive. How can spending some of your time create more time for you later? But, by investing our time, we can receive time dividends down the road.
Why You Need an Appointment for Tough Tasks
Do you have tasks that just don’t get done? Tasks that you put off? And then somehow put off some more?
How do you deal with these tough tasks? The ones that you seem to avoid at all costs.
One powerful technique is to make an appointment to complete them. This is especially effective for repeating tasks that come back to haunt you time and again.
What Are Your Tough Tasks?
By tough tasks, I am referring to those tasks that you know you need to get done, and even though they are important, they never seem urgent.
These tasks stay on your todo list and cause you stress the longer they sit there. Many even create more work for you the longer they are undone.
Some examples of tough tasks:
Disorganization Hurts
I have often said that lack of organization and time management can ruin careers and families. (See Life Friction)
But, today, I want to point out that disorganization can literally hurt you.
Doubtful? How many accidents in the home are due to clutter that should have been put away? Have you ever taken a tumble down the stairs or in the garage due to stuff laying around?
What about in the workplace? How many workplace injuries are the result of materials that were left where they should not have been. Or a heavy load that could have been avoided?
So, remember, before you fail to put something away… it may come back to hurt you later. :)