303 Solutions for Accomplishing More in Less Time     Alan Black, CSP Linda Edgecombe Joe Spurrier Diana Grippo Martha Lanier Joe Gandolfo Donna Satchel John Storm Doug Smart, CSP Pat Veal Edie Raether, CSP Patti Wood, CSP Greg Macioleck Vicki Anderson Mike Monahan 91. In your home keep extras of things you use often. For example have a box of pens in every room. Have several sets of scissors where you will use them. Have an extra hairbrush and lint remover by the door. Keep a comb, a packet of aspirin and a fingernail file in your briefcase and glove compartment. Wherever you say to yourself, “I need . .. “ put one in a nearby spot so you do not waste time finding or fetching things from other rooms. - Patti Wood   92. Set times of the day you need total freedom. On your phone message mention that you are not available between such and such times and ask for one or two specific times you can return their call. - Robert Alan Black   93. Go to work everyday. Your boss depends on you being there and so does the company. Don’t let them down - another thing my dad taught me. There is nothing worse than a reputation that you are unreliable. Be there and work hard. - Greg Maciolek   94. Anticipate opportunity. Save yourself a follow-up appointment by preparing a solid proposal on your first appointment. You don’t have to use it, but it’s there if the opportunity arises. - John Storm   95. Your natural curiosity and drive will help you accomplish more. Don’t wait for permission to do something you long to do. Perhaps you have become accustomed to thinking you have to be an expert, perhaps hold a certain degree, in order to move in a particular direction. If you want to write or make a movie, you don’t need a school’s permission. And you don’t have to drop everything and dedicate your life to it. Just take a little step. Your desire is telling you something. - Diana Grippo   96. Negative thinking triggers your negative emotions: anxiety, anger, fear, negativism, frustration and distrust. This then leads to a frantic mental state, reduced concentration, low confidence and increased tension. And this can lead to generating lower levels of performance. - Joe Gandolfo   97. Positive thinking triggers your positive emotions: joy, fun, love, optimism, determination and enjoyment. This then leads to a calm mental state, increased concentration, greater confidence and relaxed muscles. And this can lead to generating higher levels of performance. - Joe Gandolfo   98. Create a “not-to-do” list. - Edie Raether 12

150. Get complete information and understanding before starting a project. No need trying to create a widget if you don’t have a concept of what one looks like. - Pat Veal   151. Work in blocks of time. If you have a favorite TV show, you have learned how to block out the world so you can be available at a certain time on a certain day every week. Do the same with an important and routine job you have at work. Just as your family has been trained not to interrupt you during your show, your co-workers will come to realize you have a weekly appointment with your own work that is also inviolable. - Doug Smart   152. Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. What do you spend your time discussing? - Donna Satchell   153. When you’re going to be traveling to see a customer, maximize the value of your trip by calling on other customers or prospects. It might be a visit or phone call that’s as simple as, “Hi ____. I’m working in your city today with ____ and I could not be here without calling to see how I might be of service to you, too.” - Diana Grippo   154. Pre-plan - as much as possible - things like meetings and phone conversations. Unplanned meetings and conversations often take longer than necessary or expected, and even worse, often do not produce the desired results. Prior to meetings or conversations, jot down your purpose and the desired outcome of the meeting or conversation. Use the same note to record the results of the meeting or conversation and keep in your planner if there is any follow-up. Time activate any to-do’s. - Mike Monahan   155. Use the business card trick to save time and stress on your memory. When you meet someone and get their business card. • Read the card and make a positive comment about some element to the card giver. • If you need to take action on the card and cannot make a note on the back, fold the card and tell the person why you are folding it. • Fold in half to signal the person is a very important contact and you need to be in touch with him in the next few days. • Top right corner - You need to call or send them something in the next month • Bottom left corner - You will keep them in your data base • Your secret - no fold - a card you can toss and not waste time trying to remember if the person was important to you. -Patti Wood 19 Back to 303 Solution Series Page