"If you are constantly staying late and working weekends, it is not because there is too much work to be done. It is because you are not getting enough done at work."
- Jason Fried & David Heinemeier Hansson, Founder of 37Signals
I have been PREACHING it for years and finally read it PLAINLY in a well-received business book. I just last week had a discussion where I was criticized for my voice mail. (If you don't know, I don't answer my phone except when totally undistracted and I only return voice mails at 11am and 4pm).
WHY??
Simple. I need FOCUS time. If you are FAILING to complete your work – at work, then it is LIKELY that INTERRUPTIONS are the root of your productivity evils. Email, voice mail, phone calls, IMs, FaceBook, text messages, taps on the shoulder, water cooler talk, faxes and anything else that keeps you from "getting in the ZONE" to focus and produce.
2 DEGREE SUCCESS STEP:
You are going to love this one…
Want to do MORE? Stop answering your phone. Do NOT respond to emails. Tell people they CANNOT come by and see you unless you have time scheduled.
Will they think you are an a**hole? Sure. Will they ACCUSE your of being arrogant? Probably. Will you become a PRODUCTIVITY machine? ABSOLUTELY!!
Everyone will get used to it. The "push back" only lasts a few weeks. Your boss will be the FIRST to get mad… and in a few weeks will implement YOUR idea across the board. (of course it won't be your idea.)
Be GREEDY about your time. Be PROTECTIVE of your success. LIMIT interruptions and let those other sucker pull all nighters to do what you finish by lunch time!!
Cheers,
Zach
*To enjoy past editions of the Morning Motivator go to – http://grow-learn-lead.blogspot.com
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