Worthwhile Resolutions

Most resolutions fail within weeks or even the same day. Why? They are not important enough for us to put in the effort nor suffer to make them happen. They are maybe a good idea we are not motivated to do.

How many resolutions are less weight, more money or win lotto? Decided years ago my health in retirement was worth making the effort to improve. Made permanent small efforts to eat smaller quantities, more good foods, exercise regularly and take the stairs. Result at 62: ideal weight range, good blood pressure, rehabbed rotator cuff & knees, and still playing volleyball.

Instead of the big audacious goal, pick small steps towards greatness. Here are incremental ideas you may be successful at:

Stop Doing Unnecessary Work

Certain tasks or reports are created for a temporary reason, and continue forever. Who is your customer for these? Ask them if they still need it? Alternative is to do the report, but then don’t send it out? See who asks for it?

My most successful projects last year was automating a manual task. Our programmer was able to get the information pulled from several sources, then inform the person responsible directly. Wrote up instructions, provided samples, and provide support. Freed up 80% of my time for new assignment.

Do Less, Accomplish More

Pick on one, two or three priorities and work one of them every day. Ask your boss to help you order your priorities, then even a couple hours will get plans started, necessary meetings scheduled, and a few actions completed. At the end of each project, start another priority.

Waste Less Time of Your Boss, Coworkers and Customers

Do you need to delegate, automate, tor stop asking questions. Build checklist for each task, and eliminate questions requiring extra calls or email. They will be more happy to receive your follow up reporting the task is complete. People love working with people who respect their time.

Less Distractions

What habits have you fallen into that could go? Putting down your phone in meetings? Try turning off notifications except for key programs. How about you read text between projects? Read email 3 times a day instead of every chance? Flow at work is key to productivity success.

Review Your Monthly Spending 

Save more by eliminating expenses. Pull up your credit cards, automatic payments, and checking/debit accounts. Where is the money going? Do you use it or is it a nice to have. ESPN for me is a use, HBO was a nice to have rarely used. HBO is no longer on my bill.

Review Your Career

Careers and promotions are built more on skills than degrees. Even if you get a degree, you still need applicable skills to use on the way.  What projects or tasks really interest you? What do you do that does not seem like work?

Second what we are great at often sneaks up on us. It may be easy for you, but no one else seems to be able to do it.  Keep looking for your gifts and write them down.

Summary

Small steps lead to large improvements in effectiveness, productivity, and success. Don’t go for the big goal without small actions steps. 
Happy New Year!

Holidays Family Friends and No Stress

No gathering is perfect. No meal is without dishes that don’t look as good. Someone makes an old favorite, and it doesn’t taste the same. Maybe a new host’s home. Just not the same as before.

Their annoying habits are still present. Seems everyone has a role. (I am the ‘Fun’ uncle.) The young will bring a nervous boyfriend/girlfriend who needs to be welcomed and judged. The not so healthy will surprise us how frail life has become.

Someone is more extreme in their politics, or make a comment either way about the President, Congress or Politics. Someone will have a long boring story about their health or too many details about the procedure.  Little ones have to learn manners. Interruptions are common. Drink or dishes will spill. The tablecloth needs to be washed.

Just normal life. Let the small things go. And they are all small things. 

Later you will remember these people and gatherings fondly. What ever happened to …? Remember the aunt’s pies? How about the home baked breads. When was young they were intimidating. “Its not Wonder bread.” By my teenage years looked forward to their wonderful baking. 

Gatherings don’t have to be stressful. No group thinks the same or looks at the same subject the same way. If you all agreed, some of you are unnecessary. No need to convince or correct anyone. Let them have their say and be heard. Then they may listen to you or others.

Expecting perfection is the enemy of a good time. Main cause of stress. 

Loving the people in the room is your way to joy. “Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night.”

“Nothing either good nor bad but thinking makes it so.” - Shakespeare

Crazy to Work 40 Hours?

Jason Fried chooses to do less. No goals. He'll get back to you whenever. He doesn't work more than 40 hours a week, and doesn't want his employees to either.

Before you think Jason Fried needs to lose his hard worker card, Jason is CEO and co-founder of Basecamp (former 37 Signals) which has been profitable for 20 years. He is an accomplished leader looking out for his people, their time and productivity.

Jason points out how much time is wasted. Weekly or daily status meeting where hours are burned. Sleep, rest and hours of deep thinking are much more productive for doing.

Small entrepreneurs focus on what needs to be done. Not setting up unnecessary tasks and meetings.

Think about what happens in a crisis. Every non-essential task is put aside as we focus on taking care of the customer. Meetings are cancelled, reporting is delayed, and tasks are rescheduled to free up time.

What if we scheduled our time to focus on priorities and customers? Which meetings would you drop? What tasks can be automated? Which reports can be cancelled? How productive would you be?

https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/06/success/jason-fried-basecamp-work/index.html

“Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness.” - Jean de La Bruysre

Wealth Basics: Avoid Scams and a Recommendation

Last week talked about creating more income by new job or working a part time work aka side hustle. First have to warn you about falling for scams. When you start looking for advice there are so many scams that come up. 

Warned about For Profit Colleges pedaling useless degrees after sticking you with college loans that never go away.

“Work from Home” is its own category there are so many. Stuffing envelopes has evolved into clicking websites. Secret shoppers is another where you front your money may never be reimbursed.

Another category is paying for information to get Government or US Postal Service jobs that pay $100,000 or more. Mail carriers actually earn between $40-$60,000. These scams target jobs that require testing.

Collecting money for a business is a scam. They is no real reason a legitimate business cannot collect money in their own account no matter what. Anyone wanting to deposit money in your account is giving you a fake check that you will have to replace from your savings at the bank. 

When anyone sends you too much money and asks for change, likely they sent a fake check. 

Anyone asking for payment in gift cards is a scam.  Seen too many out-of-state cars for sale at great prices asking for Western Union money transfers. They stole a picture of the car.

Fake websites with unbelievable prices, just want to steal your credit card and identity.

“If it is too good to be true…” needs to key you someone is trying to set you up. Think of Nigerian princes, found money, or lotteries you didn’t enter you won. Scammers are not the same, but somehow when I find one they sound similar. They want you emotionally excited I won so you stop thinking.

You can often avoid fake jobs by Goggling “company name scam”. AARP Fraud Watch Network and KomoNews Consumer section are very good educating you about scams.

Work is going to take work on your part. Anything worthwhile is worth investing your time researching how to succeed. 

Recommendation- Danny Margulies

Freelance to Win is his website with advice how to market your service’s how to charge more, and writing winning proposals. Danny uses Upwork, a website where employers look for free lance talent to find work. Read his free posts before you consider signing up for his classes.

The Upwork Blog also has good advice.