Category: Productivity & Effectiveness

As a long-time executive assistant and project coordinator, I continually search for ways to eek the most out of my time. This is my collection of tips and tools to master your time.

Writing, Organization and Personal Effectiveness

Carl Setzer

I just read “Why Paper Is The Real Killer App“. Reinforces a number of things I’ve learned the past few years. From the folly of multi-tasking, to the neurological benefits of writing, pen to paper writing. The article even, briefly, talks about cursive (no idea if there’s any benefit to cursive over printing, but it sounds cool. My handwriting, though, might preclude such).

Now, I’ve read quite a bit about the benefits of writing in regards to information retention and processing. Enough so that I’ve considered moving back to my Franklin-Covey Planning system. However, I’ve found another option. As the article above mentions, I’ve moved to a bullet-journal system. Now, the act of writing does seem to activate different parts of the brain than keyboards do. And that’s great! I see another benefit, though. I’m required to slow down, take a minute or two and write out ideas. Though I can write fairly fast, I’m forced to focus more closely on what I am doing. Not having Twitter/Facebook/email/what-have-you constantly popping into your consciousness is very helpful, too.

Check out the video below for a good intro. But, to sum up, it’s a notetaking and organization system that really only needs a notebook and pen. You can buy specially designed ones (when they’re in stock…they’re highly sought for right now).

A Motivational Thought for your Monday

Carl Setzer

Got this from a friend and thought I’d share:

michael-jordan quote

Today’s Meditation: Gratitude

Carl Setzer

​I need to reclaim my focus on gratitude and service. It’s so easy to lose sight of this, with our focus on the individual, on entitlement. I see so much energy on getting what’s deserved we lose sight of what we can do. Who can we serve? What can I do to make the world better? 

I’m grateful for my family, for that kind of love. It’s easy to get caught up in the challenges, though, and forget that all things fade. What’s here, right now, relentlessly shifts to memory. Keep the mind here; don’t miss this. 

Far too easily I mentally wander into entitlement. Resenting other’s gifts, successes, and foci. Sadly, looking back, I spend far too much time in this soul-robbing state. Wallowing within misery, losing touch with my gifts, my talents. So easy too sink into resentment, where mindfulness and focusing on contribution bring joy. Seeing what I can do, and fo well brings a far happier and effective mental state. 

Living gracefully

So easy to lose myself 

Gratitude focused 

A thought for your Monday

Carl Setzer

Came across this and thought I’d share this with you. Hope it gives you energy and focus.

The positive focus

Carl Setzer

I strive to keep the positive focus. That’s where I keep my compass pointed towards. Yet, it’s too easy to get wrapped up in petty squabbles. The amount of energy sucked up by this amazes me. And it damages relationships, creating frictions and distrust. Others see your biases and believe you’re seeing their view as lesser. Judging others tends to only damage relationships.

Somehow, we need to engage each other’s differences in ways that build and grow relationship, not further fracture our already divided society. Keeping our discussions centered upon respect and dignity is key. Also, avoiding rhetorical failures, these key logical fallacies will be crucial. Stay on point and avoid defensive responses. Remember that the goal isn’t to “win”, rather fund a way forward.

Pitfalls of distraction

Carl Setzer

With great ease, I get sucked into random distractions. This frustrates me no end. Actually, the worst past of the feeling isn’t due to the lingering tasks. I end up feeling distracted, fragmented and worn; I hate that sensation. I love the feeling of moving forward, accomplishing goals with a direction and focus.

Of course, I adore helping people, especially those I care about. The right balance, oh how I long for thee!

Thinking of Focus

Carl Setzer

Thinking recently about Steven Covey’s notion of focusing in your sphere of influence. Work where you are, that’s how I internalize this. I’ve long thought of this simply in terms of effectiveness. Actually, this is far deeper. What’s critical always lies within this sphere. One must complete the critical, our all else fails. We must hold our attention within. By managing within ourselves, the inner elements of our lives, other pieces come into play. When the core gets neglected, there is either fear of impending collapse, or the consequences of such collapse. Breaking free requires focus on the deepest, richest inner, most critical elements. Only upon mastering these, can other pieces of life become richer, deeper.

Lost to Busyness

Carl Setzer

Losing myself in busyness is much too easy. Over the years, I’ve developed expertise in productivity and maximising work. I get so very much done, do meant todos checked off, but then feel like I’ve done nothing at all. This brings about a sense of emptiness. Losing sight of my “why” is the root. When my tasks are simply the responses to stimulus, not connected to adding value, I fall into this funk. For there’s no value. Remembering why we want, what the things are that we value counters that. Hence, why that planning and thinking time is so critical. Sadly, it’s so easy to get caught up in the cult of busy and devalue planning. And we end up miserable and morose. So, more planning and thoughtfulness in my life. There!

Busy vs Effective

Carl Setzer

It’s frustrating to get lost in the tyrannical distraction of NOW. Quickly one is lost to simple, mindless reaction, weaving to and fro, accomplishing little to nothing; even though the day was full, laden with busy. The result of losing focus.

When priorities get lost by attending too much to the blizzard of demand, emptiness wins. We’re active, yet no progress made since “what matters” was left undone.

One must slow down, consider the value of each task before you act. At least get the priority work done first, the stuff that moves you forward. Even better, more powerful; learn the value of “no”. Decline to take energy away from your priorities. Doing more by doing less. Focus your energy for energy isn’t limitless.

Blog Names and Changes

Carl Setzer

Last week I was listening to John Richards of KEXP interview Brett Morgen, creator of Montage of Heck, the new movie about Kurt Cobain. There was a line which struck me: “are you prepared for luck?”

Powerful words. I want to incorporate them deeply into my life. They capture a core belief: our ability to take control of our lives. That we are empowered to affect change, to have a positive impact on the world. I deeply believe luck is the intersection of opportunity and preparation. Thus, preparation is critical. It’s what we control. It’s how we bring change into being.

My challenge: to reach past my tendency to fret and worry, focusing instead on preparing for opportunity. To see the potential in life and continuously grow towards that light. Hence, the new name.