Candid Productivity Episode 1: The Firefighter
Learn How to Stop Putting Out Fires and Take Control of Interruptions
Welcome to the first video in my new Candid Productivity Video Series!
Get the same answers I provide to my top-paying clients: unrehearsed, uncut, and unedited.
In this video you’re going to see the candid answers I provide when I ask people–just like you–a simple question:
“What is the biggest productivity challenge to your workday?”
In this episode, meet Curtis, a world-renowned programmer who knows he fights fires more than he should. I give him two concrete steps to minimize is firefighting ways.
Dave,
This one session with you and the principals in your book really helped me. I am finding more time and fewer distractions. Thank you for the time spent with me.
Curtis J. Morley
Dave:
This was great. I think this is an extremely effective way for you to to present information; you are a natural coach.
Thanks!
Karen Boehme
Hi Dave,
I am so glad Alex Mandossian shared you with all of us.
I am a perpetual MultiTasker.
and yet haven’t been able to recover from this disease.
I ordered the book and looking forward to the other videos.
My friend who told me about this 1 on 1 Huddles or 1 on many used this technique many years ago which helped him cut the manpower needed to run an air force base almost in 1/2 and be more efficient.
Thanks again
Racheli Smilovits
Senior Mortgage Advisor
http://www.loans-4-u.com
Bio http://www.MeetRacheli.com
Good advise. Some of your points I have thought of but I have not applied them. I am working several multi level programs I need to work two a day and concentrate of them instead of trying to do it all at the same time. I will apply your strategy.
Dave,
Great suggestions! I plan on trying them out. One other comment/suggestion: not all interruptions are fires and you can simply ask the person, “Can I get back with you and discuss this over a cup of coffee tomorrow morning?
Thanks,
Jon
Great information Dave! I have learned so much in this first video. I really like the scheduling meetings on a reoccurring basis.
I am a freelance graphic artist/illustrator and don’t have an ‘office’ per se with co-workers, boss, etc. so I don’t necessarily have the interruptions. However, being that I am the only person in my business, I do wear all the hats. Your strategy about having certain days dedicated to certain tasks/hats…I was happy to hear you say that because it’s something I started doing this year. I’m still trying to keep myself ‘on task’ and focused each day, but it’s certainly better than just doing whatever ‘came up’ and not having a plan to be in more control.
Thanks!
Clara
Hi Dave, I just finished watching you on “Help My Business Sucks” with Andrew Lock. Great info! I have been thinking about scheduling my daily tasks and now I know I have to do it. I love your term “Switch Tasking” I’ve never felt that I accomplished much when trying to Multitask. It only made life seem much too busy. I’m now looking forward to some “me” time in my schedule. Thanks! I needed that.
Welcome to the site, Gayla! We’re glad to have you here. (Andrew’s awesome, huh?)
Hi, Dave
Thank you for your video and the great info & tips you have shared.
In the industry I am in, the main issues are always meet the target, within the budget and of high quality (often, fit-to-purpose). So, earned-value is important. in a multi-discipline task the switching is very frequent, mainly in a fast-track situation, and I often felt that the “switch-button” just get stuck- I hit a blank often wondering where I was…
Anyway, I enjoyed what you’ve shared.
Thank you
John
Dave,
My bride is a mother of 5 children and she tries to do it ALL. She is also building a Successful Business with her involvement in Thirty One Gifts. What advice would you give my wife to start with being more productive and NOT feeling Overwhelmed? I’ve learned as her loving husband to hate that word – BUT I do everything I can to help her. Waiting with Baited Breathe – “Whatever that means – LOL!” Thanks in Advance!
Tommy
Hi Tommy
Congrats to you and your wife on a large family and a successful business.
This is a great question, and one that deserves a more detailed answer (maybe a video, so stay tuned).
I would say briefly though that it’s all about budget and boundaries. What is the cutoff time when work ends? How much time is allocated each week to family, and how much time is allocated each week to the business? No one likes the word “budget,” but without one you’ll go into debt. The same is true with time.
- Dave