ACCELERATING EXCELLENCE EPISODE 133

Focus is the New IQ
7 Steps to Accomplishing Deep Work

“Nothing can add more power to your life
than concentrating all your energies on a limited set of targets.”
-Nido Qubein

Most people live lives of constant distraction, never giving their full attention to one person or project. They're diffused and distracted. They dabble and dawdle. 

Years ago, having a high IQ was a competitive advantage.
Cal Newport, the author of the book Deep Work, has said, "Focus is the New IQ." Today, amidst all the distractions, if you can develop the ability to singularly focus on a task for a sustained period, you will have a competitive advantage.

Nobody has achieved anything worthwhile without the ability and discipline to focus. Every great musician, athlete, or author has needed to give their singular attention to one thing, often and for extended periods.
 
Your ability to do great work, master a skill, and experience success is directly proportional to your ability to concentrate. And your ability to concentrate is directly proportional to your ability to eliminate distractions.

ACCELERATING EXCELLENCE EPISODE 132

7 Practices for Personal Effectiveness

“Efficiency is doing things right. Effectiveness is doing the right things.”
-Peter Drucker

Years ago, I taught workshops on time management and maximum productivity. But a fulfilling life doesn't mean getting the most done in the shortest amount of time.

Efficiency is about completing tasks with minimal wasted time and resources. But what if you are efficient at something that doesn't need to be done at all?

Effectiveness means focusing on your highest priorities and most important values and taking action on the things that have the greatest impact.

In this podcast episode, I share 7 Practices for Personal Effectiveness. I'm confident that following these Practices will help you focus on what matters most to you, reduce the complexity in your life, and give you more peace of mind.

ACCELERATING EXCELLENCE EPISODE 131

“Average people wing it. Successful people have a plan. Exceptional people have a system."
- Tim Kight

We all feel we have too much to do and too little time. Consequently, we feel overwhelmed and stressed.
But you can:

• Have your act together

• Stay on top of things

• Feel in control

• Meet and even beat deadlines

But you can't wing it. You have to have a system.

In this month's podcast episode, I share a simple system for capturing and determining the priority of all your tasks.  This system is easy to use regardless of your job, season of life, personality, or whether you prefer a paper or electronic system.

I trust you'll find my High-Performance Workflow helpful as you navigate your roles and responsibilities.

ACCELERATING EXCELLENCE EPISODE 130

7 Ways to Enjoy Life

We all have responsibilities and obligations, but I'm convinced that life is also meant to be enjoyed. Too many of us are so 'busy being busy' or leading lives of distraction that we don't pursue things that bring us true enjoyment.

In this podcast episode, I share 7 ways to enjoy life. I hope you'll give it a listen.

Remember, if you aren't enjoying life, others won't enjoy you!

ACCELERATING EXCELLENCE EPISODE 129

Employee Engagement
How to Be the Best Boss Your Employees Ever Had

Many organizations believe the key to employee engagement is increased pay, enhanced benefits, and a flexible schedule. 

These are important factors but not the most important factor.

Gallup Management Research reveals that their relationship with their direct supervisor determines 70% of an employee's engagement. In other words, people don't leave companies; they leave bosses.

In this episode, I share seven no-cost ways to engage employees daily.

ACCELERATING EXCELLENCE EPISODE 128

The Key to Emotional Intelligence
Responding Over Reacting

Our emotions can either hurt us or help us. Research shows that 80% of career success comes from Emotional Intelligence, not IQ.

How you handle yourself in the workplace goes a long way in determining career success. And how you manage yourself in your personal life will go a long well in determining the quality of your life and your relationships.

In this podcast episode, I share the key action that will make your life better and make you better at life.