Greetings!

In case you thought this would be the final version of this month’s topic of how to stay “cool, calm, and collected” in the hot steamy summer, it is not. I do not know about you but I have had it with the hot steamy summer and want it to be done with. So, let’s talk about the power of saying NO.

Children are back in school and people are getting into their routines and realizing that we only have four months left in 2008. Now is the time to get cracking! That means being more conscious every day of the activities you choose to spend your time on. To avoid drifting away from your focus, ask yourself at intervals, “Is what I am doing right now helping me to achieve my goals?” This takes practice. It also means saying “NO” more often. Here are three areas to explore:

#1. The biggest battle going on every day is between your own ears. We talk ourselves in and out of situations constantly. When that little negative voice in the back of your head demands attention and tries to get to the forefront of your thinking, take a time-out. Give yourself a quick mental pep talk. Focus on the benefits and rewards of sticking to your priorities, and remind yourself of the negative consequences if you do not.

#2. A variety of other people can destroy your focus. Sometimes they wander into your office for a chat because you have an open-door policy. I am not saying to change your policy. I am suggesting a technique to help you when you really need to concentrate on a project, report etc. Develop a “sign” that indicates you need to be left alone so you can focus on the project at hand. You need to communicate this “sign” to others and you must play fairly. This doesn’t mean that you can put up the “sign” and then take a nap. When you are finished with the time needed to complete the task, remove the “sign”. The “sign” could be a ribbon on your door knob, or an actual sign that reads, Do Not Disturb.

Develop a habit to tackle your most important priorities first rather than checking off tasks regardless of importance. It does not help when at the end of the day; the BIG project is still staring at you.

# 3 Isn’t it amazing how we allow the intrusion of the telephone, cell phone, or blackberry to control our day? If you are working on one of your BIG projects or just need to have your full attention on something, let the call go to voice mail (if permitted at your place of business). You can listen to the calls when you are finished.

Also, get into a habit of returning phone calls at specific times during the day. For example, calls received in the morning are returned between 11am and 11:30am. and calls received from 11:30am are returned between 1pm and 2pm. You will find they become less of an intrusion. You will also find that you give more attention to the caller because you are focused on them and not other things. This approach gives you control over these tools, not the other way around.

From now on those wasteful activities are off limits. Try practicing these techniques and you will be more efficient and effective with your time. And you can enjoy the power of NO.
If you have any tips or techniques to share with us on the power of no, please reply.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Nyda

P. S. If you wish to unscribe, just send me a reply and I will be happy to remove your name from my database.

Okay Fay, it is time for you to move out to sea and leave Florida! You have been here for four days now, we have not seen the sunshine, and my hair is just too curly! 

This week I have had many conversations with people who have been flooded, without electricity, no telephone, no internet connection….yes, no internet connection. Now we are talking serious here! Businesses are closing early, probably losing business, and it is not a pretty picture. 

People have been showcasing their short tempers and frustration. I can understand but this is Mother Nature. We cannot control it. This is a perfect opportunity to do some of those tasks that you have been putting off, making contacts by telephone, sending out hand-written notes to your clients…the list could continue. 

In times of a hurricane or any other weather related issue that nature throws at us, staying “cool, calm, and collected” takes effort. So please take a deep breath, collect yourself and enjoy the time spent indoors. It will not last long and we will then be complaining about how hot it is. 

Take care and talk next week, 

Nyda 

Greetings! 

Greetings! 

I am amazed that it is already August 1^st and I am back from a month of traveling to speak at conferences during July. I have spent time in the airports, hotels and conference rooms and of course, have practiced people watching. 

This month’s blogs will explore how to keep “cool, calm, and collected” during the hot summer months. It appears that people get extra grumpy, short tempered and the like when the weather is hot and steamy. 

One way to remain “cool, calm, and collected” is to be organized. I saw so many travelers become so frustrated when they couldn’t find something in their over packed bags. They started talking to themselves, then asking those traveling with them where did “they” pack the item. Then the conversation would escalate into a yelling match. Soon they found the item and calmed down. All of that could have been avoided if they were organized. 

My request of everyone is to let us in on a tip or technique that you have found beneficial in keeping you organized these hot and steamy summer days. Until next week, stay “cool, calm, and collected”. 

Nyda 

Greetings! 

I am amazed that it is already August 1^st and I am back from a month of traveling to speak at conferences. I have spent time in the airports, hotels, and conference rooms and of course, have practiced people watching. 

This month ’s blogs will explore how to keep “cool, calm, and collected” during the hot summer months. It appears that people get extra grumpy, short tempered and the like when the weather is hot and steamy. 

One way to remain “cool, calm and collected” is to be organized. I saw so many travelers become so frustrated when they couldn’t find something in their over packed bags. They started talking to themselves, then asking those traveling with them where did “they” pack the item. Then the conversations would escalate into a yelling match. Soon they found the item and calmed down. All of that could have been avoided if they were organized. 

My request of everyone is to let us in on a tip or technique that you have found beneficial in keeping you organized these hot and steamy summer days. 

Until next week, stay “cool, calm, and collected”.  Nyda  If you would like to be removed from receiving my blog, please let me know.