Productivity Why making to-do lists wont help you get things done

Productivity Why making to-do lists wont help you get things doneProductivity Why making to-do lists wont help you get things doneIve helped thousands of people?- ?from NFL coaches and four star generals to best-selling authors and hedge fund managers? - ?feel less busy and get more done. I get asked for advice on improving productivity so much so that Ive packaged most of it into an online seminar that I call Insanely More Productive.Today, I want to share one of the biggest secrets Ive discovered. Its the secret to some of the most productive people I know and its non-intuitive.Successful people dont make to-do listsI know that sounds crazy, but its true.Most of us who use a to-do list take out a sheet of paper and write out what we want to do, say on Saturday.Thats horrible. And the listkeeps growing and growing because the rate at which people say yes to new things is not exceeded by the rate at which they get things done.To-do listsmake it easy - and thats a bad thingBecause its so simple to add things, these lists tend to grow and grow. Even worse, they encourage our default to be yes instead of no. Because its easy to say yes, thats what we do.Its no wonder we feel stressed and full of anxiety.The real value in life comes from saying no.To help you say no, you need some friction. The solution to the to-do list problem is actually pretty simple.You have to make one change schedule itIf you need to pick up groceries, schedule it. Saturday morning at 10 a.m. In your calendar, keep a list of the groceries you need under that block of time.Thats how the most successful people use lists under a specific time block.Want to spend a date night with your spouse or partner? Schedule it. And if youre smart, youll set this one to recurring weekly.Want to set aside time for that project you never seem to get around to? Schedule it, and youll find yourself actually doing it instead of talking about it.Why scheduling works so wellWhen you schedule things, you are for ced to verstndigung im strafverfahren with the fact that there are only so many hours in a week. Youre forced to make choices rather than add something to a never ending to-do list that only becomes a source of anxiety.And you cant just schedule important work and creative stuff. You need to schedule time for rest and recovery and mundane things like email.Scheduling things also creates a visual feedback mechanism for how you actually spend your time ? - ?something were intentionally blind to because we wont like what we see.Being more productive isnt always about doing more. Its about being more conscious about what you work on and putting your energy into the two or three things that will really make a difference.Of course this is only part of the solution.This article originally appeared on Medium.

How to Write a Congratulations Note to a Colleague

How to Write a Congratulations Note to a ColleagueHow to Write a Congratulations Note to a ColleagueWhen a colleague or friend has done a good job, it is thoughtful to send them a congratulations note. This can be a letter, an email, or a card. Here is an example of a congratulations note to send to someone who you believe should be acknowledged for a job well done. Personal Job Well Done Congratulations Note Dear Name,I heard that you just closed on the Mansion on the corner of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street. I know that it had been on the market for three years, so congratulations for closing the deal.I know you spent a lot of time with the sellers, working with them to make the property more appealing. Your patience and persistence finally paid off. I am so happy for you.Bravo for a job well done.Best regards,Your Name Expand Elements to Include in a Congratulations Note You should always include your full name, address, email address, and phone number.Even if you knowthe part fa irly well, people lose things, address books get misplaced, and people change their email address more often then youd think. This way you are assured that your friend or colleague has your current contact information. If youre IT savvy, go ahead and share your social media handles and website address. Be specific about the job you are congratulating the person for, as well as the qualities that you recognize as contributing to their success. Its best to avoid attempts at humor. It usually doesnt translate well. Just let your thoughtful congratulations stand for itself. If you feel more than a card is needed, consider sending flowers, balloons, candy, or another common celebratory item. If you are congratulating someone in the workplace, especially if you are in a position of importance, also consider sending a copy of the letter, or email, to the persons supervisor. Saying Congratulations Again It is perfectly acceptable to send congratulations both by email, or a text, and the n follow up with a hard copy letter or card which is more permanent. When it comes to recognizing someones value, you cant say congratulations too often. If the person you congratulated has another success or accomplishment, you can send them another congratulations letter. Be sure to update your contact information. When to Send Congratulations Messages It is common courtesy to recognize a job well done. It can motivate people to congratulate them beyond a simple emoji thumbs up via social media. You never know when someone will be in a position to recommend you for a promotion, give you a job lead, or help you nab a new client. Maintaining a positive relationship with colleagues (and friends) can pay off in the future, in addition to making them (and you) feel good. And you shouldnt discount friends. Friends will always help you in a pinch and may also be able to advance your career with a new business lead or contact. Here are a variety of examples of congratulation notes to use to acknowledge a promotion and other employment-related accomplishments.Consider these letter samples your stash if you need help with any business correspondence including cover letters, interview thank you letters, follow-up letters, job acceptance, and rejection letters, resignation letters, appreciation letters, and letters to help you get a job interview.

4 Musts for Finding Paralegal Jobs Quickly

4 Musts for Finding Paralegal Jobs Quickly4 Musts for Finding Paralegal Jobs QuicklyIf you need to move on to a new paralegal job, you dont want to waste time.With paralegal jobs evolving to include aspects previously considered part of the attorney role or being redefined as blended paralegal/legal secretary positions, it can be hard to know where to start.Here are four tips that can greatly increase your chances of getting hired as a paralegal while expanding your professional contacts in the process1. Network, network, network.Paralegal411s Advice for Getting Hired as a Paralegal lists networking as the best way to land paralegal jobs. You can build your network by joining and volunteering or participating on a committee at your local paralegal association. You can find a list of paralegal associations by state on the National Federation of Paralegal Associations (NFPA) website. Most local paralegal associations include automatic NFPA membership. Besides the networking benefits, o ther advantages include discounts on annual conventions and joint conferences, and a subscription to the National Paralegal Reporter.2. Work your social networks.Most paralegals are strong writers, but these days composition and grammar skills are not enough - you also need to think about keywords. These are critical when you prepare your profile on social media. If your profile doesnt rank highly enough in hiring managers search results, no one will spot your profile on LinkedIn or your resume on a job board. If you have experience in a particular type of law, be sure to emphasize keywords specific to that area.Youll want to integrate these words throughout your LinkedIn profile - in your summary, job descriptions and skills section. Also, look online for current paralegal job openings and add terms that apply to you. Finally, if you have skills in litigation, be sure to emphasize them. Lawyers responding to a recent Robert Half Legal survey predicted litigation would be the larg est expected source of new job opportunities for the first half of 2015, and theres no reason to expect that trend to subside throughout the rest of the year.3. Work with a recruiter.Specialized legal staffing firms can connect you with potential employers, training, current job market information and even opportunities for accredited continuing legal education (CLE). Be sure to explore the wide range of free resources some of these legal recruiters offer.4. Build your experience.Volunteering at nonprofits can help you increase your depth of knowledge and add impact to your paralegal resume. Since nonprofits are notoriously understaffed, you might take on projects you ordinarily wouldnt handle. What could be better than a chance to effect positive change in your community and in your own career at the same time? The ABAs National Pro Bono Opportunities Guide lists volunteer opportunities by location. Click your state to view nearby pro bono options and look for organizations listing paralegals.The less time you spend between jobs the better. By leveraging these best practices, you can reduce the time spent searching for paralegal jobs and get hired sooner rather than later.Have advice for finding paralegal jobs quickly? Share it in the comments section.