One word to a better 2012

Happy Holidays from The Organized Executive’s Blog!

Does 2011 seem like a blur? Are you still saying “I wish I had more time”? As the year comes to an end, we offer you this advice to make you more effective and less stressed in 2012:

• Do one thing at a time. Quit checking messages while holding conversations, and reading during meetings. Devote your full attention to the matter at hand.
   
• Act instead of react. Plan your days around what is important instead of those small issues that pop up and clamor for your attention.
   
• Cut your commitments. Choose to be great at a few things instead of mediocre at many. Serve on committees only when you can make a difference and the work is meaningful to you. Learn to say “No.”

All of those actions stem from one magic word: Focus.

Nothing improves focus like a near-death experience. Just ask Ric Elias, CEO and co-founder of the Red Ventures marketing firm, who gained perspective nearly two years ago when he survived the “Miracle on the Hudson” plane crash.

Given the opportunity to reexamine his life, Elias asked himself “Why did I waste so much energy on things that didn’t matter?”

Make sure you aren’t asking yourself that question at the end of next year.

By making one small change each day you can dramatically improve your results and your team’s. The Organized Executive’s Priority One: Strategies for Improving the Way You Work is packed with 260 tips, one for each work day of the year. Use that link to order by Jan. 1, 2012 and receive a 20% discount!

The BMG blogs will be back to our normal posting schedule next week, but until then, be sure to check out these other blogs …

American Speaker Blog | Make 2012 your Year of Speaking Fearlessly
Bud to Boss | Words of advice for the New Year
Nitpickers’ Nook | Happy Holidays from Nitpickers’ Nook!