Bridges Edition of 11/7/2005

Welcome to Bridges, a monthly newsletter published by Robin Fogel, Executive and Career Coach. My goal is that this newsletter be filled with practical information that you can use in your work and in your life. If you enjoyed the newsletter please forward it to your colleagues, friends and family.

If you would like to take advantage of an executive coach, please email me at robin@coachrobinfogel.com or visit my website - www.coachrobinfogel.com

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THE INTERRUPTION BASED WORKPLACE
In October there was a fascinating article in the Sunday New York Times that focused on the interruption based workplace. It looked at how technology and multi tasking affects our behavior. The following two quotes echo what I often hear from my clients and colleagues: "each employee spent only 11 minutes on a project before being interrupted...and each time a worker was distracted it took an average of 25 minutes to return to that task" and this, "we were so busy keeping tabs on everything that we never focused on anything." Welcome to the modern work place. So how can you get anything done in that type of environment? While for some the constant beeping of incoming email may be energizing or even make them feel important, for most it's a distraction. My favorite quote in the article was this, "he set his email to bother him once an hour. He said that unless you are working in a Korean missile silo, you don't need to check your email every two minutes."

So what can you do? For starters, turn off the beeper or bell that signals incoming email.
Check your email at stated times - be it once an hour or a few times a day. Figure out what is appropriate for your particular work situation. Remember, when you are reacting and responding to that beep, you may have shifted from your work priority to that of the email sender.

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FOCUSING STRATEGIES
I recently reread "The Power of Focus" by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Les Hewitt (yes, the authors of the Chicken Soup Series). The premise of their book is that it's lack of focus that keeps people from achieving their business and personal goals. As I pondered how difficult it is for some to accomplish things in our interruption based culture I thought it might be helpful to revisit the key point of each of their 10 focusing strategies.

1. Good habits determine your future- successful people have successful habits.
2. Build on your strengths not your weaknesses. Focus on your natural talent. "When you focus most of your time and energy doing things you are truly brilliant at, you eventually reap big rewards."
3. Focus on the big picture - what are your top ten goals? Or as I have said to more than one client in October, what do you want to achieve by the end of the year.
4. Create balance in your life and in your work.
5. Build excellent relationships - cultivate mentors, establish mastermind groups, thank your employees and clients.
6. Strengthen your confidence. From one of my favorite children's books, "The Little Engine That Could" - I think I can, I think I can. Think you can, and you will.
7. Ask - for business, for referrals, for feedback, for a promotion.
8. Be consistent in your message and in your actions. The authors write that "success is often just around the corner for those who won't quit".
9. Take decisive action - don't procrastinate. A sign on my desk reads, " What actions do I most want to avoid doing today?" Identifying what you're avoiding is the first step toward getting it done.
10. Living on purpose - align your purpose with your natural ability, be determined, maintain a humble attitude.

Remember professional and personal success is achieved through focus. Whether it is the businessperson, concert pianist or athlete, they have all learned the same lesson. Focus on the positive, on what you want to achieve, don't procrastinate and don't get distracted

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PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT COACHING
What is Performance Enhancement Coaching? It's how I can help you or your company become more effective. Performance enhancement coaching allows you or your employee to develop specified skill areas faster. Communication, leadership, team building, and being better organized are only a few areas that can be developed. You benefit because the employee is ready for expanded responsibilities sooner. The employee benefits and is delighted because you have demonstrated that you value them and view them as a key leader in your organization. It improves the bottom line.

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November is one of my favorite months because of the Thanksgiving holiday. On a personal note it gives me the opportunity to focus on a few things of importance in my life - my family, food and being grateful for all I have. From a business perspective it is also the perfect time to reach out to clients. Recently I have suggested to clients that they use this time to thank their own clients. Everyone sends out holiday cards, why not beat the December rush and use the month of thanksgiving to thank others either verbally or in writing. Thank them for their part in your business's success.

Happy Thanksgiving

COPYRIGHT: 2005, Robin Fogel & Assoc., LLC. All Rights Reserved. May be distributed and reprinted in its entirety with copyright, subscription instructions, and contact information intact. However, you may not copy it to a website.