[Gary] Peeples Helping People, LLC

5 Things You Can Do Right Now To Be More Productive

Re-write your to-do list with easier steps. If your project is to launch a website [for example], don’t write “launch website”. It’s vague and it won’t be meaningful to you later. And the “bigness” of an item like that will deter you from taking the first step. Instead, write the literal first step as the to-do. I.e. “write outline” or “make a list of 5 sites to benchmark”.

Stop responding immediately. Give it 5 minutes or more if you can. You need to give yourself time to digest the information and think it through from multiple angles. Not always is your first thought the best reaction. Give it time—this investment of time into your response will save time later.

Keep emails to 5 sentences or less. If you have more then 5 sentences to say, it probably needs to be a phone call—which will save you hours of time vs. sending and receiving emails over time. Either that, or the information should be put in a document and attached. This will allow you to be as detailed as you need to be, without trying to self-edit it into an email that you know they aren’t going to read anyway.

Close your email after you check it.  Don’t work in your inbox all day—It’s not your job. Nowhere in your job description does it say send and receive email. If it does please send it to me, that’s hilarious. I’m not saying don’t check it, I’m saying check it, close it, and do work. Then come back to it. It’s okay to tell someone, “I haven’t read it yet. I’ve been focused on xyz.” You sound productive.

Take a break every 90 minutes. It’s generally agreed upon that we begin to lose attention and ability to perform beyond 90 minutes. Google it. I wouldn’t say schedule 15-minute breaks every 90 minutes; no one needs to be that rigid. But I would say: each time you find yourself head-down in work that could take hours, try to grab a break every 90 minutes. Clear your head and come back to it.

I’m always interested to learn new ways of thinking about productivity. If you have any thoughts, please share them in the comments!

Consequences

Source: eatright-staybright.tumblr.com via Leandro on Pinterest

More people of influence should be like Baltimore Raven Ray Rice

Here's B'more Ravens RB Ray Rice sharing some words of advice on my facebook today. He wrote it, he clearly spent some time on it, and he obviously is passionate about it.

And I'm certain there will be some number people, in Baltimore and DC, who will take this seriously and plan ahead this weekend -- specifically because of this message.

This is pretty powerful and important. Be safe this weekend ya'll.

This is a brave dude

 

This is why "follow your passion and you'll find happiness" is a fairy tale

Career advice has fallen into a terribly simplistic rut. 

Figure out what you’re passionate about, then follow that passion; 

this idea provides the foundation for just about every guide to improving your working life.

- Cal Newport, Study Hacks

How many times have you heard that in your life and career? I know I've heard in like a trillion. I've believed it at times and I've also challenged as well [in my own head].

Hmmm?? Follow your passions or just be passionate about what you do? It's like chicken and the egg to me.

What I like about the writing of Cal Newport is that it challenges conventional thinking. 

Among other things, Cal has basically argued: while following your passion may be an approach, it may not be the best approach, and certainly isn't the only approach to cultivating an enjoyable work and personal life.

If you want to dive into specifics of that argument, I suggest you read his thoughts and arguments in: Beyond Passion: The Science Of Loving What You Do and The Zen Valedictorian.

For this post, I am focused the beginnings of Cal's deductive conclusions; which he's made into a list of propositions for a career craftsman to follow. He has titled it "A Career Manifesto".

If you are like me, and you believe that we all have the ability to change what we do not like, and create what we wish to see happen, then I think you will like this too. 

A Career Manifesto by Cal Newport Original Post

The Career Craftsman rejects [the concept from above: "following your passion" provides the foundation for improving your working life].

The Career Craftsman understands that “follow your passion and all will be happy” is a children’s tale. Most people don’t have pre-existing passions waiting to be unearthed. Happiness requires more than solving a simple matching problem.

The Career Craftsman knows there’s no magical “right job” waiting out there for you. Any number of pursuits can provide the foundation for an engaging life.

The Career Craftsman believes that compelling careers are not courageously pursued or serendipitously discovered, but are instead systematically crafted.

The Career Craftsman believes this process of career crafting always begins with the mastery of something rare and valuable. The traits that define great work (autonomy, creativity, impact, recognition) are rare and valuable themselves, and you need something to offer in return. Put another way: no one owes you a fulfilling job; you have to earn it.

The Career Craftsman believes that mastery is just the first step in crafting work you love. Once you have the leverage of a rare and valuable skill, you need to apply this leverage strategically to make your working life increasingly fulfulling. It is then — and only then — that you should expect a feeling of passion for your work to truly take hold.

The Career Craftsman thinks the idea that “societal expectations” are trying to hold you down in a safe but boring career path is a boogeyman invented to sell eBooks. You don’t need courage to create a cool life. You need the type of valuable skills that let you write your own ticket.

The Career Craftsman never expects to love an entry level job (or to stay in that job long before moving up).

The Career Craftsman thinks “is this my calling?” is a stupid question.

The Career Craftsman is data-driven. Admire someone’s career? Work out exactly how they made it happen. The answers you’ll find will be less romantic but more actionable than you might expect.

The Career Craftsman believes the color of your parachute is irrelevant if you take the time to get good at flying the damn plane in the first place.

I merely stumbled on to this, but I'm curious to know what you all think? Comment with feedback!

How to get mp3's from youtube for free

1. Go to Youtube and find the song you want.

2. Copy the url. 

3. Go to flv2mp3.com and paste it.

4. Click "Next". It will auto-download. If not, it will tell you what to do.

That's it, you're done. Good job.

Warning: Don't ever use this to get Taylor Swift songs; you will immediately contract pink eye. It's a weird bug in the system.

Being good vs. getting better

There is a difference between focusing on being good and getting better.

Focusing on being good can be limiting. It's a subconscious acceptance that you are as good as you are going to get. You tend to set goals that validate your beliefs. They are easy to hit; you're good at it.

Focusing on getter better eliminates that barrier. You're saying to yourself, "what can I improve on?" Here, you set goals that you have to work for; and make changes to attain.

Here are a few examples of that difference:

To lose 5 lbs, you can try to eat less [being good] or you can start working out more — 30 minutes 3X per week [getting better].

To get a promotion, you can do what you do best more often or faster [being good] or you can proactively seek what other — well regarded — employees do well and focus your time there [getting better].

To strengthen a relationship, same thing — do more of the minimum [being good] or focus on the things you don't typically do [getting better]. 

We are not limited by anything but ourselves. Think about what you can improve on and set your goals in that direction.

Know your limits, but never accept them.

-I have no idea

 

How to start 207 businesses and expand your mind

I just read a fantastic post on arkarthick.com titled "Unfold your mind power", which lists 10 awesome ways to go about it. Worth a read, for sure.

Here's a quote it referenced; I love it:

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.”

– Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.

Here are 5 ways—I'd like to think—I'm unfolding my mind power, maybe they could work for you:

1. Read blogs everyday. First thing in the morning. It's the new "newspaper".

Get Google reader; subscribe to various blogs that interest you; Pop on daily and click on the titles that most interest you. [Then share your favorites on twitter.]

2. Play Words With Friends [on your smartphone].

I had no idea that "aa" was a word, btw. But seriously, it forces you to think, you learn new words, and it's easy to play with your friends.

3. Work out—everyday if possible—and use the time to think through problems and challenges you're facing; both in business and life.

It's amazing the things you can come up with on a 30 minute run.

I've started two hundred and seven businesses in my head while running. For the record I've done at least 3 of them.

4. Seek and listen to new music on a regular basis [this is one from their list, but I believe in it].

Music of all kinds. Use Pandora, Music Map, or any other popular web tools to explore. New music gives you new feelings and changes moods. It's powerful. 

My itunes is ridiculous. How many of you can hit shuffle-all-songs and be comfortable about every song it plays if you were in front of an audience? Haha. Not me.

Mine would go from Lil' Wayne to Dave Matthews to a Christmas song to a Spanish love song to The Spice Girls to Classical to Salsa to Led Zeppelin to so-on and so-on. I'm all over the place.

5. Try to ask "why not?" before "why?"

It's amazing how differently you look at something if you start with "let's try it." instead of "why should I change it?"

For starters, you can't help but think of things you haven't thought before; [it]'s a different concept. Starting with why-do-it leaves you to think only in terms of what you already know. 

And you can practice this all day long. Think of how many ideas are presented or questions are asked of you in a day. Try it.

Personally, I'm going to consider some of the others on the list from the post. Particularly the language one and the foreign film one. I've always wanted to master another language anyway.

I'm thinking of buying a Rosetta Stone. Maybe Australian.

Connect with people through these 5 rules of Improv

I'm not an Improv actor or anything, but I am fascinated by it. I have read up on it; I've known people that do it; and I've even considered "getting into it" myself.

I believe there is a LOT that can be learned from the basic principles the art follows — and not just for business — I'm talking: for life, for friendships, for relationships, and anywhere else you "connect" with people.

Here are 5 basic rules that may help you in building connections with people:

1. Don't deny — Say "Yes(!)-and".

In Improv:

Denying or disagreeing will cause the scene to come to a halt. A scene beginning with "I'm Gary and the view from this mountain is great" will be killed if the response is, "this isn't a mountain it's a living room and you are Patricia". 

In Life:

It does the same thing. Accept the content or story or argument that is given to you as a reality [it often is for whoever gave it to you]. Agree and add.

2. Don't ask open-ended questions — it makes the other person do all the work. 

In Improv:

After the Yes(!)-and, add new information. "Yes, and the fresh air is probably really helping our simultaneous cases of athletes foot."

In Life:

Same thing; don't make the other person do all the work by continuing to pound them with open-ended questions. Add value to the conversation; state your opinion; help them help you. 

Personally, I think people in sales are over-taught the open-ended question process. It has it's place, but how quickly you can come off as passive-aggressive, if you never add value to the conversation. In my opinion.

3. Don't TRY to be funny — focus on here and now and on creating an interesting scene.

In Improv:

The process of creating an interesting scene, between two people working with each other, who have no idea where the other will go next, will create the comedy. And it won't be forced. Let it happen naturally.

In Life:

Replace "funny" with whatever the context is. Don't TRY to sell them a car. Don't TRY to win the argument with your significant other. Don't TRY to get a raise. Focus on here and now — and on doing the right thing — and whatever IT is, will happen naturally.

4. You can look good if you make your partner look good.

In Improv:

Don't get too caught up in your own character. Figure out how to help your partner advance their character. It will be funnier then trying to get all your jokes in about your own character.

In Life:

Don't get too caught up in your own character. Figure out how to help your partner advance their character. 

That was perfect, I didn't need to change it.

5. Tell a story.

In Improv:

Establish a location and provide details that add to the story. The audience is looking for a good story. And again, the natural details — that are being created between two individuals, on the spot — will be funny on its own.

In Life:

A story "humanizes" the situation. You want to connect with your audience — your boss, your loved one, your son or daughter, your customer — give them a story about you. You know, "about a time when..." Tell it from the heart. Emotion builds connections. Usually.

 If you don't know where you are going, any road will take you there. 

-Lewis Carroll, "Alice in Wonderland"

The most important thing ever

Think of a time when:

you received excellent customer service;

you got a promotion;

you received an award;

you fell in love.

Now think of a time when:

you received poor customer service;

you were passed on a promotion;

your teammate or co-worker got the award;

you didn't get the girl or guy.

We've all been through all of these — many of us, many times. 

In the first set you felt good; at varying degrees. In the second set you felt bad; also at varying degrees.

The reason why has something — not everything — to do with how IMPORTANT you felt.

Put differently:

Make someone feel important; they will likely have a good experience. Make them feel un-important; they will likely have a bad experience. 

It applies to everything above:

You get a promotion = you're important to us, here's more responsibility. You were passed over for a promotion = [Pete Tequiza] is more important then you. Also, Pete's a nerd.

A busy waitress stops by to say she's super busy and will be right back for your drink order = you're an important customer to her. A busy waitress that zips by a trillion times, without saying a word, ignoring you while you die of hunger = you're less important then the other customers.

You get the girl = you're important to her. She's not that into you = you're not that important. Also she's an idiot, and how could she not see how awesome you are. Just saying.

Even if you only remember to do this 50% of the time, my suggestion is for you to figure out what makes people — and everyone is a little different — feel most important in this world. And do that.

In business, in friendship, in love, and in life — it will make a world of difference.