Nicholas Bate

TTD (Things To Do): when things are a bit (a lot) grim

1. Don't stay in that place mentally. But be wary of leaving it physically. There may well be something that can be done with that job, your start-up. The problematic relationship. No: start mentally, first.
2. Do anything to gain fresh mental perspective. Talk to someone trusted. Take a long week-end. Go to the coast.
3. Create a plan. Will it work? You are not sure, yet. Just create the plan.
4. Work the plan.
5. Things will improve.
6. Start now.

TTD (Things To Do): to even more effective.

1. Get some feed-back. Your team, your customers, your business partner. Look for themes and work on those.
2. Every 45 minutes, take a 5 minute stretch and re-think and ensure that you haven't been pulled into efficiency (getting things done) rather than effectiveness (getting the right things done).
3. Assume most processes can be improved and have fun doing so. The 60 minute team meeting which has become stale. How could we reduce it to 45 minutes and re-charge it?
4. (Re-) read a classic on time management. You've got a couple on your shelf. (Re-) implement a couple of the good ideas.
5. Go home on time tonight.

Blast from the Past

first posted May 2007

TTD (Things To Do) to develop your child's imagination

From the earliest age:

1. Read to them, including the classics such as Rudyard Kipling's The Just So stories.
2. Ensure there are always plenty of drawing materials around.
3. Talk to them intelligently.
4. Catch them doing things right: praise them.
5. Limit screen (TV/video/computer) time especially at the earliest ages.
6. Read (yourself) Neil Postman's The Disappearance of Childhood.
7. Don't be influenced by the rationalisation of other parents.
8. Be interested in them. Be interesting.
9. Start.

TTD (Things To Do): to improve your presentation skills

1. Try something new
2. Practise
3. Get feed-back
4. Try something new
5. Practise
6. Get feed-back
7. Practise.

Blast from the Past 2

First posted April 2007

TTD (Things to do): when personal debt is stopping freedom

1. Knowledge is power: take 10 minutes a day until you know the extent of the challenge.
2. Prioritise debt to be paid off by highest interest rate not by amount due.
3. Go zero tolerance until it's sorted: (1) no going out (2) work out ways to have fun without spending money.
(if they only love you for your money you need new friends)
4. Start: you will feel brilliant when it is sorted and you WILL sort it.

TTD (Things To Do): to get your business card to work for you.

1. Turn your job title into a verb. Not Tax Specialist but I Save People Lots of Money. You can always explain and it does what you want: start a conversation.
2. Have some not 'sorry that was my last one'.
3. Use the back to explain, expound, give a reference.
4. Ensure it is easy to read and doesn't encourage people to ring your fax number.
6. Give them generously. Don't wait to be asked.

Blast from the Past 1: TTD (Things To Do) if your boss is a bully

First posted March 2007

If your boss is a bully:
1. Raise your standards; ensure you are 'sqeeky clean' with the work you do: done on time, to standard.
2. Build your network of contacts so that others know you do a good job and you do not feel isolated.
3. Note privately, the aspects of your relationship with your boss which are unacceptable.
4. Tackle them one-by-one over time. Expect results to be slow, some conversations to be uncomfortable. But you can expect results.
5. If you need specific guidance on being assertive, find a good coach: 1h should do it.
6. Start.

Blast from the Past

(originally posted March 2007)

TTD (Things to do): when the team isn't working well together
1. Ask: what can I-as leader-do about this?
2. Re-invent team meetings to allow more feed-back and honest discussion: they may well have become too admin orientated.
3. Ensure you are doing your 1-to-1s i.e spending individual time with each member of the team. Coach and invest.
4. Agree a team charter: ways of working. Handling complaints. Handling politics.
5. Start.

Blast from the Past 2: February 2007

TTD (Things To Do): when things are going badly

Read these:

"You become what you think about all day"
Earl Nightingale. Do anything (walk/music..) to change those thoughts.

"It's not what happens to you, it's what you do with what happens to you"
Aldous Huxley. Learn from it. Forget it: it's history. Don't dwell on it.

"After my house burned down, I saw the moon more clearly"
Zen saying. Change your perspective.

"When jet lag strikes, you don't really hate your life; it's just chemical"
Get well above all else. Things always seem grim when you are unwell.

Blast from the Past 1: February 2007

TTD (Things To Do): when things are going well

1. Notice that 'it' is going well.
2. Appreciate that it is.
3. Notice what causes it to go well: planning? bit of extra time? asking the right question? getting some sleep?
4. Make a note of that and do it next time to ensure more of the the time things go well for you.
5. Start now: to notice what is going well for you.