Nicholas Bate

Productivity in a Brave New World.

1. Write things down: use the brain more for problem solving and less for remembering 2. Plan tomorrow but do it today 3. Plan next week on a Thursday. 4. Plan next month on the 25th 5. Invest in making things more efficient (easy to do) so that you are more effective (boosting the return on your time)6. Use only one definitive list of all you have to do and want to do 7. Be early to meetings and use the time to get focused and decide desired personal outcomes 8. Use e-mail only for facts and actions 9. Use the phone and/or meetings for anything involving emotion even if it has to be voice mail 10. Not all productivity is doing; the greatest involves thinking and reflecting; balance is key 11. Plan it; do it; review it will ensure kaizen 12. Take breaks to keep reptile brain at bay 13. Be efficient, sure: get things done 14. But be effective: get the right things done 15. But what are the right things? That's why you need goals. 16. Create systems 17. E.g to trigger what needs to be done 18. E.g to capture what needs to be done 19. E.g to give overview of what needs to be done. 19.Protect your productivity by removing distractions 20. Own what needs to be done and accept nor give excuses 21. Don't expect to have enough time; you will only do that by stealing from other parts of your life 22. Make choices 23. Aim for 8, 8, 8: 8h work, 8h sleep, 8h play. Above all: productivity is not a list 25. Productivity is a philosophy.

Brave New World 42

Do not despair.

That is the ultimate secret weapon of Covid-19.

Sneaky, tenacious, invasive.....

Stay resourceful. It’s what humans do best.

The 25 Tools of Excellence for a Brave New World, 15: The Note/The Photo

Man is a generalist. No harm in that: he/she is remarkable at adapting and to enhance this process has created a batch of tools which allows him/her to perform to the highest levels. In a Brave New World where planet Earth undergoes several adjustments in the way we act and think, ensure such tools are all easily accessible in your portfolio.

The Treasured Note/Photo

Safe in an inner sanctuary of your wallet. Safe in a purse in your bag. Not looked at so often, but it's there.  A funny little note from your son or daughter when there were just age four. A short-pretty well her last-shopping list from your mother.  A photo of the two of you just weeks after you had met-crikey you look so young- and really couldn't afford that trip to Paris.

In a world where we sometimes have so many digital memories we turn around and realise we have none, save a few real ones for the rainy days we all have.

Get the tools to be brilliant in a Brave New World.

Bonus: How to Be Brilliant, the protocol.

The Tools so far:

1: The French Press

2: The Play-list

3: Notebook and pen.

4: The Egg-timer.

5: The Skipping Rope.

6: The Swiss Army Knife

7: A Wall and A Ball.

8: The 3 x 5 card.

9: Home-made Trail Mix

10: Compass.

11: The Wall Planner

12: The T- bar.

13: The Check-list.

14: The Fixie

Man is a generalist. No harm in that: he/she is remarkable at adapting and to enhance this process has created a batch of tools which allows him/her to perform to the highest levels. In a Brave New World where planet Earth undergoes several adjustments in the way we act and think, ensure such tools are all easily accessible in your portfolio.

The Treasured Note/Photo

Safe in an inner sanctuary of your wallet. Safe in a purse in your bag. Not looked at so often, but it's there.  A funny little note from your son or daughter when there were just age four. A short-pretty well her last-shopping list from your mother.  A photo of the two of you just weeks after you had met-crikey you look so young- and really couldn't afford that trip to Paris.

In a world where we sometimes have so many digital memories we turn around and realise we have none, save a few real ones for the rainy days we all have.

Get the tools to be brilliant in a Brave New World.

Bonus: How to Be Brilliant, the protocol.

The Tools so far:

1: The French Press

2: The Play-list

3: Notebook and pen.

4: The Egg-timer.

5: The Skipping Rope.

6: The Swiss Army Knife

7: A Wall and A Ball.

8: The 3 x 5 card.

9: Home-made Trail Mix

10: Compass.

11: The Wall Planner

12: The T- bar.

13: The Check-list.

50 Possibilities for an Easier Life

1. Using music to put yourself in the best possible mood at all times.
2. Realising that someone, somewhere wants to replace your skills with a silicon chip. Become so good that they can never, ever do it.
3. Doing five rounds of 2.5 minutes  on your boxing bag every morning.
4. Staying in touch: with your friends, with your accounts. 
5. Having a definite and distinct place that you place and keep your keys.
6. Prioritising what you do against your goals. And thus: having goals.
7. Getting the quantity and quality of sleep you need so that you are focused, creative and unstoppable in the face of challenging Covid-19 days.
8. Deciding to never rely on an employer. In reality they cannot guarantee anything apart from this month's salary. Things are tricky out there. Plan your own destiny; you don't need to go as far as T E Lawrence but he had some good ideas.
9. Clarifying your use of time. It is possible to work while in leisure time and dream of leisure while at work. Split the two. Word hard, play hard and don't allow technology to confuse the two.
10. Get really good at listening and understand the other point of view.
11. In the business meeting, ask deep probing questions. The latter is a question asked until a point of hesitation: at  that point you know the data is dubious.
12. Investing in yourself by reading.
13. Never ignoring symptoms whether they are headaches, poor sales figures or simply unease. Address them. Sooner than tomorrow.
14. Realising that the days of true leadership in Politics are over. Most Political activity is some point in a marketing campaign.
15. Doing a couple of rounds of Sun Salute yoga every morning.
16. Taking technology free days.
17. Getting out more.
18. Being courteous.
19. (Re-)realising that nobody thinks like you, works like you, is you. And that's OK.
20. Not caring if they are cynical. Just do an awesome job time after time after time. After time.
21. Not trying to predict too much in a Covid-19 world. Day by day.....
22. Sorting your finances even if that initial close observation will reveal how bad they really are. Knowledge is power.
23. Getting a French Press and making decent coffee.
24. If in doubt, write a list. 
25. Remembering that creating a team is hard work. But the return from a High Performance Team is staggering.
26. Returning to The Beatles. Any time, anyplace, anywhere.
27. Buying a decent brolly, then you can walk in the rain. 
28. When in NYC, never wait on the sidewalk: simply turn and walk on the nearest green. Momentum in that marvellous city is everything.
29. Use gentle humour to facilitate your point of view.
30. Learn De Bono's 6 Thinking Hats concept.
31. Not forgetting the power of love compared to the power of right.
32. Really realising that school and college are only very crude approximations of business and Life. That's the fun: there's so much nobody told you which you can still discover.
    
33. Re-reading Joseph Conrad. Anything.
34. Getting up early on a Saturday and making fresh bread for the whole family.
35. Reminding yourself that wealth is not money. Wealth is love. It is health, a stack of great books to read and the long drive to an appointment as the sun is coming up. You have all the wealth you need.
36. Writing stuff down. Every so often consolidating and tearing stuff out.
37. Using the camera on your phone to record things.
38. whatever your fitness routine, work on your squat.
39. Realising that you have doubt because too few people tell you enough that you are good at what you do. Never make that mistake with your children, your team nor your favourite barista.
40. Drinking sufficient water.
41. Reducing junk food intake.
42. Switching phones off in meetings.
43. Thinking about why Sherlock Holmes was so good at his job.
44. Learning about Dmitri Mendeleev, the guy who put a system to atoms: The Periodic Table, of course. That's the whole damn universe expressed in one sheet of shiny paper at the back of the science lab. That's cool.
45. Understanding compound interest.
46. Stopping saying 'I don't have (enough) time'.
47. Be with your children. Be interesting. Be interested. Be at the ball game. Be at prize giving. Be at their heartache. Be at their growth. But do not stop them being them.
48. Simplify everything you do. Add, sure. But then take something away.
49. Listening to opera. Or more opera.
50. Realising that you have an eternity to do what you want to do if you slow down and notice what is happening. Really notice what is happening. Listen. And act.

 

1. Using music to put yourself in the best possible mood at all times.
2. Realising that someone, somewhere wants to replace your skills with a silicon chip. Become so good that they can never, ever do it.
3. Doing five rounds of 2.5 minutes  on your boxing bag every morning.
4. Staying in touch: with your friends, with your accounts. 
5. Having a definite and distinct place that you place and keep your keys.
6. Prioritising what you do against your goals. And thus: having goals.
7. Getting the quantity and quality of sleep you need so that you are focused, creative and unstoppable in the face of challenging Covid-19 days.
8. Deciding to never rely on an employer. In reality they cannot guarantee anything apart from this month's salary. Things are tricky out there. Plan your own destiny; you don't need to go as far as T E Lawrence but he had some good ideas.
9. Clarifying your use of time. It is possible to work while in leisure time and dream of leisure while at work. Split the two. Word hard, play hard and don't allow technology to confuse the two.
10. Get really good at listening and understand the other point of view.
11. In the business meeting, ask deep probing questions. The latter is a question asked until a point of hesitation: at  that point you know the data is dubious.
12. Investing in yourself by reading.
13. Never ignoring symptoms whether they are headaches, poor sales figures or simply unease. Address them. Sooner than tomorrow.
14. Realising that the days of true leadership in Politics are over. Most Political activity is some point in a marketing campaign.
15. Doing a couple of rounds of Sun Salute yoga every morning.
16. Taking technology free days.
17. Getting out more.
18. Being courteous.
19. (Re-)realising that nobody thinks like you, works like you, is you. And that's OK.
20. Not caring if they are cynical. Just do an awesome job time after time after time. After time.
21. Not trying to predict too much in a Covid-19 world. Day by day.....
22. Sorting your finances even if that initial close observation will reveal how bad they really are. Knowledge is power.
23. Getting a French Press and making decent coffee.
24. If in doubt, write a list. 
25. Remembering that creating a team is hard work. But the return from a High Performance Team is staggering.
26. Returning to The Beatles. Any time, anyplace, anywhere.
27. Buying a decent brolly, then you can walk in the rain. 
28. When in NYC, never wait on the sidewalk: simply turn and walk on the nearest green. Momentum in that marvellous city is everything.
29. Use gentle humour to facilitate your point of view.
30. Learn De Bono's 6 Thinking Hats concept.
31. Not forgetting the power of love compared to the power of right.
32. Really realising that school and college are only very crude approximations of business and Life. That's the fun: there's so much nobody told you which you can still discover.
    
33. Re-reading Joseph Conrad. Anything.
34. Getting up early on a Saturday and making fresh bread for the whole family.
35. Reminding yourself that wealth is not money. Wealth is love. It is health, a stack of great books to read and the long drive to an appointment as the sun is coming up. You have all the wealth you need.
36. Writing stuff down. Every so often consolidating and tearing stuff out.
37. Using the camera on your phone to record things.
38. whatever your fitness routine, work on your squat.
39. Realising that you have doubt because too few people tell you enough that you are good at what you do. Never make that mistake with your children, your team nor your favourite barista.
40. Drinking sufficient water.
41. Reducing junk food intake.
42. Switching phones off in meetings.
43. Thinking about why Sherlock Holmes was so good at his job.
44. Learning about Dmitri Mendeleev, the guy who put a system to atoms: The Periodic Table, of course. That's the whole damn universe expressed in one sheet of shiny paper at the back of the science lab. That's cool.
45. Understanding compound interest.
46. Stopping saying 'I don't have (enough) time'.
47. Be with your children. Be interesting. Be interested. Be at the ball game. Be at prize giving. Be at their heartache. Be at their growth. But do not stop them being them.
48. Simplify everything you do. Add, sure. But then take something away.
49. Listening to opera. Or more opera.
50. Realising that you have an eternity to do what you want to do if you slow down and notice what is happening. Really notice what is happening. Listen. And act.

Brave New world 41

Just because it’s Zoom, doesn’t mean your standards need to be low.

Go shock them. Prepare, start on time, engage, facilitate actions. 

Standards may be dropping for some behind a Covid-19 smokescreen. Not yours.

A Possible Crazy Bold Experiment 4 of 7: Read and Listen.

Many years ago you decided that there were certain books/authors/genres you didn’t like. And similarly with music.

Be bold, be radical. Try all, or any of those you had previously said ‘no’ to. Be surprised. Perhaps be delighted. Or perhaps get confirmation you were right all along. But remember the world has changed and you have changed. This amplification of your portfolio can only help.

Give it a whirl.

Bonus: Hunter Gatherer 21C.

Crazy Bold Experiment 1

Crazy Bold Experiment 2

Crazy Bold Experiment 3

The 25 Tools of Excellence for a Brave New World, 14: The Fixie

Man is a generalist. No harm in that: he/she is remarkable at adapting and to enhance this process has created a batch of tools which allows him/her to perform to the highest levels. In a Brave New World where planet Earth undergoes several adjustments in the way we act and think, ensure such tools are all easily accessible in your portfolio.

The Fixie.

In a world of complexity, the single gear bike is elegance in motion. Stripped of over-engineered gearing needed only by those living in the Yorkshire dales or competing in the Tour de France, the bike becomes lighter, easier to maintain and you rapidly and easily become fitter as you tackle the terrain in a true and honest relationship. You and planet Earth in perfect harmony.

In a Covid world, the incentive to be fit has never been stronger. And with such a  bike it has never been easier.

Complementing your walking it takes you the further distance or at greater speed.

Be bold and perhaps make it a true 'fixie' and one of the brakes can be jettisoned. But only when you are ready. Get moving, feel free and become fit and strong. 

Get the tools to be brilliant in a Brave New World.

Bonus: How to Be Brilliant, the protocol.

The Tools so far:

1: The French Press

2: The Play-list

3: Notebook and pen.

4: The Egg-timer.

5: The Skipping Rope.

6: The Swiss Army Knife

7: A Wall and A Ball.

8: The 3 x 5 card.

9: Home-made Trail Mix

10: Compass.

11: The Wall Planner

12: The T- bar.

13: The Check-list.

Tuesday Melange 15

1. How to Escape the Bunker.
2. The Writing Primer.
3. How to Start your Very Own Business.
4. Stay STRONG
5. Just say NO to PPT
6. Post Covid Business Essentials.
7. The Marketing Primer.
8. Redundancy
9. Covid-19, 101
10. Hunter-Gatherer 21C
11. Tackling Stress.
12. Manage that career
13. Be Bold 10
14. You still haven’t read Being The Best?!
15. Things They Don’t Teach at Business School

Marketing Primer 14

1. Study the greats. Then be different.
2. Start with Kotler's 4Ps: price, product, place, promotion.
3. Read Michael Porter on the value chain concept.
4. Don't get bogged down with the current 'thing' e.g. social media. By the time everyone is discussing it, there is often little differential advantage to be extracted from it.
5. Marketing is not 'cool'.
6. Marketing is not an alternative word for 'sales'.
7. Marketing is not trade shows.
8. Marketing is radical, insightful paradigm-piercing thinking.
9. Marketing is questions.
10. How can we create step-change advantage?
11. How about if..?
12. What might?
13. Marketing is asking the question everybody else has ignored. Noting the answer.
14. And being fast to implement.

Tom Peters

Launches courses soon. On-line, of course.