Second in a Series of Article on Goal Setting
By Make The Days Count Contributor Philip Wood

The first step toward effective goal setting in any area of life is deciding what you want. 

Although this statement may sound simplistic, it is helpful to recognize that every decision we make is naturally followed by one or more commitments.  Certainly trivial decisions require less substantial commitments than monumental, life altering choices.  But they require commitments none the less.

As this applies to goal setting … larger wants require larger commitments.  With this in mind, I personally find it helpful if I ensure that any goal I decide upon is cost effective, genuinely personal, and clearly defined. Read More »

Article by Kevin L. DeWitt

For all the tips and advice on being productive, it’s all ineffectual if we can’t focus on what we’re doing.  We need to work as efficiently and in as stress-free a way as possible to be productive. 

Yet we can’t do any of that if our mind keeps flicking to other things every two minutes.  Having had my own struggles with focus recently, here are some tips to get back on track when focus is lost: Read More »

This is the First in a Series of Articles on Goal Setting

by Make The Days Count Contributor Philip Wood

Back in Chicago for my first winter in nearly twenty years, I’m faced with the harsh reality that I am about to abandon one of my oldest goals.  Shortly after leaving the City all those years ago, I vowed never to own a winter coat again.  I woke this morning to a temperature of 8 degrees.  Although I considered the notion inviting, hibernation does not appear to be a realistic option.

I’ll have to buy a coat today.

Thankfully, the mild weather held longer this year than most.  I am grateful that I have been able to stall the inevitable parka purchase.  I’m grateful as well that my youthful boast stood for as long as it did.  As the weather changes and snow begins to pile up, my snow gear stall reminds that it’s the time of year for procrastination.  In a few short weeks, 2008 will become 2009 and many of us will make New Year’s resolutions. Read More »

Article by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits

For years, books and articles and blogs on productivity have been showing us how to be more productive: crank out the tasks, multi-task, work faster, be organized.  In short, they’ve taught us to be a good part of a corporation that wants more out of us.  But that’s old-school productivity, or Productivity 1.0.

Today let’s take a look at Productivity 2.0: a new set of rules have changed everything for the workers of the world.  Don’t crank out tasks — learn to work with a deeper focus.  Don’t plan and hold meetings and form committees — just launch the software or product or service and keep improving it.  Don’t spend time organizing — you’ve got more important things to worry about. Read More »

Article by Make The Days Count Contributor Marie Monroe

Effective communication helps listeners feel comfortable, on equal footing, and willing to continue listening and talking.  A presentation that holds its audience’s attention throughout is a successful one.  Yet a fluent discussion is one in which opportunities have opened and relationships are cultivated.

Many things are possible when communication flows well: learning, teaching, understanding, resolution, persuasion, collaboration, negotiation and intimacy, just to name a few.  This is the stuff of which good relationships are made – business and personal. Read More »