When we are feeling harried or like we’re falling behind, our typical response is to try and move faster, to accelerate. And sometimes this can work. But more often, in our rush to catch up, we get sloppy. We miss critical details and overlook the obvious. At a previous job, I worked with a guy who…
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The Pareto Principle, or “80/20 Rule”, is a common term in the business and achievement worlds. Simply stated, 20% of efforts typically account for 80% of results. For example: 20% of our product line accounts for 80% of sales. Think Coke Classic and Diet Coke compared against Coke’s myriad flavor spinoffs. 20% of our focused work…
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There is an old story about a man who sees three stone cutters working in a rock quarry. To the first man he asks, “What are you making?” The man answers, “I’m making ten coppers a day.” He asks the same question to the second man. The man replies, “I’m making stones for a new cathedral.”…
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Emailing someone to ask for a favor, or a meeting, or an introduction, can be uncomfortable, especially if you haven’t spoken to that person for a long time. People often try to overcome this awkwardness by beginning their email request with something personal or by recalling a shared experience, such as a school they attended…
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Whenever I ask someone what is stopping them from doing or going after something that is important to them — pursuing a big dream, starting a new business, writing a book, getting fit, traveling abroad — I usually get the same response: “I don’t have enough time.” This is often followed by the second most…
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