ProdPod, a Productivity Podcast

This episode is a series of quick tips I've gathered over time for power productivity through active listening.We have so many forms of communication available to us today. Technology keeps improving and with a globally-connected, 24/7 society, you could easily have engaging conversations 'round the clock. With all this capacity and experience with digital communication technologies, it makes sense that some of our interpersonal skills will change or need refreshing, like active listening. This episode is a series of quick tips I've gathered over time for power productivity through active listening.1. Ask more questions than giving declarative statements, then stop talking and listen to the answers being given. You'll be surprised how much you can accomplish when you let others do and say more.3. Ask clarifying questions to let your speaker know you're listening and engaged.4. When possible, make eye contact and pay attention to body language.5. Repeat back what is said in your own words, so the speaker knows you listened and understood what was said. This is also an opportunity for her to clarify in case you haven't.6. Once you have mastered the art of active listening. Teach it to others. Pay it forward. As the old adage goes, if you teach something you learn it twice, plus it will save you time and hassle in the future.2. Hearing is a sense. Listening is an active process. Develop your skills for listening not just hearing.

In the last episode, I explained the benefits of single-tasking, or completing one task at a time, over multi-tasking. Well, in this episode's tip: I'd like to introduce a new kind of productivity technique I've coined "meta-tasking." In the last episode, I explained the benefits of single-tasking, or completing one task at a time, over multi-tasking. Well, in this episode's tip: I'd like to introduce a new kind of productivity technique I've coined "meta-tasking." What if we can take the benefits of single-tasking--focus, greater creativity, more time to relax and less stress, and faster completion of tasks, and add the mythical promise of getting more done by multi-tasking? First, break your day into locations and activities. For example, Home, Commute, Office, Gym, Commute, Home, and Bed are my basic times within which I control my work. Next, ask yourself what tasks daily, weekly, monthly, or any other repeating schedule, do I have to do things like meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, calling customer service or tech support with extended wait times, grocery shopping, etc. For each repeating errand, I can calculate conservatively from experience how much time they take. Finally, I look at my next-actions or projects list and find items that can be grouped together and done during these times when much of my activity requires waiting, for example, while the laundry and dryer are going, I can accomplish two to four 15-minute tasks. When I'm planning my week ahead, I just review my calendar for these repeating errands and I can quickly and easily fill that time in with more productive tasks. Remember, in order for meta-tasking to truly be beneficial is to prioritize tasks where shifting focus is minimal and gives you ample time to finish. Set yourself up for success by having small tasks grouped together. Satisfaction is the goal here, not just efficiency.

In the last episode, I explained the benefits of single-tasking, or completing one task at a time, over multi-tasking. Well, in this episode's tip: I'd like to introduce a new kind of productivity technique I've coined "meta-tasking."In the last episode, I explained the benefits of single-tasking, or completing one task at a time, over multi-tasking. Well, in this episode's tip: I'd like to introduce a new kind of productivity technique I've coined "meta-tasking."What if we can take the benefits of single-tasking--focus, greater creativity, more time to relax and less stress, and faster completion of tasks, and add the mythical promise of getting more done by multi-tasking?First, break your day into locations and activities. For example, Home, Commute, Office, Gym, Commute, Home, and Bed are my basic times within which I control my work. Next, ask yourself what tasks daily, weekly, monthly, or any other repeating schedule, do I have to do things like meal preparation, laundry, cleaning, calling customer service or tech support with extended wait times, grocery shopping, etc. For each repeating errand, I can calculate conservatively from experience how much time they take. Finally, I look at my next-actions or projects list and find items that can be grouped together and done during these times when much of my activity requires waiting, for example, while the laundry and dryer are going, I can accomplish two to four 15-minute tasks.When I'm planning my week ahead, I just review my calendar for these repeating errands and I can quickly and easily fill that time in with more productive tasks.Remember, in order for meta-tasking to truly be beneficial is to prioritize tasks where shifting focus is minimal and gives you ample time to finish. Set yourself up for success by having small tasks grouped together. Satisfaction is the goal here, not just efficiency.

This episode's tip: Single-tasking is the way to achieve more with greater focus and less stress, not multi-tasking. For as long as I can remember, productivity experts have lauded the virtues of multi-tasking, or doing more than one thing at the same time for efficiency's sake. However, what scientific studies have taught us in recent years is that focus on a single task at a time actually accomplishes more than multi-tasking. Think of it this way, your brain cannot consciously have two thoughts at the same time. For example, try to think about what the number one and the letter A represents to you simultaneously. Impossible, no? You must think about one conceptually then the other. So, what are you doing when you're multi-tasking? You're actually quickly changing focus back and forth between each task. And just like a car, you cannot turn the vehicle in two directions concurrently. And every time you turn the vehicle, you must slow down, recalibrate the car's direction then return acceleration to your original cruising speed. This takes careful focus and time not only with a car but with a change in each task. In essence "single-tasking" to complete a task fully as the only item you're focusing and/or working on is more efficient than the notion of multi-tasking. The ancillary benefits are focus, less stress and faster project completion. This all equates to more time to relax or accomplish more goals that are fulfilling to your productive life.

This episode's tip: Single-tasking is the way to achieve more with greater focus and less stress, not multi-tasking.For as long as I can remember, productivity experts have lauded the virtues of multi-tasking, or doing more than one thing at the same time for efficiency's sake. However, what scientific studies have taught us in recent years is that focus on a single task at a time actually accomplishes more than multi-tasking. Think of it this way, your brain cannot consciously have two thoughts at the same time. For example, try to think about what the number one and the letter A represents to you simultaneously. Impossible, no? You must think about one conceptually then the other.So, what are you doing when you're multi-tasking? You're actually quickly changing focus back and forth between each task. And just like a car, you cannot turn the vehicle in two directions concurrently. And every time you turn the vehicle, you must slow down, recalibrate the car's direction then return acceleration to your original cruising speed. This takes careful focus and time not only with a car but with a change in each task.In essence "single-tasking" to complete a task fully as the only item you're focusing and/or working on is more efficient than the notion of multi-tasking. The ancillary benefits are focus, less stress and faster project completion. This all equates to more time to relax or accomplish more goals that are fulfilling to your productive life.

This episode's tip: How to leave a presentation ready for action with handouts. Productivity and presentations can almost be considered antonyms to the common seminar or  workshop attendee. Everyone's time is limited and they usually don't take the information gained into action. I've heard statistics that over two-thirds of individuals use *none* of the actionable information from professional conferences. One of the main reasons, I believe, most people accomplish so little when they leave educational events is that they do not design their experience for the outcome that's most advantageous to them. This episode's tip: How to leave a presentation ready for action with handouts. Initially, I assess the information and giveaways I receive from tradeshow exhibitors or sponsors. Are really worth keeping? They become distractions once you're seated if you don't properly commit to putting them out of sight once the speaker begins. While I'm at it, I usually try to get a seat early on to make sure I have a clear view of the presenter, I am within audible range in case the speaker doesn't have suitable amplification, and I confirm any visual aids I've identified are in sight. So, with no external distractions that are within my control, I pull out the materials and give it a general context and content overview. I quickly underline or star the margins in areas where I'll want to make sure I pay special attention. On a separate sheet of notepaper, I use my flavor of Note-Taking explained in Episode Seven. As soon as the presentation is over, I make sure to follow GTD practice to process what I captured and then organize it into its proper list/tool (calendar, reference file, project, next-action, someday-maybe and so forth). Because I managed the information well both before and during, I can now engage in networking and getting refreshments with ease of mind. When I get back to my office, I'm very likely to take my hard work to the next level and it's all ready for me...ready for action.

This episode's tip: How to leave a presentation ready for action with handouts.Productivity and presentations can almost be considered antonyms to the common seminar or  workshop attendee. Everyone's time is limited and they usually don't take the information gained into action. I've heard statistics that over two-thirds of individuals use *none* of the actionable information from professional conferences. One of the main reasons, I believe, most people accomplish so little when they leave educational events is that they do not design their experience for the outcome that's most advantageous to them. This episode's tip: How to leave a presentation ready for action with handouts.Initially, I assess the information and giveaways I receive from tradeshow exhibitors or sponsors. Are really worth keeping? They become distractions once you're seated if you don't properly commit to putting them out of sight once the speaker begins. While I'm at it, I usually try to get a seat early on to make sure I have a clear view of the presenter, I am within audible range in case the speaker doesn't have suitable amplification, and I confirm any visual aids I've identified are in sight.So, with no external distractions that are within my control, I pull out the materials and give it a general context and content overview. I quickly underline or star the margins in areas where I'll want to make sure I pay special attention. On a separate sheet of notepaper, I use my flavor of Note-Taking explained in Episode Seven. As soon as the presentation is over, I make sure to follow GTD practice to process what I captured and then organize it into its proper list/tool (calendar, reference file, project, next-action, someday-maybe and so forth). Because I managed the information well both before and during, I can now engage in networking and getting refreshments with ease of mind. When I get back to my office, I'm very likely to take my hard work to the next level and it's all ready for me...ready for action.

THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHOD FOR MEETINGS. CREATED BY WALTER PAUK, EMERITUS, AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THIS METHODOLOGY WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND LEARN FROM THEM THROUGHOUT A COLLEGE COURSE. I'VE MODIFIED THE CONCEPTS SLIGHTLY TO SUIT MY PROFESSIONAL NEEDS. THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHOD FOR MEETINGS. CREATED BY WALTER PAUK, EMERITUS, AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THIS METHODOLOGY WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND LEARN FROM THEM THROUGHOUT A COLLEGE COURSE. I'VE MODIFIED THE CONCEPTS SLIGHTLY TO SUIT MY PROFESSIONAL NEEDS. IF YOU GOOGLE "CORNELL NOTE TAKING TEMPLATE" YOU'LL FIND A VISUAL AS I DESCRIBE THE LAYOUT. IN SHORT, YOU HAVE THREE AREAS DESIGNATED ON A SHEET OF NOTEPAD PAPER WHICH ALONG THE LEFT-HAND SIDE COLUMN IS THE CUE C-U-E COLUMN, TO THE RIGHT OF THAT IS THE NOTE-TAKING AREA AND THE BOTTOM TWO INCHES ARE DEDICATED AS A SUMMARY AREA. I PUT THE MEETING AGENDA NEXT TO MY NOTEPAD SO I CAN FOLLOW ALONG WHILE I TAKE NOTES. AS YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, TAKE SUBSTANTIVE NOTES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AS THEY ARE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING AGENDA IN THE NOTE-TAKING AREA. AS THE MEETING ADJOURNS, THIS IS YOUR TIME TO REFLECT ON THE MEETING BY REVIEWING YOUR NOTES AND USE THE CUE COLUMN, AKA RECALL COLUMN, TO CREATE TWO TO FOUR WORD QUESTIONS (FOR EXAMPLE, HOW TO DESIGN BROCHURE?) AS A REFERENCE REMINDER FOR THE CONTEXT OF EACH OF THE NOTES IN THE NOTE-TAKING AREA. RIGHT AFTER YOU'VE CUED YOUR NOTES, IN THE SUMMARY AREA, SUMMARIZE THE OUTCOME OF THE MEETING IN TWO TO THREE SUCCINCT SENTENCES AS WELL AS NEXT-ACTIONS. COME YOUR GTD WEEKLY REVIEW, OR WHENEVER YOU REVIEW YOUR WEEK PAST AND WEEK AHEAD, YOU HAVE YOUR NOTES IN A FORMAT THAT WILL HELP YOU QUESTION AND ANSWER YOUR WAY THROUGH THE MEETING FOR OPTIMUM RECALL AND RETENTION. FOLLOWING CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHODOLOGY FOR MEETINGS AS I'VE DESCRIBED, YOU'LL KNOW THE PURPOSE OF EVERY MEETING, WHAT WAS HANDLED IN THEM AND WHAT THE OUTCOMES WERE AT A GLANCE WHENEVER YOU NEED TO REFER BACK TO IT. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. 

THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHOD FOR MEETINGS. CREATED BY WALTER PAUK, EMERITUS, AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THIS METHODOLOGY WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND LEARN FROM THEM THROUGHOUT A COLLEGE COURSE. I'VE MODIFIED THE CONCEPTS SLIGHTLY TO SUIT MY PROFESSIONAL NEEDS.THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHOD FOR MEETINGS. CREATED BY WALTER PAUK, EMERITUS, AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY THIS METHODOLOGY WAS CREATED TO HELP STUDENTS TAKE NOTES AND LEARN FROM THEM THROUGHOUT A COLLEGE COURSE. I'VE MODIFIED THE CONCEPTS SLIGHTLY TO SUIT MY PROFESSIONAL NEEDS. IF YOU GOOGLE "CORNELL NOTE TAKING TEMPLATE" YOU'LL FIND A VISUAL AS I DESCRIBE THE LAYOUT.IN SHORT, YOU HAVE THREE AREAS DESIGNATED ON A SHEET OF NOTEPAD PAPER WHICH ALONG THE LEFT-HAND SIDE COLUMN IS THE CUE C-U-E COLUMN, TO THE RIGHT OF THAT IS THE NOTE-TAKING AREA AND THE BOTTOM TWO INCHES ARE DEDICATED AS A SUMMARY AREA. I PUT THE MEETING AGENDA NEXT TO MY NOTEPAD SO I CAN FOLLOW ALONG WHILE I TAKE NOTES.AS YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, TAKE SUBSTANTIVE NOTES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER AS THEY ARE DISCUSSED IN THE MEETING AGENDA IN THE NOTE-TAKING AREA. AS THE MEETING ADJOURNS, THIS IS YOUR TIME TO REFLECT ON THE MEETING BY REVIEWING YOUR NOTES AND USE THE CUE COLUMN, AKA RECALL COLUMN, TO CREATE TWO TO FOUR WORD QUESTIONS (FOR EXAMPLE, HOW TO DESIGN BROCHURE?) AS A REFERENCE REMINDER FOR THE CONTEXT OF EACH OF THE NOTES IN THE NOTE-TAKING AREA. RIGHT AFTER YOU'VE CUED YOUR NOTES, IN THE SUMMARY AREA, SUMMARIZE THE OUTCOME OF THE MEETING IN TWO TO THREE SUCCINCT SENTENCES AS WELL AS NEXT-ACTIONS. COME YOUR GTD WEEKLY REVIEW, OR WHENEVER YOU REVIEW YOUR WEEK PAST AND WEEK AHEAD, YOU HAVE YOUR NOTES IN A FORMAT THAT WILL HELP YOU QUESTION AND ANSWER YOUR WAY THROUGH THE MEETING FOR OPTIMUM RECALL AND RETENTION.FOLLOWING CORNELL NOTE-TAKING METHODOLOGY FOR MEETINGS AS I'VE DESCRIBED, YOU'LL KNOW THE PURPOSE OF EVERY MEETING, WHAT WAS HANDLED IN THEM AND WHAT THE OUTCOMES WERE AT A GLANCE WHENEVER YOU NEED TO REFER BACK TO IT.I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. 

THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: STARTING AND ENDING YOUR MEETINGS ON TIME BUILDS A CULTURE OF TRUST. WHETHER IT'S A FAMILY COUNCIL ON FINANCES OR A CORPORATE BRAINSTORMING MEETING ON NEXT YEAR'S MARKETING PLAN, KEEPING MEETINGS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE IS A PRIME MEANS TO GETTING PEOPLE TO ATTEND AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED. THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: STARTING AND ENDING YOUR MEETINGS ON TIME BUILDS A CULTURE OF TRUST. WHETHER IT'S A FAMILY COUNCIL ON FINANCES OR A CORPORATE BRAINSTORMING MEETING ON NEXT YEAR'S MARKETING PLAN, KEEPING MEETINGS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE IS A PRIME MEANS TO GETTING PEOPLE TO ATTEND AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED. HERE ARE A FEW TACTICS I SUGGEST YOU TRY FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING: ONE. REVIEW THE MATERIALS TO BE COVERED IN THE AGENDA. DOES THE TIME ALLOTTED ALLOW FOR A FULL DISCUSSION OF TOPICS? CAN THE TIME BE SHORTENED OR DOES IT NEED TO BE LENGTHENED TO BE REALISTIC? TWO. COMMUNICATE THE START AND END TIME EXACTLY TO YOUR ATTENDEES. IF THE MEETING IS VIRTUAL (USING TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOLS) MAKE SURE TO INDICATE THE TIME ZONE FOR THE TIME YOU INDICATED. THREE. BEFORE THE AGENDA IS PASSED OUT, LET EVERYONE ATTENDING KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP TO THE AGENDA AND ANY NEW ITEMS CAN BE TABLED FOR A LATER MEETING UNLESS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL. FOCUS IS KEY. AND A BONUS TACTIC: BRING AN EGG TIMER OR SOME OTHER ALARM. I USE THE TIMER ON MY IPHONE THAT GIVES A PLEASANT BELL TOWER GONG MELODY WHEN WE'RE FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE MEETING IS ENDING, SO WE CAN WRAP UP DISCUSSION AND DEFINE NEXT ACTIONS AND WHO THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. 

THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: STARTING AND ENDING YOUR MEETINGS ON TIME BUILDS A CULTURE OF TRUST. WHETHER IT'S A FAMILY COUNCIL ON FINANCES OR A CORPORATE BRAINSTORMING MEETING ON NEXT YEAR'S MARKETING PLAN, KEEPING MEETINGS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE IS A PRIME MEANS TO GETTING PEOPLE TO ATTEND AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED.THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: STARTING AND ENDING YOUR MEETINGS ON TIME BUILDS A CULTURE OF TRUST. WHETHER IT'S A FAMILY COUNCIL ON FINANCES OR A CORPORATE BRAINSTORMING MEETING ON NEXT YEAR'S MARKETING PLAN, KEEPING MEETINGS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE IS A PRIME MEANS TO GETTING PEOPLE TO ATTEND AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED.HERE ARE A FEW TACTICS I SUGGEST YOU TRY FOR YOUR NEXT MEETING: ONE. REVIEW THE MATERIALS TO BE COVERED IN THE AGENDA. DOES THE TIME ALLOTTED ALLOW FOR A FULL DISCUSSION OF TOPICS? CAN THE TIME BE SHORTENED OR DOES IT NEED TO BE LENGTHENED TO BE REALISTIC? TWO. COMMUNICATE THE START AND END TIME EXACTLY TO YOUR ATTENDEES. IF THE MEETING IS VIRTUAL (USING TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCING TOOLS) MAKE SURE TO INDICATE THE TIME ZONE FOR THE TIME YOU INDICATED. THREE. BEFORE THE AGENDA IS PASSED OUT, LET EVERYONE ATTENDING KNOW THAT THEY SHOULD KEEP TO THE AGENDA AND ANY NEW ITEMS CAN BE TABLED FOR A LATER MEETING UNLESS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL. FOCUS IS KEY. AND A BONUS TACTIC: BRING AN EGG TIMER OR SOME OTHER ALARM. I USE THE TIMER ON MY IPHONE THAT GIVES A PLEASANT BELL TOWER GONG MELODY WHEN WE'RE FIVE MINUTES BEFORE THE MEETING IS ENDING, SO WE CAN WRAP UP DISCUSSION AND DEFINE NEXT ACTIONS AND WHO THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE.I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. 

So much is talked about anecdotally of the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of meetings in the knowledge worker age. In this episode, we'll be kicking off a series to clear up some misnomers and begin to lay down some strong foundations for effective meetings, whether at home, at work, or in community group environments. WELCOME TO OUR FIFTH EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C USING THE HASHTAG PRODPOD. THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: MEETINGS DON'T HAVE TO BE. IT SOUNDS TRITE BUT MANY PEOPLE TODAY AVOID MEETINGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM. THEY AREN'T ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETINGS FOR THEM TO BE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE OBLIGATED AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE IN BEING PRESENT. STEP ONE OF AN EFFECTIVE MEETING BEGINS BEFORE A MEETING IS BORN: ASK THE QUESTION "WHY?" OFTEN. WHY ARE YOU BEING ASKED TO ATTEND THE MEETING? CAN YOU SAY NO TO ATTENDING AND JUST RECEIVE THE MINUTES/NOTES OF THE MEETING FOR NEXT ACTIONS OR INFORMATION THAT IS REFERENCE? STEP TWO IS TO MAKE SURE THE CRITICAL PARTIES ACTUALLY ATTEND THE MEETING BEFORE IT'S SCHEDULED. MAKE SURE THEY (AND YOU) KNOW WHAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT, THAT YOU HAVE BUY-IN TO THE MEETING OBJECTIVES BEFORE EVEN CALLING A MEETING. KNOW AND COMMUNICATE WHY YOU'RE MEETING AND WHO'S NEEDED IN THE MEETING, AND YOUR MEETINGS WILL EXPONENTIALLY INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY. THERE'S MORE TO COME IN OUR EFFECTIVE MEETING SERIES. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. 

So much is talked about anecdotally of the inefficiency and ineffectiveness of meetings in the knowledge worker age. In this episode, we'll be kicking off a series to clear up some misnomers and begin to lay down some strong foundations for effective meetings, whether at home, at work, or in community group environments.WELCOME TO OUR FIFTH EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C USING THE HASHTAG PRODPOD.THIS EPISODE'S TIP IN OUR SERIES ON EFFECTIVE MEETINGS: MEETINGS DON'T HAVE TO BE. IT SOUNDS TRITE BUT MANY PEOPLE TODAY AVOID MEETINGS BECAUSE THEY DON'T TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEM. THEY AREN'T ATTENDING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE MEETINGS FOR THEM TO BE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE OBLIGATED AND DON'T UNDERSTAND THEIR VALUE IN BEING PRESENT.STEP ONE OF AN EFFECTIVE MEETING BEGINS BEFORE A MEETING IS BORN: ASK THE QUESTION "WHY?" OFTEN. WHY ARE YOU BEING ASKED TO ATTEND THE MEETING? CAN YOU SAY NO TO ATTENDING AND JUST RECEIVE THE MINUTES/NOTES OF THE MEETING FOR NEXT ACTIONS OR INFORMATION THAT IS REFERENCE? STEP TWO IS TO MAKE SURE THE CRITICAL PARTIES ACTUALLY ATTEND THE MEETING BEFORE IT'S SCHEDULED. MAKE SURE THEY (AND YOU) KNOW WHAT THE MEETING IS ABOUT, THAT YOU HAVE BUY-IN TO THE MEETING OBJECTIVES BEFORE EVEN CALLING A MEETING.KNOW AND COMMUNICATE WHY YOU'RE MEETING AND WHO'S NEEDED IN THE MEETING, AND YOUR MEETINGS WILL EXPONENTIALLY INCREASE IN PRODUCTIVITY. THERE'S MORE TO COME IN OUR EFFECTIVE MEETING SERIES.I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. 

In our fourth episode, Ray gives us an overview of Charlie Gilkey's second part of the Special Theory of Productivity--the Principles.WELCOME TO OUR FOURTH EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C USING THE HASHTAG PRODPOD.THIS EPISODE'S TIP: THE SPECIAL THEORY OF PRODUCTIVITY, PART TWO.IN THE LAST EPISODE, I PRESENTED THE PRINCIPLES OF TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, WHICH ARE GAUGES TO RANK INDEPENDENTLY EACH OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS (PLANNING, EXECUTION AND EVALUATION). THE PRINCIPLES ARE SIMPLICITY, USEFULNESS, AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING, CONNECTEDNESS AND COHESIVENESS. SIMPLICITY REFERS TO ITS INTUITIVENESS WHEN USING YOUR SYSTEM. USEFULNESS, CHARLIE GILKEY MAINTAINS, SHOULD MAKE SURE INFORMATION IS BOTH ACTIONABLE AND USABLE; NO REASON TO GET INFORMATION YOU WON'T EVER USE OR CARE ABOUT, RIGHT? AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING IS THE PRINCIPLE OF THE OBVIOUS, SINCE PEOPLE LIKE TO USE THINGS THAT THEY'RE ATTRACTED TO NOT TURNED OFF BY. CONNECTEDNESS, I BELIEVE, IS GILKEY'S PITHY WAY OF SAYING THAT HE WANTS A PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM TO BE A RELATIONAL DATABASE (IN TECH TERMS). IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A RELATIONAL DATABASE IS, IT'S WORTH CHECKING IT OUT ON WIKIPEDIA. THE FINAL PRINCIPLE OF COHESIVENESS IS REALLY JUST AN ABILITY OF ANY GOOD RELATIONAL DATABASE, AND CHARLIE GIVES THE EXAMPLE OF MARKING A NEXT-ACTION COMPLETED AND IT UPDATES THROUGHOUT YOUR SYSTEM.WHILE DAVID ALLEN'S GTD ENLIGHTENS US TO THE SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS ON THE RUNWAY OF LIFE: "WHAT IS IT? AND, IS IT ACTIONABLE?,"THE HIGHER-LEVEL NUGGET THAT COMES OUT OF THE SPECIAL THEORY OF PRODUCTIVITY IS THE GENIUS IN ITS SIMPLICITY QUESTION: DOES YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM ENABLE YOU TO PLAN, EXECUTE AND EVALUATE?I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING!HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS.

In our fourth episode, Ray gives us an overview of Charlie Gilkey's second part of the Special Theory of Productivity--the Principles.WELCOME TO OUR FOURTH EPISODE OF PRODPOD, THE PODCAST OF PRODUCTIVITY TIPS IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS. I'M RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND I'M YOUR PRODUCTIVITY GUIDE, THE CURRENT ORGANIZER OF GETTING THINGS DONE DC MEETUP & THE FOUNDING ORGANIZER OF THE NEWLY ESTABLISHED GETTING THINGS DONE NYC MEETUP. YOU CAN FIND ME TWEETING ON TWITTER AT G T D D C AND AT G T D N Y C USING THE HASHTAG PRODPOD.THIS EPISODE'S TIP: THE SPECIAL THEORY OF PRODUCTIVITY, PART TWO. IN THE LAST EPISODE, I PRESENTED THE PRINCIPLES OF TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS, WHICH ARE GAUGES TO RANK INDEPENDENTLY EACH OF THE THREE FUNCTIONS (PLANNING, EXECUTION AND EVALUATION). THE PRINCIPLES ARE SIMPLICITY, USEFULNESS, AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING, CONNECTEDNESS AND COHESIVENESS. SIMPLICITY  REFERS TO ITS INTUITIVENESS WHEN USING YOUR SYSTEM. USEFULNESS, CHARLIE GILKEY MAINTAINS, SHOULD MAKE SURE INFORMATION IS BOTH ACTIONABLE AND USABLE; NO REASON TO GET INFORMATION YOU WON'T EVER USE OR CARE ABOUT, RIGHT? AESTHETICALLY-PLEASING IS THE PRINCIPLE OF THE OBVIOUS, SINCE PEOPLE LIKE TO USE THINGS THAT THEY'RE ATTRACTED TO NOT TURNED OFF BY. CONNECTEDNESS, I BELIEVE, IS GILKEY'S PITHY WAY OF SAYING THAT HE WANTS A PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM TO BE A RELATIONAL DATABASE (IN TECH TERMS). IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT A RELATIONAL DATABASE IS, IT'S WORTH CHECKING IT OUT ON WIKIPEDIA. THE FINAL PRINCIPLE OF COHESIVENESS IS REALLY JUST AN ABILITY OF ANY GOOD RELATIONAL DATABASE, AND CHARLIE GIVES THE EXAMPLE OF MARKING A NEXT-ACTION COMPLETED AND IT UPDATES THROUGHOUT YOUR SYSTEM.WHILE DAVID ALLEN'S GTD ENLIGHTENS US TO THE SIMPLE YET EFFECTIVE QUESTIONS ON THE RUNWAY OF LIFE: "WHAT IS IT? AND, IS IT ACTIONABLE?," THE HIGHER-LEVEL NUGGET THAT COMES OUT OF THE SPECIAL THEORY OF PRODUCTIVITY IS THE GENIUS IN ITS SIMPLICITY QUESTION: DOES YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SYSTEM ENABLE YOU TO PLAN, EXECUTE AND EVALUATE? I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE OF PRODPOD. THIS IS RAY SIDNEY-SMITH AND THANKS FOR LISTENING! HERE'S TO YOUR PRODUCTIVITY SUCCESS...IN TWO MINUTES OR LESS.