The Secret to Peak Productivity

The Secret to Peak Productivity

by Tamara Myles
Released February 2014
Publisher(s): AMACOM
ISBN: 9780814433867

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Book description

In this constantly-connected, do-more-with-less world, being able to increase your productivity is a real advantage. Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) and productivity expert Tamara Myles has developed a simple model—the Productivity Pyramid—which provides an actionable framework for anyone to achieve better results. Based on a sequence of steps leading to peak performance, the author’s easily adapt able system consists of five levels: • Physical Organization: from decluttering to filing—fool-proof strategies for handling incoming papers and ensuring information remains accessible • Electronic Organization: from dealing with email to electronic file management options such as cloud computing • Time Management: mastering the three P’s—Plan, Prioritize, and Perform • Activity-Goal Alignment: breaking objectives into specific, relevant, and measurable daily tasks • Possibility: identifying new life and business goals that will help you reach your greatest potential Since no single solution will work for everyone, The Secret to Peak Productivity helps you tailor your own personal plan. First, a quick assessment determines your strengths and weaknesses and pinpoints where to focus for immediate results. Then, as you reach each productivity level, you will find a range of potential strategies—allowing you to choose the ones that are right for you for truly remarkable results.

Table of contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Contents
  6. Acknowledgments
  7. 1. Steps To Productivity
    1. Maslow’s Pyramid
    2. The Peak Productivity Pyramid
    3. The Challenge of Change
    4. Climbing the Peak Productivity Pyramid Levels
    5. Productivity Pointers
  8. 2. Where To Start
    1. Peak Productivity Pyramid Assessment
    2. Scoring Your Assessment
      1. Level 1: Physical Organization
      2. Level 2: Electronic Organization
      3. Level 3: Time Management
      4. Level 4: Activity-Goal Alignment
      5. Level 5: Possibility
    3. Productivity Pointers
  9. 3. Level 1: Physical Organization
    1. Why Clearing the Clutter Matters
    2. Getting Rid of Clutter
      1. To Toss
      2. To Do
      3. To Keep
    3. April’s Story
    4. Using the Three To’s of Sorting
    5. Filing Options
    6. Adam’s Story
    7. More on Filing
    8. John’s Story
    9. Advanced Techniques
    10. Grace’s Story
    11. Margaret’s Story
    12. Productivity Pointers
  10. 4. Level 2: Electronic Organization
    1. Seven Warning Signs
    2. Electronic Files
    3. A, B, C’s of E-Mail Processing
      1. Access
      2. Batch
      3. Check
      4. Delete
      5. Execute
      6. File
    4. Backing Up Your Files
    5. The Future of Electronic Management
    6. Productivity Pointers
  11. 5. Level 3: Time Management
    1. Three P’s of Time Management
    2. Defining Time Management
      1. Importance
      2. Choice Management
    3. Productivity Pointers
  12. 6. Plan
    1. Write Down Everything
    2. Four Decision Categories
    3. Beth’s Story
    4. Using Calendars
    5. One Life, One System
    6. Paper Planner
    7. Tracking Tasks Your Way
    8. Productivity Pointers
  13. 7. Prioritize
    1. Prioritizing with Urgent and Important
      1. Box 1: Important and Urgent
      2. Box 2: Important and Not Urgent
      3. Box 3: Not Important and Urgent
      4. Box 4: Not Important and Not Urgent
    2. Productivity Pointers
  14. 8. Perform
    1. Perfectionism
    2. Overcoming Procrastination
    3. Time Wasters
      1. Multitasking
      2. Interruptions
    4. Stealing Time
    5. Productivity Pointers
  15. 9. Level 4: Activity-Goal Alignment
    1. Life-Changing Skills
    2. Why Goals Are Important
    3. Reacting Rather Than Planning
    4. Developing Your Vision
    5. SMART Goals
    6. Six Steps to Goal Setting
      1. Step 1: Commit
      2. Step 2: Understand
      3. Step 3: Create Goals
      4. Step 4: Break Down into Tasks
      5. Step 5: Schedule
      6. Step 6: Assess and Reassess
    7. Productivity Pointers
  16. 10. Paving The Way To Possibility
    1. Discipline
      1. Resources
    2. Attitude
      1. Resources
    3. Health
      1. Resources
    4. Holistic Time Management
      1. Resources
    5. Productivity Pointers
  17. 11. Level 5: Possibility
    1. Maslow and Self-Actualization
    2. Early Influences
    3. Alternate Reality
    4. The Five E’s of Possibility
      1. Enjoy
      2. Engage
      3. Enable
      4. Evolve
      5. Explore
    5. Possibility Goals in Mind
    6. Productivity Pointers
  18. 12. Power Office
    1. Organize Your Work Areas
      1. Uncluttered Surfaces
      2. Designated Areas
      3. Backup Systems and Storage
      4. Work Area Efficiency
      5. Folder Systems and Files
    2. Streamline Processes and Systems
    3. Plan and Align Goals and Activities
      1. Plan Tasks
      2. Schedule Activities
      3. Manage E-Mail
    4. Operate from the Power Position
    5. Possibility for the Power Office
    6. Productivity Pointers
  19. 13. Hiring A Productivity Consultant
    1. Hiring Attributes
      1. Attribute 1: Empathy
      2. Attribute 2: Honesty
      3. Attribute 3: Assessing
      4. Attribute 4: Questioning
      5. Attribute 5: A Good Listener
      6. Attribute 6: Experienced
      7. Attribute 7: Specific to Your Needs
      8. Attribute 8: Well Versed in Different Systems
      9. Attribute 9: Flexible
      10. Attribute 10: Simplifying
      11. Attribute 11: Clear Business Policies
      12. Attribute 12: Professional
    2. Interview Questions to Ask
    3. Certified Professional Organizers (CPOs)
    4. References and Referrals
    5. Resources to Find Consultants
    6. Productivity Pointers
  20. 14. Case Study: John Allaire
    1. When the Bubble Burst
    2. Stepping Up the Peak Productivity Pyramid
  21. Afterword
  22. About the Author
  23. Notes
  24. Index
  25. Free Sample Chapter from Into the Storm by Dennis Perkins and Jillian Murphy

Product information

  • Title: The Secret to Peak Productivity
  • Author(s): Tamara Myles
  • Release date: February 2014
  • Publisher(s): AMACOM
  • ISBN: 9780814433867