Often this week I have been reminded of the barrier of busyness. Most executives and managers I know are bound up by busyness. In no way is it exclusive to these roles however. Here are some of the tell tale signs

Problem Solving & Decision Making processes not being followed
Decisions being continually revisited
Documentation is produced in lieu of action
Meetings occur with key players absent
Meetings have no agendas
Meetings are poorly conducted
Whiteboards full
Diaries full
Inbox full
Negative body language of staff
The leadership and management relationship harmony point has not been found
Massive confusion exists between what is communication and what is information sharing
I could go on and on.

Here are a few tips to ensure you are not bound by busyness

1) Educate yourself and others that communication requires both sending and receiving and results in agreement even if it is agreeing to disagree. Information other the other hand is one way

2) Refuse to attend meetings where there is no agenda available well in advance. Don’t discuss anything not on the agenda

3) Review your effectiveness weekly, monthly and yearly

4) Set aside time each week to do nothing. I sit under a tree somewhere for 4 hours per week. It is amazing how refreshed we can feel just by doing nothing

5) Get your leadership and management balance right. For some of us it is 80% leadership and 20% management, for others the other way round, and many other combinations. Remember leadership is about people and effectiveness. Management is about systems and efficiency. Leadership is art, management science. The two must be in harmony for us to be the best we can be

6) Do not tolerate negativity in any shape or form

7) Block out a lot of space in your diary where nothing is planned. You will be astounded at how much more effective you become when your diary is no longer full

8) Work on things that are important and urgent. Forget the rest

9) Celebrate process more than outcome

10) Spend time with positive children as often as possible. They have an amazing sense of self, initiative, curiosity, creativity and wonder

Be The Best You Can Be
Ian

Ian Berry is based in Brisbane, Australia. He works internationally as a business conference and meeting speaker and advisor to business leaders, owners and directors. www.ianberry.au.com

Getting Organised for Christmas

We all want to enjoy the Christmas season and make the most of the time we have to spend with friends and family. Even as adults, the atmosphere of Christmas is still an exciting one and something we all look forward to. However, this can all go awry if we suddenly find oursleves spending the last week (perhaps even the last day) before Christmas frantically running around buying presents, groceries and getting organised for trips away.

Here are just a few tips and reminders to help you get started, so you can make the most of the time you have.

Start planning your gifts now. Write down a list of everyone you want to buy presents for and one or two choices for each person. By doing this you can now keep your eyes open, especially for any pre-Christmas sales. This way you can pick up all your gifts without the last minute rush, and also start budgeting before you start spending!

Is Christmas at your house? Plan your menu now and then divide your grocery list, depending on when you can buy eg. what can you buy in the next few weeks and store away? Which items can be bought a week or two in advance and put in the freezer? And what fresh items will you have to buy on Christmas Eve? Slot all of these items into your budget and personal diary, with room to add more items as you think of them. Also think of such things as decorations, table cloths, serviettes etc. and add them to your shopping list.

Are you going away over Christmas? Book your car in for a service now, before the mechanic is booked out by all those last minute holiday makers. Cancel the newspapers for the time you are away, and start putting away anything from around your house which may attact the holiday thieves. Who is going to clear the mailbox, water your plants and feed the pets? Arrange for family, friends or neighbours to help you out, and offer to do the same for them while they are away. Or contact a service provider whose job it is to take on all these tasks over the holiday season, and let your family and friends enjoy thier break too.

If you start organising now, writing your lists and planning out your time and budget, you will make sure you get everything done, and discover time to really enjoy Christmas this year.