5 Daily Tactics.

Daily Checklist I have an appointment each morning. It's my daily checklist. Reminds me to do what I intend to do and not just start looking at email. I set outlook to open on my calendar and not my inbox. Here's a sample: Morning Pep Talk. It's a link to a google doc containing a commercial by me and about me. It's a over the top and ridiculous, and it helps get me going. 10 min meditation on "How to do my job better?". Review my Project list Review my calendar for the week - do I need to prep for anything. Do I have a Two-do list? What's the two things I need to get done today? Scan my Important, Not-urgent list (thank you Steven Covey) Triage email -- don't bother sorting everything, just pick out emergencies. Look at tasks in Outlook Review sales numbers Environmental Enrichment When I was selling cars back in the 90s, I shared an office with a depressing guy. He showed up late to work, left early and complained about management the whole time he sat at the desk. He would figure out how many hours he worked, divide by the little commission he made, and whine that he was paid less than minimal wage. Try as I might he wore me down. His negative attitude was poisonous, and the day he was fired my stats started to improve. I was like an animal at the zoo. With a gloomy environment, I paced back and forth in my cage with a distant, blank stare. I've learned over time that Environmental Enrichment is required. What can you do to help you immediate surroundings? Keep your area clean? Bring in some flowers? Kid's art work? Maybe aroma therapy? Favorite saying on a poster. Move your desk, so you aren't engage in conversation with anyone that walks by. You can find ways to make improvements, even if they are very small. Playlist No negative music. Depressing, dark music is great if you are Batman, but it doesn't help sell anything. Scrub your playlist and have only your favorite tunes. Why me commercial I mentioned this above in my daily checklist. I have a short word doc that shouts from the rooftops why I am the best choice for the job. It's only meant for me, and it would be embarrassing if it got out, but I have to admit that it helps. I can't help but smile and feel like I have an important job to do. 10 min to make my job better This one has been surprising. So simple and powerful. It helps me focus on what I need to do most and forces me to define my job. If you want to get better at your job, you first need to really understand what your job is. Not what your title might suggest, but what do you actually do? What tips do you use? thanks, g