p.s. Love you Ella

I like babies. I don't like other people's babies, but I like my own. In this case, I really like my granddaughter Ella. One year old, cute as a button, she watches to see if I'm up for anything silly. Having raised three daughters, I still have a good inventory of silly, so she's never disappointed. We play peek-a-boo, make faces, clap hands, share food, and she plays along. It's pretty cool.

Here's why I'm writing this. My granddaughter plays as long as I'm responding, if I stop, she gets bored. As long as she gets feedback, the games continue. If I shut down, ignore her, she may try once or twice to reactivate the game, but eventually will go about her own business. At age one, her business consists largely of bringing all room contents down to floor level. It's a big job because we have some big rooms.

Kids grow up, go to school, enter the work force and guess what, - they still do the same thing. They play with those who respond, they ignore those who don't respond. Manage your time better, be selective and respond to those things which drive your agenda. Not all emails deserve answers. Not all conversations need your input, and not all phone calls need to be returned that day. Not all Facebook silliness needs a silly reply this minute. Twitter, - that doesn't even deserve a mention. LinkedIn, - there's a child's toy masquerading as a grownup tool. Guard your time, there's a million babies who want to play, who want your time.

1. Respond to things which drive your agenda, not the other guys.
2. Some conversations just aren't necessary.
3. Do what's right, do what's next.
4. It's ok, to say "no" and not have a reason. It's one of the perks of growing up.
5. Clean up your workspace, put everything out of sight, filed, etc.. Work from a plan, a deliberate agenda.
6. Instead of prioritizing, make a list that represents a productive day. A list that says, if I did these five things today, it will be a good day!
7. Work has three sizes. Skimpy, correct, and overbuild. Do it just right. No more, no less and move on. But do make sure it's just right.
8. Measuring is how we stay in touch with reality. Besides measuring we have stories. Measuring is better.

If you don't respond to a baby, they leave you alone. If you don't respond in the workplace, they leave you alone. To focus, to move your work forward, sometimes you have tune out all the babies that want your attention. I admit babies are a lot of fun, but take my word, - you won't get any work done once you say yes to a cute baby!

See you in September, subject isAbsenteeism, Attendance Management and sick news that 60% of all sick days are not taken by sick people! (click for Attendance Management brochure)

See you for breakfast,
Wolfgang

p.s. B2B Sales process engineering is being repeated in Richmond in October. Ask Rachel for details. Click through for brochure here.

p.s. Love you Ella