THIRTY WONDERFUL WAYS TO CONTROL YOUR LIFE!

1. THIRTY WONDERFUL WAYS TO CONTROLYOUR LIFE!

2. 1) ENJOY THE TIME OFF! Never fret, worry, or fume about "waiting" for anything. Consider the extra minutes an absolute gift that may be used to pursue activities you enjoy (such as reading a newspaper, sipping a cup of coffee, or working on your "TO DO" list).

3. 2) HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! Make a list of every Birthday, Anniversary, Graduation Date, Holiday, and Special Event that is important to you and put them on one computer list that may be easily updated. Write each date on your calendar the week you buy your new calendar (or ask your assistant to do it). If you plan to send a gift, also schedule the time to buy the gift and mail the gift on your calendar.

4. 3) YOU ARE SPECIAL! Take advantage of computer “mail-merge” capabilities to keep in contact with friends and colleagues. Personalize letters but use a consistent body of text as appropriate.

5. 4) WAY TO GO! Send Thank-You Notes and Congratulations notes as a way of showing appreciation, nurturing subordinates, encouraging cooperation, and sharing credit. As one smart team-player notes, “It‘s amazing how much may be accomplished when we don’t care who gets the credit.”

6. 5) TEAMWORK PAYS OFF! When assembling committees, consider a strategist, a creative thinker, a financial wizard, and a “can do” facilitator to get things done.

7. 6) MESSAGE TIME?! Avoid stressful situations prior to important meetings or work sessions. Schedule aggravating situations and people at times that are best for you (and schedule time after the session to unwind and regain perspective). For example, don't review budget cuts, sexual harassment litigation, and workers compensation claims just prior to a Board meeting or a speech to the Rotary Club.

8. 7) STAY FIT FOR LIFE! Reduce stress by exercising regularly, playing soothing music to drown out office distractions, dressing comfortably, and taking a break from the grind.

9. 8) A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE … PLEASE! Ask yourself:What will matter most to me, my family, and/or my colleagues a week from now? At the end of the year?

10. 9) THIS REALLY IS IMPORTANT WORK! Consider ethical "codes" when scheduling on your calendar. For example,”stress reduction management” could serve as a calendar listing for a basketball game, a picnic on the beach, a mid-afternoon nap, time to finish a new play from Methuen Drama, “Professional Development Hour” could be a code for listening to your favorite symphony or watching an important opera on video. “Long Range Planning” provides the time and opportunity to read the latest journals and articles that shape your planning and learning process. The strategy is that an individual perusing your calendar will be more likely to barge in on your reading or attempt to usurp your picnic than bother your "Stress Reduction" or "Artistic Planning" sessions.

11. 10) LEAD BY EXAMPLE! Demand ethical standards and make sure you set the pace in the way you treat co-workers, Board members, and janitorial staff.

12. 11) THOSE DANG DILEMMAS When faced with a difficult dilemma or confusing ethical decision, ask yourself: Is it legal? Is it fair? Does it fall within the guidelines of my institution? How would I feel if my decision were printed on the front page of my hometown newspaper or someone’s Facebook page tomorrow morning.

13. 12) PICK UP THE PHONE AND TALK TO ME! Surround yourself with positive thinking, competent people. Here's a test:Call your office. How many rings before someone picks up? Does the individual who answers represent the professional image you want for your office? Does the person take careful messages? Is anyone even answering the phones or do you have an oftentimes frustrating voice-mail system or poorly functioning answering machine? How can you be well organized if those individuals who represent you aren't well trained and organized?

14. 13) WAY TO GO… AND YOU’RE FIRED? A leadership and team-building tip--help your company and staff build their personnel files and feel better about their work by sending short notes of congratulations or a thank you on behalf of your institution. Put good news in writing…

15. 14) READ THE NEWSPAPER & FUNDRAISE! A leadership and community outreach tip. Scan (or ask your assistant to scan) business publications and local newspapers and send notes of congratulations to people who have been promoted, honored, or otherwise recognized. One never knows when you will be sitting on a Chamber of Commerce committee or Community Board with another leader from your City. How does this save time and help you control your life? It's amazing how outreach creates and solidifies allies that can help you cut red tape and save valuable time in planning and committee work. It's also a very small world, and someone you congratulate today, will most likely be on your fundraising list next year.

16. 15) LEAVE MY FAMILY ALONE! Instead of asking yourself, “Is it fair or appropriate for me to assertively end this non-productive meeting or cut-off this rambling, inconsiderate individual who pushed their way into my office?,”ask yourself: “Is it fair for me to deprive my children of their mother/father, my spouse of my companionship, or my institution of this crucial planning time because of this individual’s lack of foresight or planning?“

17. 16) WRITE IT DOWN, OR JUST FORGET IT! Let those closest to you (Spouse, Children, Faculty, Staff, etc.) know that you need key tasks and requests in writing--even scribbled on a "post-it" note. This saves you from forgetting, dealing with guilt, and facing the wrath of others when you forget hasty requests screamed over balconies, on your way to work, in the hallways, when pulling out of the driveway, etc.

18. 17) WATCH WHERE YOU GRAB ME! Remind individuals who "grab you in hallways" that personal matters and personnel issues should be discussed behind closed doors and not in front of other staff and the world at large.

19. 18) DON’T PUT YOUR CLOTHES ON, JUST PULL THEM OUT! Begin your morning the evening before. Pack up everything you need to take to work and put it in the same place each night. Pull out your clothes the night before and consider a programmable coffee-maker.

20. 19) JUST FILE IT UNDER “T” FOR “TRASH” Experts insist we spend 20-30% of our time looking for things. Toss out clothes you haven't worn in the last year, store everything in your desk that you haven't used in the past year, sift-out files that are no longer necessary and move them out of your office (preferably into a garbage can)!

21. 20) BUT I SPENT 88 HOURS ON THIS PRESS RELEASE! Work smarter, not harder. Remember that results count--not the time you spend on a project.

22. 21) WELCOME AND GET OUT NOW! When interrupted in the office, do a half-standing, uncomfortable looking crouch in front of your desk, and ask, “What can I do for you?” Don't remain seated with a friendly smile--it's an invitation for the other party to sit down.

23. 22) WHY AM I TALKING TO YOU? When you inadvertently end up on the phone with someone you have no interest in talking to, let them speak for a moment and quickly let them know you are “in the middle of a project” or “surrounded by people” and ask for their number so someone may return their call. Then delegate it.A ruthless approach recently suggested by Working Woman: “Let the person talk for a minute or two. Then, when you‘re in mid-sentence, hit the disconnect button. No one thinks you would hang up on him when you are talking. If the person calls back, have your assistant say you have just taken another call.”

24. 23) MAKE MEMOS COUNT! When writing memos, place your main point before your rationale, unless you feel your reader will disagree with you or your reader lacks understanding of the issue and you need to offer an explanation first. If you desire a response or a course of action, be specific and set a deadline. Never commit to a letter or memo items that should be discussed face-to-face.

25. 24) BOO! YOUR LETTERS ARE HAUNTING YOU AGAIN! Letters, texts, emails and memos should be used to confirm new plans or policy, not to surprise, irritate or announce a new policy. Consider the consequences of the letters you write and understand that they may come back to haunt you.

26. 25) WE ARE SO GOOD! Use an “Annual Report” to list your institution's success stories, achievements, and progress. Being proactive enhances your image and saves valuable time defending your programs later. It also allows your staff an opportunity to share their accomplishments and communicate their ideas and concerns with you. Keep it simple: short paragraphs and lists or few people will ever read it. A personal “Annual Report” detailing your own achievements for your direct supervisor positions you more effectively for merit increases and future contract negotiations.

27. 26) WHAT WOULD YOU DO? Always approach your supervisor with solutions, as well as the problem. Ask those who report to you to do the same.

28. 27) HERE’S WHAT I WANT FROM YOU! PLEASE? Executives who bring out the best in people treat their company members and employees with respect and dignity while communicating clear cut expectations.

29. 28) AND YOU THINK YOU HAVE STORAGE PROBLEMS NOW? Take a world view and plan ahead. Stockpile birthday and Christmas/Hanukkah/Holiday presents in an empty closet, have generic greeting cards on hand, call stores and businesses before driving across town to find out they are closed and stock up on groceries and office items you use a lot to save seemingly endless shopping trips. Use your assistant or a mail-house to wrap and send mail and packages..

30. 29) COULD YOU REPEAT THAT? Listen carefully! Time, energy, and massive frustration (for you and others may be saved if you pay attention the first time. For example, have a pencil in hand when listening to telephone messages so you don't have to listen to the entire message just to retrieve the phone number. Writing down travel instructions will save you from missing appointment times or having to stop and call for new directions .

31. 30) DON’T YOU DARE KNOCK ON MY DOOR! Put a sign on your door that says: “In Conference,”“Timely Work Session” or “Available 1- 2pm Today” to discourage interruptions.