Best Read Friday - Overworked, Underpaid, Overpressured

SCURRYING TO THE NEXT TASK...

Overworked, underpaid, and overly scrutinized!  This describes most people under pressure of tight deadlines and demands for high performance in their profession.  They have lots of work with a little amount of time to complete it and have the extra pressure of accuracy before completion.  But how does one use time wisely to manage it all and still achieve with a measure of confidence?  Use specific time management skills that will compartmentalize the time from the most important to the least important jobs. 

Check out this Yahoo business article that explains how time spent can be more productive.

Read more »

Posted in: employment stress,program management,project management,stress,stress management,Temeko Richardson,Time,Time management,time.com

When Being Smart Leads to More Work

SMART IS NOT ALWAYS COOL...

From childhood to college, it was always, or at least should have been, a desire to be perceived as intelligent - the one with the correct answers on the test, the A average, the one with the most scholarships, and the one that everyone went to for their academic needs.  Fast forward to adult careers, being smart is not so cool if you want a life because everyone will start dumping their work on you.

So here's three tips on keeping the intelligence but becoming smarter on how tasks are assigned to you:
1)  Intelligence affords a certain level of procrastination but don't let them know.  What takes the average person a month can take a smart person a couple of days or even hours.  That's why you are labeled smart and they are labeled - not so smart.  The time it actually takes you to complete your assignments is YOUR business ONLY.  Don't brag about it because it will encourage others to slack and give you their work.   Accomplish gracefully and silently.
2)  Selfishness is warranted when you are the star performer.  Identify what you get out of completing it.  It is not about getting the credit of making it happen but determine if there is some moral satisfaction, sanity justification, or monetary incentive that is worth making the investment to complete this assignment and hence picking up the slack for someone else.
3)  Taking one for the team is not always good for the team.  It should come as no surprise who the biggest complainers and least performing persons are on the team.  These are the people that normally have a lot to say but the least amount of knowledge.  Doing their work or continuing to work with them in a capacity that builds them up keeps them around. This is definitely not a good thing for the organization or the people that have to deal with the individual.
4)  If you perceive your time as important, others will too.  Estimate what time is needed to handle your own tasks coupled with the time to address personal needs and the time needed to dedicate time to making your dreams come to fruition.  Calculate the minimum time it will take rather than the buffered time of taking on someone else's task.  It should not cut into the time needed for you to take care of YOU - the total package.

You have worked hard all your life and now it is time to work smart.  Pass along assignments that take time away from your dreams and aspirations or professionally completing your work.  Being a team player also means understanding when to hold back to make the team work harder to become more effective.  This is what being smart is really all about!

Read more »

Posted in: being smart,program management,project management,Temeko Richardson,Time,Time management

Best Read Friday - Time Is Money So Delegate Wisely

Time is Money...

The old cliche that time is money stands out for any entrepreneur or gainfully employed person who plans to moonlight to change careers. It resonates more with vendors who charge for services rendered like athletic training, spa treatments, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC needs.  The longer they are on the job, the more money made.  Therefore, the more they are away from the job or commuting, the less money they make.

Correct.  No one does it better than you. However you are the only one who can save you.

This article identifies when to acknowledge that time is not on your side and help is needed.  It outlines when to outsource to free up time to handle other responsibilities and enjoy life's most precious moments.

For more information like this, check out the YouTube channel and the video excerpt on Subcontracting and Delegating without Losing Control.

Read more »

Posted in: business expert,business planning,career change,Delegate,Entrepreneurship,Temeko Richardson,The RLC Group,Time,Time management,time.com

Best Read Friday - Entrepreneurs Rise Early and Shine

SUNRISE FOR BUSINESS WISE...

There is a reason entrepreneurs have a daily ritual of getting up early and starting the day.  They get ahead of the busy schedules and the time demands of meetings.  Just like breakfast is the most important meal of the day so is organizing the day and getting a headstart on deadlines for business owners.

Check out this article on how to build up the stamina to be the morning person that is successful as a business owner by rising early to shine.  http://bit.ly/12ZdTU2

Read more »

Posted in: Entrepreneurship,small business expert,Temeko Richardson,Time,Time management,work-life balance

Best Read Friday - Not Too Sure About Your Business Idea?

Start Off Small to Get Big! 

Don't just be excited about your business idea; think about it clearly and how it will translate into dollars.  Unless you are running a nonprofit organization, if it does not make dollars, it won't make sense.  Read this short article for things to think about before you launch the idea of the century.  http://bit.ly/YMdf3G

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue

 
For more guidance after you have launched the business, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

Read more »

Posted in: Entrepreneurship,Get A Clue,New Career,Time,Timeout

Are You Techno Savvy Enough?

THE COMPUTER IS NO LONGER ENOUGH

Whether your workplace is a corporate setting, academia, or your own business, having a grasp on technology is a must.  Interoffice mail and the United States Postal Service is a thing nearing the past.  If it is not electronic, it is too time-consuming.  No longer are the days where you check emails once a week and expect for your peers, management, customers, or vendors to be satisfied.   You don't have to purchase every new electronic device but are some key ones that can increase your techno savviness.

1)  Make sure you have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone to reply to emails at a specific time of the day.  This does not have to be the latest iPhone or tablet.  If you do not want to be perceived as easily accessible, do not associate a tablet or smartphone to the company's email system.  Use the company laptop.  If you want to consistently be interrupted throughout the day to feel important, set the stage that text messages and emails will be answered after or before meetings only.
2)  Be Your Own Hotspot.  Never rely solely on public Internet access to handle your work.  There will be times where it is against corporate policy to use free Internet access to VPN into the corporate network.  There may also be times that you are traveling and are required to locate that important document or create some deliverable on the company network.  All of the major wireless carriers offer hotspot devices for a monthly charge.  Clear offers the cheapest plan to date with no data download limitations.
3)  Remain Portable.  Never leave home without an external hard drive that is portable on a key chain or as a "passport" device.  There is no need to only store documents on a corporate network.  Save them on a portable drive that can be used on both MAC and PCs.  This is definitely where all of your personal documents should go as well.  WD and Seagate are two of the most frequently used ones that do not require formatting to use on both MAC and PCs.

It does not take much to be techno savvy so start today!

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue

For more guidance on starting a business or maneuvering through work with an executive mind, download the ebook, Get A Clue - 10 Steps to an Executive IQ today.
Amazon - http://amzn.to/Ybf7Ca
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/YbfjkD  

Read more »

Posted in: productivity,technology,Time,work-life balance

Video Series - Laid Back in the Home Office?

Relax Or Be Professional?

There are savings and expenses to working from home. When does it professionally cost your business or exhaust your productivity?  

You decide after watching this video.

http://bit.ly/10MjOJh




Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue
 

Read more »

Posted in: Entrepreneurship,productivity,Temeko Richardson,Time,Time management

Best Read Friday - Delegate Before Its Too Late

Learn To Let Go For Success

Read this article on learning how to delegate to make your career and life as an entrepreneur easier...Bit.ly/Ujcwpl








Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue
 

Read more »

Posted in: Delegate,Growth Opportunity,management consulting,Temeko Richardson,Time,Work

Time Is Of The Essence

One important gem that cannot be returned or rediscovered is time.  No matter what Fountain of Youth is visited or Hollywood surgery undergone, the fact still remains that time stands still for no one.  The easiest way to engage and pique interest in business leaders' minds is by maximizing each moment and minimizing downtime.

Here are the three most important traits of great leaders:

1. Punctuality - If there is a meeting, these people are early because being on time is late.  If they are not on time, they are apologetic to those that were waiting.
2. Solid Deadlines - They give time frames in which they expect work to be done.  They go to the end to make sure they meet others' deadlines.  If they will not meet a deadline, they provide advance notice.
3. Tight personal circle - Great leaders do not allow many people in their circles because they do not have time to waste on negative energy, stagnant thinkers, dream thrashers, and "users and abusers".  It stifles their creativity.

Evaluate whether an unappreciative mindset of time is holding you back from the best possible deal of your life.  Try changing these traits for the next 30 days and watch the respect pour.

Follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/temekoruns
Like on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/execgetaclue

Read more »

Posted in: Essence,essence.com,Temeko Richardson,Time,time.com