How to Waste Time

Do you know how to NOT waste time? Really think about your answer first. In a culture of social media “pings” and feeling like everything has to be done NOW …. more of us actually waste time versus being productive.

The Eisenhower Box method has been tested again and again. It is the best method to use when preventing time from being wasted while boosting productivity. So, what is the Eisenhower Box method?

Basically, this method states one should separate actions based on four possibilities. The possibilities are:

Urgent and important (tasks you will do immediately).
Important, but not urgent (tasks you will schedule to do later).
Urgent, but not important (tasks you will delegate to someone else).
Neither urgent nor important (tasks that you will eliminate).

If you look at every single item that comes across your desk, iPhone, tablet, etc. and apply one of these four possibilities to it – you will not waste time. The Eisenhower Box method is all about assessing and addressing by making an immediate decision on every potential and actionable item.

For today, start apply this method and notice how much you get done and how quickly it gets done. I promise you the productivity in your life will go up and you still will have more time left at the end of the day.

Until tomorrow,

Velma Trayham

"That's Not My Job".....

Here's my "what what" moment for the day. I was recently asked to do some booking / manager stuff for a PR client. Now, if I say 'no' then I am not a team player. I'm also not paid if I say 'yes' and I am a PR person- not a booking manager. There is so much risk in me saying 'yes' or 'no' that I often don't want to make these decisions.

I don't have an exact answer for you. I can say, however, that you should use your best judgement when making these decisions. Obviously, you don't want to say 'no' and have a client cut out on you. But you don't want to offer sub-par service or cheat yourself out of money, either.

What I would tell you to do is to set-up boundaries with your clients right before they sign with you. Don't allow yourself to be put into this position right off the bat. Note in all contracts that you are setting up the Scope of Work "as is" and anything else will either be charged at a certain rate or will be referred out to a partnering company better equipped to handle the request.

I wish everything was black and white when it comes to PR services, but it isn't. These things come up and they do so often. So, set boundaries ahead of time and visit each scenario on a case-by-case basis.

Until tomorrow,

Velma Trayham

Ignoring Advice

Not all advice is good advice. Some people intentionally give you poor advice because they are jealous or want you to fail, while others simply think they are helping and are unaware their advice is bad.

How do you know when you’re getting bad advice? After all, you’re seeking out help for a reason! Well, I’ve come up with a few pointers to vetting the advice you seek.

If you know a know-it-all, don’t take advice from him or her. Really, you should take a step back and look at the person’s life and business. Are things 100% perfect and they have unlimited money and power? If not, they don’t know it all and the advice is likely to come from a place of ignorance.

Nervous Nellies. Yes, those who are way too cautious might seem to offer the right advice, but the truth hurts. Overly cautious people aren’t risk takers. You have to be a risk taker to run a business… period! Again, what has this type of person done in his or her life that makes you want to seek their advice? The reasoning should go beyond being extra careful about things.

Finally, a vested interest in your success or, more importantly, failure. If someone really wants you to go with their advice, question why they are championing it. What is in it for them? If the answer is nothing, keep seeking. You may be being set up with bad advice. There is always an angle. There is nothing wrong with someone getting something out of a deal. It is when they are not up front about this that you need to start being concerned.

Until tomorrow,

Coco the CEO

So, You Want to be A Brand!

Here’s a question for you… how do you develop your own brand on a budget? I’ve spent time on this blog discussing the ins and outs of corporate branding. However, what do you do when it is YOU who you want to brand?

I always suggest starting with knowing your demographic. Trying to be popular and in-favor with all people isn’t possible. Everyone is going to have an opinion, just ask people about Miley Cyrus. Not everyone likes her- in fact, many people hate her, but she has a brand and an empire build on her way of life and how she portrays herself as a brand. Her demographic loves her, he critics- they love her too. In fact, not liking her gives them something to write and broadcast keeping them in business. When building your brand, don’t kowtow to the harsh words of others. Instead, know your demographic and then embrace those who criticize outside of it.

Create a brand statement and stick to it. Yes, it seems silly but you do need one. You can get of course easy with tons of media and opinions coming your way. Do you really want to pivot your brand based on the opinions of others? So, keep that statement close at hand, refer to it often and keep your eye on the prize!

I have a very special branding announcement coming up soon so keep checking back.

Coco the CEO

Are You Poised?

Many of my blog readers are women. I have women ask me daily what the key to success is. These are professional women with great backgrounds in education. They’re experienced in a wide-array of industries. Yes, they’re asking me the key to success. Well, the key to success is, and will always be, poise. How you hold yourself sends a message to the world. That message is success. Even if you haven’t achieved an industry milestone noting success, holding yourself as if you already have will define who you are to the world and your peers.

To reflect poise there are three key things you must do as a woman.

First, don’t pretend to know it all. If you are unsure about something, say so. Stating you need to find out the answer and get back to the person later shows you are careful about what you say and do. It means a lot more to someone then pretending you know it all and ending up with egg on your face at a later date.

Second, understand you’re not going to like everyone and they’re not all going to like you. Get along anyway. A person with great poise remains positive about everything business despite personal preferences for people. Show class by staying positive and focusing on what is important, not political or personal differences.

Third, don’t use foul language. This sounds silly but it means a lot in the business world. Using the f-bomb takes away from your message and your poise. People will respect you a lot more if you select educated words to describe your frustration versus the f-bomb. Period!

Want to know more about looking successful before you gain actual success? I’m available to provide consultations. Just click any of the links on the right to contact me.

Coco the CEO

Organize Your Business Day!

Entrepreneurs wear many hats. We are often up before the sun rises and we tend to go to bed after midnight. It seems, at least to me, that there is never enough time in the day to accomplish everything. I often feel like I am never caught up. Do you feel this way?

Full disclosure here- this is actually how I used to feel. I made a few changes recently to help me be more productive so I can go to bed early (sometimes even sleep in) without having guilt from what I didn’t get done on my shoulders.

Here are three things I am doing to be more productive in less time right now. Jot these down because they work!

#1. Forget early morning emails. These is derail your day. Focus on what needs to be done in the morning and catch up with client phone calls and emails later on in the day.

#2. Add 30% more time to your daily tasks. I found myself often behind, and stressed as a result, because I was assuming I could get certain tasks done in an hour. What I didn’t count was trips to the bathroom, delays from prior meetings cutting into this time frame, or emergency phone calls from clients. By blocking off an additional 30% more time for specific tasks you will find yourself less stressed and not running behind that often.

#3. Eating well. We’re all guilty of snagging a bagel (or worse, fast food) for breakfast or lunch. This isn’t enough to power your genius entrepreneur brain or spirit. Take time out to eat a real meal packed with veggies, fruit and protein. You will feel better and your body will function better, allowing you to be more productive.

I know these three tips seem simple. They do work and I would encourage everyone to turn these tips into business habits!

Want more info? Download my business eBook for free by clicking here: http://www.velmacocotrayham.com/