2014 Goal Setting Archives

Do you ever look around your desk and see the mounds of work you “need” to do? Do you ever find yourself wondering what happened to the last two hours? Do you ever get lost on the internet down a rabbit hole to discover you just missed that conference call you were supposed to call into? Do you wonder how in the world you can possibly make a difference on your social media platforms when you don’t have enough time to do your “regular” work now? How am I every going to be productive with social media?

You are not alone. With all the barrage of devices and delivery methods, it is a wonder that we can focus long enough to get anything done. Add the difficult project you are not looking forward to working on and you could be lost on the internet for another two days trying to not do the one thing you need to get done!

Here are four of my favorite tricks to keep myself in the positive, productive mode:

1 – I use a timer – kitchen timer, free timer on my iPhone, meditation timer found on the internet – use anything that you can set for a specified amount of time and get to work on just one thing until it goes off. My preference is to set the timer for 14 minute blocks. Usually by the third or fourth time it goes off, I am ready for a 3-4 minute stretch. I actually stand up and stretch at my work area to get the blood (and ideas) flowing again.

2 – Focus on one thing at a time. Resist checking email, answering phone, responding to texts, etc. Anything can wait for the 14 minute block of time while the timer is going. Stay in one platform, like LinkedIn and find people you know, find groups that will help you with your business, etc. Write that blog article and nothing else until that gets done. Review and reset your Facebook ad settings and comment on business pages to help your network (hint: and then they will probably help you back).

3 – At the beginning of each work day, I organize my day by choosing 3 to 5 “priorities” to get done that day. When I find myself pulled off into another direction, as soon as I realize it, I end that diversion and get right back to my big focus point. I literally write them down on a 3 X 3 yellow (or pink) sticky note and cross them off as I accomplish them. These priorities can vary in time commitments and/or importance.

4 – Stay in the moment. Do not concern yourself with the weight of the world on your shoulders. For the 14 minutes your timer is ticking, just work on the one thing. Each day, one of those 14 minute blocks is spent in silent meditation. I find this helps me keep clearer throughout the day. I turn off sound notifications and simply close my eyes, breath quietly and try to think of nothing.

One aspect to success and being more productive with social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, etc.) is consistency. Be consistent in postings to keep communities interactive. Posting in social media accounts is part of a basic internet presence plan and this need to be done on a regular basis. Use these 4 tips to become more productive with your social media accounts.

Don’t pitch the program if you falter. Just start over. Set the timer, pick that one big focus, ignore the buzzes, rings and beeps and forge onward!

Priorities-Blog — Remember to focus on your priorities when you want to be more productive with social media. Use these 4 tricks to stay more productive.

LinkedIn is considered the social networking website for professional people in all occupations and industries. And there is a difference in personal and professional networking! LinkedIn helps move your networking efforts into a strong community of professional contacts. Putting LinkedIn to use extends your current network into that of trusted contacts. Try out some of these tips and see how your professional connections grow!

Tip #1 – Use a picture. People will remember you much more if they can see what you look like on your LinkedIn profile. The picture will be used on your posts. We are a society that gets 93% of its verbal cues from body language. I realize a picture doesn’t move, but it helps your contact or future LinkedIn connection to recognize you. Use a current, professional picture.

Tip #2 – Use the status – This is the place to add links that could inform your network of important industry trends or notify your connections about an award your department received. This is a great place to indicate to those around you that you are engaged and active. You connections do want to be informed of your progress and accomplishments.

Tip #3 – When making a connection, make it personal. Don’t just hit “connect”. Take the time to put a thoughtful sentence or two directed specifically at the person to whom you are requesting a connection. Then, when you get the connection, thank that person for the connection. Then you are off to a good start in actually professionally networking with your new contact.

Tip #4 – Compete the Summary – this is where you can add anything you want to tell a compelling and interest story of yourself and you career. Use the keywords that are hot buttons for you and talk about your accomplishments and how you deliver value to your clients and/or colleagues.

Tip #5 – Security/Privacy Settings – Click on “Privacy & Settings” and browse around in this area. Find this by hovering over you photo at the top right and a drop down menu will show you options. Take about 10 or 15 minutes to browse this area to see what others can see and what they cannot. Make your choices about what you want your public profile to look like and what others searching your profile and network to see.

Bonus LinkedIn experience tips: LinkedIn has a ton of information being passed around just like the rest of the social media platforms. Much of it is valuable, helpful information. Once you get your profile set up, you can join groups which are specific to your industry or interest. Don’t be shy, make a comment on one of the groups. You can also “follow” companies to keep current with a client, competitor or future employer.