Extreme Productivity by Robert C. Pozen- A summary (Part 3)

Let all beings be happy; Let all beings be peaceful; Let all beings be blissful

Reading Effectively

Reading Audit

List all the resources that you read regularly. Assess the purpose of reading. Note your attention level while reading and check if your attention wanders or you get distracted by other things. Next, estimate how much time you spend on each resource and does the spent time matches your goals of daily or weekly reading?

Active Reading

1. Grasp the structure: Beginning, end and headlines
2. Read introduction and conclusion: To understand the theme of article. Understand key ideas and takeaways
3. Skim the tops of the paragraphs: active skimming allows you to zero in on what’s most important to you and skip the rest. This allows more attention and brain space to part of the text that is more important

• Take extra time if content is new to you.
• After reading every top sentence, decide whether it is worth your time to read the rest of the paragraph. If you read the rest, will you learn significantly more than you already know by then?

?Actively remembering

• Think about your purpose of reading before and during your review of material. Think about what you want to remember during, and after you review the material.
• Distill what you want to remember into a few key points relevant to your purpose of reading
• Capture key ideas, facts in form of a short summary

Evaluating- Critical thinking of the summary, and utility as it relates to your purpose

Writing Effectively

Assess the purpose of writing: Inform, lead and/or persuade

Plan: formulate a rough plan for entire piece before you actually start writing

• Brainstorm: Gather thoughts and ideas
• Categorize: Organize ideas into categories and sub-categories
• Outline: Arrange ideas into logical order

Translate: Write the piece

Revise: Edit, delete, adjust

Structure

Introduction

• Provide reader with context (why should reader care)
• State main theme of the author
• Explain the organization of the writing

Body paragraphs

• Divide body with headings or subtitles to show the structure of the document
• Start each paragraph with a topic sentence so readers can easily read off the tops of the paragraphs

Use summaries and conclusion: Condensed repetition of main points and lessons, recommend further action steps or research

Essentials for writing good sentences

• Effective and concise language- Write short sentences. Favor clarity and accuracy
• Active voice: Tell the reader exactly who is doing or saying what
• Show clear relationships-use adverb connections like since, because, after, before, however, nonetheless
• Accurate words
• Flawless spelling and grammar- spelling error conveys laziness

Speaking Effectively

Speaking to an audience is an emotional experience more than intellectual experience

Preparing for a speech

Know your audience- Who they are? Why they are attending? What they care about?

Structure your speech

Introduction, body and conclusion

Introduction: Who you are, opening remarks, thanks, joke or story, set the mood. Relevance or importance of speech, provide a roadmap or agenda

• Use gestures and tones
• Add strategic pauses
• End with emotional crescendo and call to action
• Provide takeaways
• Thank the audience

Rehearse your speech

• Loud
• Several times
• Record

Script or no script is a personal preference. Avoid burying your head in the script during the speech.

Day of speech

• Getting ready: Review agenda and list of attendees
• Practice out loud
• Adjust based on new information
• Reach venue early, test equipment (mic, clicker, slides)
• Avoid soda/fizzy drinks

Dealing with nerves

• ‘There are two types of speakers-those that are nervous and those that are liars.’- Mark Twain
• Take deep breaths before the speech, stretch. Practice creative visualization as part of the preparation. Practice, practice and practice.

Giving the speech

• Set the tone
• Engage audience- convert passive listeners into active listeners
• Use poll, question or move around in room (if possible)

After presentation

• Leave time for Q&A
• Repeat question if needed or if need to buy time
• Acknowledge
• Leave time for closing remarks

Reflect on the speech

• Watch a recording if available
• Obtain audience feedback-reach out personally for candid feedback