Productivity Beyond the Desk
Haydan Firth
Fractional Head of People | Executive and Leadership Coach | Wellbeing Expert | Workshop Facilitator
Hello and welcome to a new week!
Two things before I get into the main body of this email…
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Firstly, thank you all so much for all of your awesome responses off the back of last weeks email!?
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It definitely seemed to resonate with most people and I had some lovely feedback which is hugely appreciated! (And just incase you're wondering, the parking wars continue!)
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Secondly, I truly believe that this newsletter is massively under subscribed, and that's not me being arrogant, but feeling confident from the feedback I get.?
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So my ask is that if you enjoy this newsletter, please share it with someone else who you think would like it!
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Thanks in advance.
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Anyway, onto this weeks insights, lessons, or whatever it is that falls out of my brain and onto my keyboard this week.
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I want to start with something that I've realised is NOT the definition of working, and that is sitting at the desk all day staring at the computer screen.
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If you're anything like me, during those days where you aren't sure what to focus on, have a lack of focus and motivation, but still want to feel productive, you take it upon yourself to simply sit at your desk all day and tell yourself that you've got good intentions and that's good enough.
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I do this all the time, and the reality is that it's not productive at all.
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Off the back of this insight, I started thinking about things that don't feel like work, but actually are, and here is the list I came up with:
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I feel like this list could go on, but hopefully you get the gist of it.
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I often feel guilty when I'm doing any of these activities, for example I feel like I'm bunking off work by meeting someone for a coffee, despite the fact we usually share ideas and I come away feeling super inspired.
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I definitely feel like this when I go for a walk in the middle of the day, but the reality is it acts as a brilliant reset, it creates some quiet in my mind which is usually where my good ideas come from, and I'm always more productive when I get back.
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Even the future planning work, this idea of working on your business and not just in it, it's so so valuable as it helps you get your ducks in a row, reprioritise and feel connected to the bigger vision which is hugely motivating.
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I know this will be different for everyone, but what I really want people to take away from this email is the idea that lots of different things contribute to your work, and it's likely you'll need to take a step away from the day to day computer stuff fairly regularly to really get things moving forward.
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It's a really useful exercise to make a list of the things you do that aren't the reactive tasks your work requires, and see if you can start scheduling some of these things in.
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It's things like reading that are so valuable, but no one would ever do at work, and what I would argue is that I believe everyone is a leadership or management position should be reading some sort of leadership book, and a few pages a day during working hours is a solid investment in my eyes.
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What will you do more of and feel less guilty about off the back of this email?
领英推荐
Quote for the week
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"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it."
- Charles Buxton
Recommendation
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The Power of Now
By Eckhart Tolle
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'To make the journey into The Power of Now we will need to leave our analytical mind and its false created self, the ego, behind. Although the journey is challenging, Eckhart Tolle offers simple language and a question and answer format to show us how to silence our thoughts and create a liberated life.
Surrender to the present moment, where problems do not exist. It is here we find our joy, are able to embrace our true selves and discover that we are already complete and perfect. If we are able to be fully present and take each step in the Now we will be opening ourselves to the transforming experience of The Power of Now.'
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I have had this book for years, and I'm embarrassed to say that after a few failed attempts, this is the first time I've properly got into reading it.
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The reason it's so relevant for me now is because I am feeling super disconnected to my spiritual side, and it's because I'm stressed and drowning in the world of running a business.
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This book is slowly connecting me back to a much lighter and more present version of myself and I'm learning lots along the way.
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This books is super simple to read and comes highly recommended by Oprah, so if you're looking for your next read and a chance to become enlightened, this could be the one for you.
Life Hack
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Solutions not Problems
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This isn't really a life hack, but it is a theme that I've seen coming up time and time again.
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Wether this is with your family, your partner, or at work, becoming someone who is solution focused will make life so much easier.
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The issue with being someone who only every presents problems is that you come across as lazy, you cause other people issues, it's annoying, and you're at risk to damaging relationships.
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Remember, it's not about coming up with the perfect solution, but even just by presenting an option people will recognise the effort that has gone in and it completely changes the dynamic of conversation.
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So next time something goes wrong, rather than tell someone about the problem, ask yourself what you could do about it, and then present both pieces to the relevant person.
How can I help you?
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If you want to hear more about what I do and how you can work with me, send me a DM or email me at?[email protected]
I hope you have a fantastic week, and I'll be back in your inbox next week!
Haydan