The Focus Course

“Yes” Management

There’s a whole lot more to time management then just time.

Ditching My Smartphone

Taking the plunge and ditching the smartphone. Challenging the assumption that carrying a smartphone is essential technology.

Choosing the Right Tools

Selecting the right tools for the job requires a little more forethought then, “Oh that looks shiny.” Let’s challenge some assumptions you may have regarding the tools you’ve adopted.

Is Your Current Schedule Sustainable?

The challenge: We often have too much to do and not enough time to do it. And that, dear reader, is a real conundrum.

Brené Brown on Values

Last week I was in Peoria, Illinois for two days teaching a group of leaders about time management and focus. Yours truly at the SMI headquarters. If you were teaching a group of executives, managers, and directors about time management, what would you say to them? . . . It’s a 6-hour drive from Kansas

Before Getting to Tool Selection

While the various tools we use for getting work done is important, they are impartial to the creative process. Taking time to plan through the work we’re tying to accomplish goes a long way when it comes to selecting the best tools.

Change Your How

When there’s a disconnect between our values and the way we are spending our time, life can feel frustrating.

If You’re Feeling Overwhelmed, Do This

From time to time life can feel a bit overwhelming. Things can get to be too much at work, at home, or both. And so, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, here is a simple activity that can help.

Doing Your Best Work by Eliminating Dual Focus

Dual focus is the sneaky culprit that undermines your ability to operate at your best. Let’s change that.

“Margin” as Part of Your Decision-Making Process

If you can make margin a factor in your normal decision-making process, you will be able to protect the breathing room you need to maintain margin in your life. Here are a few questions you can ask yourself during the decision-making process, and a few signs that you may lack margin.