Think Much? Make the Time to Think!

At last, I finally have some time to think! Over the last little while I have been so busy executing several new initiatives at work, that I forgot to think… Well not really, but certainly not the kind of thinking that gets the juices flowing, generates innovative ideas and develops creative plans and solutions.

As things begin to slow down ever-so-little, I’ve been reminded of the powerful things that come of taking, wait… MAKING the time to think.

For many of us, ‘Think Time’ is one of our most productive times in the work week. The quiet minutes you have to yourself looking blankly at the computer or out of the window. Even though it doesn’t look pretty (or should I say smart) it’s incredibly valuable.  These uncommon moments when you take a step away from from the day to day chaos and look at things from a different perspective, make all the difference! Not only do you feel slightly refreshed, but the days and weeks that follow have more clearly defined goals and objectives, go more smoothly and deliver better results.

In today’s world we schedule everything important back-to-back, with each getting the allotted time and attention it needs, yet we don’t schedule one of the most critical activities to our success – thinking!  Even if you don’t/can’t/won’t schedule it in, leave a little room…in case you need it.

I’ve been thinking…it’s time to start thinking!

- Aleya Suleman

Bring the Janitor into the Meeting

In my last job as a Marketing Manager for a building materials manufacturer I worked very closely with the architectural community.  My goal was to have architects specify our products in the early stage of building design, which would help to drive sales.  As I worked with forward thinking companies, I learned that progressive firms were investing far more time in the decision making process in order to provide attractive, sustainable structures with low operating and maintenance costs.  To do this, it was clear that they would need to consider every angle before finalizing product choices in order to ensure optimal designs.

One story I heard was that an architectural firm held a meeting with the usual decision makers, but also invited one representative from every area that would be impacted by the design, including the janitor who would clean the building. After the round table discussion a lot was learned from the janitor like how certain materials were hard to clean, impractical and lacking durability.  These types of non-traditional perspectives added considerable insight to the process, which allowed the architects to design a far superior structure than they had ever imagined.

What I have learned is that it is essential to get the perspective of everyone who is impacted by a decision you make in order to provide a solution that is considerably better than one you imagined yourself.

So next time you have an important decision to make, bring the janitor into the meeting!

- Aleya Suleman

Manage Yourself!

If you would like to be more successful in anything you do, it is time to begin managing yourself!

According to Wikipedia, “Management in all business and human organization activity is simply the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives.”  Therefore, managing yourself is simply the act of getting yourself together to accomplish desired goals and objectives. HA! I guess it is that simple? It is not that simple, is it? How do you actually do it?

To manage yourself you have to think like a manager and act like a manager.

What does a manager do?

Effective managers take their desired goals and objectives and deliver results.  In order to achieve this, they create a plan, organize resources to implement the plan, measure results, communicate progress and make adjustments.

So, to manage yourself:

1. Outline your personal desired goals and objectives. Start by identifying a broad goal, then determine specific measurable objectives to reach it within a certain time frame.
2. Formalize your plan.  Write out a plan outlining exactly how you intend to achieve your goals & objectives.
3. Organize your resources. Assess what tools, people, etc. you have access to.  Determine what you need, and what you can do to get it.
4. Measure your results. Develop a structure to measure your results regularly to help you stay on track.
5. Communicate your progress. Share your experiences, successes and challenges.  Review what is working and what is not.
6. Adjust your plan.  Revise the plan where needed to ensure success.

Like with management in general, managing yourself fails when there is weakness in any of these areas.

Take control of your success and start managing yourself!

- Aleya Suleman