5 Ways to Save Half an Hour Today

You've had enough. Long days at work, a sink full of dishes and a houseful of people - you're run off your feet. Isn't it time to relax?

Here's a few tips for moving from work mode to zen that you can do today. These help you focus on priorities and let the small things slide. Leave your own tips in the comments and don't forget to share with someone who could use an extra 30 minutes.

Source

Skip A, Go Directly to B

Do you already know this? Is there a way to cut out steps and still get it done? Do it. I've already covered a lot of my coursework in my MBA by working, so why "refresh" myself when I can learn something new and get my reading done faster?

Ask for Directions

You could probably figure out how to migrate your server, set up your calendar, or set up an event on your own. But why waste more time fiddling with it when you can just ask an expert or go to Google? If you find yourself spending more than 5 minutes trying to figure out a relatively simple problem, drop everything and look it up.

Get to the Point

If you have a main goal to achieve, stop spending time solving or researching ancillary ideas right now. Get to the heart of the matter and let that knowledge inform the rest of your decisions. You will end up making them all faster.

Find Something to Outsource

We all have strengths. If you're like most people though, you spend more of your energy focusing on your weaknesses. If someone else can do it better, let them. Whether you pay for it, swap for it, or beg for it, let them take it off your hands.

Piggyback with a Partner

You are not the only one in the world working on the same project. Find someone else who is in the same boat and work together. You'll get twice the work done in half the time and improve a relationship in the process. Work project, losing weight, internet investing, school work - all things that many people are doing and are much more fun together.

SQ4R Study Method - Study Smarter Not Harder

Calling all grad students, college students, fervent learners, or anyone forced to do large amounts of reading! I feel your pain. Your time is valuable so learning how to get the most amount of information from a book in the least amount of time is paramount to your success. Let me help you learn How to Study by teaching you to read your textbooks like blogs posts. It's a lot simpler than you think.

I am currently in a very text heavy semester of grad school. I remember sitting through undergrad courses that would teach you how to be a college student, which were both boring and sort of insulting. However, now that I'm buried under accounting text, I need to rethink how I approach it since I've never had to worry about my reading time before. So I need to work smarter, not harder. To do that, I've started to use the SQ4R method.

What is the SQ4R Method?

Chances are you just used it to start reading this post without even thinking about it. We have trained ourselves without help to read blog posts this way. The idea is to arm yourself with knowledge before you even start reading so you can direct yourself to the biggest points and walk away with know-how in less time.  Here are the components of the method.

S stands for Survey

Review the text for the purpose of what you're reading and to review the main points the author is trying to make. Skim the main topics in the back of a chapter, a synopsis of a book, and don't forget the chapter or paragraph headings. Blog posts are named up front and generally have a starting paragraph that explains what it will discuss along with paragraph headings.

Q stands for Question

By reviewing, you are able to form questions about what you are going to read. We're reviewing the SQ4R method now and you can see that I've spelled out what it means for you. A question you may have while you read is how well does it work and how can I use this for myself? Dollars to donuts I've read a million blog posts about the same topic, so I'm looking for something I don't already know. Now use the same thinking to get through text.

What are the 4 R's?

Read (1) the material actively to search for the answers to your questions.
Write (2) your own summary of these with the answers.
Recite (3) it to yourself like you're explaining it to someone else.
Review (4) the material at least once in the next few days.

How can I use this? 

The answer is obvious if you are in school. However, most of us have to learn new skills for our jobs or take a certain number of hours to keep or obtain our certifications in our fields. After a long day at work, do you really want to spend the rest of your night studying? Neither do I. This method is one way to get you there faster with useful notes that will keep you from re-reading everything you didn't pay attention to the first time around. For more helpful techniques that apply beyond school, I recommend How to Study - a very highly reviewed book that has stood the test of time. Now that I need a better way to think through school, it's come in handy. Pick up a copy for yourself or for the learner in your life.

Buy now in paperback or on Kindle

How to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse and Get Ahead in Business

The Walking Dead has eaten my brains! Seriously, I got through all three seasons in the last week and have been obsessed with it to the point that I can't shut up. Zombies are my thing. They are both my biggest fear and biggest obsession. I've been making zombie escape plans since I was six and don't plan on stopping anytime soon. Now, as a long-time Z-Day planner, I feel like I've got a handle on what I would do in any given situation and like to nit-pick other people's (obviously flawed) plans.

I feel like the world is already zombified to an extent. The business world is constantly eating itself and we as consumers sort of follow the heard as we cannibalize everything around us. I don't necessarily this is all a bad thing, but preparations for a post-apocalyptic world does have quite a bit of relevance in getting ahead today (mid-apocalypse). 

How to Not Get Eaten

Source

Run faster than everyone else

Whether your vying for the next promotion, a new position, or trying to top your industry, everyone is running. When it comes down to zombies, business, and bears - you don't have to kill them, you just have to outrun the next guy.

There is strength in numbers

Very closely related to speak softly and carry a big stick, seek strong partnerships where there is synergy and you make each other stronger, but don't let them use you to chum the zombie waters. Think Star Fleet - everyone had a place and they complemented each other. Your team can go faster that way more efficiently. Stand back to back while you fight and you stand a better chance. Also, by carrying your own weight you will help insure that they won't hamstring you while they run in the other direction.

Get up after you trip

In the horror movie of life, we all trip. The next step is pivotal: do not stare into the jaws of death! Get up and run, Forest! Letting your mistakes keep you down is the only sure way to fail. You can cry for a bit, scream your head off, even think about just laying there for a while. But after your bout of crazy, put on your big-boy pants and get back to it.

Turn around a bit more often

I LOVE that I found the picture below because it's so true. Don't let your past control your future the same way you can't just lay down after mistakes. But look back to see what you can do differently or how to repeat past victories. Also, you know, literally watch your back. 

Don't be a dick

I feel like this is a life rule in general, but it's especially true in any situation that involves stress. Some say that being able to eat your competition will get you ahead, and it will for a while. But the second they can, people will join together to beat you with sticks. We remember that really great person who kept their head. Be that guy.

Don't neglect to plant your seeds

Just because you're running now doesn't mean that you always will. If you never take the chance to plant your seeds for the future, once you get settled (or stranded) you won't have anything to rely on. Never miss an opportunity to plan ahead and try to better your situation, even if they don't all pan out. You'll have enough experience doing it that you'll just get better until you can reap what you've sown. 

Source

Did I miss any? If you have survival techniques that should be added here, comment below or tell me via Google+ or Twitter!

If you couldn't tell, I'm still on a zombie kick and decided to forgo the usual Wednesday round-up. I hope this was a good substitute. If you missed it, last weeks round-up was also brought to you by zombies - the survival round-up with infographics that won't take time while you're running away. 

Tuesday Trivia

And it's already time for another Tuesday Trivia. I can't believe it's not just May, but nearly the end of it already! I'm wrapping up the final details on my registration for grad school! In honor of me getting a higher education, let's go academic on this session. 

Questions:

1. The first MBA program was said to have started in 1881 at what school? Extra tip, this school was the country's (and supposedly world's) first business school.

2. What was the average total tuition for a top-20 business school in the 2011-2012 academic year?

3. How much student loan debt did the average grad student have in 2012?

How good of a student were you? 

Answers: 

1. The Wharton Business School at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.

2. $102,355

3. $43,524

So now that I've depressed the hell out of myself with those numbers, I'll go look at my savings account for a while. 


Sources: MBA.com, Forbes, Wall Street Journal

Like a boss! Are you a boss or a leader?

Source

I'm the boss!

I wanted to write an article centered around the difference between a boss and a leader. So often these two terms are confused, but the person most likely to confuse them is your boss! Sifting through led me to several well written articles already out there. So maybe the focus shouldn't be how to spot the difference in the world, but how to spot the difference in yourself. 

It's difficult to be objective about your own personality. The way you deal with people is rarely to be talked about in front of you, but your interactions with those who work for you are tantamount to your success and theirs. So in the absence of being able to candidly talk with your employees and short of doing a survey, here are a few ways to identify what their behavior says about you.

Check yourself before you wreck yourself!

The points below are indicative of being a boss instead of a leader. Check to see if you're that guy in the office.

People talk negatively about you in public. 

• Ever have someone say that an employee gave you accolades at an event or to a client? When people speak about you and the good work you're doing unprompted, chances are they look at you as a leader. Obviously, negative speech would suggest that they view you as a boss, but saying nothing can just as likely mean the same thing. If no one is talking about you, maybe you're not doing anything worthy enough to be talked about.

They don't bring new ideas to the table.

• Many times people will not speak up when they feel oppressed. This is especially true of those people who used to speak out and perform well, but settled into only asking for directions instead of brainstorming with you. When people are afraid to speak, it probably says you're too busy talking to listen or do what you want regardless as a default. When you have no one else to offer great ideas, then you've bull-dozed your greatest chance for success - innovative and invested employees. 

They don't silence the squeaky wheel.

• Most offices will have at least one person who is complaining on a consistent basis. Are other people complaining about that person? Probably. But are they also disagreeing? If they complain about the attitude of that person, but agree with their arguments, then there's a problem. Also, if the only one negating them the guy kissing your ass, then you don't have a reliable source. 

Ask not what your employees can do for you...

• You ask what your team can do for you instead of asking what you can do for them. When is the last time you went out of your way to help an employee or asked what you can do to make their job easier? If it's more likely that you only ask for results from them and nothing else, your not holding up your end of the deal.

Everyone is your secretary.

• Employees spend more time doing what you don't want to or don't have the time to do instead of their own jobs. If you are the person in the office always asking others to make copies, schedule phone calls, or asking last minute favors, then you're the boss. You're no longer working for the good of the company as a whole and instead just having them work for you.

Thanks giving is just a holiday. 

• You're probably smart enough to know that taking credit for someone else's work or idea is bad form. But if your good ideas are yours and someone else's becomes "the company's", then it's still the same thing. Letting people know both privately and publicly how much you value their work is something a leader does to encourage growth, team building, and goodwill. 

You're only accountable to your superiors.

• Whether your superiors are your own boss or your board members if you're not answering to your employees or your community, then your not thinking about their needs. Like a boss. Leaders realize they're not the only fish in the pond and work to upgrade the whole ecosystem, not just pimp out an aquarium. 

Get a clue!

There are numerous ways to work towards becoming more of a leader if that's important to you. It could include management counseling, courses, or training, or just digging through a lot of good reading. Let me recommend starting with a few below.

Difference Between Leader and Boss

9 Habits of People Who Build Extraordinary Relationships

7 Tips To Becoming A Leader At Work

So what are the other differences in a boss and a leader? What have I missed?

Using Eventbrite for Professional Development

Sometimes it's the light bulb moments that make you think you're a rock-star that really just let you know how dumb you normally are. We get so stuck in our routines that it's hard to see past the self-imposed rules we've created around a ritual. Especially for those tools you use at work, it's easy to see why many people can't translate that into using them at home for themselves.

Take Eventbrite. This is an online tool that almost any event planner has used at one time or another. Once you create an account, you are just a couple steps away from planning the arrangement, selecting the number of tickets, and tracking sign-ups all in the same space. Plus, if your event is free, then so is the service. It's a great way to streamline your process.

I'm so used to being on the back end and arranging events that I couldn't see the focus of why this was a good tool. The way many people use it is this: once your event is planned, e-mail this link to your database and use that as your event hub central. Do you know what Eventbrite thinks it's selling point is? "If it's happening out there you'll find it here. Browse 1000s of events. Or create your own events and sell tickets right here." Yep. First and foremost, it is a tool to find cultural and professional activities wherever you go.

Instead of immediately logging in to create an event, all I had to do was spend 5 seconds on the front page and read the tagline. "Hey, self! Let's browse my area!" I found library events, books signings, networking events, women's groups, and training courses - more than I would have imagined - all in my area. All of them had instructions on who was allowed to sign up, if the event was free, addresses, and contact information if you needed to ask further questions. Not sure if you can join in? Just ask.

For all the times I have looked for trainings in my area, I never thought to go to the most obvious place. Funny thing is, neither did anyone else I asked. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes in a new light. What else have you been using that can benefit you if you use it in a different way?

Winks 5-4-13

Winks are Wednesday link round-ups for relevant reading to get you over your mid-week slump. Check out the links below for some great reading about improving yourself and your business.

• 5 Silent Warnings That Your Life is Unbalanced
• Why Successful People Leave Their Loser Friends Behind
• Productivity: 8 Things You Should Not Do Every Day
• Social Media Marketing World 2013: 7 Brilliant Lessons

Like these updates? Follow us on Twitter for daily updates just like these. Need more space to express your ideas? Add us to your Google+ circles and chat. 

Pump Up Your Cross-Media Strategies Conference Recap

I had the pleasure of attending a conference recently about ways to increase your marketing capabilities using new and existing tools, as well as some great business advice in general. Conferences don't always hit the mark, but I love attending since there is always something to learn. This one in particular was worth-while though. I wanted to post a bit of a recap because I think our presenters really nailed it and it's a way for me to reference them in the future. 

Photo Source

Dave Yunghans, Constant Contact

Dave was our opening presenter. I'd met other business people who were impressed with his knowledge and personality, and now I can see why. Dave is incredibly personable. The largest takeaway was that over 90% of all the billions of e-mails that people send out through Constant Contact a day are done wrong. I've said before that people are buying more than ever but none of us want to be sold. However, that's exactly what most businesses are doing. If every e-mail you send it a pitch, no one will read them. 

Dave's number one piece of advice is that these communications are the start of a conversation. The way to open up that line of communication is to present free, relevant information. Once you become the expert on something, people will remember and come back. Once they're in a position to need your services, then they already know you and bam! 

Donna Serdula, LinkedIn-Makeover

Two years ago, I started a Linked-In page at the suggestion of someone I met at a networking event. I knew I would be looking for a job after my internship and thought it would be a good idea. Fast forward a year later and I am on Linked-In usually once a week. My profile is has been at "all-star" status for a long time. I found that Linked-In was a great way to keep in contact with fellow professionals and clients. 

Despite the fact that I have learned a lot of tricks along the way, Donna's advice could help anyone. Things like you profile is not your resume is a big one to remember. She also encourages having a professional headshot and engaging tagline, as well as gives advice on how to use your connections to gain clients or business. Her website also has more great tips to help you build your best profile and make it work for you. 

Bob Kanoff, Mobile QR Solutions

Mobile websites are something that I am aware of, but very disconnected from. Since I still have an ancient flip-phone, I tend to not pay attention to such things. However, it seems like everyone has a smart phone now that is capable of so much more than making calls. Mobile sites are quickly becoming necessary since most people will immediately navigate away from your business page if it is too hard to read on their screen. 

If you run a business, this can kill you - especially if you are losing sales because they can't or won't buy from their phone. The more prominent this issue is, the easier it's becoming to fix it. There are a million websites out there now that help you see what your customers are seeing and free or low-cost ways to reel them back in with a new look. In addition, many companies can assist you with a fully integrated mobile design.

Thanh Nguyen, The Standard Group

Hey smartphone users, ready for another one? QR Codes. I've just become aware of what these things really are in the last year, but I'm starting to see that the possibilities are endless. QR codes are not just limited to the simple box format I'm used to seeing. Since most apps can read the codes even with some interference, that means that you can use different shapes, colors, or even put your own logo into it. Not to mention that there are new ways to track scans and help lead people to the actual content you want them to see. The key with QR codes though is to give people something special. If you place your code next to your website, don't direct your QR code to the website main page. There would be no purpose. Instead, direct them deeper into your content, get them a free download, or lead them to a video. Keep people engaged and they will come back. 

Dean Frey, The LIFE Company

It's so easy to get caught up in life and only view the world in one way. I think it's part of human nature, especially when learning can be seen as unpleasant, that you want to keep your head down and plow through. However, you can miss some of the best things in life. Balance is a huge part of maintaining your life and motivation long-term. In addition, retraining ourselves to look at all things as connected can teach us things we would have never known to look for. 


This conference was organized by Chuck and Alice at KeyConnections4Me. I've been to several of their seminars and have always walked away with great new information. If you are in their region, go check them out. You won't be sorry.

Winks to Grow On 4-17-13

Winks are Wednesday link round-ups for relevant reading to get you over your mid-week slump. Check out the links below for some great reading about improving yourself and your business.

• Bernanke Backs ‘Multiprong’ Approach to Aiding Low-Income Areas
• 4 Awesome Tips to Help You Start Vlogging
• How to Be a Twitter Rock Star at Conferences and Events
• Women Entrepreneurs Rock the World - NYC. Anyone attending? 

Winks to Grow On 4-3-13

Winks are Wednesday link round-ups for relevant reading to get you over your mid-week slump. Check out the links below for some great reading about improving yourself and your business.

• Top 3 tips for networking at events - Liz Lynch (above)
• 101 Useful Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less
• 12 Smart Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill
• When Social Media at Work Don't Create Productivity-Killing Distractions
• Take Charge of Your Professional Development

Like this? Get more daily updates when you follow SlowGrowBlog on Twitter!

Winks to Grow on 3-27-13

Winks are Wednesday link round-ups for relevant reading to get you over your mid-week slump. Check out the links below for some great reading about improving yourself and your business.

• Improve your memory with the "POPCORN" method (above)
• A Rancher and a Rabbi turn a blog into a business
• Certified B Corporations are leading a global movement to redefine success in business.
• 10 Free Household Budget Spreadsheets
• 14 Tips For Staying Calm During A Job Interview

Like these articles? Get more likes these every day by following SlowGrowBlog on Twitter. 

Winks to Grow On

Winks are Wednesday link round-ups for relevant reading to get you over your mid-week slump. Check out the links below for some great reading. 

• Generation Y: The (modern) world of personal finance (above)
• The Guardian launches US personal finance section
• 10 Personal Finance Experts to Follow on Twitter
• 4 Growth Tactics for Your Small Business
• Stop Wasting Time: 20 Ways to get more done at work

Sell Yourself: The 30 Second Commercial

If the average attention span is 8 seconds and you're halfway through the novel of who you are and what kind of business you run, you've already lost a sale.

Learn the art of the 30 Second Commercial at the new home of this article on The No-Pants CEO.