Tip #603- Three Busyness Myths Debunked

If your schedule is constantly jam-packed and you lack any semblance of balance, have you considered that you may have fallen into the busyness trap?

You may, not even be aware of your busyness addiction as you rush through your daily routine.  I was that person-voice activating text messages in route to meetings; checking email while dialing in for a conference call, and simultaneously working out on the cardio machine!

Fortunately, I received a wake-up call after reading a New York Times article which states, "Busyness is purely self-imposed: work and obligations they've taken on voluntarily; classes and activities they've 'encouraged' their kids to participate in.  They're busy because of their own ambition or drive or anxiety, because they're addicted to busyness and dread what they may have to face in its absence." 

Before I could trade my busyness for balance, I had to debunk the following three myths.

'Busyness' or constantly being busy is inevitable in the 21st century.  Wrong!  People with busyness addictions have chosen this uber stressful way of life, or merely acquiesced to professional and social pressures. Learning how to communicate, 'No' confidently and in a manner which protects the relationship is critical.  Without these skills, which are taught in the world famous Dale Carnegie Course for Effective Communications, we lose control of our own schedules and ultimately, our lives.

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Tip #602- Marketing to Millennials & How 5 Brands are Adjusting to Earn Millennial Loyalty

More and more brands are reevaluating their marketing strategies, product offerings, and brand experiences in an effort to earn Millennial loyalty. However, marketing to Millennials continues to be a moving target. But for many brands a shift towards Millennial marketing is worth the risk if they can earn the loyalty of the world's largest and soon to be the most spending power generation.

1.) Target "deemphasizes" canned and bagged goods in their stores.

In an effort to appeal to Millennial consumers, Target will focus more on organic, fresher, and healthier foods. Products that are processed will be given less exposure and promotions. According to Fortune, Target's goal is to "look less like Walmart and more like Whole Foods."                       

2.)   Starbucks unveils an alternative music plan.

Earlier this year, Starbucks announced that they will no longer sell CDs in their stores. Starbucks has decided to appeal to Millennial consumers with a streaming service. In a partnership with Spotify, Starbucks consumers can now curate playlists and share between the 16 million My Starbucks Reward Members, baristas and Spotify subscribers whether they are in-store or on the go. More on this story here.

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Tip #601- Three Ways to Make a Positive First Impression

Dale Carnegie said, "When dealing with people, remember you are not dealing with creatures of logic, but creatures of emotion."  Whether meeting new customers, employers, prospects or team members, it is critical to make a positive, memorable first impression.  The latest research shows you only have a tenth of a second to make a first impression.

As you attend graduation parties, weddings and other summer celebrations, start practicing the following ways to make a positive first impression.

Mind your body language.  The first step in making a positive first impression is to use your body language to communicate effectively.  Even if you've mastered a firm handshake and solid eye contact, you can still use your non-verbal communication to convey information.  For example, leaning in when you talk shows that you are making a sincere effort to engage the other person.  Dale Carnegie's 7th Human Relations principle is, 'Be a good listener.  Encourage others to talk about themselves.'  Making appropriate facial expressions in response to what the other person says shows that you are actively listening. Human beings want to be heard, so use your body language in addition to your verbal communication to demonstrate that you are genuinely interested in the other person-Mr. Carnegie's 4th principle.

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Tip #600 Three Ways to Effectively Engage Millennials in Today's Workplace

Millennials (born between 1980 and 1996) in the U.S. are on track to become the most educated generation in American history.  As the estimated 2.8 million millennials graduate from college this month with bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees, many will it difficult to land fulfilling jobs.  Consider these facts according to Gallup's latest report, How Millennials Want to Work and Live:

 

Millennials want to be engaged in their jobs, which means they yearn to be emotionally and behaviorally connected to them, however only 29% of millennials are engaged in their current roles.

 Millennials have the highest rates of unemployment and underemployment in the U.S.

Compensation is no longer the primary driver as millennials value purpose over paycheck.

Millennials are pursuing development and growth in employment opportunities over fancy latte machines and entitlements as they consider the latter to be condescending. 

Instead of fixing their weaknesses, millennials want to develop their strengths.

One thing is for certain, the merging of more millennials into today's workforce means the will of our world is changing-and we must change as well.  Here are three ways to engage millennials in order to effectively manage them.

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Tip #599 Four Habits that Cultivate Productivity

Working smarter, not harder, requires developing the following four healthy habits.

1. Develop a morning routine. On the subject of cultivating a mental attitude that will bring you peace and happiness, Dale Carnegie said, "Fill your mind with thoughts of peace courage, health and hope." That's an impossible feat if you start each day haphazardly. People who begin the day with the right routine set a positive tone for the entire day, minimize stress and maximize momentum. The goal of a morning routine is not to do the exact same thing every single morning; rather, it's to minimize variations. Only you know which activities will benefit you most such as meditation, exercise, journaling, etc. so design a routine with activities that work best for you. Eating a protein-rich breakfast will provide you with the energy you need to pump up your productivity, and help keep your focus sharp all day so you can accomplish as much as possible.

2. Designate time for email. Sounds simple, but in our speedy society where immediate gratification and response have become the norm, this can be very challenging. Instead of constantly checking email or responding to message notifications, carve out some specific times during your workday for email. If this idea makes you cringe, consider the facts.

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Tip #598 6 Millennial Motivators: A Guide To What Motivates Millennials At Work

Where there are unmotivated Millennial employees you will find uninspired leaders who lead teams of anxious, job-hop-in-a-heartbeat Millennials. For the leaders eager to spark change and energy into their organizations there are specific Millennial motivators that can be leveraged to ignite Millennial hustle and extend Millennial retention.

1) Innovation

78% of Millennials were strongly influenced by how innovative a company was when deciding if they wanted to work there. (The 2014 Millennial Study)

66% of Millennials work in organizations that actively encourage/reward its people for innovative ideas. (Deloitte)

Millennials want to change the world and they believe innovation is the catalyst. They will lean into their high-tech and hyper-connected upbringing to find answers to today's complex problems. Innovation matters to Millennials...big time.

Example: LinkedIn has their own internal incubator where employees are encouraged to innovate. Once a quarter, employees can come up with a new idea, put a team together, and pitch their idea to the executive team. If their idea is approved, they are able to spend up to 3 months time dedicated to turning the idea into something that benefits the company.

2) Flexibility

73% of Millennials expect to be able to modify and customize their work computer; 63% will go around IT to find the solutions they need. (Mobile Enterprise)

69% of Millennials believe office attendance is unnecessary on a regular basis. (Cisco)

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