File it!

I have been dealing with a contact recently who is so disorganised I am amazed she can run her life. So, a plea to get yourself organised ... file things that need to be filed ... in 6 months time you will be grateful that not only did you file the thing you need, your system allows you to find it again.

I have started using a web service called Evernote for 'first level' filing - interesting things I see on the web, simple 'To Do' items, etc. It works for me ... and that's the other point - 'systems' have to be appropriate for the way in which you work ... you shouldn't have to adapt to their way of working. If you are interested, take a look at www.evernote.com.

Do Nothing

Sometimes when all seems hectic and chaotic and you feel under stress ... do noting! Take the time to think ans reflect. Why are things chaotic? Is it because of the ways in which I work? .. or the way I plan? .. or the way I deal with other people?

If you can change it, do so! If you can't, there's no point worrying about it. Go with the flow until the crisis passes.

Hold on!

When the going gets tough ... as it is now for most businesses, all you can do is hang on in there. Survival is what matters. So forget grand strategy and forget growth. But don't forget to think and plan ... even if its only planning for next month or even next week.

Strip everything down to the essentials .. but don't forget them ... and don't panic!

Don't listen to the siren voices

"I think if you did a fair analysis of the last 25 years and said what's has been the top source of productivity gain in the U.S. or world economy, it has been information technology,"

This is a recent quote from Steve Ballmer, of Microsoft. Well, he would say that, wouldn't he.

Listen to what your business figures tell you... not salesmen .. however convincing!