Be proactive in defining and reviewing frequently the purpose of whatever you are doing. Make it conscious, not just intuitive. It's how you know you are optimizing your effort instead of massaging your ego.
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When you take home some work, define exactly what you will be doing and when it wil be over and you'll close the PC. Don't just "hang around" work.
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Before starting, make sure you choose and write down 2 (only 2!) options of high value for the day. Don't further analyse your to-do list without completing at least something in both.
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Guiding others (and ourselves) towards action definition is not easy. It means asking for decisions and risk taking and almost every brain seems built to avoid that. Make conscious effort to overcome it. Using frequently some of these questions may help.
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When you see yourself avoiding important tasks and issues that you feel you should be addressing, run the following checklist of possible reasons and follow corresponding unblocking procedures.
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Early in the morning, when you're browsing your to-do list, (preferably before checking e-mail), find at least one important pending issue and make a brave decision. That will start up the General - you'll need him wide awake and ready for service...
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