Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 26, 2010

You don’t want papers to build up to the point where you look at it and you get discouraged. If you do keep stuff, keep it in a way so that it doesn’t jam up your life and you can find it again. Don’t keep routine memos or anything that gives you information you already know or have. File it, if necessary.

Management 100

Management Filing Ergonomics Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 25, 2010

There couldn’t be anything further from the truth. Just because you are not in charge doesn’t mean you can’t effect change. For example, if you are holding a meeting with team members, make sure the agenda is set, action items are completed and that things don’t slip through the cracks.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Agenda Health Confidence 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 19, 2010

Focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want. If you don’t like the picture that you are seeing, change to a more satisfying picture. Don’t try to accomplish more than is reasonable Will power is not the major ingredient when changing an aspect of your life, but a decision and commitment to yourself are.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Gifts Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 8, 2010

Don’t go overboard with personalization. Don’t allow things to pile up. If your desk harbours mounds of papers, books, files and personal accessories, you may be adding unnecessary stress to your day. An organized desk — at school, home, or in your private office — will help you relax and become more productive.

Filing 100

Filing Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 27, 2010

The following is an excerpt from the book The Milkshake Moment: Overcoming Stupid Systems, Pointless Policies and Muddled Management to Realize Real Growth by Steven S. Let’s can the empty slogans, take down the banners, and throwaway the T-shirts. Facing reality isn’t merely a good idea; it’s an imperative.

Policies 100

Policies 2008 AT&T Copyright 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 9, 2010

Don’t worry if there is an overlap of strengths from one success to another, that is to be expected. If you can’t find three types of strengths for each success, at least try to find three different strengths over the five successes. Ask someone for help with this exercise. Look at your current work and activities.

Self Esteem 100

Self Esteem Ergonomics Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 21, 2010

Don’t burden or depress those around you by dwelling on your minor aches and pains and small disappointments. Discuss but don’t argue. Don’t be too anxious about the credit due you. Let everyone you meet, however humble, feel that you regard him as a person of importance. Be cheerful. Keep an open mind.

Gossip 100

Gossip Ergonomics Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 9, 2010

If you have an open-door policy, place your back to the entrance, or face away from your cubicle entry to indicate your unavailability. Make sure the person doesn’t already have a full plate, and give them a deadline. If you don’t have a choice, ask for guidance on priorities. Keep the office door closed.

Filing 100

Filing Ergonomics Cubicle Agenda 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 14, 2010

Don’t scribble it at the back of an envelope or a bill. Don’t write one message at the edge of another one. If the pen stops working in the middle of the call, you shouldn’t be putting the caller on hold to go searching for a replacement. Here are some tips on how to take a proper, accurate telephone message.

Phones 100

Phones 2010 Ergonomics Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 14, 2010

Video clip: “Gotta get my stuff done” Procrastinators actively look for distractions, particularly ones that don’t take a lot of commitment on their part. This is post 6 of my series: Inside the Mind of a Procrastinator. Checking e-mail is almost perfect for this purpose. Get rid of the knick-knacks, games and toys tools.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health 2010 Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 21, 2010

But it doesn’t mean that I can’t control it. Nothing was important enough to interfere with my television watching. wanting control; being unhappy with the person in charge; feeling I should have been the boss, so procrastination gets a passive-aggressive twist. just to be irritating; a variation on the previous reason.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 4, 2010

However, you don’t have to wait for ideal conditions or tools to get started. Home About Contact Me Links Sitemap Increase Productivity Posted by Ian McKenzie Written on August 4, 2010 If youre new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to my blog posts by e-mail. Thanks for visiting!

Telecommuting 100

Telecommuting Ergonomics Health 2006 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 26, 2010

Don’t worry – Every time you start to worry about things you don’t have, ask yourself this question, “How much difference is this going to make in five years?” Don’t get me wrong, discontent can be a useful thing. When did you start noticing the dents and rust; the scratches in the paint job? It’s not worth the effort.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health 2010 Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 30, 2010

Stop exaggerating I’ve said it a million times, don’t exaggerate! Even if you process 1,000 sheets of page this week, you won’t have done much more than ten pounds worth of work. Related articles by Zemanta Why Worry About Something That You Can’t and Won’t Change?

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health 2007 AT&T 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 28, 2010

Don’t send spam. Words such as “you&# , “your&# , and “yours&# let the recipient know you’re thinking of them specifically. This includes forwarding every bad joke and poem your second cousin sends you. People don’t like receiving junk paper mail at home and they don’t like the electronic version either.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Email Health Forms 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 28, 2010

Don’t sacrifice information for the sake of brevity. Answers after the jump. Answers Answer a ringing phone by the third ring. Set up your voice mail to answer after the third ring. Saying “hello&# may be quick, but it’s not useful. At the very least, answer with your name. Harvey Trailer speaking.&# and 9:00 p.m.

Etiquette 100

Etiquette Ergonomics Phones Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 14, 2010

5 Ways to Deal (lifescript.com) Workplace Democracy: Corporate Style (seeingtheforest.com) Related Posts: 7 tips for Stronger Self-Discipline 24 Time Management Tips 10 Things you Don’t Want to Hear from Your Real Estate Agent Communication Did you enjoy this post? Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to my blog posts by e-mail.

Gossip 100

Gossip Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 17, 2010

If something like this happens to you, you don’t need to panic. Don’t leave your presentation hanging. Comment by Lauren Elder on July 1, 2008 @ 8:33 am Got a wedding coming up and couldn’t even comprehend doing a speech without planning it out. 5) Conclude the presentation.

2008 100

2008 Ergonomics Health Holidays 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 12, 2010

Three rules for effective time management : 1) Don’t Create Impossible Situations. Don’t get trapped into doing too much. Don’t multi-task. Time Management Time Management doesn’t mean rushing | iThoughts.de Learn to say no. Figure out what is important for you and focus on that.

Management 100

Management Goals Ergonomics Agenda 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 19, 2010

Don’t answer the phone or e-mail. Ian’s Messy Desk Helping you get the most out of the 24 hours in your day. Home About Contact Me Links Sitemap How to Say ‘No’ at Work Posted by Ian McKenzie Written on May 19, 2010 If youre new here, you may want to subscribe to my RSS feed. Thanks for visiting!

Assertiveness 100

Assertiveness Ergonomics Health Gifts 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 3, 2010

R-e-s-p-e-c-t Everyone wants to be treated with respect. You can easily set the right tone in the workplace by learning to respond to a basic need we all share… which is to be respected and valued. What you need? You know I got it! Or once-a-month, spring for dessert treats in honor of those celebrating birthdays in that calendar month.

Gifts 100

Gifts 2010 Ergonomics Cubicle 100

Ian's Messy Desk

AUGUST 31, 2010

If you didn’t start planning Christmas in August, you can relieve some of December’s pressure by putting these on your November to-do list. Christmas organizing and planning links Here we are at the end of August, two-thirds of the way through 2010. In no time, we’ll be into the annual holiday season.

Holidays 100

Holidays Gifts Calendars 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 7, 2010

If a visitor comes into your office, stand up to greet them and don’t invite them to sit down. With a little courtesy and the above steps, you shouldn’t have to resort to such drastic measures. Doesn’t alsways work so after a brief, pleasant chit-chat I simply tell folks that I am busy. Stand up for visitors.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2010 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 18, 2010

T – Take control of your life. F – Family and Friends – are life’s greatest ‘F’ treasures. Don’t loose sight of them. G – Give more than what is enough. Where does motivation and self improvement take place at work? When you exert extra effort in doing things. H – Hang on to your dreams. Remember, it wasn’t raining when Noah build the ark.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Clothes 2006 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 11, 2010

Get Out in Front Don’t hide behind your material. You can’t buy confidence on eBay. If you really want your confidence to sky rocket, be totally and thoroughly prepared. The more prepared you are to give a talk, the more confident you become. Try to memorize your opening, your stories, and your closing.

Confidence 100

Confidence Ergonomics Health PowerPoint 100

Ian's Messy Desk

MAY 31, 2010

We’re going to drive to the west coast to enjoy a part of Vancouver Island we haven’t visited before. Or, if you prefer, you can subscribe to my blog posts by e-mail. Thanks for visiting! I’m on vacation right now. As I’m sitting here, enjoying a coffee and taking it easy, I’m thinking about stress.

Stress 100

Stress Management 2010 Ergonomics 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 6, 2010

Don’t expect it to happen overnight, but expect it to happen. Don’t give up. One of my favourite cartoons shows the character contemplating Spring, and she says, “Time to go out in the garden to see if the bulbs I didn’t plant, didn’t come up.&# It will happen. Fix it later.

2007 100

2007 Lifestyle 2008 Goals 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 21, 2010

After all, we only have a finite length of time but the snag is that we don’t know how long we have and when your time is up… As Jim Rohn said, “Time is more valuable than money. Comments Good Information. Time Management is very important. Please visit our website at [link] and check out of our ideas on Time Management.

Management 100

Management 2008 Ergonomics Health 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 7, 2010

Make a list of all you can’t stand about work/life Those who are really stuck may complain that they don’t know what they want. Recognize that ALL change (good or bad) means loss The ‘evil’ we know is sometimes less scary than the ‘evil’ we don’t know. Reframe ‘I can’t!’

2010 100

2010 AT&T Health Ergonomics 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JUNE 2, 2010

Comment by Ian McKenzie on May 30, 2007 @ 1:13 pm I’ve had similar experiences after trips; I travel to customer sites and while I’m onsite, I can’t typically keep up with the things I usually do when I’m in the office, so I find myself going through a similar process. Here’s where you can pull things back on track.

2007 100

2007 Ergonomics Health 2008 100

Ian's Messy Desk

APRIL 9, 2010

That’s when she noticed that one member, Bob, wasn’t writing anything down. I don’t want to tell you how to do your job,” Lynn began, “but I noticed you’re weren’t writing down any of your assignments.” Lynn knew Bob was a competent guy. Yet, given the importance of this project, his casual approach concerned her.

UPS 100

UPS Filing Holidays Health 100

Professional Assistant Blog

FEBRUARY 20, 2008

Your company may have a policy on how they want you to address people in external business e-mail. If I didn’t know the person, and it was my first communication to him/her, I would use both names: John McDonald. They were merely doing their job and didn’t need to be thanked. Jane Watson of J. Who are you?

2008 100

2008 2007 Cubicle Fax 100

The Marq

JANUARY 14, 2010

For now, just know the CLIQ has me as excited as the first Blackberry I ever owned, and I can’t say enough good things about it. What’s more, when I’m driving and I get an idea, I can’t just start writing. Best of all, I don’t have to take my eyes off of the road to jot down a note.

2003 40

2003 Ergonomics Twitter Phones 40

Professional Assistant Blog

NOVEMBER 1, 2007

You can't convince me that everyone loves the same kind of music and conversation and is productive all at the same time. I took it to my manager, since I didn't want to embarrass the person and she took care of it. If it doesn't, at least you tried. Do you listen to music while at work? What makes that right?

Cubicle 100

Cubicle Etiquette 2008 2007 100

Ian's Messy Desk

SEPTEMBER 22, 2010

If you don’t stop the alarm, Nag will remind you every minute until you acknowledge the alarm. Nag’s controls let you set an alarm at the top of the hour, or at a set time away – such as, in 5 minutes, or an hour from now. If you want to fine-tune the alarm time, then simply press the time buttons again to add to the elapsed time.

Ergonomics 100

Ergonomics Health Holidays Copyright 100

Ian's Messy Desk

JULY 14, 2010

Don’t be a pest. Don’t tie up several hours of their time. The courses you take in school that shape your career are often at the instigation of a friend or counselor. The books you read, the tapes you listen to, and the seminars you attend are almost invariably the result of a suggestion from someone you respect.

Networking 100

Networking AT&T Health Policies 100

Ian's Messy Desk

OCTOBER 22, 2010

T erritorial zones/touch – Find the appropriate balance of distance; too close invades personal space, while too far may seem like you’re not interested. Don’t slouch; but don’t sit like you’re at military attention. Stay relaxed and lean forward a bit. By avoiding eye contact, you appear anxious, uninterested and bored.

Learning 100

Learning Ergonomics Health Confidence 100