“Ann, I love your Clear Thoughts newsletter. I read every edition. They’re all fantastic, and highly relevant to Medtronic.”
Paul Franson, Clinical IT Development Manager, Medtronic
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Jay Primack, Managing Partner, Moriarty & Primack P.C.
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“I wish everyone read this book. Ann Latham’s “Uncommon Meetings” is a quick read, packed with substantive ideas on how to get more out of meetings in less time. Everyone who runs meetings should read it!”
Janet Warren, President, MarCom Capital
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“Ann Latham is one of the best business speakers I have heard. She is very experienced, the quality of her thinking is extremely high, and she knows how to deliver her message in an entertaining, concise, and convincing way.”
Dr. Alan G. Robinson, Isenberg School of Management, Author - "Ideas Are Free"
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“On a collaborative project with Boeing Phantom Works, Ann did a tremendous job in identifying the cost drivers, producibility issues, and productivity barriers of a supplier organization, all of which were impeding the success of our project.”
Ed Gerding, Chief Engineer C-17 St. Louis, The Boeing Company
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“Ann can help you identify the crux of a problem and solutions that will work for you. While others may be good, my 35 years of experience tells me that no one is better.”
Perry Walraven, President and CEO, Performance Controls, Inc. a Subsidiary of Hitachi Medical Corporation
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“Ann’s ability to simplify complex issues such that everyone understood their respective roles was a key part of her success. She truly helped us achieve profitable and predictable growth while improving the quality of our methods and processes.”
S. W. Emery, Jr., Chairman and CEO, MTS Systems Corporation
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“I would recommend Ann to anyone who wants to make better plans and decisions in less time and with better confidence in the outcomes.”
W. Lowell Putnam, Chairman/CSO, VCI (Video Communications, Inc.)
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“’Wow’ sums it up nicely. The way Ann works is impressive: she has a great handle on people, makes everyone want to work together, ensures meetings are focused and valuable, and simplifies the challenges and options so all can reach shared conclusions.”
John Heaps, President, Florence Savings Bank
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“You are clearly a gifted facilitator and helped us achieve some important outcomes. The ROI was there.”
Bob Fazzi, President & CEO, Fazzi Associates
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“Ann listens, understands, simplifies, reframes, and provides clear advice. I inevitably leave with a new perspective, better decisions, 3 - 4 specific action items, and the resolve and focus I need to get the right things done. If you are looking for a great coach, call Ann.”
Michael Niedenfuehr, Financial Planner, Cambridge Investment Research, Inc.
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“Ann’s book, Clear Thoughts, is the fresh, grounding breath of perspective that every executive needs in order to see clearly despite the daily chaos”
Jane Lansing, VP Marketing, Emerson Process Management
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“Ann uncovers common ground, creates opportunity, and guides the group to new shared conclusions in remarkably little time.”
Laurie Fenlason, Vice President for Public Affairs, Smith College
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“Working with a diverse group of manufacturing and design team members, Ann was able to gain consensus for improvement initiatives, win over even the skeptical, and move the team forward toward production-readiness.”
Dana Badgerow, General Manager, AeroMet Corporation
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“After working with Ann, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend her to anyone in need of a strategy, plan, arbitration, facilitation, etc.”
Chuck McCullagh, CFO, The Williston Northampton School
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“Ann Latham transformed our thinking about how our organization works. This discovery led us to a strategic model that solves our pain and opens new opportunities. She truly lives up to her brand of ‘uncommon clarity.’”
Suzanne Beck, Executive Director, Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
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“Ann is a captivating speaker, providing important principles in an approachable, common-sense way. Our audience enjoyed her depth and breadth of knowledge.”
Aimee Griffin Munnings, Esq., Director, Western New England College Law and Business Center for Advancing Entrepreneurship
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“The process that our committee engaged in was outstanding and the outcome of our work is truly exceptional.”
Russell Peotter, General Manager, WGBY - Public Television for Western New England
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“Ann’s work with us helped change the direction of three units very set in their ways and has opened up a myriad of possibilities for growth in the future.”
Joan Schuman, Executive Director, Hampshire Educational Collaborative
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“The time and stress saved by one phone call with Ann was astounding.”
Rev. Johanna McCune Wagner, Director of Religious Life, The Culver Academies
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Every organization would benefit from the material found in Ann’s audio seminar, “Meeting Mastery.”
Chuck Hatch, General Manager, Packaging Corporation of America
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Ann Latham's Tips for Peak Productivity - #4 Create Energy with Clarity
This is one tip in a series of techniques to help you take control of your time, feel
great about each week, and watch those weeks add up to impressive results. The key to each successful week is two-fold:
- Identify what would constitute a successful week
- Make it happen
This tip tackles both. Get the unimportant tasks off the list so you can finish the important ones with enthusiasm!
Uncommon Booster #4: Create Energy with Clarity
Ask yourself which items on your To Do list are energizing and which are draining. An energizing task is not necessarily important, but it is likely to be done well and is often done quickly. The more energizing tasks on your list, the better for you, your company, and your life.
Tasks that drain your energy are never good because they detract from your ability to accomplish other things. The fewer draining tasks on your list, the better. While I suspect few people can avoid all draining tasks, my advice is to do the best you can. Identify them and do one of the following:
- Ignore them
- Delegate them
- Outsource them
- Manage them
We are energized when we believe we are doing something valuable and drained when we believe we are wasting time. If something doesn’t add value, find out if you can ignore it. If you are “supposed to do it” but think it is a waste, start asking questions. Maybe it is a waste and deserves to be ignored. Or maybe someone will help you understand the value, which should boost your energy level!
We are also energized by tasks that are a good fit for our talents. Talents vary tremendously thus one person’s pain is another’s pleasure. Some people want to be mentally challenged while others want to hone a process to make it as efficient as possible. Some are attuned to details while others won’t notice the details even if they trip over them. Some are keen on developing relationships while others won’t even notice the person at the other end of the transaction. A mismatch between task and natural inclinations can be a huge drain. When you identify a mismatch, look for ways to delegate, reassign, or outsource.
When you absolutely must do draining tasks, manage them to minimize the damage:
- Establish boundaries so draining tasks can’t expand to fill all available time
- Schedule them for a time when you have the energy and patience to dispatch them quickly
- Try to get them out of the way, perhaps in the morning, so they don’t hang over your head
- Reward yourself when you’ve finished
- Try to find the silver lining that will make them more interesting, more challenging, or more rewarding
Strive for the day when every task on your To Do list is energizing.
© 2011 Ann Latham. All Rights Reserved.