6 Ways to Help Your Team Return from Vacation and Hit the Ground Running
Preparing your team for a relaxing, disconnected vacation will help folks return to work with a fresh mindset. Here's how to ensure your team can enjoy vacation and return to work ready to hit the ground running.
6 Trends Shaping the Future of Work (Infographic)
Fax machines, rolodexes, and PDAs seem like ancient history, yet just 10 years ago they were ubiquitous office tools. What surprises does the next decade hold for today’s workers? As the old adage says, the only constant is change. Set yourself up for success by keeping an eye on these 6 big trends that are defining how we’ll work in the years to come. Share this infographic with your forward-thinking friends and colleagues on social media, or by posting it on your site with this embed code: Infographic brought to you by Wrike Get ready for the future of work Thousands of you expressed your opinions on how we'll work in the coming years in our recent surveys. Download the work management and mobile productivity survey reports to find out what your peers believe are the most important changes coming to the workplace, from telework to advances in tech. Why wait for tomorrow? Boost your productivity and work results today by starting a free trial of Wrike.
An Easy Way to Skyrocket Wrike's Speed
Wrike’s project management software works in any popular web browser, be it Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome or Safari. But just as the engine from a Fiat can slow down a Ferrari, the older versions of these browsers rob Wrike of its natural power. That’s why, in case you prefer Internet Explorer, we recommend you use IE version 9 or higher. And the same goes for the other browsers – the newer, the better! You’ll notice how much faster Wrike and your other favorite online apps become and how much more enjoyable it is to work with them. Some of our customers find Google Chrome the most comfortable option for using Wrike. “I knew from prior communications with the Customer Care team that Wrike performed well in Google Chrome, but I simply had no idea how much faster it is. I never thought to try a different browser. Now I know it makes a huge difference,” says Tom Day from CBIA, a long-standing Wrike customer. In case you don’t want to permanently switch to Google Chrome, but still want use some of its benefits, try out its plug-in for Internet Explorer. So update your browser to the latest version and don’t deny yourself Wrike’s full productivity power!
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Top 5 Product Design Blogs to Follow
When you talk about product design, you're talking about the numerous processes involved in creating a product — whether physical or digital. It must have functionality that answers a target market's specific needs, and it must have an aesthetically pleasing form. It's a formula that Apple has used with much success. But where does one find the inspiration to build the type of fabulous products that turn casual customers into rabid fans? Below is a list of our top 5 blogs for product design inspiration, chosen by a combination of their Alexa rank and the personal preferences of our team. These websites and blogs post inspiring links to cool product design from around the globe. They also cover a wide spectrum of design topics, including: UI/UX, graphic design, product management prioritization, industrial design, even fashion and architecture. Bookmark them or add them to your RSS reader. There's more than enough here to jumpstart ideas for your hot new product. The Top 5 Blogs for Product Design Inspiration 1. Yanko Design | RSS FeedTagline: Modern Industrial Design News Yanko has been around since 2002 as a web magazine that highlights outstanding examples of modern industrial design, as well as interior design, technology, architecture, and fashion. From its stark black wooden background to the types of futuristic gadgets that they showcase, this website is for those looking for products that are sleek, shiny, and — dare we say it — downright sexy. A must-read for those looking to create forward-looking products. 2. Design You Trust | RSS FeedTagline: World's Most Famous Social InspirationDesign You Trust is more of a crowdsourced platform than an actual curated website, as its menu immediately gives you the option to submit a post. Think of it as a "bloggier" version of Reddit's design-focused subreddits. However, as a general one-stop-shop of design and art ideas, it cannot be beat. Aside from design posts, expect coverage of more popular subject matter such as fashion photography, graphic design, interior decorating, and yes, even makeup. 3. Inhabitat | RSS Feed for ProductsTagline: Design will save the worldIf you're looking for design inspiration that is eco-friendly as well as beautiful, Inhabitat is your go-to source. They feature green design ideas for physical products as well as architecture, technology, and fashion. It's chock-full of the best green design ideas and innovations. A visual smorgasbord for those looking to build products for an earth-friendly future. 4. NOTCOT.ORG | RSS feedTagline: For your ideas+aesthetics+amusement NOTCOT is actually two sites: There is NOTCOT.COM, which is the editorial side — more of a curated web magazine, complete with in-depth feature articles on products, product design, technology, designers, innovations, and trends. Then there is NOTCOT.ORG, which is the crowdsourced bulletin board where creatives post images and links to products that inspire them. Think Pinterest specifically for design. For quick visual ideas, the .ORG offers the viewer much more to absorb. 5. Behance.net Featured Projects | Link to the Product Design Category Tagline: Showcase and Discover Creative Work Since 2006, Behance has been Adobe's platform for bringing talent and creative opportunities together. Although it looks somewhat like Pinterest in layout, it allows creatives to showcase their best work so that clients can come and hire them. Look through their dropdown menus for a wide breadth of categories — from a product management launch plan to product design to graphic design, architecture, motion graphics, photography, and more, all easily searchable by tag. You'll find a specific category for "Product Design" but also check out the "Industrial Design" and "UI/UX" categories. What Product Design Blogs Do You Read Regularly? Yes, we probably missed your favorite inspirational product design blog in the world. But we won't know what it is until you tell us. You know what to do in that comment box below. Set us straight, ASAP! Read Next: Creative Block? 5 Surprising Ways to Spark Creativity
Shout-Out for Astrid Users: Wrike is the New Home for Your Tasks
Should someone among your friends, family or colleagues use Astrid task management tool as their to-do app, you will want to let them know about our exciting update! Recently it was announced that Yahoo! is acquiring Astrid. However, Yahoo! has not revealed what their plans are for Astrid after its acquisition. We suggest that Astrid users ensure their productivity is safe and blooming no matter what :) In just a couple of clicks they can import their tasks from Astrid to Wrike and easily collaborate on them in our iPhone and Android apps. Should someone among your friends, family or colleagues use Astrid task management tool as their to-do app, you will want to let them know about our exciting update! Recently it was announced that Yahoo! is acquiring Astrid. However, Yahoo! has not revealed what their plans are for Astrid after its acquisition. We suggest that Astrid users ensure their productivity is safe and blooming no matter what :) In just a couple of clicks they can import their tasks from Astrid to Wrike and easily collaborate on them in our iPhone and Android apps. Getting familiar with Wrike will not be a problem for Astrid users as it has all the task management features they are used to. With Wrike they can easily create, assign and schedule tasks. Astrid users will find Wrike’s e-mail integration to their liking, as not a single task will be lost in the clutter of an inbox. In addition to the familiar features, in Wrike, Astrid users can easily collaborate on tasks and instantly see and comment on any update made by their team mates in the real-time Activity Stream. They can also conveniently track time spent on a task and even create tasks without start and due dates to keep track of the “someday” plans. Here are 3 simple steps for migrating Astrid tasks to Wrike: 1. Download your data from the Astrid account. 2. Create a Wrike account, if you don't have one yet. Remember that the free plan is always at your service ;-) 3. Go to "My folders" in your Wrike account, click on the “import” button in the top right corner of your workspace and choose “Astrid” from the drop-down menu. Then upload the Astrid data file and match the names from the app to your contacts in Wrike. That’s it! In case your family, friends or colleagues are worried about the future of their productivity, spread the word that they can easily migrate their Astrid tasks to Wrike and collaborate with them even more efficiently!
Why Work Emails Cause Anger & Confusion (Infographic)
Have you ever received a work email that got you so hot under the collar, you were minutes away from transforming into the Incredible Hulk? Or an email that was so confusing, you had to clarify what you were being asked to do in the first place? Well, you are NOT alone. In a survey conducted by CPP and Sendmail, 64% of respondents reported having either sent or received an email that resulted in unintentional anger or confusion. There are many reasons why work emails frustrate us: no one replied to the email; too many people hit "reply all"; the email content was too long and detailed; or it was too vague; you were being reprimanded by the grammar police; or you were simply drowning in too much email. This just proves what we've been saying all along: email is not the best tool for managing teams, deadlines, and complex projects. It's great for short notes, but not project management. The time is ripe for clearer communication tools that don't add to a worker's already clogged email inbox, and allow for more efficient collaboration between team members. If you're tired of the anger and confusion from emails and spreadsheets, download our eBook to learn what you can change: It's Not You, It's Me: Why Managers Need to Break Up with Emails and Spreadsheets (free eBook) Source: Sendmail, Inc. Read next: 5 Mistakes Marketing Teams Make with Collaboration The Past, Present and Future of Remote Collaboration: Where Does Your Team Stand? (infographic) 5 New Year’s Resolutions for Project Managers
20 Top Productivity Apps For Your Mobile Device
Ever since the first smartphone hit the market, mobile devices have become an ubiquitous presence in our lives: entertaining us during idle moments, keeping us connected to our network of friends and family, and, more recently, serving as a valuable tool for work and productivity. In our recent mobile productivity survey, over 850 respondents shared how their mobile devices enhance their ability to get work done, especially after hours or while working remotely. In spite of headlines stating that mobile devices encourage workaholic tendencies and always-on expectations, 70% of respondents said that their mobile devices either improve or have no negative effect on their work-life balance. And 45% of those who work frequently via their mobile devices say they use 5 or more apps to help them be more efficient. Here are 20 top-rated productivity apps for iOS and Android that will make your mobile device your best asset for getting more done and improving your work-life balance. Best Mobile Productivity Apps for iOS 1. Workflow This Editor's Choice app automates processes like getting directions, calling an Uber to get to your next calendar event, uploading the last photo taken to Dropbox, etc. ($2.99) 2. Duet Display Developed by a team of ex-Apple engineers, Duet Display lets you use your iPhone or iPad as a second display. Connect your device to your Mac with a lightning or 30-pin cable for a lag-free second display that preserves the touch screen functionality. ($7.99) 3. HabitList This app takes Seinfeld's "Don't Break the Chain" productivity approach to help you create and keep better habits. It tracks how long you've kept streaks going for a variety of daily tasks, from "work out" or "drink 8 glasses of water". ($3.99) 4. Pomodoro Timer Customizable timers let you set the length of your work sprints and breaks, all using a clean, beautiful interface. ($1.99) 5. Streaks Chosen as a Best of 2015 app, Streaks helps you form good habits by encouraging you to complete a chosen set of tasks from your to-do list every single day. ($3.99, also available on Apple Watch) 6. Super Notes Take notes, recordings, photos, and set reminders with this free app. Color-code your notes by topic, sort by date or category, search, and sync with your devices or cloud storage. (Free) 7. CamScanner Pro Use your phone's camera to scan receipts, notes, invoices, business cards, etc. Invite others to view and comment on your scans, make annotations, add custom watermarks, set passcodes to view certain documents, and sync across devices. ($4.99) 8. Interact Create and manage groups from your contacts list and easily get in touch with entire teams via message, email, and phone. ($4.99) 9. Forest Forest is a soothing app that encourages you to focus on the task at hand. Keep the app open for 30 minutes to plant and grow a tree. Close the app to check Facebook or Instagram, and the tree will wither and die. ($0.99) 10. Dragon Dictation This voice-recognition app allows you to quickly take down notes or compose messages, without having to type them out on a tiny mobile keyboard. (Free) Best Mobile Productivity Apps for Android 11. 7 Weeks Habit & Goal Tracker Based on the bestselling book, The Power of Habit, this app helps you develop good habits and break bad ones in just 7 weeks. A simple, color-coded design makes it easy to see just how far you’ve come. (Free) 12. Mindly Brainstorm, organize your thoughts, and plan a project with visual mind mapping. Attach notes or images to any element in your mind map, choose color schemes, sync to Dropbox, or export your mind map as a PDF. (Free) 13. TeamViewer Get secure remote access to your Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. Full keyboard functionality, real-time sound & video transmission, and two-way file transfer make it easy to access your files or provide live support to clients and colleagues. (Free) 14. Pocket Save articles and videos you find on the web to read later or offline, on any of your synced devices. (Free) 15. SleepCycle This alarm clock analyzes your sleep patterns to wake you at the best possible time during a 30-minute window, so you start your days feeling fresh, not groggy. ($0.99) 16. Twilight Twilight automatically filters out harsh blue light from your device’s screen to combat eye strain and help you sleep. (Free) 17. Shush! Ringer Restorer Ever silenced your phone for a meeting and then forgotten to turn it back on again? This app lets you set a timer to automatically restore your ringer volume after a set period of time (say, the length of the movie you're watching). (Free) 18. Pushbullet Push files and links between your Android devices, send and receive SMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook Messenger messages, and have mobile notifications pop up while you're working on your computer. (Free) 19. ASTRO File Manager Find and manage all your files, whether they’re stored on an SD card, internal storage, Dropbox or other cloud storage, or on your networked PC, Mac, or Linux device. (Free) 20. Notification Toggle Customize your Android's swipe-down status bar. Quickly switch to WiFi, Bluetooth, silent mode, and adjust screen brightness, or create shortcuts to your favorite apps. (Free) How do you use your mobile device to improve productivity? What would you add to our list? Share your must-have productivity apps with us in the comments below, then check out Wrike's free mobile apps for iOS and Android. To discover the latest trends in mobile productivity, including the top benefits, favorite features, and major challenges of mobile work, download the full results report of our Mobile Productivity Survey 2016.
Why is U.S. Productivity So Low? (Work Management Roundup)
Welcome back to the weekly Work Management Roundup, where we collect and curate the standout business-related articles of the past week or so. This time, we lead off with a shocking headline: according to government labor measurements, recent US productivity hasn't been this low since Jimmy Carter was in the Oval Office. Don't believe it? Read on.
Amazing Online Productivity Resources for Procrastinators
If you're looking for ways to improve your productivity, there are plenty of educational resources to be found online. The hardest part about finding new productivity tips is making sure you're looking at something helpful and accurate. We cruised through tons of online productivity resources and made a list of the best links and sites for you, so that you don't have to spend any extra time searching — that's just one more time-waster you can avoid. Our list of links includes blogs, TED Talks, YouTube videos, podcasts, eBooks, online classes, and more. As for the thousands and thousands of online articles about calculating productivity — there are simply too many; so, we listed some popular websites with "productivity" categories at the end, and you can browse those sites if you prefer reading individual articles. Happy learning! And stay productive, my friends. Productivity-focused websites and blogs These websites talk about productivity, and productivity only. If you're looking for fellow productivity-fanatics, these links are for you: A Life of Productivity: They publish unique experiment results after trying many different methods for increasing productivity. You can also find books, articles, and advice for time management, energy management, focus, and general productivity. Productive Flourishing: Aside from featured articles on productivity, this site also includes a podcast, planners, and more. The Productivity Pro, Laura Stack: A woman with a loyal following of passionate productivity enthusiasts. Her site offers courses to help you increase your productivity, links to her published works, free resources, and a productivity blog. Productive! Magazine: They publish online issues of their magazine, featuring 10 articles on productivity and high-performing teams and individuals. TED Talks about productivity If you've never listened to a TED Talk before, you're missing out. TED Talks bring great speakers onto stages around the world to discuss their wisdom and impart their advice — including advice on productivity. You can browse their website for productivity talks via topics or the search bar. Here are two links to peruse to find the talks you're interested in: https://www.ted.com/topics/productivity https://www.ted.com/search?q=productivity Need a more definite place to start? Here are five productivity TED Talks we suggest: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity with David Allen The Psychology of Self-Motivation with Scott Geller How to Succeed? Get More Sleep with Arianna Huffington Forget Multitasking, Try Monotasking with Paolo Cardini As Work Gets More Complex, 6 Rules to Simplify with Yves Morieux Productivity podcasts Podcasts are a great way to learn while you're on the go. If you're in the car, on a plane, or you're sick of staring at your glowing laptop screen, open your ears and learn about new productivity habits from these business podcasts: Back to Work: Hosted by Merlin Mann and Dan Benjamin. They discuss productivity, communication, barriers to getting things done, productivity-enhancing tools, and more. New episode every Tuesday. Home Work: Hosted by Aaron Mahnke and Dave Caolo. A podcast focused on productivity advice for anyone who works from home, freelancers and telecommuters alike. If you want advice on a specific topic, you can submit questions to be answered on the show. New episode every Friday. The 5 AM Miracle: Hosted by Jeff Sanders. No, you don't have to wake up at 5 AM every day in order to be more productive (I shudder at the thought), but Sanders wants to help us be productive all day, every day. His episodes feature advice on making time for your passions, working with unpredictable schedules, and improving your brain to improve your work. He recently signed a book contract based on all the advice he has shared on his blog over the years. Beyond the To-Do List: Personal Productivity Perspectives: Hosted by Erik Fisher. He discusses and interviews people about all aspects of productivity, from creativity and freelancing to being a parent and still hustling at work. New episodes used to come out weekly or biweekly, but have slowed down to about once per month. ProdPod, a Productivity Podcast: Hosted by Ray Sidney-Smith. Listen to the ProdPod for hard-hitting productivity techniques, research, tool reviews, and other topics of interest for the productivity-minded. This show has already shared 90+ episodes at less than 2-minutes each, so you can listen to one right now for a quick break between tasks, or binge on several episodes at time for a nice 15-minute productivity session during lunch. Defeat the Drama: Hosted by Kirsten E. Ross. Her focus is on helping you get more done at work with less drama — that means cutting down on emotionally-charged arguing and excessive back-and-forth in decision-making. New episodes are released every few days. The Productivity Show: Hosted by Zachary Sexton. The "Asian Efficiency" blog has been offering time management and productivity tips for years, and now they host a podcast where they interview millionaires, actors, and regular Joes to discuss their business principles, and how you can learn from their success. Timeboxing: Hosted by Carl Sondrol. Having a hard time letting your creative mind go wild, while also staying productive? This new podcast interviews creative workers on staying unique, getting in the right mindset for work, and being productive without feeling boring and repetitive — a challenge for many creatives. Getting Things Done (retired podcast): Hosted by David Allen, father of the renowned Getting Things Done productivity method. He published 35 podcasts on how to successfully get started with his productivity method, sharing tips for different types of people, and tools you can use to fuel your focus. Habit Chef Podcast (retired podcast): Hosted by Kendra Kinnison. Productivity is not only working harder and faster, it's also making sure that your work is good in the long-term, not just the short-term. Kinnison's episodes discuss how to set out to achieve your goals and change your bad habits — and make those changes stick. Though no longer releasing new podcasts, 44 episodes are still available for listening on her website. YouTube channels and videos on productivity Videos are becoming the most popular way to digest information. If you prefer a video over an article, check out these YouTube videos and channels for more advice on improving your personal and team productivity: "Why Happiness is the New Productivity (The Story of Mindvalley)": A one-hour recording of Vishen Lakhiani's speech during the "Engage Today" conference in Calgary. He shares how his company went from a side project to a successful business by entering his "state of flow" and using happiness to be more productive. "The Science of Productivity": A whiteboard video on the science behind productivity and motivation from AsapSCIENCE. "Double YOUR Productivity in 1 Day With 5 Simple Tips": Sean Cannell (owner of the popular seanTHiNKS YouTube channel) discusses how he makes time to work full-time, co-run THiNKmedia and THiNK TV, do creative consulting work, create video blogs for his YouTube channel, lead a happy family life, and still have time to watch his favorite TV shows. "Work Smart: How to Make Procrastination Productive": FastCompany's video on accepting the inevitability of procrastination, and learning how to make that time more productive. "7 Brain Hacks To Improve Your Productivity": BuzzFeed's seven hacks to improve your personal productivity. "Becoming The Ultimate Productivity Ninja": A whiteboard video from American Express on the top three tips you need to become a productivity ninja. Work, Money & Business playlist by Actualized.org: Eighteen videos by the very lively Leo at actualized.org on different improvement topics (including procrastination and time management) relating to your work, money, and business. Time Management playlist by Eben Pagan: Nine videos by Eben Pagan on how to improve your time management for better productivity. Free productivity eBooks Never read an eBook before? It's a book-like PDF file that you can download and read from your laptop or carry around with you on your mobile device. They have great learning, and range from ten to hundreds of pages — but usually they are no longer than about fifty pages. Start with these four eBooks on better productivity: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You More Productive: Free eBook from Wrike. Download to read about productivity killers, learn how to fight them, and get actionable tips for your team from productivity experts. Overcoming Procrastination: Free eBook from Free Management eBooks. Download to read through ten chapters on the psychology of procrastination, why quick-fix solutions don't work, and methods to identify your reason for procrastinating every time it creeps up on you. Productivity: How to Get Your S*!% Done: Free eBook from Word Chef. Download this eBook to read 11 articles from different bloggers that cover various topics related to procrastination and productivity: "schadenfreude," the details behind the "standing desk" fad, and getting more real work done in less time every day. The Productivity Manifesto: Free eBook from Nathan Barry. He owns a software design company and writes in his free time. His short eBook shares what he has learned over the years about personal productivity and ignoring the siren call of Twitter and Facebook to buckle down and focus on work. Online classes on productivity Are you motivated by the hustle and bustle of lectures and assignments? Take these online classes to learn in a structured environment and connect with other people who are also interested improving their time management: Work Smarter, Not Harder: Offered on Coursera. This curriculum was set up by a professor at UC Irvine, and can be completed at any time. It includes 4-8 hours of videos, readings, and quizzes that will help you hone your personal awareness so you can use that knowledge to be more productive. Wake Up Productive online productivity class: This class is not currently available at time of publishing, but you can sign up to receive their free videos by entering your email address, and get a message when the class opens up again. Productivity resources found on social media sites Social media can be a great resource to find information on any topic that interests you. Start with these productivity resources, and then see go out and find more on the other sites you love: Flipboard magazine: Productivity Works!: Subscribe to this magazine to stay updated with new productivity articles. LinkedIn Group: Productivity Improvement: Join this LinkedIn group for advice on improving your productivity from other users. LinkedIn Group: Think Productive - The Productivity Ninjas: Another LinkedIn group offering productivity tips and advice for individuals and teams. Pinterest board: Productivity Boosters: Follow this board on Pinterest to see articles and infographics related to productivity. Slideshare: 6 Ways to Simplify Work and Be More Productive: Ways to improve our productivity, based on a TED Talk. Slideshare: 10 Timeless Productivity Hacks: If you're a productivity hack enthusiast, you've read these hacks before. But they're a good reminder if you need to get back on your feet. Slideshare: Productivity: A presentation given at an entrepreneur roundtable by Matten Griffel on productivity and how to organize your work. Slideshare: Rules of Productivity: A research report on eight productivity experiments and their outcomes. Take their lessons learned and improve your own productivity. Slideshare: Work Measurements & Productivity: If you're into math, this presentation gives you a way to calculate how efficiently people are working. Scientific articles about productivity I know, I said I wasn't going to list any productivity articles. But I really liked these two studies, and their scientific findings about productivity and happiness are worth prioritizing on your "to read" list. Check them out: The Science of Productivity by Gregory Ciotti Happiness and Productivity by University of Warwick Well-known news sites with productivity categories Ready to read even more about everything related to productivity? Browse through the archives of popular online magazines and sites for more, more, more. Here's a list of productivity article archives you can start with: "Productivity" on Harvard Business Review "Productivity" on Inc. "Productivity" basics on Psychology Today "Productivity" on Entrepreneur "Productivity" on Huffington Post "Productivity" news on LifeHack.org "Productivity" news, videos, and more on LifeHacker "Productivity" news on Mashable "Productivity" on QuickandDirtyTips.com "Productivity" on the Wrike Blog What are your favorite online productivity resources? Phew, that was quite a list — but I'm sure I missed some of your favorites. Share your go-to resource for productivity tips and advice in the comments below. I'm grateful for any contributions to our list. And now, a poem: Improving work productivity is so greatand we know you've heard a lot about it of late.So we collected this list of links for youto facilitate your daily work to-dos. —Ashley Coolman Related reads:3 Notorious Productivity Killers and How to Fight Them (Infographic)50 Productivity Tips to Boost Your Brainpower (Infographic)Kick Butt in 2015 With These 16 Motivation Hacks
51 Chrome Browser Extensions to Amplify Your Productivity
As more and more knowledge work gets done within a browser, and more work tools migrate to the convenience of the cloud, it makes sense to enhance your browser with extensions that help you get work done faster. We've listed these 51 extensions for Google Chrome that will help amplify your productivity.
How Writing Down Your Goals Helps Increase Productivity
My successful friend Robert always talks about a study he read that links happiness to goals. The main point he took from this particular article is that people are happiest when working toward their goals; even more so than when they actually achieve them. It seems to be true, but there’s one thing his familiar motivational speech on seems to miss every time: The magic really happens when you take the time to write down your goals, when productivity and happiness collide. Here’s how writing down your goals increases productivity at work and in your personal life. What You Need to Know About Your Goals Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching published an article on goal setting wherein they define the term as “the process of establishing an outcome (a goal) to serve as the aim of one's actions.” The benefits of goal setting include higher achievements and increased motivation. Those with clear written goals are more likely to succeed than those without. Additionally, Harvard says that you may want to consider recording how you plan to get to the final destination. Those who write the “whys” and — more importantly — the “hows” of attaining their goals are more likely, over time, to internalize them and develop more “goal-relevant” skills. For long-term, measurable productivity spikes, be sure to write out what you want to achieve along with the steps you anticipate taking to get there. How to Categorize Your Goals for Optimal Productivity The next step is to divide your goals into two categories: Procedural Goals: Cross-situational strategies to help you achieve something, such as learning a problem-solving skill. Outcome Goals: Task-specific goals, such as creating 7 advertisements or sending an email to a certain colleague. The best way to promote self-efficacy and achievement is to combine the two. You will be most productive if you begin with procedural goals, and then shift the focus to outcome goals. So, rather than just focusing on one specific type of goal writing, combine these two in a way that shows development. Here’s an example: Research the available tools for sharing multiple files at one time, weighing the pros and cons. Choose a file uploader for the project. Or… Find a course that covers all topics related to basic SMM marketing. Enroll in SMM course. Being as specific as you can when writing out your goals, transitioning from the procedure to the outcome. Don’t Write Out Goals that are Too Easy Research shows that challenging goals lead to personal growth. When tracking the progress of your goals, what you really want is to be able to see your progress. If you are simply writing out daily tasks in a way that is monotonous and uninspiring, all motivation and productivity go right out the window. The goals you set should really reflect the feelings you’re hoping to attain. So, set goals that are a little demanding of you. They should be realistic, but still inspiring. Look at examples of others’ work that influences you, and choose goals that make you feel energized. Your goals are a reflection of what you aspire to be and do; if they are mundane, your life will be too. Do You Already Write Down Your Goals? When you write clear, concise goals, you will become more productive. Include the steps it will take to reach the finish line, merge both procedural and outcome goals, and set your sights high to stay motivated. Start implementing these ideas into your short- and long-term plan today. If you already write down your goals, share your advice or tips with us in the comments below. How did you successfully turn this practice into a permanent habit? Eva Creerson is a student career and productivity consultant at Master Papers writing company. She is always on the lookout for new ways to optimize work.
Unmasking Impostor Syndrome: 7 Ways to Boost Your Confidence at Work
"You don't belong here." "You're a fraud." "It's only a matter of time before everyone realizes." That is the voice of Impostor Syndrome. People with Impostor Syndrome often feel that their achievements aren't based on merit, but sheer luck. Thoughts like, "I have no idea what I'm doing," or, "The hiring manager made a mistake, I'm not qualified for this job," are common, in spite of all the evidence supporting their abilities and competency. Ironically, Impostor Syndrome is more common among highly intelligent, highly successful people. Impostor Syndrome is not the same as self-doubt or lack of confidence. It’s an inability to accurately assess your own abilities, especially in comparison with others. The result is, you box yourself in, limit yourself based on your own inaccurate self-assessment, and fail to live up to both your current abilities and full potential. You don’t even consider taking on certain projects or job opportunities because it never occurs to you that you’re capable. It keeps you from fully participating in discussions or volunteering your ideas because you think that if you do everyone will see you're out of your depth. Not only are you holding yourself back, you're depriving others of your unique perspective and contributions. Successful teams and businesses need everyone running at 100%, not holding back due to feeling inadequate or self-conscious. Next time Impostor Syndrome starts whispering in your ear, use these 14 strategies to shut it up for good. 7 Effective Ways to Beat Impostor Syndrome 1. Know that you're not alone. According to a study by the International Journal of Behavioral Science, 70% of us feel like impostors at work. That means almost 3/4 of the people around you also feel that they're not qualified when comparing themselves with you. It's easier to strip Impostor Syndrome of its power when you know everyone else feels exactly the same way, even those colleagues you admire most. 2. Recognize Impostor Syndrome for what it is. Acknowledge Impostor Syndrome as something that affects you, so you can start adjusting your attitude. Instead of thinking, "I haven't accomplished anything, and what I have done has just been luck," say to yourself, "I have a hard time recognizing my accomplishments and abilities." Stop thinking of yourself as incapable. Impostor Syndrome is simply an inability to internalize success, not an inability to achieve success. 3. Watch your self-talk. Impostor Syndrome is rooted in your habits surrounding how you talk to yourself. Luckily, bad habits can be broken and good ones built in their place. The next time your inner voice starts undermining your abilities and accomplishments, get out of your head. Take 5 minutes to call a friend and say, "I'm fighting the sneaky hate spiral today — here's what happened." Oftentimes saying what's going through your head out loud is enough to help you snap out of it, and if not, good friends can help us see through the haze of negativity. 4. Don't dismiss praise. When someone says, "Great job!" don't shrug it off. Instead of responding, "Oh thanks, I got lucky," just say, "Thanks!" It's easier to accept and internalize your accomplishments when you stop brushing them off or explaining them away. 5. Act before you feel 100% ready. Thinking about doing something without ever actually doing it is a large part of what makes you feel like a fraud, especially when surrounded by people you see as more authentic. So let go of perfectionism, just get started, and work on continually getting better from there. 6. Remember that being wrong isn't the same as being incompetent. In addition to downplaying their achievements, people with Impostor Syndrome tend to fixate on failures. Everyone makes mistakes — even Hall of Fame athletes strike out, throw interceptions, and miss free throws. Perfection is not one of your job requirements! 7. Embrace lifelong learning. There's a difference between feeling inadequate and recognizing opportunities for growth and improvement. We are all works-in-progress. If we can accept that and push ourselves to keep improving — while also recognizing how far we've come — we stop feeling like permanent frauds and start owning both our weak points and our accomplishments. Quick Tips to Try Today Keep track of your wins. Any time you get an email saying, "Nice work!" or your manager mentions the positive results of your efforts, write it down or archive it in a special folder. When the little voice in your head starts going on about how you’re a fraud and it’s only a matter of time before you’re found out, open that folder and remind yourself of how capable you actually are. Change your perspective of failure. Remember that a large part of doing good work and being successful actually involves failing, trying something new, and failing again until you find something that works. One of the biggest advantages “experts” have is that they understand this and keep working at the problem, and they've accumulated more tricks to try from their past experience. Encourage your teammates. When a teammate helps you out or makes a valuable contribution to your work, tell them. Managers: don't save positive feedback for annual reviews or wrapping up big projects; make it a regular habit. Remind your team members that they're contributing in ways that matter and that you've noticed their results, and if you can, prove it by showing them numbers. Boost your confidence through body language. How you carry yourself isn't just about how others perceive you; it has a profound impact on how you view yourself. Just a few minutes of altering your posture can affect your brain chemistry and make you feel more confident and less likely to let those self-sabotaging thoughts creep in. Keep learning and building on your strengths. Recognizing what you're good at and adding new skills around those strengths gives you more confidence in the form of tangible certifications, as well as practical working knowledge that you'll be able to use in the workplace. And when that knowledge proves useful on the job, you'll see time and again that you do offer value to your team. Pay attention to how other people handle setbacks. No one's perfect, and even the colleagues you think highly of make mistakes from time to time. Watch how they approach these situations to remind yourself that everyone is still learning, no matter how much of an "expert" they are, and pick up new, more productive ways of responding to setbacks. Ask for help. Instead of constantly comparing yourself to colleagues, ask them for help and advice. If possible, find someone you admire to mentor you. You'll learn something new, build meaningful relationships, and get insights into how the other person grew and overcame their own self-doubt. Fighting Impostor Syndrome How have you overcome Impostor Syndrome? Share your stories in the comments below and let's give each other some encouragement!
3 Productivity Secrets: Sleep, Deep Work, No Multitasking (Work Management Roundup)
Welcome back to the weekly Work Management Roundup, where we collect the week's best reads in work, business management, and productivity to inspire you to work smarter. This week, we open with three articles that tackle why we're not performing at our best: we lack sleep, we don't schedule time for deep work, and we're addicted to multitasking. Read on!
What Wrike Users Have to Say about Its Features
WaveTekk https://www.wrike.com project management tools with 30-day trial, also they are provided video instruction, and really carry out our needs. KarlieMacG @Consider_IT Wrike...I like it....ALOT :) Consider_IT @KarlieMacG Wrike is good :) krish_int https://www.wrike.com/- I think this can also be a better alternative to Deskaway as one can manage as many projects as you like free Try! tm65 Wrike seems like a nice tool. lkr @ramit I would just contact @wrike, they have 99% of what u want out of the box, could maybe do a custom solution on the rest for u millca @viticci Check out @wrike --> It is the best project management software I've found -- soon to have an iPhone app too! LovelyLauraRose I wrike! :) mr_credit Wrike - Programming Blog: Active in over 50 countries, Wrike is often used by small business managers as well as v... https://bit.ly/c31THO andreaverdiani Wrike: What can you use the application for? Wrike is an intuitive project management web... https://bit.ly/bi5rNd andrewsthoughts Recent betas that I love the most: Google Voice international calls on Nexus and upcoming Wrike 3.0 release lkr Two companies that keep my biz going: @infusionsoft & @wrike. Thank you both for listening to my feedback constantly improving! core @marcomalacarne Wrike does a few things right. It has gantt charts and an integrated e-mail workflow. emdyard Scheduling: Wrike Fine-tunes Project Scheduling, Doubles Task Management ... https://bit.ly/daPPiO FRMNTRNSPRT WRIKE is the way we manage. www.wrike.com. nancymyrland Project Management Software --> RT @wrike: @pricklypig any questions abt Wrike, we'll be happy to help! https://www.wrike.com rjamestaylor Just received a personal note along with chocolate to check out a new product integration with Google Wave. It worked, @Wrike! Keep sharing your thoughts about Wrike! By the way, it’s high time to become our follower on Twitter, if you’re not one yet.
Productivity Lovers, Build Better Habits for Your Project Team
Ever wonder how successful project teams make it seem so easy? Every team member is engaged, every deadline is met, and every project is a breeze.... Today on Elizabeth Harrin's popular blog, PM4Girls, our CEO and productivity-lover Andrew Filev teaches everyone how to instill new team productivity habits. Read it now and make other people wonder how YOU do it. Andrew's guest post gives us 5 easy steps to move team members from habit denial to habit acceptance as quickly as possible. He writes: "Your team’s productivity habits are the magic ingredients to your project's success. If you have the right recipe, your team will complete the project on time and collaborate in a hassle-free way... Motivational speaker Brian Tracy said, 'Successful people are simply those with successful habits.'" If you want to build better productivity habits for your project team (and who doesn't want better productivity?), and invest in a resources planning tool, read Andrew's advice on PM4Girls right now.
One Simple Trick To Make All Your Meetings Productive (Video)
Are you part of the 39% of people who admit to dozing off during meetings? How often do you sneak a peek at your phone to browse Twitter under the table? Do you check up on other work in the middle of a meeting? Guilty on all counts? With 11 million(!) business meetings taking place every day in the US alone, and up to half of that time being wasted, we can hardly blame you. And we commend you for seeking a solution to unproductive meetings. Wrike's principal consultant and productivity coach Errette Dunn has picked up a few tricks during his time at Toyota and other top companies, and he's ready to share his #1 secret for better meetings. Click 'play' on the video below to learn the one question you need to ask to make all your meetings more productive. Make your meetings more productive Use Wrike to easily capture assignments and next steps from all your meetings. Learn how to lead effective weekly meetings in Wrike, then start a free Wrike trial to try it out with your team. Statistics Source: MeetingKing.com Read next: 4 Problems with Virtual Meetings You Can Fix 7 Tips for Better Meetings (Infographic)
How to Get Unstuck: Focus on the Future (Work Management Roundup)
Welcome back to the weekly Work Management Roundup! We took last week off from the roundup in order to bring you our April Fools prank. But the hijinks were everywhere across the web: while some people lost their jobs because of a GIF, others were wowed by imaginary products, and people all over the globe scrolled through roundups of the best pranks to laugh with the rest of us. So this week, we're giving you a double helping of links to productivity-enhancing articles and management-improving blog posts to help you bounce back from the April 1st tomfoolery and get ready to tackle this new quarter with some verve. Read on! You Need to Practice Being Your Future Self (Harvard Business Review): The reason most of us are stuck in a rut? We're focusing on what's bugging us at this present moment instead of spending time moving toward our future goals. This means doing stuff which may feel unproductive at first because there's no instant gratification of marking off a checklist, but which will eventually help us achieve an end goal. How I've Learned To Get Through A 100-Hour Workweek In One Piece (Fast Company): The first rule is: if you can avoid it, do so. But if you can't, here's a comprehensive guide to surviving a hundred-hour workweek, including a handy infographic charting what tasks to do at which time of day, written by a survivor who didn't lose his mind while going through it. What Every Entrepreneur Should Learn from GoPro Founder Nick Woodman (Fortune): Today’s answer to the question “How do you come up with a new startup idea?” is quite simple: solve an existing problem. That's how GoPro founder Nick Woodman did it. And that's how all successful startups begin. The Hidden Psychology of Failure (BBC Capital): The rapid pace of business is forcing companies to fail fast and often — in short, experiment in order to innovate. Failure then isn't something to be feared, since the lessons learned can lead to a more successful future. But is there any scientific proof that successive failure propels innovation forward? 4 Ways to Keep Mobile Tech from Hindering Productivity in the Workplace (Entrepreneur): With BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) a reality in corporate offices everywhere, there's a very real struggle to keep workers productive when distractions are just a tap away. Here are 4 guidelines for ensuring devices help, instead of harm, worker productivity. New Report Released: How Marketers Get Things Done: The State of Agile Marketing in 2016 (Wrike): Our latest report explores the world of Agile and the challenges marketers are facing today. We surveyed 800 marketers about their work management, use of digital tools, and their collaborative relationship with other departments. And the results might surprise you. Working for a workaholic? If you're ever pressured to check work emails at all hours, or respond to requests on Sunday afternoons, then use these 10 strategies for impressing your workaholic boss without becoming one yourself. Here's the full blog post on #Wrike: ----- >>>>> http://bit.ly/workaholic-no A photo posted by Wrike (@wriketeam) on Mar 25, 2016 at 2:37pm PDT More Work Management Reads Business: Audio Of The Week: Albert Wenger and Mike Masnick on Encryption, Security, and Privacy (AVC) 4 Benefits of Managing Your MarTech Stack Like an Ecosystem (Boardview.io) Who Killed Project Management? A Baker’s Dozen of Project Management Do’s and Don’ts (PM Hut) Heavy Use of Social Media Linked to Depression in Young Adults (Psych Central) Study: Customers (Especially Millennials) Hate When You Fail to Deliver Cross-Device Experiences (Adweek) Creativity/Productivity: Adam Grant: The Surprising Habits of Original Thinkers (TED Talks) On Using Inspiring Locations to Inspire Deeper Work (Cal Newport's Study Hacks) OneTab - a browser extension that converts all your open tabs into a list Tutorials: How to Start a Blog in 5 Steps (ProBlogger) How to Write Email Subject Lines Like a Pro (Huffington Post) How to Start a Business With (Almost) No Money (Entrepreneur) Browse The Work Management Roundup on Flipboard If you use Flipboard on your mobile device, then you can check out these links via The Work Management Roundup magazine. View my Flipboard Magazine.
3 Notorious Productivity Killers and How to Fight Them (Infographic)
Do any of these situations sound familiar? You're completely focused, getting work done, and then your coworker taps you on the shoulder just to chat... and now you can't get back in the zone. Your manager assigns you a new project, but it's such a large effort that you know you won't be able to make any real progress today... so you start working on something else instead. The deadline for your collaborative project is two days from now, and suddenly your team member lets you know that they still have four days worth of work to do... the last-minute scramble ensues. These three examples highlight some of the most notorious productivity killers around: interruptions, procrastination, and inaccurate plans. Fortunately, there are ways to fight back. Check out this infographic to learn what you need to do to put these notorious killers behind bars for good: Want to share this productivity killers infographic with your readers? Embed it on your site with this code: Infographic brought to you by Wrike Related Reads: 50 Productivity Tips to Boost Your Brainpower (infographic) 8 Mental Weapons to Vanquish Procrastination (infographic) Free eBook download: Get Things Done with Wrike Free eBook download: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You More Productive