Technology, Can It Hurt You or Help You?

The wonders of technology...

So many of us by now are familiar and inundated with technology; emails, internet, cell phones, Blackberry, etc.

But, do they really help or hurt us?

Let's discuss why they can hurt us...

Emails, internet, Blackberry can really suck up a lot of our time. Sometimes, we can actually spend our entire day reading emails. Can you imagine how much work we would be able to get done if all of our time was spent in emails? No thank you. Been there, done that.

Also, with technology we find ourselves with too much information. Having too much information to choose from can make decision making rather a difficult task.

Let's discuss how they can help us...

The Convenience Factor!

Technology allows us to do our work and do it effectively by leveraging these tools. If we need to contact someone and it doesn't need to be very formal, this can all be done by sending a email. Also, if we are searching for a particular topic like n.etwork marketing or web development, we can go right on the internet and perform a search from any of the popular search engines. Wow, technology is so wonderful.

Basically, what it all comes down to is managing and limiting. So that technology does not hurt us, we limit the amount of time spent on the internet and dedicate time, on a daily basis for reading and replying to emails.

This will help us so that we can concentrate on projects, tasks, etc. that need to be completed.

Don't let technology hurt you. Use it to your advantage.

Dedicated to your success,


Jerome Ratliff
Visit JeromeRatliff.com to learn about the fantastic journey he's embarked through his business ventures.

Nip Distraction in the Butt

How many times do you find yourself getting distracted from what you are trying to accomplish?

How do you not let interruptions affect you?

With today's working mentality of multitasking, let's face it, multitasking is a distraction. It distracts us from thoroughly, and effectively completing one task.

So that I don't upset our pro-multitaskers, this doesn't mean multitasking is bad or doesn't work, it just means we need to master how to effectively manage multiple tasks at once.

One way to nip distraction in the butt is to learn how to say 'no' to people. However, if you find that you have a lull in between your work and nothing to go onto, then feel free to multitask. Otherwise, put your time and effort to completing one task at a time.

Another way to nip distraction in the butt is to learn how to prioritize. If you find yourself being interrupted and it has nothing to do with what you are presently working on, then once again, say 'no'. Politely tell that person that you are busy working on something very important and as soon as you are done, you will give them your undivided attention. But, for now, your primary goal is to complete one task at a time.

Let's get back to prioritizing...If you are given or have come up with 10 tasks, figure out which of the 10 are the most important to do first. Then, take the top of 5 of the 10, and prioritize which of the 5 is the most important.

Work on your list by starting at #1 . Once again, only allow yourself to multitask if it pertains to what you are trying to accomplish or if you are dependent on someone else completing a portion of the overall task. Some may beg to differ and say that's not mutlitasking if it has something to do with what you are trying to accomplish.

I disagree!

If you are interrupted and asked to do something else, regardless if it is related, that's multitasking.

So, if you find yourself constantly being distracted, nip distraction in the butt by saying 'no' and learning how to prioritize. This may not seem like an effective way, but there have been studies done that says ineffective multitasking contributes to being counterproductive.

According to a CNN.com article it states...

"Multitasking is a managerial buzz-concept these days, a post-layoff corporate assumption that the few can be made to do the work of many. But newly released results of scientific studies in multitasking indicate that carrying on several duties at once may, in fact, reduce productivity, not increase it."

So, there you have it, stay your ground and nip distraction in the butt and become a master in managing your tasks.

Dedicated to your success,

Jerome Ratliff
Independent Associate

You've Got Time On Your Hands

Most people admit that they would love to have more time in the day in order to get things done. But, we all know that is impossible. No matter who we are, we all have the same amount of time as everyone else, 24 hours in one day. No more and no less.

But, why is that some people are able to get more things done?

Is one person better than another person?

No!

Or, does one person understand time management by using a priority system?

Yes!!!!

Managing your time the right way is nothing more than getting the important things done first.

Rather than being overwhelmed with all of the things you have to get done and getting frustrated, take control of your time by wisely making out a list of the tasks you need to complete.

Once you have all of your tasks, prioritize them into a top 5 list. When considering which ones should take priority over the other, consider which one will give you the biggest bang for your buck. So, now you have the priority list from #1 task to get done all the way through #5. When you have finished the top 5 on your list then you can tackle the other outstanding tasks.

Do this for each and every day. Once you become a master at prioritizing, then you won't have to write it out, as it will become automatic for you. However, even the most successful people still need to write it out. They feel just by writing it out, it makes the tasks feel real, and is holding them accountable to completing them. This is my approach, writing them out helps out big time.

So by taking control of your day, you'll see that you've got time on your hands. By the end of your day, you'll feel that you finished the things you needed to get done and have more time to do other things. You'll also feel a sense of accomplishment as your mark each one complete.

Oh yeah, before I forget, if you find yourself unable to complete the tasks you assigned for the one day, continue on the same list the next day until you are done. Then start your new list.

Give it a try, what do you have to lose other than time.


Jerome Ratliff
Independent Associate