Ernest Hemingway would end his writing day by starting a sentence but then leaving it half finished. This served as a bridge to the next morning so rather than having to face the dreaded blank page, he had some built-in momentum the next morning. I've done a similar thing when writing my books - though admittedly stopping halfway
through a sentence would haunt my dreams!
According to Laura Mae Martin, Google's executive productivity advisor, we can learn something from Hemingway's approach. Martin is a strong believer in planning your following morning at the end of every day. When you plan your next morning you calm some of the mind debris that floats aimlessly around your brain, and you are far
more likely to stick to the plan and be more productive. Plus, you won't face decision fatigue in the morning having to decide what you'll be working on.
Some of Martin's other tips for a better morning include:
Build in a 30-minute buffer zone before your first commitment - thirty minutes of time just for yourself. Which might mean getting up before
anyone else in your family!
Don't look at any screens for 30 minutes. Store your mobile device out of easy reach if you must.
Be intentional about choosing the music you listen to, whether it's at home or on your commute. Choose music that will put you in a good mood - because choosing music that will put you in a bad mood is really, really lousy advice.
Mike's Fun at Work Tip
There's a marine biologist from Seattle who signs off all his emails with, "Best fishes!"
So here's a fun brain energizing idea to open your meetings with: Give everyone one minute to come up with a funny
email sign off that relates to their particular job.
Quote of the Week
"It's one thing to be able to take a joke. It's an entirely different thing to take disrespect disguised as a joke."
Funny Business
As seen on the side of an Appliance Repair Team van:
"WE REPAIR WHAT YOUR HUSBAND FIXED!"
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How to Be An Inspiring Culture Leader: What Culture Leaders Do to Create Inspiring Cultures That Drive Extraordinary Results This online membership site/course includes 12 video-based modules, 5 eBooks, and all the resources you need to help you and your team build an inspiring workplace culture.
LinkedIn Learning Course: How to Exceed
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don't!
