Improving Negotiation Skills
This week my learning time was focused on a couple of areas, improving negotiation skills, and learning to focus on what matters most so most notes are around those subjects. I have also officially spent three+ weeks on the zero inbox method. I know a lot of you already do this but it just never worked for me. I made a couple of adjustments this time and I have to say… it has definitely made my life so much easier and less stressful. I have included my new process as an attachment in case you want to swipe and adapt.
Random Notes that Resonated:
Knowing your worth- Psychological studies show that all addictions including being a workaholics or perfectionists are rooted in the primal need to be loved or to prove our worth. (more about this on the podcast linked below but fair warning it can really hit home)
Delegate don't Abdicate your responsibilities
Innovation is a new idea that meets unsolved needs for your consumer. What unsolved needs can we meet?
Success = Vision + Strategy + Execution
Eliminate Electronic Notifications and Alerts from you applications these interruptions distract your brain from the task at hand every time you receive one you have to reboot and find your focus again. This wastes precious time. If things are urgent they will find you.
Key questions to improve your business: what can I do better? what can I do more?
Constant Urgency causes burnout…. How can we reduce the constant urgency for the processors?
When negotiating spend your time uncovering as much information as possible don't prepare a counter argument. Let your brain focus on understanding the problem and the need. Preparing your sales pitch or your counter argument will rob you from gaining good information that can close the deal. Be curious.
Gratitude eliminates Anxiety
You can't be grateful and hateful at the same time
“have to’s” versus “get to’s”... where do you spend your day? Changing your frame of mind. Look at "have to's" as opportunities and it will transform the quality of you day
Books to Read:
Make Time: Over 80 tips on how to “make time”
The Book in 3 sentences:
This book is about identifying what is most important in your life and eliminate distractions that make you seem, and feel too busy to get them done.
It points out that the average American spends 6-8 hours on TV and smartphones... Get off the busy bandwagon and quiet the infinite technology pools and focus on what matters most.
Design your time by focusing on the highlight of your day (the most urgent, the most important or the thing that bring you the most joy) schedule 60-90 min to make sure its gets done.
Never split the Difference: This is a carryover from last week. I included worksheet in case you want to just go through the highlights
Podcasts to Listen to:
Podcast: show 6 "biblical studies" Purpose Drive- this about what we do to prove our worth
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/purpose-driven-show-6/id660969366?i=1000455219696
Top Quotes:
"There is more to life than increasing the speed" - Mahatma Gandhi
"We don't remember the days we remember the moments" -Cesare Pavese
"What you do everyday matters more than what you do every once in a while- Gretchen Rubin
"Failures plant the seed for success"- Chris Voss
"The quickest path between where we are and where we want to be is simple: our habits and our choices"
Things I Discovered:
Daily Highlights : from the book making time
Negotiation Study Guide- give you all the tips of negotiating (attached)
Tagging Files:
I have heard of tagging as a filing system for a long time but it never really clicked foe me. I always thought “isn't the title of my document enough”. But as I am building out my slip box I've realized tagging is very useful. Tagging your files or notes does make it easier to find them at a later date. It's like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs so you can find your ideas later. It also helps your brain make connections of new thoughts and ideas. Words you choose for tagging should not be in the title of the document. They should be words that are "related" to your documents but not in the title of your document. You may also choose words that would be related to a situation when you may look for this document again or the general subject you are addressing. Creating a master tag list will help keep your tags consistent and help you find your breadcrumb trail when you need it.
Food & Drink:
Mrs. Hanes Moravian Sugar Crisp Cookies
Someone sent these cookies to me for Christmas and at first glance the tin seems overly simple but the cookies inside are thin, crispy, lightly sweet bites of yum. Nothing fancy but oh so good with a cup of hot cocoa or coffee. I ordered a couple of these for Valentine's day. You can still get them in time if you order them by the 8th. They are a good sales gifts or thank you gift but you need to order them tomorrow to get here in time for Valentine’s Day.