1-Minute Strategy

Cut the constant 'I'

Only begin a sentence with “I” if you’re talking about yourself. It sounds obvious, but it’s a rule that’s rarely followed. Leading off with "I'm concerned that" or "I believe" when your point is more about other people ...

Target dates beat 'ASAP'

Avoid using the term ASAP; it means different things to different people. Employees faced with an “ASAP assignment” may not know whether that means they should instantly drop whatever they’re doing to complete the project or wheth...

Teach yourself the way children do

When confronted with a new software program, give yourself a day to just click every button and “break things” before you start hitting tutorials or a manual. You’ll accidentally discover valuable tools and feel less pressure to lea...

Sharpen the focus of a meeting

Propose to a meeting organizer that you play the role of "tangent spotter." Whenever unrelated issues or circular arguments sidetrack the meeting's efficiency, the tangent spotter brings the group's focus back: "Hey guys, let's get back on track,...

Sing items into your memory

Train your brain to remember something by singing it to a familiar tune. Doubt it will work? Well, do you recall how you learned the order of the alphabet?

Make some real progress

List the three biggest problems you’re facing at work today. Are any of them the same challenges you were facing a year ago? If so, the time is now to knock them off the list.

Beware 'surfer's voice'

If you check your email or scan the web while you’re talking on the phone, the listener can almost always sense it. You’re not getting away with as much as you think!

Think like an editor

Editors remove all the unnecessary words from texts they revise. In a similar way, you should practice making your statements in the fewest possible words so that your message is unmistakable.

If you're one down, pause before posting a job ad

When someone on your team resigns, make this one of your first thoughts: “Is there a way we can do the job without hiring someone?” Management loves this sort of cost savings, and it might be more doable than it first seems....

Schedule time to stay in their consciousness

Groom and maintain contacts by making them aware of a helpful article or pointing them toward a new business book, software program or other tool. A once-a-month “Hello, check this out” exercise like this one keeps lines of communication ...

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