Main-te-nance (noun): work that is done regularly to keep a machine, building or piece of equipment in good
condition and working order.

Considering the BMW or Lexus in your driveway, the issue of a tune-up is a no-brainer. No one would risk ruining such a finely crafted (and expensive) machine by neglecting routine but
critical—maintenance.

However, when we turn our attention to the finely crafted “machine” reading this article, and the equally finely crafted enterprise you’re responsible for, suddenly “tune-up” starts to sound like your
mother nagging you to brush your teeth. Yet the same principles apply:
Maintenance is what it takes to keep us “in good condition and working order.”

Step #1 in any productivity tune-up has tostart with a quick assessment of where you stand today. What’s frustrating you? What are the sources of stress? Next, take a hard look at the source of these
problems. Or, as productivity expert Julie Morgenstern puts it, answer the
question: “Is it me, or is it them?” Taking a hard look at these issues will
help point out what needs attention. Then consider some of these tips and
resources from well-known productivity experts to identify ways you can
accomplish more while reducing stress and putting some enjoyment back in your
life.

•  Keep track of your most important commitment—the one you make to yourself.

David Allen, author of Getting Things Done, contends that commitments to yourself are
qualitatively different than those you make to others because your conscious
mind can essentially “lose track” of them. What Allen calls your “mental RAM”
will continue to expect those commitments to be fulfilled, but you may have
forgotten about them amidst the clamor of your work life. The result is the
worst kind of stress, because you feel the pressure but you can’t quite figure
out where it’s coming from.

•  Practice saying “No.”

Do you find that your work has bled almost seamlessly into your personal life?
One of the answers to this problem is often the word, “No.” You have to acquire
the skill to utter that magic word in order to create some boundary around your
work and create the opportunity for personal relaxation and renewal. The key is
to steadfastly turn down obligations unless they further your
priorities.

•  Invest in your health.

This goes without saying, right? Actually, for most of us, it also
goes without doing. Yet, apart from the obvious benefits of better health,
increasing your physical well-being can yield tremendous benefits in terms of
your productivity at work. Managing your energy—starting with your physical
health, including diet, sleep and exercise—that is more important than managing
time in improving your personal productivity.

•  Pick a system—any system—just pick one.

How many different places do you squirrel away information? Email? Yellow pads? Daily planner? PDA? Post-it Notes stuck like a yellow halo around
your computer screen? It might take a serious investment of time to sort through
the options, but decide on one…and then use it. Any system that you actually use
is going to be better than no system or the hodge-podge that so many of us have
fallen into.

•  Fun? 

Another important tune-up is to get reconnected with what’s happening to your personal life.
Maintaining your personal relationships, relaxing and—gasp!—having fun are
critical to your mental health, which, in turn, affects your energy, creativity
and productivity.

The main point is to build a regular “Tune-Up” into your calendar. There are countless ways you can improve your productivity, lower your stress and enhance your physical and emotional well-being. But they
all require some focus, thought and energy. The key is to treat the process of
personal renewal itself as a priority. Schedule it. Place it in the priority
queue, assign time to it, and actually give it some of your attention. Your time
will be well spent.

Spring is here. Time to
see what style you want to portray. If you aren’t sure of what should be
included or of what’s missing, schedule a complimentary consultation with me @
Kathy@NewDirectionsCoachingCo.com.