Most people believe that the biggest constraint on their productivity, is the amount of time that they have. In most cases, this is not true.

Of course, you probably have had days when you went from one thing to the next without even stopping to eat, and felt like you had accomplished so much by the end of it. But you will also have noticed that you felt like you were spinning and that this was followed by a slump – a drop in energy. We cannot keep going in this mode for too long without it leading to loss of energy and burnout. 

We live in a world of uncertainty. We are constantly trying to overcome this by making sense of things. The problem is that however good our sense-making is, it can never match the complexity of the world.  As a result, the meaning that we create is always tinged with doubt. Some uncertainty always remains. Said another way, the assumptions we make and the things we do in the world all attract an element of risk. 

The Pareto (pronounced pah reh taw) Principle states that most of the time 20 percent of invested input is responsible for 80 percent of the results obtained. Put another way, 80 percent of effects or consequences come from 20 percent of the causes.

The Pareto Principle is an unscientific phenomenon that is also known as the Pareto Rule, the Pareto Law, the 80/20 Rule, the Law of the Vital Few and the Principle of Factor Sparsity.

The concept of ‘living in the now’ or ‘being in the present’ has its roots in Eastern philosophies, but has gained popularity in mainstream western thinking in recent years because of the writings of people such as Eckhart Tolle, Jon Kabat-zinn and many others.

The increasing popularity of the concept – also referred to as ‘mindfulness’ – has quickly promoted its status from an esoteric concept to an abundantly used ‘power-phrase’ in the area of ‘self-help’. Many people are still confused by the concept and don’t fully understand it. So what does ‘living in the now’ actually mean and why and how should introduce it into our lives?

Abraham Lincoln is regarded as one of the most important presidents in American history. He was well known for his energy and productivity. Abe Lincoln's productivity secret was to use sharper tools to get the job done more efficiently.

He said: “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” 

Article as it appeared in Weigh-Less Magazine. By Natasha Liviero

Are you in the habit of starting projects without completing them? We offer up some solid solutions for seeing things through to the end. 

Article as it appeared in the Vrouekeur magazine. By Tanya de Venter (Translated into English)

Are you working more but feel as if you are getting less done?

Are you becoming more critical of your own, or other people's inabilities?
Have you lost your sense of humour?

If this sounds like you, you could be burning out. Take the Burnout Test to assess your risk, and read what you can do to help yourself.

Understanding that you have the right to ask for what you want is the key to becoming a more assertive person. Assertiveness helps you feel better about yourself and your self-control in everyday situations, and increases your chances of having honest relationships. But, how can we be assertive without being selfish – and what is the difference between the two?

Conflict occurs when the goals, needs or opinions of one person clash with those of another. Unchecked, this conflict can escalate into full-blown hostility and even violence. When viewed constructively, however, conflict can actually become a valuable and productive growth experience. What skills can we develop to help us handle conflict situations correctly, ensuring a positive outcome for both parties?

Even with the ever-growing dominance of computers and social networking sites, and the popularity of e-mail and text messaging, the telephone continues to be the tool of choice for most business communication. It is very important, therefore, to establish good telephone manners in order to convey a polished professional image. Poor telephone technique, sloppy cell phone savvy and missing mobile manners all detract from the impression you make when you make a call.

Here are some practical guidelines to help you foster fabulous phone finesse, ensuring you are heard even when you’re not seen!