Nicholas Bate

Productivity 101

Don't let anyone suggest anything else. Your true productivity is about WHAT plus WHEN. WHAT you have to do (pay the child-minder, write the report) and want to do (return to India, learn to cook), linked to a date WHEN you are going to do it. All you need to decide is your capture sysytem (for WHAT) and your regular ritual of scheduling (for WHEN).

Hey-it doesn't seem so bad after all?

How to Think Like: The Film Director

1. This is a moment of deep fear.
2. The 'loss of a child' moment.
3. And yet a moment of acceptance.
4. Coupled with pathos and powerlessness.
5. But it's all in the eyes: just a split second.
6. With a slight loss of body strength.
7. OK: let's see if we can do it in one take. Roll!

The A to Z of Moleskine: R is Ritual

We moleskine users love the rituals associated with the notebook. New copies and breaking the cellophane (a pleasure know, of course, to smokers). Established copies and the security of returning the elastic around the cover. Old copies and haunting memories of a beach-house in Florida. Perfect pens on perfect paper. Ahhh! The power of ritual; don't knock it.

Blast from the Past: March 2007

Origininally posted March 2007

Why aren't you?
Creating music?
Writing?
Dancing?
Gardening?
Cooking?
Painting?

You need to; there's an artist inside who wants to get out.

Do the opposite

1. If the relationship is bad, try investing in repair, not becoming political nor sulking.
2. If you need energy, try exercising, not doing less.
3. If you need to feel 'cheered up', try saving, not shopping.

Yep: try the opposite.

How to Think Like: The 35th Anniversary Rock Band Tour

1. How does it go again?
2. Think of the money.
3. I'm not sure I have got the range anymore.
4. Think of the money.
5. Did we really agree to 29 dates?
6. Yeah-but McCartney is a professional.
7. Think of the money.

How to Think Like: Jackson Pollack

1. splosh
2. anguish
3. splash
4. despair
5. wide brush stroke
6. rage
7. art

Tuesday Three

1. Fire that client who has become an unreasonable nuisance. You have invested a lot of time in them but now the return is certainly no longer worth the investment. Do it soon.
2. Now that it is NOT Valentine's Day send her some beautiful flowers and remind her how gorgeous she is. For no other reason than she is.
3. Stop wearing jeans every day. Just because you can it doesn't mean it represents you as you wish to be perceived.

Something to think about

"Make everyday your masterpiece"
John Wooden

Negotiation Skills: The surgery is open

I want to negotiate myself a higher salary-how do I do it?

One thing we can easily forget is that you can't negotiate until you have sold. There is no little trick that will catapult you to a higher salary until they really want you. So as in any negotiation, sell first. Which in this instance means spend six months doing a fantastic job. Then walk into the negotiation room with confidence. Don't let them mess you about and ask for more money. But don't even think about it until they really want you. And they will-but you need to give it a bit of attention first.

Same with any negotiation: sell first, then trade.