The mind doesn’t stop when we have a vacation or take a break, especially an innovative and creative mind. This weekend we enjoyed the beauty of Leech Lake, Minnesota, at a friend’s cabin. The sound of percolating coffee and gentle waves systematically rolled onto the shoreline in the background as I wrote this. A couple of motorboats hummed across the lake in the distance. A quiet morning.

To calm my restless mind and focus on the writing in front of me, I did yoga in the screened in porch. As I sat down, my mind’s eye scanned a mental inventory. How am I using my time, technology, and talent? The concepts introduced to you in last week’s podcast conversation with Jan Lehman of CTC Productivity (Circle The Client), who brings us more productivity tips.

       Time. Time away with family and a friend. Negotiated items were consolidated into one car. The 3 ½ hour trip turned into five hours with stops, traffic, side curb stop for corn on the cob at a local vegetable vendor, and dinner at Big Axe Brewing Company in Nisswa. Normally, my thoughts are pedal to the medal let’s keep moving on a trip, especially one where I am driving. Download

I calmed my inner productivity critic and told myself, “it is okay to go at a leisurely pace.” I released any expectation. This trip wasn’t about watching a clock. It was about tuning into nature’s clock. A blustering storm blew through as we ate dinner. By the time we finished eating the storm blew through Nisswa and was behind us. The goal of making it to the cabin before dusk did happen, barely. We were in unison with nature’s clock.

Jan spends her spare time on long walks, enjoying her three kid’s activities, mostly outdoorsy ones, and travel with her family. 

How does Jan use technology in her business? We discuss hands on work vs. virtual work.

We also talk about focus and how it plays into productivity like knowing when your best focus time is and how to protect it. Find out the answer to this question. Every time you are interrupted at work takes you back how many minutes with each interruption?

At the end of this podcast conversation, Jan gives some email tips useable today! Do you know the exact purpose of your email?

Talent. Jan’s talent and interest in productivity are lengthy. She started forging her entrepreneurial leadership skills during her High School at an ice cream shop. Our experiences inform the insights we bring to our ventures, to our relationships, how we lead. Jan talks about living overseas and managing 60 employees. Staff meetings in Paris, Athens, and London as an expatriate (person who lives outside their native country) with Kraft Foods in Stockholm, Sweden. This experience and working at Accenture prepared her for working with executives both at home and at work through CTC Productivity.

One of the ways you can crank out high quality work is not only knowing when you are ‘on.’ Also taking steps to protect that time with clear priorities to complete during that time. Jan has seen huge advancements in clients by implementing some standard tips along with tailored steps she has learned with such a variety of roles in her client base.

You can get ideas of ways to gain expertise and support. Having visible positions in organizations like National Association for Productivity Organization and marketing chair for NAPO national has expanded her reach. She continues to grow in her expertise by connecting with productivity consultants from around the world.

What has been her approach in building up a client base quickly since moving to Minnesota 5 years ago? What does she think about earning all the money you need for the week in one day?

In conclusion, like everything else, great advice and tips don’t work unless you make the changes necessary to implement them. If you can’t implement them on your own, get help. You know how to reach Jan and myself. Get out of the weeds.

Mentoring Tips

After listening to our conversation:

• Ask yourself if you are scared of white space on your calendar. Maybe it is time to assess your priorities. Identify your core values. Or, acknowledge that your leadership role has changed, and it could be time to redefine how you spend your time.
• Now is the time to assess what you need as a leader this fall. WeMentor LABs are forming.  Click Today!

Cranking Out High Quality Work     Episode 139       CTC Productivity