Each year we start the year thinking about our goals, our job, our health, all the ‘new' routines and commitments we make to ourself to make this our best year yet... but two weeks into January all our planning and resolution goes out the window!  You can make this your best year ever by applying some of these simple ideas (and save this article, keep it handy and re-read to keep you on track).

Recently my mate and thought leader, Scott Ginsberg published a fabulous book called ABLE. It shares his theory of the universe.  Scott says, ‘the only thing in life you have control over is yourself and that you can't make anything happen - but you can (greatly) increase the probability of that thing happening ... by making yourself more "-able."

 It is a brilliant book and you definitely would enjoy a copy - buy at Amazon - click here. His list is extensive of all the -ABLE's that increase your probability of success in business and in life. It got me thinking....what if everyone was more Productiv-ABLE?  I know it isn't a real word (I can hear my English teacher Mr Noonan correcting me right now!) but think about it...

­You have seen them, they all look alike, the regular ‘road warrior' with their determined expression, wrinkle proof suit and pulling a beaten up carry on bag...whether you travel a little or a lot with your company there are many ways you can boost your personal productivity when you travel. These strategies will help you maximise your time, limit your stress and overall increase your travel productivity.

As a productivity keynote speaker, my business takes me across the US and beyond most weeks and a regular part of every week is getting through the airport security line. Here are a few strategoes to help you make your time waiting more productive.

The excitement of the summer is now upon us and it is during this time we often feel like we have more on our ‘to do' list than there are hours in the day! 

The kids are home from school, we might be splitting our time between home and a beach house and a common area of stress for many people is getting our homes ready for the summer. 

Working in partnership with a fantastic service, like Harmony Clean can help save you time, help you relax and also give you peace of mind.

Why is it that when the summer arrives business slows down, networks stop meeting, work attendance decreases, business development activities grind to a halt and yet... we still have budgets, goals and targets to achieve?  How do you handle the ‘unproductive' attitude that summer brings?

How can you juggle vacation schedules? Historically summer may have been a time for you where you took it easy did minimum activity and were more focussed on what you could achieve when fall comes around... not this year.

Decide to make this your most productive summer ever, here are some strategies that will help you do that and continually grow your business... all year round.

No longer do we have a leisurely ‘lunch hour’, it is more like a crammed ‘lunch 5 minutes’ sitting at our computers or pouring over a Blackberry. You will increase your productivity in the afternoon by at least 25% if you get out of the office.

Throughout our careers we are all required to attend conferences, industry meetings, retreats, strategic off-site meetings. These events are all called different names but the idea is the same – you need to be away from your home or office for a period of time. To ensure this is a productive activity for you I have created a list of tips you can use before, during and after the conference event.

Too often we think we are superman or superwoman and able to do everything ourselves. We say things like “it would be quicker to do it myself”, “no one does this as well as I do” and we make ourselves believe we are the only one who can do our job or complete a project a certain way. This thinking reduces your productivity and prevents you achieving your goals. Choose to delegate. Choose to be more productive by teaching others and helping build their skill set.

The benefits of delegating include:

• You give others the satisfaction of learning a new task
  
• You reward others with more responsibility
  
• You free up headspace to allow you to focus on other strategies
  
• You empower those around you to achieve more

With so many responsibilities and obligations our lunch hours (or nowadays, lunch minutes) are usually filled with an enormous ‘to do’ list. Decide this year will be different. If you want to enjoy your lunch break, feel empowered and contribute to your wellbeing, there are multiple things you and try and watch your productivity and daily satisfaction increase!