• Where’s Ann Michael? – Planning a visit to Boston to connect with clients.
• Feature Article – 8 Hour Day Myth - Busted
• Ann Michael Recommends –The Joy Telesummit, a wonderful event for small business owners.

Do you ever get frustrated with how little you get done in day? I know that I do from time to time. I juggle client needs, training, various appointments, and of course, family responsibilities. I often start my day thinking that I am going to be able to get tons of things done - a definite case of biting off more than I can chew!

It dawned on me last month as I was nursing a pulled leg muscle where my disconnect was and the illusion I was working under. My ability to sit for an extended period of time was limited due to my injury which meant that my actual work hours were less. Yet, my productivity was strong - I cranked through some major projects.

Despite the frustration of being physically uncomfortable, I didn't get frustrated about work. I knew that I only had 3 maybe 4 work hours available to me a day. I had to make the best of that time because it was all I had. Are you making the best of your time?

The details are final! I mentioned in the last issue of Pondering Productivity, I am one of the speakers for the upcoming Small Business Marketing Joysummit. While many of you may not be small business owners, chances are you know someone who is. And chances are you’ve heard what a challenge it is to run a small business, even in good economic times. So, share this event with them; they will thank you for thinking of them. Here’s the scoop…

It's tough out there. Every day the news reports record unemployment and decreased consumer spending. Despite the climate outside, you CAN make more money as a small business owner and grow your business. Why?

Because small business owners who are thriving and prosperous all have in common:

They are smart marketers.

They invest in smart marketing to attract "hungry fish" who are ready to buy.
They know how to convert browsers into buyers, and keep customers for life.
They know how to multiply profits in any economy.

What can you do right now to pump up your marketing?
Where can you go to boost sales and revenues?
Who can you turn to for trusted advice on crucial business decisions?

Please join me and 9 top small business experts for The Joy of Marketing’s FREE Small Business Marketing Joysummit, June 28, 2010. Register Now.

From business planning expert and CEO of Palo Alto Software, Tim Berry, to the leading expert on selling to women, Delia Passi. Plus Millionaire Mom, Joyce Bone, and web strategy extraordinaire, Philippa Gamse, we’ve got all the marketing hot buttons covered in this FREE online event. Go ahead and register.

Each of our Joysummit experts know what makes a small business profitable, actually owns a successful small business and will teach you what you can do RIGHT NOW to make your business more profitable.

This event is not a series of interviews with fluff.
It's chock full of meaty, actionable content.

You get 10+ hours of proven business strategies and survival skills to survive and prosper in tough times.

Here's the kicker: by attending, you are helping fund struggling small businesses throughout the world through KIVA, our non-profit partner.

https://joysummit.thejoyofmarketing.com/kiva

Ready to jump in?

Join us June 28. All you need is an Internet connection.

The Joysummit is available for 24 hours beginning at 12:01 CST on June 28.

Listen to the speakers you like best or watch all 10. You can start, stop and pause each speaker’s presentation to learn at your leisure within the 24-hour window.

REGISTER NOW for F*R*E*E!

Or, if you don't want to wait and you're ready to start NOW, you can purchase the recording of all 10+ hours for only $89 and receive access to the entire event IMMEDIATELY and keep it for life.

Pre-joysummit Special available until June 27:
Grab all 10+ hours for only $49.

For less than $5 per hour, you get hundreds of years of wisdom from 10 experts dedicated to your success and prosperity.

Register before June 28, 2010, and you'll receive this pre-joysummit $49 special offer!

The 8 Hour Day Myth - Busted!

The 8 hour day is a myth. There, I've said it. It's a myth. I know that you are thinking, "No kidding. I could have told you that years ago". After all, when was the last time that you worked just 8 hours a day? That's not what I'm talking about.

We are under the illusion that when we head to the office we have 8 hours to get our work done. That simply isn't true. When was the last time that you had a full 8 hours just to complete your work? Sadly, that has probably never happened! Our days are filled with meetings, conference calls, interruptions, and more. With time being spend on other work-related activities, we are left with little time to get "our" work done. The reality is, you might only have an hour or two a day to get your work done.

Let's change our mindset. Start by looking at your calendar and determining how much unscheduled time you have today. That's the time that you have to get your work done. A lot less time than you thought, right? However, this strategy will give you a more realistic way to plan your work time. You may only have 2 hours today to tackle your tasks so prioritizing your workload becomes essential. You will be amazed at the clarity that this exercise offers you. Knowing that you have limited time, combined with a prioritized list of "to-dos" will create a focused mindset that will allow you to complete the most pressing matters.

So, stop thinking that you have 8 hours to get your work done -- you don't because it's an illusion. Instead acknowledge that, "Today, I have 2 hours to do my work". Once your beliefs match the reality, your frustration level will drop and your productivity will increase. Try it for a few days and let me know how it works. I know you will be pleasantly surprised!

Quick Highlighting

Looking for ways to shave time off your work? Try some of these quick highlighting tips.
To select a:

• Single Word – Double-click anywhere within the word.
• Full Sentence – Place your cursor anywhere in the sentence, hold down the Ctrl key and click once.
• Whole Paragraph of Text – Triple-click (rapidly) anywhere within the paragraph.
• Whole Section of Text – Place your cursor at the start of the selection, hold the Shift key down and then click at the end of the text you would like to select.
  

Ann Michael Henry is the Founder and The Productivity Chef for Mise En Place -- an organization and productivity consulting firm devoted to working with clients to discover the right ingredients for managing e-mail, digital data, paper, and workload so that they can "get cooking" at work and still have time to satisfy their appetite for life.

Her personal philosophy...let's get the work done so that we can go out and play is what motivates Ann Michael. If you liked today's issue, you'll love Ann Michael’s productivity tools, products, and training designed to help you improve your focus, organization, and productivity at work so that you have time to experience all that life has to offer.

Having the right ingredients – tips, tools, and proven techniques – to accommodate an individual's work style is what makes the difference. This is where Ann Michael thrives! Her ultimate goal is to find the recipe that works for you!