Category: 1-Minute Strategy

Set a time limit on routine tasks to gain more time out of the day. Example: If it normally takes you an hour to write the perfect letter, plan to give yourself half the time to write a “good enough” letter. Give up on the idea of being perfect at everything.

Unleash your creativity by calling the smartest person you know. A quick chat with someone who inspires you will get you going in the right direction quickly. And it’s a lot more productive than staring blankly at your computer screen, waiting for inspiration to strike.

Think twice before you post on Facebook, Twitter or your blog. Badmouthing your boss is probably sufficient cause for your company to fire you.

Find you have a spare five minutes? Don’t spend it perusing email or surfing the web. Ask yourself, “What can I do for five minutes to make tomorrow better?”

Improve daily planning by being specific. On your to-do list, don’t write, “Work on report.” Instead, write, “Prepare charts for monthly report.”

Reach your goals faster by sharing them with others–to a point. Telling someone about a goal can foster accountability, making you more likely to follow through on it. But talking excessively about a goal can actually distract you from reaching it.

Break the ice quickly with a new team by trying this: Ask each person to think of a nickname they’ve had, or one they’d like to have. Tell them to write it on an index card, keeping the name hidden from others. Collect the cards. Read the names one at a time, asking the group […]

Gain an advantage over job candidates by having a great handshake. In a recent study at the University of Iowa, researchers found that women who had a firm handshake, complete grip and accompanying eye contact, benefited more than men who had the same.

Stay on top of the headlines, even when you’re short on time, by scanning “Today’s Papers” on Slate.com. It gives a concise roundup of the major national newspapers’ front-page stories. You can also have it sent to your inbox daily.

Pitch the idea to your boss, explaining how the change will benefit both him and the company. Then ask him to pilot the idea for 90 days. “Piloting is a great way to test out the new role and show results,” says career coach Maggie Mistal.