Table of Contents

Introduction: The Case for Reduction
Saving Our Own Lives
Harsh Realities
The Solution
Brand-New Model: The Productivity Workflow Formula
Step One: Determine What To Do
Why Do You Have So Much to Do?
What Is Your Productive Value?
Tracking Down Time-Wasters
Where Does Your Time Go?
To-Do Lists: Tracking What's Left
Triage: Wartime Prioritization
Summary: PWF Step 1 Checkup
Step Two: Schedule Time to Do It
About that 4-Hour Workweek Idea
Scheduling 101
Further Reducing Your Commitments
Learn to Say No--And Make it Stick
Rescuing Your Time from Meetings
In the Decision Comes the Dilemma
Summary: PWF Step 2 Checkup
Step Three: Focus Your Attention
Driven to Distraction
Handling External Distractions
Heading Off Internal Distractions
Slipping the Electronic Leash
Focus Aids
The Zen of Avoiding Distraction
Summary: PWF Step 3 Checkup
Step Four: Process New Information
Taming the Information Glut
Filing Precepts
Your Personal Time Management System
Basic Information Handling
The 6-D Information Management System
The E-mail Decision Tree
Summary: PWF Step 4 Checkup
Step Five: Close the Loop
Organized Implementation
The People Problem
Handling Micromanagers
Reducing Inefficiencies and Breaking Bottlenecks
The Quest for Constant Improvement
Continued Progress Requires Constant Reevaluation
Summary: PWF Step 4 Checkup
Step Six: Manage Your Capacity
Personal Energy
Get Some Sleep
Watch Your Diet
Exercise Your Body
Make Yourself Happier
Maintaining Your Energetic Edge
Summary: PWF Step 6 Checkup
A Final Note: An Extra Hour--Or More
The Productivity Workflow Formula (PWF) Self-Assessment
Notes
Index
About the Author

About the Author

Laura Stack, MBA, CSP, is America's Premier Expert in Productivity. Her talks help business leaders execute more efficiently, boost performance, and accelerate results in the workplace. Her company, the Productivity Pro, Inc., helps leaders turn strategy into performance and achieve maximum results in minimum time. She's the author of six books.

Reviews

“This book will give you the tools you need as a leader to get more done yourself and through others. Laura Stack really is ‘the Productivity Pro.’”
—Mark Sanborn, President, Sanborn & Associates, Inc., and author of You Don’t Need a Title to Be a Leader

“Stack has captured in this book what those select few great leaders know: you cannot strategize your way to greatness. You execute your way there! A must-read for anyone who wants better results!”
—Peter Sheahan, President, ChangeLabs

“A how-to for leaders who are serious about results. Make time to read this book—then thank Laura for all the time you save on future projects!”
—Harvey Mackay, author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Swim with the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive