Mastering Productivity (and Stress): Dale Carnegie's Four Essential Tips
As Dale shares, navigating with a sense of hurry, worry, anxiety and tension isn't just heavy. It can (literally) hurt our health and life longevity. Here's how.
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Why this is a Gem 💎
“When reading this chapter from Dale Carnegie’s book ‘How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job,’ I was stopped immediately in my tracks. I’ve always heard of the impact of stress (he defines it as “hurry, worry, anxiety and tension”) on our lives, and our bodies. But understanding (just) how destructive it can be was a wake-up moment.
I am sharing this with you and sending lots of light and awareness. I actually tried #1 yesterday. I literally cleared my desk... and I had a really productive day. I felt great!
My favorite part? Dale provides us with four (4) straightforward tips that make an instant and incredible impact.”
💜 Lavender
In today's fast-paced world, enhancing productivity while maintaining a healthy work-life balance is more crucial than ever. Dale Carnegie, a legendary figure in personal development, offers timeless wisdom that can help us navigate our careers with greater efficiency and satisfaction.
I recently discussed these principles, as well as my key takeaways in a recent Livestream. I shared my insights and personal experiences that (still) bring Carnegie's wisdom to life.
Here are four (4) of Carnegie's tips…
1. Clear Your Desk of All Papers Except Those Relating to the Immediate Problem at Hand.
A cluttered desk can lead to a cluttered mind.
The sight of a cluttered desk can also breed confusion and stress. Carnegie emphasizes the importance of focusing solely on the task at hand.
“The mere sight of a desk littered with unanswered mail and reports and memos is enough to breed confusion, tension, and worries.” (Page 23)
By clearing your workspace of unrelated papers and distractions, you create an environment conducive to concentration and efficiency. This practice not only reduces stress but also enhances your ability to tackle tasks with clarity and purpose.
Dale goes on to share a couple of very powerful quotes:
“Roland L. Williams, President of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, once said, ‘A person with his desk piled high with papers on various matters will find his work much easier and more accurate if he clears that desk of all but the immediate problem at hand. I call this good housekeeping, and it is the number-one step toward efficiency.’" (Page 23)
“The constant reminder of ‘a million things to do and no time to do them’ can worry you not only into tension and fatigue, but also into high blood pressure, heart trouble, and stomach ulcers.” (Page 24)
Taking a moment to ingest these quotes can get you to start thinking about what (really) is essential. Our environment shapes how we feel and how we approach work.
This is a gentle invitation to ponder…how does your desk currently look?
2. Do Things in Order of Their Importance.
Prioritization is key to effective time management.
Carnegie advises tackling tasks based on their significance. This approach ensures you address the most critical issues first, preventing less essential tasks from consuming valuable time and energy.
By focusing on what truly matters, you can achieve meaningful results and avoid the overwhelm of an endless to-do list.
Dale goes on to share a quote from Henry L. Doherty, which speaks directly to hiring people who possess two “almost impossible” traits to find. Despite this being years ago, I find this still very relevant. I can confidently say that these are often traits I would discuss directly with hiring managers, who are equally on the hunt for them.
“Henry L. Doherty, founder of the nationwide Cities Services Company, said regardless of salary paid, there were two abilities he found almost impossible to find:
the ability to think
the ability to do things in the order of their importance”
(Page 25)
This is a gentle invitation to ponder…do you encompass these “almost impossible” traits? What could you do right now that could either open the door to them or strengthen them?
3. When You Face a Problem, Solve It Then and There if You Have the Facts Necessary to Make a Decision.
Procrastination can lead to unnecessary stress and inefficiency. Carnegie encourages immediate problem-solving when you have the necessary information.
By addressing issues promptly, you prevent them from escalating and free up mental space for other tasks. This proactive approach fosters a sense of accomplishment and keeps your workflow smooth and uninterrupted.
I expanded on the story told by Dale in the book about H.P. Howell. Mr. Howell was a board member of the U.S. Steel company, as well as a student of Dale’s.
”Mr. Howell (one of Carnegie's students and former board member) persuaded the board to take up one problem at a time and come to a decision. No procrastination - no putting off. The decision was reached on each problem before passing to the next.” (Page 27)
Having a proactive approach fosters a sense of accomplishment and keeps your workflow smooth.
Having the dedication to complete work in progress and creating a practice or system to complete work continuously can lead to less stress and more success.
This is a gentle invitation to ponder…are you diligent about completing tasks and projects? Is there anything you could get across the finish line currently on your plate?
4. Learn to Organize, Deputize, and Supervise.
Effective delegation is a hallmark of successful leadership. Carnegie highlights the importance of organizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and supervising outcomes.
By empowering others and trusting them with tasks, you can focus on higher-level responsibilities and strategic thinking. This enhances productivity and fosters a collaborative and motivated team environment.
Dale goes on to share some (incredibly) direct realities of what the lack of management and delegation can create in our bodies and our minds.
“ Many businesspersons are driving themselves to premature graves because they have never learned to delegate responsibility to others, insisting on doing everything themselves. Result: details and confusion overwhelm them. They are driven by a sense of hurry, worry, anxiety, and tension.” (Page 27)
Despite Dale speaking directly to Executives, I do believe this really does apply to anyone. We all delegate. It could be to our families, to our friends, or even to our community or co-workers (no one is safe!).
In seeing it through that lens, the last quote that really impacted me was this:
“ Executives who build up big business and don't learn to organize, deputize, and supervise usually pop off with heart trouble in their fifties or early sixties - heart trouble caused by tension and worries.” (Page 28)
This is a gentle invitation to ponder…how you can “fully release” the sense of control or even micromanagement of the tasks you delegate to others? Is the sense of control you feel “worth” your overall health or well-being?
Conclusion
Dale Carnegie's insights offer a roadmap to greater productivity and job satisfaction. By clearing your workspace, prioritizing tasks, solving problems promptly, and mastering delegation, you can navigate your career with confidence and efficiency.
These timeless principles remind us that success is not just about working harder but working smarter. Embrace these strategies and unlock your full potential in both your professional and personal life.
And I hope you find the gentle invitations throughout this post helpful.
It’s never too late to make a change.
We have to find the motivation that’s grand enough to make these changes or improvements sooner.
And there’s never been a better time…
Namaste,
💜 Lavender
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