Monkey On-the-bus – Volume 1

September 21, 2010

I really appreciate you reading this blog – I genuinely do. And as such, I have had an idea… In all likelihood, the majority of readers will have joined me recently – this means they won’t have had the benefit of the wealth of knowledge held here in the Half-a-dozen Monkeys archieves. And then it [...]

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8 Assumptions That Are Harming Your Productivity

September 16, 2010

How much do you assume when you start doing something? Don’t deny it. We all do it – often consciously, usually subconsciously, and occasionally unconsciously. The trouble is – assuming a load of stuff before we start some work, task, or adventure can detract from both our pleasure and our success. Let me elaborate: You [...]

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When Do Your Work Best?

September 14, 2010

Do you choose to do all your driving late at night when you are at your most tired? Or do you prefer to go grocery shopping when you are really hungry? What about having important discussions with people when you are in a really bad mood? We rarely do the above, yet we try and [...]

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Interval Training

September 9, 2010

Any of you lot out there done any fitness/gym type stuff? Then you may have heard of interval training. The more modern of you will recognise it as a button on your cross-trainer. Those of you who, like me, prefer to breath fresh air rather than sweat and exercise outdoors will recognise it as a [...]

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All the Gear and No Idea

September 7, 2010

We all know the guy I mean. At the golf club, the gym, or at work. He’s the guy with the brand new set of clubs, the crisply ironed gym kit, and the top of the range PDA. He’s also the guy who can’t hit the ball, can’t operate the weight machine, and whose work [...]

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Can You Force Creativity?

September 2, 2010

Well can you? Can you make yourself produce uniqueness on demand? Chances are that you are already trying. For me, creativity is about the production of something that is crafted from raw materials – rather than the mere winding of a well grooved handle. Writing a report is creative. Doing your expenses isn’t. Pulling together [...]

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Minimalism is not Simplicity

August 31, 2010

Minimalism seems to be the new thing-that-was-the-new-thing-before-this-thing. Particular in productivity and personal development. Everyone seems to be getting a bit too amorous with dramatic pictures of an Ikea desks with nothing on them other than a MacBook Pro and an iPhone. “You get more done when there is less around”. Quite. And ever since that [...]

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How to Have a Bad Day

August 26, 2010

I knew as soon as I woke up. I could feel it in my… well, the aching lump of flesh that was my body when I went to bed. Today was an off day. Most days are ‘average’ – you get a fair bit done and a fair bit not done. As long as the [...]

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No, No, No – Why You Should Say “No” to Everything

August 24, 2010

Not a very positive sentiment for a Tuesday morning, but it is raining outside, and we have run out of the nice cereal in the purple packet. Pessimism aside however, those two letters could be one of the most powerful productivity tools you have. No really. Let me demonstrate what I mean with a slightly [...]

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10 Question to Ask When You Get Asked to do Something

July 22, 2010

How much of what you do during an average day is purely volentery? I mean how much of it is the decision 100% with you over whether you do it or not, with no adverse concequences to swing your decision? My guess – less that 1%. Either your boss, your wife, your son, your neighbour, [...]

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