Decide: Work Smarter, Reduce Your Stress, and Lead by Example

Praise for Decide "Steve′s approach is not only hugely engaging but its impact on motivation and productivity is immediate. His book is the next best thing to having Steve in the room. I highly recommend it!" — Christina Harper Elgarresta , Managing Director, Accenture " Decide delivers: If you′re struggling to lead, not just manage, if you′re frustrated that your very best results are just beyond reach, or if you′re simply at war with your calendar, Steve McClatchy′s new book is for you. Decide is a rare fresh take at some of the thorny problems that block our best work. But don′t just take my word for it. Get your own copy, and you′ll soon be ordering copies for your team as well." — Marshall Goldsmith , America′s preeminent executive coach ( Fast Company magazine) " Decide puts personal power squarely where it belongs: in your hands. Follow Steve′s advice, and you′ll immediately see benefits that will change the way you plan, spend your time, and engage with others. To change your trajectory and start leading in all aspects of your life, all you have to do is DECIDE." — Mary Davis Holt , Leadership coach, speaker, and best–selling coauthor of Break Your Own Rules "I have worked with Steve and I can say firsthand, his approach has had a profound impact on every level of our organization. His approach is deeply insightful and tremendously impactful. I highly recommend Steve, his approach, and this book!" — Luc Robitaille , President of Business Operations, Los Angeles Kings Hockey Club "In Decide , Steve McClatchy shows us that we can accomplish amazing things by aligning what we want to achieve with how we spend our time. Regardless of the industry or level of the reader, real benefits will be accomplished from Steve′s advice—an immensely practical guide!" — Valerie Sutton , Director of Career Services, Harvard Graduate School of Education "World–class leadership is about making inspired and enlightened choices. With fresh stories and advice, McClatchy drills down to this idea by recommending daily habits that leaders at every level can use to their immediate benefit. Decide is a very worthy read on a critical subject." — Douglas R. Conant , Chairman of Avon Products, Founder of Conant Leadership, and New York Times best–selling leadership author, TouchPoints "Your success as a leader is as good as your decisions. McClatchy shows you how to make the decisions everyday that will keep your business and you moving forward." — Elizabeth Walker , Vice President, Global Talent Management, Campbell′s Soup Company "If your intention is to gain from your life, and not just prevent the pain that often comes with it, then Decide is the book for you. Steve McClatchy reminds us that in order to achieve something of significance we have to focus on things that matter. His new book is full of the practical wisdom that will enable you to end burnout and bring balance to your life—and to find a path worthy of being followed. I absolutely recommend this book." — Jim Kouzes , coauthor of The Leadership Challenge and Executive Fellow of Leadership, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University

Preface xv Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Two Forms of Human Motivation: Gain and Prevent Pain 5 Prevent Pain: I Have to Do It! 9 Do I Really Have To? 11 Attributes of a Gain Task 13 Management versus Leadership 18 The One and Only Exercise I Will Ask You to Do in This Book . . . Brainstorm! 20 Chapter 2 It’s All up to You: Avoid Burnout and Create Balance 23 So Why Take on Gain? 25 The Paradox of Balance 26 Gain Is the Answer to the Balance Crisis 29 Gain and Prevent Pain Must Work Together 33 Chapter 3 Prioritizing Tasks in Relation to Results 35 A New Way to Prioritize 39 Why Is Prioritizing Important? 42 Focus on Results 44 Survival Instincts 48 Breaking Down Gain: Creation versus Consumption 50 Chapter 4 Energy and Motivation: Decide How You Will Get Yours 53 What Can Your Brain Do for You? 56 Energy from Desire: Creation and Consumption 60 Energy from Fear: Procrastination 64 The Final Judgment on Procrastination 69 Chapter 5 What Understanding the Value of Time Can Do for Your Life 73 The Value of a Minute 77 Understanding Where Our Time Goes 79 Make Better Decisions about Your Time 81 You Accomplish Gain by Getting Your Goals on Your Calendar 82 Why Does This Work? 84 Getting Your Goals on Your Calendar: The First Steps 86 Need Some Examples? 88 Leap of Faith 90 Don’t Squeeze It In 92 Chapter 6 Monthly, Weekly, and Daily Planning 95 No Time to Plan? 99 Benefits of a 5–Minute Plan 100 Make It a Habit 106 Chapter 7 Managing Interruptions 107 Stick to the Work Involved 111 Steer It Back by Interrupting Yourself 112 Set Expectations 113 Recover and Get Back to Work! 114 Work Interruptions into and out of Your Schedule 116 Return the Favor 116 Chapter 8 How to Manage It All: Time Management Implementation 117 Organizing Your Information Resources 119 Why Get Organized? 121 Decide and Commit 123 The Keys to Using a Time Management System Effectively 125 What Your System Needs to Do 126 Task Management System: To–Do Lists 127 Calendar 133 They Work Together 134 Being on Time versus Being Late 136 Information Management: Contacts and Notes 138 Touch It Once 140 Chapter 9 Take Action 141 The Power of Your Decisions 143 Decisions Are Like Rules 144 Your Decisions Determine Who You Are 144 Do You Make Leadership Decisions? 146 It’s Not a Competition 147 Building Your Identity as a Leader 149 Don’t Just Think about It. Do It! 150 You Work Too Hard Not to Get the Great Results You Deserve 152 Notes 155 Acknowledgments 157 About Alleer Training and Consulting’s Work with Clients 161 About the Author 163 Index 165

STEVE McCLATCHY is an international speaker, trainer, consultant, writer, and entrepreneur who has spoken before thousands of audiences who have been delighted with his entertaining style and powerful stories. He leaves each and every participant with a wealth of knowledge delivered in a fun and interactive fashion. Steve founded Alleer Training and Consulting out of his passion for adult learning and for the field of training and development. He has worked in sales, sales management, training, and consulting for such organizations as The Pillsbury Company, Broderbund Software, and Forte Systems. To learn more, visit www.SteveMcClatchy.com