"S(m)ell Your Way to the Top"

"S(m)ell Your Way to the Top: 3 Ways to Increase Productivity with your nose"

by Steve O'Sullivan

No, that's not a typo, you really can improve your productivity by properly using your nose! First I have to admit, I kinda borrowed the Title from

Zig Ziglar's amazing Audio program, "Sell your way to the Top" and juxtaposed it with an audiobook I was "reading" on aromatherapy. There you go, "Smell Your Way to the Top"! Sorry, that's just the way my mind works.

Anyway, the point is that your nose is one of the fastest ways to change your mood. Certain fragrances or aromas create specific brainwaves. Those fragrances enter the nose and stimulate the olfactory senses, and in turn stimulate the limbic system.

Sorry, this isn't supposed to be a biology lesson and you can skip down to the "what to do part" if you aren't interested in the details. Otherwise, here's more about how it works.

The limbic system is involved in your emotions, motivation and memory, and is highly interconnected with the brains pleasure center. So when introducing certain smells, you can immediately cause relaxation, pleasure, stimulation, or fond memories. It's been reported that the use of fresh orange peels in dentists offices reduces stress in patients and can even reduce the experience of pain. Next time I go to my dentist I'm bringing a whole bag of oranges!

So, what does what? Here are a few examples; Lavender is known for it's relaxing qualities, peppermint for it's stimulating effects, and lemon for memory and concentration. For a more complete list of aromas and their effects go to http://www.aromaweb.com/essentialoils/emotional.asp

Guys, I know this may all seem sort of, well, Girly, but there is hard science behind it (cool, huh). Besides, by using the correct scents, you can be a hero in your wife's eyes. Perhaps even create some romance in the air?

I personally use various types of incense while meditating to help me achieve the desired state of mind. I also use (quality) scented candles to make my home feel more comfortable. I particularly like cinnamon and brown sugar 'flavor'. (I wish they made a Chocolate Chip Cookie candle!)

For bedtime, lavender and eucalyptus essential oils help me relax and aid in keeping my nasal passages open, especially during allergy season.

Now, here's a few tips for making the most of your old shnozola.

1. Find scents that make sense - Select aromas or essential oils (or combinations) that are appropriate for the desired effect. Avoid the relaxing scents when you are trying to overcome fatigue, etc. Try different aromas and combinations and see how your productivity is
   effected by them. Do some research and learn the proper way to handle essential oils, or consult and aromatherapist.



2. Keep it to yourself - Not everyone in your office wants to smell your magic productivity formula. Many people are sensitive or allergic to certain scents, they are irritants not therapeutics to these folks. One time at Christmas I over did it with the peppermint oil and my ex-girlfriend almost keeled over from the 'noxious gas cloud' I released. Always check first with your co-workers, family and guests.




3. Quality Counts - Skip that cheap "Glade" type "aroma therapy" junk. I've heard nasty stories about what those 'air fresheners' do to your lungs. As with most things in life, you get what you pay for, so pay for the best you can get. Find a knowledgeable aroma therapist for guidance, or do your homework on the web. You know a better quality product will yield better results.

With all that in mind, how you dispense your oils and aromas is a whole other topic. There are various warmers, dispensers and diffusers. Some oils can burn your skin with direct application. Again, do your homework before you apply, heat, cook or spritz any of these essential oils.

So that's it. Break out the stinky stuff, and fire up your productivity in a most unconventional way. Your sound overall heath is an absolute essential for your business success and ability to produce your desired results.

Here's where I have to say, I'm not a Doctor or an Aromatherapist and you should consult both before you mess with stuff you might be allergic to, or your kids for that matter. This article is not intended to diagnose or cure any illnesses, yada, yada, yada. Seriously though, be smart with your
health, and anything you put on, in or around your body.

© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan

Business Productivity Coach, Speaker and Expert Author Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE productivity tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com

Are You on Overwhelm?

"Are You on Overwhelm?"
by Steve O'Sullivan

I can't tell you how many times I've heard the statement "I'm so overwhelmed!" So many of my clients have too much to do, and so little time to do it in. I used to say "I'm overwhelmed" myself, way too often. I don't anymore.

I imagine you are asking yourself "Why, Steve? Aren't you busy anymore?" Well, yes I'm as busy as I have ever been. The difference is I have changed my thinking and my actions around being overwhelmed by too many things to do.

When you constantly say 'I'm overwhelmed' you perpetuate the feeling and mindset of 'too much'. Typically what happens is you create so

much anxiety that you become frozen in your tracks and don't do anything. That's hardly a solution to the situation! But, don't worry, you're not alone.

Try changing what you say to 'I can handle everything that comes my way', or 'I have plenty of time to do what's most important'. Next you need to know that you will rarely get caught up. There really is too much to get done, so stop trying to do it all. The reality is most of what we do is a waste of time anyway. You also need to know that you will never finish everything. More is always coming your way, and it always will be that way. Just ask any retired person!

The next step is to take action in a purposeful way. Here are seven tips to help you do that.

1. Touch it Once - Don't even touch something unless you are going to take action. Do it, dump it, delegate it or schedule it. Skip checking your email first thing in the morning. You may never get to the important things!

2. Make Lists - When you think it, ink it. Get it out of your head and onto paper or in a Word or Excel document. When 'To Do's' are swirling around inside your head, they seem to be bigger and in greater volume than in reality.

3. Pick Six - Choose the Six most important things you need to get done or work on today. Allow about 5 to 6 hours for these tasks. Make sure to leave scheduled room for 'got-a-minutes', checking emails and putting out fires.

4. Time Your Tasks - Assign an amount of time to spend on each task, or a guesstimate of how long they will take you.

5. Prioritize Tasks - Assign priorities to your Six tasks such as A1, A2, etc in order of their importance. What's important? What makes you or your company money! Prospecting and marketing are usually the things that get put on the back burner. Move them to the front and Turn them up to a High Rolling Boil!

6. Plan Your Day - Now plug in your Top Six into your calendar, A1 first, etc, with room in between for return calls, email and the unexpected.

7. When in Doubt, Throw it Out - 80% of what you receive in the form of email, voice mail, and snail mail is junk. Toss it out right away. In fact, go through the stuff you have been saving 'to go over later' and pare it down to what's still relevant. Most of it isn't any more. Refer to Rule number 1 when you do this.

That's it. A simple change in mindset, and working on purpose can free you from having too much on your plate. You'll get more of the right things done and feel better about it!

© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan

Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com.

The Power of a Positive Mindset

To understand the power of a positive mindset, first you have to know what your mindset currently is and what a positive mindset looks like. If the fruits of your labor (your results) are less than satisfactory, then look first at the roots of your tree (your actions and environment).
When you get up first thing in the morning are you full of energy? Are you happy and ready to tackle the day? Or are you like Eeyore with a gloomy cloud hanging over your head? It's important to pay attention to your attitudes and actions and really know who you are if you are going make some real changes. So, think about what you say to yourself, what you say out loud to your friends and family. Notice if it has a positive ring to it or a dull thud. Wayne Dyer says "What you think about expands", and it doesn't matter if it's positive or negative, it's going to grow!
If you find that your attitude is less than what you want it to be, you may want to know where that negative thinking came from. Often times, we are inadvertently programmed by our parents, teachers, co-workers, bosses and peers. This may come in the form of harsh criticism, gossip, abuse or simply limiting thoughts and energy dispensed in our environment.
In order to overcome these negative environments, you have to be aware of them, remove yourself from them and nurture the roots of your "tree of life". There are many techniques for developing new growth, including affirmations, visualizations, prayer, meditation and much more. You can read more about this by downloading the workbook The Power of a Positive Mindset Workbook.pdf then going to http://sosimpact.com/ABWA.htm and investing in some of the resources show on that page.
OK, so where's the Power? This is the simple part! When your grow yourself in a positive manner you can much more easily rise above the problems and challenges in your life. They become small compared to you! (Yes, it really is all about you.) As Zig Ziglar says “Positive thinking will let you do everything better than negative thinking will.” Not only that, but you will enjoy life much more, the good things will come much easier and yes, the fruits on your tree of life will be much sweeter!

The 7 Day Challenge
1. Turn off the TV for 7 days, or just turn off the News, put down the newspapers, turn off talk radio, etc for a week. Skip the violent movies and video games.
2. Vow not to offer criticism (especially to yourself), do not gossip, whine, complain, and no victim talk!
3. Create your own Affirmations
4. Post your affirmations in prominent places throughout your home, and say them out loud, at least twice daily.
5. Make deposits in your “Bank Accounts” every day.
See The Power of a Positive Mindset Workbook.pdf for more information on The 7 Day Challenge and "Bank Accounts"

© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan

Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at http://www.sosimpact.com/