1. Use caller ID. If calls are coming through that are “unknown”, then you can feel better about not picking up the phone.
2. Put your number on “Do Not Call” registries. This works for home phones, but not for business phones.
3. Recognize that the way many companies are getting around “Do Not Call” registries is by saying that they are not selling anything, but are just taking a survey. Recognize these calls for what they are, and tell the person you are not interested and that you are hanging up. Don’t argue or discuss it. Give notice that you are hanging up, then do.
4. Be circumspect about giving out your cell phone number.
5. Recognize when you are using talking on the telephone to avoid doing something else you really need to! Be honest….we all do that sometimes.

Try at least one of these today and see what happens. 

For more information on how to be more productive, visit: http://meggin.com/GetMoreProductive.php

1. Don’t answer the phone. If you are doing something that has your attention, don’t pick up the phone. Let your machine or voice mail pick it up. We often let ringing phones interrupt us at times that we would never let a person interrupt us.
2. If you *do* answer your phone, set a timer that will go off after a designated amount of time. If it’s audible, it lets you and the caller hear it.
3. Have an egg timer by your phone. This is just to let you know the amount of time that has passed. There’s nothing audible…it just gives you a sense of the amount of time that is passing as you are on the phone.
4. Tell the truth. If someone calls and you are right in the midst of something, say that. If you have been on the phone longer than you can afford, tell the person that. Be honest.

5. At the beginning of a phone call, tell your caller that you have about 10 minutes, or whatever is the amount of time that you can devote to the call.

   And here’s a bonus:  When you do answer the phone, say, “Hello, Meggin McIntosh here (or probably, better to use your own name). How can I help you today?”  This lets the other person know you are ready to help and you are ready to get right to it. 

   For more information on how to be more productive, visit: http://meggin.com/GetMoreProductive.php

I first read about it in Daphne Gray-Grant’s column in www.MyFavoriteThesaurus.com’s daily e-magazine.  She recommended this fabulous blog post… 

…and also let readers know about the place to go to access a free download of the full book (plus tons of other cool stuff): 

Thanks, Daphne!!  And Daphne is doing a (limited-time) free teleseminar in April about Writer’s block.  You don’t want to miss it.

This may be my favorite book of 2009 – and on into 2010.  WOW!  Dr. Joelle Jay is a master coach who has worked with executives around the country.  The insights and wisdom she has provides in this book, along with the tools available in the book and on the accompanying website are incredible.  As Joelle says, “This book isn’t about leading your organization or leading your team.  It’s about leading yourself.” Get to a bookstore, library, or click the link above and get this book ordered right away.  You’ll want to immerse yourself in it as you allow her lessons to seep into your pores.  If I gave stars, I’d give this a 5 star recommendation, no question. 

register for the upcoming teleseminar with Joelle at: http://www.meggin.com/TimeTravel.php

The fundamental thinking process of GTD (Getting Things Done) is simple, but not simplistic. Whether you are applying it to an email that just landed in your inbox, a problem that just showed up for you to solve, or a great idea that just popped into your mind—there is gold to be mined from these questions in clarifying what “done” and “doing” looks like. Here’s a quick exercise to try:

1. Write down a project or situation that is most on your mind at this moment.
2. Now, describe in a single written sentence your intended desired outcome for this problem or situation. What needs to happen to mark this done?
3. Next, write down the very next physical action step required to move the situation forward.
4. Put those answers in a system you trust.

From David Allen (Getting Things Done)  – www.davidco.com

Used with permission from Melinda Copp, who is one of the contributors to the TTPT for Writers:  www.TopTenProductivityTipsforWriters.com. 

Copyrighting your book is an important step in the process of becoming an author because it helps protect against people taking or using your work without permission. But how do you get a copyright? And when should you file for one? If you’re unsure about how to protect your work, consider the following suggestions.

First, a quick disclaimer: I am not a copyright attorney, and this article should not be taken as legal advice. Please use this only as a guide for where to find more information about how to protect your work. And, keep in mind that this is for authors in the United States. Copyright laws in other countries may be different.

Okay, so here are the most common questions about copyrighting a book.

How do I copyright my book?

The process is actually pretty easy. After your book is published, all you have to do is go to the U.S. Copyright Office web site, download and complete the paperwork, and send it in with your payment and two bound copies of your book. If you like, you can file for your copyright before your book is published, but then after publication, you’ll need to re-file it as a published work.

Do I need to copyright my book before I show it to an agent/editor/writing coach/colleague/teacher?

No. As soon as you write your book, it’s actually copyrighted. You automatically own all the copyrights to everything you write, and if someone tries to take it and claim it as theirs, you can pursue legal action against them and win. Filing an official copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office just gives you added protection in case something should happen.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked a potential client to send me their manuscript and they’ve said, “I haven’t copyrighted it yet—so how do I know you’re not going to steal it?” This is a common concern, but in all the years I’ve worked in the book world, I’ve never heard of anyone having their manuscript stolen by an editor or agent. Ever. Why? Because, like I said, your work is legally copyrighted as soon as you write it.

What about the title–can I copyright that?

Sorry. You can’t copyright a title, which means that anyone can use the exact same title you’ve used for your book. However, you may be able to trademark it. For more information on that, visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

How can I copyright my book idea?

You can’t. Copyrights don’t protect ideas, concepts, systems, or methods. If you write a description of your idea, or draw a picture of it, then you can copyright that.

Can I put the copyright symbol on my work, even if I haven’t filed the official paperwork?

Yes, and you should. Use the symbol of the lowercase “C” inside the circle, or just (c), followed by the date the work was created to show that your work is protected.

Protecting your book with a copyright is essential. When you do it is up to you, but you’ll definitely want to file a copyright for your book after publication. It will help protect your work against plagiarism and use without permission. And if you have additional questions, the U.S. Copyright Office web site or talk to a copyright attorney.

© The Writer’s Sherpa, LLC

Melinda Copp is a writing coach, ghostwriter, and editor who specializes in helping experts write and publish to establish expertise, build relationships with their clients and prospects, and grow their business. She is one of the contributors to the TTPT for Writers:  www.TopTenProductivityTipsforWriters.com. 

Sign up for her free e-zine at www.WritersSherpaPrograms.com, and get a free special report, “Write to Grow Richer; The 7 Secrets of Writing to Sell Your Services!”

I was just re-reading this great TTPT about using your planner productively and realize that I struggle with implementing this. I’m hoping you can point me to some answers.

For many years, I’ve used a Franklin Planner, first the Classic, then I downsized to the Compact after kids.  It used to be my bible, but it got too cumbersome so for the last two years I simply ordered the monthly calendar pages and kept everything in a work Outlook calendar, manually ‘synching’ non-work appointments between home and work. Yet, I still kept a large family calendar at home and a ‘Hallmark-sized’ monthly datebook for appointments, etc., in my purse. For 2010, I’m using a 3-1/2 x 5” Monthly Dayminder…good for noting important appointments, but I chose not to refill my Franklin Planner. It sits on my desk as a reference tool. I print weekly Outlook calendars (one for work and one for kids’ activities) with a ‘to do’ column. I don’t have a cool PDA device, by the way.

I’m a project manager and keep track of tasks and schedules reasonably well in Outlook and MS-Project. My problem (or what I perceive to be one), is that I don’t have an easy way to maintain a master ‘home-life’ task list, day-to-day or week-to-week, on any of my paper pseudo-planners. Any ideas or advice?

My response is as follows:

I’ve been a Franklin Covey fanatic for years…and just this year switched to CIRCA from Levenger.com.  I was just ready for a change.  I think you have identified that you do need something for managing all the home stuff.  For me (and really what most folks recommend) is that we have one planner system that handles both work and personal.  It wouldn’t replace MS Project or anything like that, but you need one calendar/planner system where all of your appointments, meetings, kids’ commitments, etc. all show up.  Your personal and professional to-do’s also need to be captured in one place.  It’s the only way we can really get a picture of what we are committed to.  Now, if you completely separate your work and home life (fixed hours at work, etc.), then maybe you can get away with separating your planners, but most people have it all mixed together since that’s how life goes these days. 

Now if you are asking about the Master Task List (which is what FC calls it), then I think you can separate that out professional and personal, but it is still one life so having these lists located in one place still makes sense to me.

I’m not sure I’m addressing your questions at all!  The more I read your email, I think I may be missing the real question!  HA!  So, keep asking and I’ll be more prompt on the next answer!  Thanks

1.  Can you pay (a reasonable sum) to have someone else do these tasks? There might be children in your house who would clean up your linen closet/pantry/storage area for $$. Isn’t it worth that to you?

2.  Do you need a professional to help you with a task? What if your carpet is pulling up from the seam and you can’t fix it yourself? Set a specific time every week to make phone calls to professionals to help you with odd tasks like this.

3. Are there tasks that you are afraid of? How about that big project your employer asked you to do? Even if you aren’t going to do the task today, make an outline of what must be done to complete the task. Force yourself to complete one item on the outline before you leave work today.

4.  Are there tasks you hate? Accounting, filing, etc.? Get to work 10 minutes early for the next several days until these items are caught up. Then designate an early morning time to complete the item on a regular basis.

5.  Don’t allow yourself to whine about your procrastination. In the time it takes you to whine, you can often finish the task.

Read Rita Emmett’s book The Procrastinator’s Handbook.

You may also want to access one of the Third Thursday Productivity Time programs:  

Polish Off Procrastination!  Bump Off this Obstacle to Productivity (just $9.97; such a deal!)

This must-attend teleseminar will be hosted by Meggin McIntosh and taught by Joelle Jay.  Click here for more information and to register.

By participating in this teleseminar, you will learn how to maximize time in several ways including ways to:

• save time
• spend time
• find time
• create time
• free time
• …and more, we promise!

Here’s what you’ll get by registering:

1. Call-in information so you can be ‘live’ on the teleseminar;
2. An opportunity to send in questions prior to the class so that you can have them addressed as part of the teleseminar;
3. Handouts to download prior to the class and for later review;
4. An MP3 download of the class so you can listen as many times as you need and want to while reinforcing the strategies you learn.
5. And more, of course!

Click here for more information and to register.