As we receive more and more e-mail messages and other technology-based interruptions, it can feel like being hit by a digital deluge. Without the skills to manage e-mail and other devices effectively, many people are wasting time just trying to keep up instead of gaining productivity through technology.

These tactics for distraction management can significantly increase your productivity:

1. Turn off the alarm or visual alerts: You wouldn’t let the postman empty a mailbag on your desk 50 times a day and you certainly wouldn’t let them ring a bell with each delivery. That’s exactly what you are doing if you check each e-mail when it arrives. Turn off the alarm or visual alert and take control of your e-mail and your time.

2. Learn how to turn off or manage alerts on mobile devices: As more and more people synchronize their phones and mobile devices they are being distracted by email alerts, meeting reminders at all sorts of inconvenient times. These alerts can ensure you are being distracted at home as well as work!

3. Treat e-mail like regular mail: Try to check your e-mail at regular times in the day, i.e. early morning, mid-day and late afternoon. Even if you receive a high volume of e-mails, you shouldn’t check more than four times a day. Checking email regularly can give you a very busy feeling but it is deceptive as it is unlikely you are focusing on your key priorities.

4. Take control of your in-box: Subscribe to e-mail services selectively. Ask friends or colleagues who frequently send jokes or huge files to stop. Get a separate e-mail address for personal communication or one that you give just to key contacts, similar to an unlisted phone number. Set up rules to automatically delete or file low priority emails.

5. Focus on your priorities: Commit 10 -15 minutes each day to plan for the next day. Ensure as part of this process you make “appointments with yourself” to focus on key priorities and projects.

E-mail, mobile devices, instant messaging and the like can save businesses considerable time and money, but managing these tools is a skill that’s just as important to acquire as other essential management skills such as communication, planning and prioritizing.

Priority Management is a training company specialises in time management training. Our “Working Smart” series integrates the underlying principles of Best Practice time, productivity, information and workload management into applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, GroupWise, the BlackBerry and paper.

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However, there are many forms of meditations and, with the advent of the movie the Secret, meditations for manifesting seem to have taken over as the de facto manner of meditation.

Granted, we all have unlimited wants and needs, as if this needs explaining, and material wants and needs seem to be at the fore, and hence the popularity of the movie the secret.

Meditations for manifesting relate to one using mind over matter to focus on something material they wish to have in the future, and live in such a way as if that which they’re wishing to manifest is already here!

As arduous as this may sound, it actually is a very easy undertaking, especially when one becomes acquainted with the whole process of meditation.
All one need do is focus, internally, on their desire, wish it into being, let go, give thanks and be well on their way with their daily lives.

Gratitude is what it all takes to manifest desires.
I’ve always likened desire as that feeling one gets when they’re drowing!
When you have a mad passion for just one gulp of air, and someone is holding your head down hard in a body of water, and try as hard as you may, you fail to breath…that’s desire, coupled with emotions!

Now, when you have desire as deep as that, nothing, and absolutely nothing, can stand in your way of manifesting that which brings you so much joy and freedom.

Whilst most of us focus sorely on money, the end result of it is, you’re probably seeking freedom and self expression.

So, instead of focusing on money entirely, however amount you may wish to have, how about focusing on what that money will be able to do for you… better choices, freedom to wake up at any time you wish without “clock watching.”
The ability to spend quality time with all those you love…the ability to travel, see the World, give to charity, buy a new home, a yacht.. anything the mind can conceive.

If you would like step-by-step instructions on how to guide your mind and subconscious into being the most submissive Genie there is, a Genie that will grant you your every wish and beckon your every call, visit our website, where you can download your very own personalized miind mapping meditations for manifesting screensaver. You’ll be glad you did, and you will be shocked and humbled at just how easy it is to truly manifest your heart’s deepest desire, with little effort.

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During times of market volatility, it is our natural instinct to protect our investments and distance ourselves from risk. While this reaction is unsurprising, it can also mean missing out on profit opportunities created during crazy periods.

Warren Buffet, one of the world’s wealthiest investors,
sees market slumps from another perspective, saying “Look at market swings as your friend rather than your enemy; profit from folly rather than participate in it.”

Generally when we see a lower price for something we want we rush in for a good deal, however it can be quite the opposite with shares. Why is it that we treat stocks that have dropped in price with fear? Stock prices of a company can fall for a number of
factors. Lately we have seen the stock values of a number of blue chip companies with healthy balance sheets be negatively affected due to a rush to sell as a result of the economic crisis.

Despite the difficult share trading environment, fund managers are always checking the market for investment opportunities. Many superannuation managers are searching to find stocks in profitable companies with strong balance sheets and dividends. For example Australian companies such as household names like David Jones have delivered strong profits after tax and dividends in 2008. However during 2008, David Jones’ share price fell by more than 30%.

Identifying opportunities

Not all businesses will be affected by the global economic crisis similarly. Some industries are more prone to the business cycle than others.
Companies who deal in of basic goods and services continue on almost unabated, for example we all need to eat – so food producers aren’t as affected as much as tourism, motor vehicle sales or luxury goods.

Australia’s population growth is at a 20 year high and growing at 1.7% per annum. Australia’s growing population provides increasing demand for goods and services as people need food, housing, cars, and other staples. Unlike many overseas countries, Australia benefits from two key factors: a high population growth rate and a high demand for housing.

Population growth is nearly twice that of the US while Germany has negative population growth. In the US there is an over-supply of housing while Australia suffers from a lack of supply. The combination of limited housing and a rising population will create growing demand for housing which will support further building and
provide opportunities for the construction industry.

The value of companies

Many people view companies with falling share prices with fear, but we need to take a look under the hood of these firms to find out why. Have they borrowed heavily?

What industry are they in? Are they competitive against their peers? Only by answering these questions, can we know if their stock value has fallen for valid reasons or if the company is indeed on sale.

When investing, many professional investors look for companies with high and maintainable dividends, strong balance sheets and ongoing cash flow. These companies are more likely to outlast the volatility storm and may give you a greater return when the market moves into the next phase of recovery and
beyond.

Before you consider changing your investment, you should consult a professional. Having a financial planner and a long-term financial plan can give you confidence to manage the effects of market cycles. With the right advice you can ensure your investments are structured to your risk profile and time horizon, giving you the certainty of knowing you’re doing what’s right for you.

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