6 Things Highly Productive People Do Every Day
/I read a great article this week that I want to share. You may do several of these things already, but I thought if you get even one additional idea, it is worth the read. You can read the FULL ARTICLE HERE
Here is my quick recap:
- Manage Your Mood
a) If you start the day calm, with a routine, it’s easy to get the right things done and focus.
b) Studies demonstrate that happiness increases productivity and makes you more successful. - Don’t Check Email in The Morning
a) When you read an email, you are putting yourself in position to react instead of taking initiative.
b) You wind up giving your best hour(s) of the day to someone else’s goals instead of your own. - Before You Try To Do It Faster, Ask Whether It Should Be Done At All
a) Many times the answer to “Why can’t I get everything done?” is because I’m trying to do too many things.
b) Do what is important AND NOT MUCH ELSE. - Focus Is Nothing More Than Eliminating Distractions
a) Distractions make us stupid.
b) Have a place that you can “hideout” and escape distractions – for at least portions of the day. - Have A Personal System
a) Productive people have a routine.
b) Great systems work because they make things automatic – and don’t tax our very limited supply of will power.
c) Adapt a system using the 80-20 rule where you spend 80% of your time and energy on the most important activities. - Define Your Goals The Night Before
a) Research proves that you are much more likely to accomplish something when it is specific and written down.
Have a great week!!
If you are ever interested in reading prior weekly emails, please visit my Facebook page. Mike Smalling Mortgage Advisor
The Week Ahead
With the current focus on inflation, Thursday's report on the May Core PCE price index will be significant. Investors also will be watching the housing data next week. Existing Home Sales will be released on Monday and New Home Sales will come out on Tuesday. Durable Orders, an important indicator of economic activity, will be released on Wednesday. There will be Treasury auctions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Outside the US, the situation in Iraq will remain the primary focus.
The Week That Was
Inflation concerns were the main influence on mortgage rates last week. A surprising jump in CPI caused mortgage rates to rise on Tuesday. The Fed downplayed the threat of high inflation on Wednesday, however, causing mortgage rates to decline. The net result was that mortgage rates finished the week a little lower.
The May Consumer Price Index (CPI), one of the most widely watched inflation indicators, was 2.1% higher than one year ago. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy, was 2.0% higher, up from an annual rate of 1.6% just two months ago. Core CPI has now reached the Fed's stated target level for core inflation of 2.0%. Another inflation indicator released this week, the prices paid component of the Philly Fed report, also showed a sharp increase. Since expectations for future inflation are a primary factor in setting mortgage rates, this data was unfavorable for rates.
The impact of the negative news did not last long, however. While Wednesday's highly anticipated Fed statement was very similar to the prior one, Fed officials indicated little concern about inflation. Comments from Fed Chair Yellen suggested that current readings reflected normal volatility in monthly inflation data and that the recent uptick did not change the Fed's long-term forecast. In addition, Fed officials place more weight on a separate monthly inflation report, the Core PCE price index. Core PCE measures a different basket of goods than Core CPI, and Core PCE recently has provided readings a good deal lower than Core CPI. In short, looking at Core PCE, inflation remains well below the Fed's 2.0% target, giving them comfort in maintaining an accommodative monetary policy. Not all investors are as confident as the Fed that inflation will remain low, though, and this will be an important area to watch in coming months.