TGIF: Smoking the Chinese way

Today we’re going to take a break from heavy stuff.
The weekend’s almost here and time for some fun.
Here's a favorite recipe for Chinese smoked chicken.
When we first learned to make it, it took time.
You had to boil the chicken in a soy and anise broth.
Next you grilled it over tea, sugar and flour smoke.
Then you brushed it with sesame oil.
It gave the chicken great flavor but it was a job.
We’ve now found a simpler way to do it.

Chinese smoked chicken (for 4)
3 minced garlic cloves
6 tbsp soy sauce
3 tbsp hoisin sauce
3 tbsp dry white wine
1 tbsp minced ginger root
1 tsp liquid smoke flavor
3-4-lb frying chicken
1 cooking bag
Sesame oil
Steamed rice for 4
Combine first 7 ingredients in cooking bag and seal tightly. Rotate bag to coat chicken with marinade. Refrigerate overnight. Preheat oven to 350°F. Set bag with chicken on baking sheet. Bake 1 hour until chicken is tender and brown. Remove from oven and cool. Open bag and pour broth into a gravy boat. Brush chicken with sesame oil, carve, arrange on platter and sprinkle with broth. Serve chicken, rice and remaining broth separately.
Add iced tea or a semi-dry white wine. Enjoy.
Next week we’ll discuss opening your creative portals.
See you then.

Close the door, please

Yesterday we talked about getting rid of "stuff".
Today we’ll talk about controlling our time.
Time really is a democratic resource.
It’s the one thing all of us have in equal measure.
But the Time Bandits want to take it from us.
They come in, plunk down and want to talk.
We’re busy but they ignore that.
What do they want to talk about?
Problems with their spouse or children.
Gossip about our friends and colleagues.
Who’s sleeping with whom. That kind of stuff.
Maybe even what they watched on TV last night.
Do we have time for this? Of course not.
Is there a door to your office? Just close it.
That’s right. Close the door. They’ll get the hint.
If not, stand when they come in.
Tell them: "I’m busy. Could we talk later?"
Later as in maybe next year.
Don’t let the Time Bandits hold you up.
For a business success strategy, click here.
Tomorrow we’ll talk about smoking the Chinese way.
It's non-addictive. See you then.

File it or forget it

Yesterday we talked about controlling our "In" boxes.
Today we’ll talk about our next important step.
Do you feel as if you’re swimming in paperwork?
What are you saving all that stuff for?
You think there’s going to be a paper shortage?
Most of us save documents because we "might need them".
Guess what? You probably won’t.
If you must, put the "stuff" in your filing cabinet.
Label the folders so you can find the stuff later.
Act on the rest. Or throw them away.
That’s right. Trash them. They impede progress.
They clutter our desks and our lives.
Half the documents in your "In" box should be trashed.
Take a look. Am I right?
Remember the 3 Ds: Do it. Delegate it. Or Discard it.
It’s that simple.
Don’t make life worse than it has to be.
For another success strategy, click here.
Tomorrow we’ll talk about controlling your time.
See you then.

The secret of the "In" box

Yesterday we talked about organizing your day.
Today we'll share another organizing secret.
Who controls your "In" box, you or the box?
For years, I let the "In" box control my life.
Now I control it and make it work for me.
You can, too. Here’s the way to do it.
Your desk cluttered? Gather all the paper.
Now put it all in your "In" box.
Now you have a clear place to work.
Even better, everything is in one place.
It’s in your "In" box to stay until you’re ready for it.
Nothing’s lost. It’s all in the "In" box.
Now get what you need to tackle that big frog.
It’s in the box. Just take 30 seconds to find it.
Now get to work. And note the time you start.
When you’re finished, note the finishing time.
It’s good to know how much time any task takes.
Tasks will vary. This blog took eight minutes to write.
For a visual success tip, click here.
Tomorrow we’ll talk about what to do with all that paper.
See you then.

Getting ourselves better organized

Do you have trouble finding things?
Do you seem to hide them from yourself?
Last week, I coached a group of 26 writers.
Most admitted problems organizing their work.
This is common for highly creative people.
Creative people are compulsive.
They fly by the seat of their pants.
To organize our work, we must organize ourselves.
One place to start is with your daily journal.
Write in it your daily "to do" list.
Call it: "What will advance my goals today."
List them in order of priority. You must prioritize.
Put the big frogs — the high payoff projects — first.
That way the important stuff will get done.
The busy work can wait until tomorrow.
The biggest frog becomes A1.
The smaller frogs become A2 and A3.
The after-lunch frogs become B1 and B2.
Try it. It makes even frogs taste better.
Now I have a visual success strategy for you.
To think like a millionaire, click here.
Tomorrow I’ll share a fantastic organizing secret.
See you then.