You can go out and buy more memory for you computer when it needs it. Wouldn’t it be great to do the same with your brain?

Great news is you can… sort of.

Recently I replace my old computer. It reached it’s memory upgrade limits and took forever do something while chronically freezing up. This meant rebooting a minimum of six times a day. Talk about productivity interruptions.

So a new computer showed up on my porch and I’m ready to pick up where I left off and get back into the swing of things.

Only one little caveat. Several projects received a premature completed checkmark due to the computer freeze ups. I need to back track through all the projects.

My friend Bob Jenkins (a.k.a. Ask Bob the Teacher) introduced me to a great tool at TimeMindMapping.com to help track it all.

I used this mind map tool to create the projects in the first place. So I can easily retrace the steps.

I started a new mind map to list all things that need finishing from each project. Of course, while doing this, my brain comes up with more project ideas. So I decided to throw them on this mind map too.

Mind mapping frees up your brain’s memory since you don’t need to store the information in it. A very useful tool for blondes and those dealing with baby boomer brain.

TimeMindMapping.com is free (cheaper than buying memory for your computer) and comes with a training video. It cuts down on the time to lean it.

While you can’t go out and buy more memory for your brain, mind mapping is the next best thing.

Do you mind map? Please share your experiences and thoughts.

Guess what happens on July 16 at 2:00 pm Eastern Time… I’m sharing strategies on how to Think Outside the Clock so your business day will run smoothly on Productivity Talk Radio with Carol Dickson-Carr - The Productivity Coach

Productivity Talk focuses on business communication strategies and process improvement in various business niches. Carol’s expert interviews provide various perspectives on how your business can ultimately have the win-wins of happy customers (external and employees), happy stakeholders, and a fabulous bottom line on your balance sheet!

I meet through Facebook and Twitter and feel honored to be one of her guest.

So mark your calendar and set your timer and Join us for this fun and very informative show

One time in your life you mastered this powerful word… in fact it was your job and remains the job of every two year old. Saying NO!

Going back to saying "No" establishes a boundary to keep other peoples agenda from interfering with yours. You take back control over what you want to do and when. So many of us already find our lives jammed full of stuff to do, you’d think it would be easy to say no.

That two year old soon learned that saying "No" produced a negative result while saying yes got positive results. Many of us grow up to be people pleasers, Saying yes just feels easier than saying no.

We want to avoid the confrontation and anxiety feelings we experienced at that young age

Manipulative people know this and use it to get their way.

"No," is a commendable response. Don’t equate No with rejection… saying ‘No’ doesn’t mean you don’t like the person; you’re just refusing their current request.

When you say, "Yes," when you want to say, "No" you will feel resentful throughout whatever you agreed to do. This causes stress that can show in many ways, lost energy, discomfort, headaches, shoulder tension and restless sleep. You could avoid these symptoms saying "No" in the first place. Life creates enough stress. Why add more?

5 Easy Ways to Say No

1. Start your sentence with the word, "No."

It’s easier to keep the commitment to say, "No," if it’s the first word out of your mouth.

No I’m sorry, my plate is full right now and I wouldn’t do a good job for you.

No, I’m not available (no need for details)

2. Think It Over.

Ask for time to think it over. It maybe something you want to do but need to do but you time to make sure it will fit in your schedule. Perhaps you’re not strong enough to say no right now… this gives you time to mentally prepare yourself to say No. Remind yourself that the decision is entirely up to you.

3. Just Say No.

That’s right just say it. "NO"… no explanation need. You can add "no thank you" if warranted.

If someone asks for information you don’t want to give. Say No. especially those annoying cashiers/clerks asking for phone number, email address while you’re checking out.

Say No to the telemarketer disturbing your dinner… better yet, don’t answer the phone.

A campaign in the 1980’s realized that saying No can keep off a destructive path… You probably know it as the "Just Say No to Drugs" campaign. You’d find big posters in school, subways, billboards, in fact all over. Start your own campaign. Make your own posters with the words "Just Say No" and put them up.

4. Blame it On…

We love to blame other people for our problems so why not blame saying "No" on somebody else…

No, my doctor said I need to start taking it easy (great one to for preserving your personal time).

No, my accountant said I did that one more time (great for unreasonable customer demands)

Don’t use a name, unless that person really said it… keep the "blame" person generic.

5. Act like a Parrot

Especially good for the "manipulator" attempting to guilt you into a yes and/or someone using the "wear them down" method

Example: Request to go for a cup of coffee

"No, I can’t have coffee with you"

We won’t be gone long

"No, I can’t have coffee with you"

You deserve it… you’ve been working hard

"No, I can’t have coffee with you"

Come on I’ll pay

"No, I can’t have coffee with you"

Learning to say "No" naturally takes practice. Start with saying "No" to something everyday.

Imagine you can increase your productivity by 20% without working more hours. What difference would that 20% make toward the success you achieve?

Try These Five Strategies to Help You Increase Your Productivity

1. Getting Organized

People loose about 71/2 hours each week due to disorganization. Organize your office into productive environment. As a business owner, you can create your work environment. It’s critical toward your long term success to work in an environment which supports you.

You’ll find some great tip at Suzy Scullin’s site. http://declutterate.org/blog/

2. Know Your Energy Cycle

Some people are night owls other are early bird. When you know which type you are, you can schedule your task and projects more effectively around your energy cycle.

3. Go Into Super Focus Mode

Limit access to yourself… turn off the phone, email and twitter. No interruptions. Set a timer and stay 100% focused on the task at hand. Group your tasks in bunches. Return emails and phone calls at the same time. Do all your writing in chunks, dedicate certain days for project, etc.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Are you taking good of yourself? Too much work can exhaust the body. Make health a high importance to increase and keep productivity level up. Scott Tousignant (The Fit Bastard) created a wonderful site with quick exercises you can do while working at the computer. http://twittercise.ning.com/

5. Do nothing.

Sometimes when you feel overwhelm and pressure, take a brain break. Let your mind wander for a few minutes. Taking a quick break almost always leads to a boost in productivity.

Start with one of these strategies, you’ll soon find yourself accomplish much more with less effort