Even though I wasn't a big fan of Star Trek, I always loved Captain Picard's trademark command, "Make it so." It's short, direct and powerful. It reminds me a little of the pharaoh in the movie, The Ten Commandments, saying, "So let it be written, so let it be done".

Getting things done is critical to our success. Even more important is getting the right things done and doing them efficiently.

Time is the most precious commodity we have, so it's important to make the best use of it. I'm not saying that we have to be doing something all the time, but I AM saying that when we want to be productive, we also be effective.

Are you as effective and efficient as you can be?

Since I'm not burdened by modesty, I'll tell you that I consider myself pretty efficient. I think I get a lot done in a modicum of time. So how do I do it?

I think part of it was having grown up on a farm and having to get the most important things done against weather and seasonal deadlines. We KNEW what needed to get done, and we did it. It was about clarity and focus.

This work ethic has carried through into my professional career as a speaker, author and publisher. It's served me very well.

I also try to make the best use of the tools that are available to me. My computer (I see it as my factory) and my software are my primary tools, and I have invested wisely in my skills and my knowledge so as to maximize their use.

I'm certain that I could do better. There are some programs I know I only use half of their capabilities—maybe even less. But the ones I DO use, I think I employ well.

There are myriad little tips I use to save time and get things done more efficiently. Most of them are outlined in our special report, "101 Ways to Save Time and Be More Effective"—available at no cost from the Gold Member Site.

With our tools and our support in you being your best, you can expect to "Make it so."

To get our free 8-page booklet "Keys to Personal Effectiveness", send an email to keys@SuccessNet.org