5. The first twenty minutes.
You would never see an NBA all-star casually toss a ball into the air and hope it hits the net. Before each jump shot, players pause, find their footing, set their sights on the net, and visualize a swoosh before the ball has even left their fingertips. You can take the same approach at work by visualizing a successful day before it officially begins. It all comes down to the first twenty minutes.

As soon as you get to work, before you turn on your e-mail or check your voice mail, take twenty minutes to plan the day ahead:

• Define your top priority for the day—the one that you would sacrifice all others to achieve—to help focus your energy.

• Update your “To Do” list. Allot time for everything you need to accomplish, including time to prepare for meetings and other conversations.

• Review your calendar. Determine the purpose of each meeting and appointment. If you don’t have one yet, think of one. If you can’t determine one, cancel.

• Consider whom you will see in meetings or other events throughout the day. Jot down any issues you need to address with them.

• Glance at your schedule for the remainder of the week and month to make sure you’re still focused on the right things.

Then check your e-mail and voice mail and start your day.

6. You’re killing me.
What do you do if you’ve said “I got it” to the person addressing you and they keep right on talking? You feel trapped. You know the clock is ticking. This is the third time you’ve heard the story. Everyone in the room is already in what I call “violent agreement.” Instead of getting angry or giving up, look at the other person, laugh, and say, “You’re killing me. I’ve got the point. Let’s move on.”

By being both direct and funny about it, you do two things: (1) you break the tension that everyone probably feels; and (2) by keeping things light, you move the conversation forward without offending. Odds are that the speaker is so wrapped up in the point being made that he or she has stopped observing what was going on around them. You’re offering him or her a graceful way out and helping to keep things moving.

If you’re not comfortable saying “You’re killing me,” try “Time out.” Ask a leading question to direct the conversation in a new direction. Or even suggest a brief break. The point is, find a phrase or method that works for you. If you simply put up with needless repetition, everyone in the room suffers.

7. Get over it.
When someone cuts you off when you’re driving, you may feel a surge of anger. Such anger can turn into road rage, fast. The first bump of adrenaline is a healthy response to a threat. It gives you the energy you need to respond promptly and protect yourself–in this case, by slamming on the brakes. But road rage is anything but a healthy reaction. When someone “cuts you off” at work, acknowledge it to yourself, then let it go. Holding on to anger costs time, energy, and focus. If you feel yourself slipping into “office rage”:

• Don’t take any precipitous action until you’ve calmed down.

• Take a walk, or talk behind closed doors with someone you trust so that you can let off a little steam. Don’t let your anger cause you to take action in a way that you will regret later.

• Make sure you do not take out your anger in other ways. If you’re upset that a colleague was promoted over you, don’t allow it to affect your relationship with everyone around you.

• Let your anger go. You cannot change the past. Learn what you can from it and move on.

In some cases, it’s important to confront a situation that makes you angry. Did your colleague really do something wrong? Respectfully challenging a new proposal that you presented is his or her right. If, however, he or she ridiculed your ideas rather than constructively responded to them, meet with this person one-on-one. Tell him or her how their action affected you, and ask that it not happen again. Then put it behind you.

Anger steals time and energy. Reacting inappropriately when you are angry makes it even worse and can undermine your career. Just move on.


8. It’s not always about you.
When my colleague recently arrived for a sales call with the CEO of one of the world’s largest ad agencies, the CEO met him at the elevator, looking rushed and preoccupied. He said, “I only have fifteen minutes.” Many people would have instantly deflated, thinking, “He doesn’t really want to talk to me—I might as well give up right now.” Instead, my colleague said, “No problem. We’re prepared—we’ll move fast.” The CEO’s mood instantly brightened. They had a great meeting that did, in fact, end in less than fifteen minutes. My colleague was smart enough to realize that the CEO’s mood had nothing to do with him. Because of that he was able to stay focused and on point.

Whether you’re dealing with a boss, colleague, client, customer, or spouse, the other person’s mood often has nothing to do with you. As human beings we tend to think the other person’s mood reflects something we did or didn’t do—that it’s all about us. Or, as a friend of mine puts it, “We’re all the stars of our own movies.” But putting ourselves in the center of every situation can distract us unnecessarily. We waste time wondering what we did wrong or how we can fix someone else’s issue, when it’s not necessarily our fault or concern. Don’t.

If you’re genuinely concerned that you’ve offended someone without realizing it, ask them. If the person tells you it has nothing to do with you, offer your support. Give your friend or colleague the space needed to deal with whatever is bothering him or her.

Everyone has a bad-hair day every now and then. It’s not always about you, so don’t assume it is.Excerpted from "Cut to the Chase—and 99 Other Rules to Liberate Yourself and Gain Back the Gift of Time." by Stuart Levine. Copyright 2006 by Stuart Levine. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of the publisher, Currency/Random House. No part of this excerpt can be used without permission of the publisher.

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