For the last couple months ExecTec has been sponsored by HP & AMD and each month they send me a message to share with you. This week I am using that message as inspiration for my weekly topic (yes I will take a good idea from anywhere so feel free to send me suggestions).

“When was the last time you worked 40 hours at one location” asks this months message (included at the bottom). Now the first thing that strikes me is when was the last time you worked just 40 hours anywhere. The fact is work happens where it happens, when it happens and rarely how you want it to happen.

Now it goes without saying (especially since they were so kind to support ExecTec) that a fine HP laptop will increase ones mobility and ability to work here there and everywhere. I am also pretty sure I agree with their blog post that affirms that it is a myth that mobility gives employees an excuse to slack off.

There is no question that having the flexibility to be able to work from anywhere or even access your electronic work space and tools when you are not at your desk can empower and free workers and executives alike.

Now I could easily argue that this increased mobility will lead to increased overtime, make employees prone to reaction based action or whack-a-problem tactics and place your valuable intellectual property and trade secrets at increased risk.

However, Everett Bogue the author of The Art of Being Minimalist and Minimalist Business argues in this post that, “being productive is the exact opposite of what everyone needs to be doing to get ahead in the modern workplace.”

Now keeping in mind these ideas are for people who want to free up time to be dedicated to generating big ideas and are not meant as excuses for people who want to be lazy.

Be less productive. By this Everett means don’t spread your work out so you are busy and productive every minute of the day but rather get your work done so you can have time to ponder and develop ideas.

Use communication consciously. Use that extra mobility to get something done rather then enable reactionary management by becoming a further slave to incidental communication. Just because you can check your email from home while having a breakfast that would more then make Tony the Tiger proud does not mean you should.

Delegate stupid repetitive tasks. If a task is stupid and repetitive then perhaps it is not part of the vital few. Always ask yourself if what your doing is the best use of your time. Don’t work for your technology tools, make them work for you.

Firewall your time. Once you create time for thinking big thoughts you must protect this time for that purpose. Do not get sucked into doing more and getting less big picture thinking done.

Stop going to meetings. Meetings are often the single biggest time suck in an executives life. There is no great way to solve the problem other to not contribute to the problem and share one of my favorite authors book Death by Meeting with those who are guilty of wasting time with meetings

Don’t listen to anyone. People will tell you that you can’t achieve big things, listen with discretion.

Go home early You work to live not live to work.

The key to life and work is balance, a good executive knows how to make use of time and the tools that can maximize that balance.

As always, there is no better way to meet and connect with other executives then over dinner and conversation. $21 in advance via PayPal or $25 at the event gets you a full dinner, drink and the best networking around.

Sponsored Message

When was the last time you worked 40 hours at one location? If you're like most small business professionals, chances are you can't even remember. Your office now includes a variety of locations, including planes, cafes, conferences, hotel rooms and, of course, home. With a notebook and an Internet connection, you're free to work anywhere, anytime... as are your employees. HP & AMD recognize the opportunities that come from cutting the cord in the new, increasingly mobile, workplace environment. And they can prove it.

The HP ProBook 4425s Notebook PC powered by AMD is perfect for the mobile professional and it's specifically designed to go wherever business takes you. In fact, HP & AMD engineered this mobile powerhouse with input from entrepreneurs and small business professionals like you. Who better to contribute to how a mobile office should be built than experts in mobility?

You can read more on this topic on the HP blog. Check out "Small Biz Tech Myth: Mobility gives my employees an excuse to slack off", the findings will surely surprise you.

By sponsoring your hand-picked Meetup Group, HP & AMD are encouraging you to go forth! Go far! Pursue your dreams and conquer the challenges of the mobile age! The HP ProBook 4425s Notebook PC powered by AMD will be there every step of the way. Find out more about the HP ProBook 4425s Notebook PC powered by AMD. Watch your business go mobile and never look back.

If you want to discuss mobilizing your business with other entrepreneurs and small business professionals, be sure to follow HP on Twitter or visit the HP Small Business Blog at www.367AddisonAvenue.com. You can also join the discussion on LinkedIn at www.TheSmallBizNation.com.

If you have any questions about this sponsorship, just let us know by replying to this email. We'll be glad to chat!