6 Things Really Productive People Do | Inc.com

Have you noticed that some people just seem to accomplish tons and still appear happy and relaxed? Here are six tips for becoming more productive.



People often ask me, amazed, how I manage to do so many things. Aside from writing two columns every week, I speak regularly, travel, create videos, manage my business, write books, consult with five companies, network, socialize, cycle, run, read, cook, sleep six to seven hours a night and have dates with my wife. Oh yeah, I watch a lot of television while hanging out with my dog as well.

Okay, I know it sounds ridiculous. But accomplishing my preferred future requires this level of activity. I have the same 24 hours in a day that you do, but I have made specific choices that allow me to make the most of every day, and still feel happy and relaxed. Perhaps these tips will help you make the most of your time as well.

1. Pick Your Priorities

Make choices about the activities in your life. With most endeavors, you can either go deep or go wide. Focus on spending time that for you is fun and productive. If you like big families, have them, but recognize up front that kids require time and you'll have to choose a lifestyle that supports quality time with them, for you to feel satisfied. I chose the life of a consultant because I like to work with companies, but don't want the life of a big company CEO. My choices are based on the lifestyle I want.

2. Go For Efficiency

You don't do everything well. The things you do well usually give you greater joy and require less time. Don't take on something with a steep learning curve if you don't have the available bandwidth. Design your life to meet your wants, and recognize when to say no to opportunities that are outside the scope of your desires. Live your life by design, not default.

3. Integrate Your Activities

Many people go crazy trying to figure out how to spend time with friends, family, work, play, etc.  Stop trying to balance time between them all. Find ways to enjoy them in a combined manner. Build your social life around people in your work environment. Find people in your company who share common interests and develop your career around the people and activities you love. If everything is out of synch to the point where you feel pulled and stressed, a change is likely imminent one way or another.

4. Actively Manage Time-wasters

Social media, family, friends, employees, co-workers and general whiners all under certain circumstances can suck precious time from you if you let them. Budget your time for necessary activities. Make a choice to limit non-supportive interactions that don't energize you. As for social media, it can easily be a black hole for time and productivity. Use it appropriately and sparingly as a tool to support your endeavors and social needs, but lay off the Farmville.

5. Be an Active Learner

You would think learning takes more time from you, but actually there are always new tools and new ways of doing things that can save you time on mundane tasks freeing you up for your priorities. Always be looking for a new way to gain back an hour here or there. Just try it and dump it quick if it starts to drag on.

6. Lighten Up

No need to beat yourself up if you can't do all the things you want because you are handling other stuff that needs attention. It happens. The world won't come to an end in most cases just because you left a few things undone. Celebrate progress and keep refining toward a happy productive existence. This is why making lists and crossing off items is a staple in any productivity handbook. Every completion is a small victory that adds up in a big way.

An Inc. 500 entrepreneur with a more than $1 billion sales and marketing track record, Kevin Daum is the best-selling author of Video Marketing for Dummies. @awesomeroar

6 Things Really Productive People Do | Inc.com:

6 Habits of Remarkably Likable People | Inc.com

They're charming. They're genuine. And they can make an entire room full of people smile.



When you meet someone, after, "What do you do?" you're out of things to say. You suck at small talk, and those first five minutes are tough because you're a little shy and a little insecure.

But you want to make a good impression. You want people to genuinely like you.

Here's how remarkably likeable people do it:

They lose the power pose.

I know: Your parents taught you to stand tall, square your shoulders, stride purposefully forward, drop your voice a couple of registers, and shake hands with a firm grip.

It's great to display nonverbal self-confidence, but go too far and it seems like you're trying to establish your importance. That makes the "meeting" seem like it's more about you than it is the other person--and no one likes that.

No matter how big a deal you are you pale in comparison to say, oh, Nelson Mandela. So take a cue from him. Watch how he greets Bill Clinton, no slouch at this either.

Clinton takes a step forward (avoiding the "you must come to me" power move); Mandela steps forward with a smile and bends slightly forward as if, ever so slightly, to bow (a clear sign of deference and respect in nearly every culture); Clinton does the same. What you have are two important people who put aside all sense of self-importance or status. They're genuine.

Next time you meet someone, relax, step forward, tilt your head towards them slightly, smile, and show that you're the one who is honored by the introduction--not them.

We all like people who like us. If I show you I'm genuinely happy to meet you, you'll instantly start to like me. (And you'll show that you do, which will help calm my nerves and let me be myself.)

They embrace the power of touch.

Nonsexual touch can be very powerful. (Yes, I'm aware that sexual touch can be powerful too.) Touch can influence behavior, increase the chances of compliance, make the person doing the touching seem more attractive and friendly.

Go easy, of course: Pat the other person lightly on the upper arm or shoulder. Make it casual and nonthreatening.

Check out Clinton's right-hand-shakes-hands-left-hand-touches-Mandela's-forearm-a-second-later handshake in the link above and tell me, combined with his posture and smile, that it doesn't come across as genuine and sincere.

Think the same won't work for you? Try this: The next time you walk up behind a person you know, touch them lightly on the shoulder as you go by. I guarantee you'll feel like a more genuine greeting was exchanged.

Touch breaks down natural barriers and decreases the real and perceived distance between you and the other person--a key component in liking and in being liked.

They whip out their social jiu-jitsu.

You meet someone. You talk for 15 minutes. You walk away thinking, "Wow, we just had a great conversation. She is awesome."

Then, when you think about it later, you realize you didn't learn a thing about the other person.

Remarkably likeable people are masters at Social Jiu-Jitsu, the ancient art of getting you to talk about yourself without you ever knowing it happened. SJJ masters are fascinated by every step you took in creating a particularly clever pivot table, by every decision you made when you transformed a 200-slide PowerPoint into a TED Talk-worthy presentation, if you do say so yourself...

SJJ masters use their interest, their politeness, and their social graces to cast an immediate spell on you.

And you like them for it.

Social jiu-jitsu is easy. Just ask the right questions. Stay open-ended and allow room for description and introspection. Ask how, or why, or who.

As soon as you learn a little about someone, ask how they did it. Or why they did it. Or what they liked about it, or what they learned from it, or what you should do if you're in a similar situation.

No one gets too much recognition. Asking the right questions implicitly shows you respect another person's opinion--and, by extension, the person.

We all like people who respect us, if only because it shows they display great judgment.

(Kidding. Sort of.)

They whip out something genuine.

Everyone is better than you at something. (Yes, that's true even for you.) Let them be better than you.

Too many people when they first meet engage in some form of penis-measuring contest. Crude reference but one that instantly calls to mind a time you saw two alpha male master-of-the business-universe types whip out their figurative rulers. (Not literally, of course. I hope you haven't seen that.)

Don't try to win the "getting to know someone" competition. Try to lose. Be complimentary. Be impressed. Admit a failing or a weakness.

You don't have to disclose your darkest secrets. If the other person says, "We just purchased a larger facility," say, "That's awesome. I have to admit I'm jealous. We've wanted to move for a couple years but haven't been able to put together the financing. How did you pull it off?"

Don't be afraid to show a little vulnerability. People may be (momentarily) impressed by the artificial, but people sincerely like the genuine.

Be the real you. People will like the real you.

They ask for nothing.

You know the moment: You're having a great conversation, you're finding things in common... and then bam! Someone plays the networking card.

And everything about your interaction changes.

Put away the hard-charging, goal-oriented, always-on kinda persona. If you have to ask for something, find a way to help the other person, then ask if you can.

Remarkably likeable people focus on what they can do for you--not for themselves.

They "close" genuinely.

"Nice to meet you," you say, nodding once as you part. That's the standard move, one that is instantly forgettable.

Instead go back to the beginning. Shake hands again. Use your free hand to gently touch the other person's forearm or shoulder. Say, "I am really glad I met you." Or say, "You know, I really enjoyed talking with you." Smile: Not that insincere salesperson smile that goes with, "Have a nice day!" but a genuine, appreciative smile.

Making a great first impression is important, but so is making a great last impression.

And they accept it isn't easy.

All this sounds simple, right? It is. But it's not easy, especially if you're shy. The standard, power pose, "Hello, how are you, good to meet you, good seeing you," shuffle feels a lot safer.

But it won't make people like you.

So accept it's hard. Accept that being a little more deferential, a little more genuine, a little more complimentary and a little more vulnerable means putting yourself out there. Accept that at first it will feel risky.

But don't worry: When you help people feel a little better about themselves--which is reason enough--they'll like you for it.

And you'll like yourself a little more, too.

Jeff Haden learned much of what he knows about business and technology as he worked his way up in the manufacturing industry. Everything else he picks up from ghostwriting books for some of the smartest leaders he knows in business. @jeff_haden

6 Habits of Remarkably Likable People | Inc.com:

Oprah Presents the World's Smartest Kids

Oprah Presents the World's Smartest Kids - Oprah.com:

Creating a Logo

Objective

Students will practice using a draw program on the computer to create a logo for a business or a product. They also will understand and put to use the necessary characteristics of a successful logo.

Materials

drawing program
computers
samples of logos
Method

Skip the first two instructions for younger students.

Display samples of logos and ask students to guess what businesses and/or products that they belong to.
Have a class discussion on the noticeable similarities in the logos (if any). Ask the questions such as: Do you think these logos have had an impact on you? What colors, shades, style do you notice are used the most?....
Ask students to make up a business or a product that they would like to design a logo for. Ask older students to write a paragraph on the name, the audience, and the purpose of the business/product. Also ask students to write about what kind of image that they are trying to present through their logo.
Using a drawing program, ask students to create a logo for a business or a product that they have thought of.
Mark for clarity, creativity, effectiveness, and relatedness.
www.CanTeach.ca

Journal Writing Ideas

ABOUT YOURSELF

 Have you wondered about ________...?
 Let me tell you about_______...
 Have you ever wondered why...?
 I like to ________ for many reasons.
 I know how to _________. First...
 I think _____ was ________ for many reasons.
 I just learned facts about...
 Let me tell you about...
 It's fun to ________. First you...
 Many changes happen to __________ as they grow.
 My dream school
 My dream teacher
 What I would like to change about myself.
 My idea of hard work.
 What I REALLY enjoy doing.
 My worst fear is...
 A miserable feeling is when...
 What happened on my way home from school
 What happened on my way to school
 What I did last night (or last weekend)
 What I am doing tonight (or next weekend)
 What really bothers me
 What really excites me
 What really scares me
 What really surprises me
 The funniest thing I ever saw was...
 The scariest thing I ever saw was...
 My favourite movie is _______ ...explain
 My favourite TV program is _______ ...explain
 My favourite subject is _______ ...explain
 My least favourite subject is _______ ...explain
 When my friend moved away
 I really hate it when...
 I really wonder about...
 I remember when I was ______ years old and...
 I remember when I first ate _____________ and...
 I remember when I first met _____________ and...
 If I could fly I would...
 If I could chose a time to live it would be ________ ...explain.
 When I'm old...
 Fifteen things I want to do in my lifetime
 Love is...
 Friendship is...
 Being happy is...
 When I get out of school...
 My best birthday
 My most embarrassing moment
 My favourite trip
 When I grow up
 In 20 years, I will be…
 I was most angry when…
 My worst mistake was...
 My safe place
 Three items I would place in a time capsule. Why?
 I don't leave home without ______ because...

FANTASY

 I woke up this morning the size of a blueberry
 My magic carpet
 The day the food on my plate began to move
 The day I became (some weird person, famous person, etc)
 The day I went bungee jumping (sky diving...)
 The day I became a cartoon/game character
 The day I became a (rock climber, astronaut, singer, artist)
 The day the teacher was gone and they asked me to be the substitute!
 The night the Martians landed
 The night the lights went out
 The crazy day started when I was on my way to school... (downtown, to Grandma's)
 The trap door in my closet
 While I was walking home from school...
 I would use a magic wand to...
 In the year 2099...
 On planet Zeon...
 I heard a noise under my bed
 There was a loud knock at the door
 As I was walking on the beach...

IF I . . .

 If I could move (anywhere in the world)...
 If I could apologize to one person...
 If I could make all the rules...
 If I could speak to animals...
 If I could change shape...
 If I could meet anyone in the world...
 If I had 3 wishes, I would wish for...
 If I had $1,000,000...
 If I had a twin...
 If I had an airplane
 If I were stranded alone on an island...
 If I were stranded in the woods...
 If I were one inch tall...
 If I were invisible...
 If I were the teacher...
 If I were a fence post...
 If I were an animal, I would be...
 If I were a bird...
 If I were a movie star...
 If I lived in a castle...
 If I lived in a cave...
 If I lived in a tree...
 If I lived in a spaceship...
 If I lived underwater...
 If I lived on a mountain...
 If I won the lottery
 If I got to be captain of a boat

USING YOUR IMAGINATION

 Pretend you are a raindrop. Where would you land and what would happen along the way?
 Write a conversation that a shoe might have with a sock. (circle/square)
 If you and your best friend could have a free limo for 24 hours, where would you go and what would you do?
 What is a best friend?
 You could to travel to any city or country in the world.  Where would you go and why?
 Describe a dream that you had. Give as many details as possible.
 You have an extra $100,000 to give away, and you cannot spend it on yourself. What would you do with the money?
 If you were an insect, what kind would you be and why?
 Your mother has just returned from a distant planet and brought you back an alien pet- describe it in detail.
 Design your dream house (school, room, classroom, playground etc)
 Write a letter to me and tell me what you'd like to learn this year.
 Write the direction from your house to school.
 Write a description of your favourite toy, game, room in your house, favourite relative, etc.
 If the items in your lunch box could talk, what would they say?
 Write 3 questions you would like to ask your teacher.
 Write a story called "Meet My ______"
 What is your favourite food and how do you make it?
 List all the reasons why people need to know how to read.
 What do you think would happen if an elephant walked into the schoolyard?
 What colour do you think love is? Explain your answer.
 What colour do you think hate is? Explain your answer.
 How does happiness feel?

Creating a Logo

Objective

Students will practice using a draw program on the computer to create a logo for a business or a product. They also will understand and put to use the necessary characteristics of a successful logo.

Materials

drawing program
computers
samples of logos
Method

Skip the first two instructions for younger students.

Display samples of logos and ask students to guess what businesses and/or products that they belong to.
Have a class discussion on the noticeable similarities in the logos (if any). Ask the questions such as: Do you think these logos have had an impact on you? What colors, shades, style do you notice are used the most?....
Ask students to make up a business or a product that they would like to design a logo for. Ask older students to write a paragraph on the name, the audience, and the purpose of the business/product. Also ask students to write about what kind of image that they are trying to present through their logo.
Using a drawing program, ask students to create a logo for a business or a product that they have thought of.
Mark for clarity, creativity, effectiveness, and relatedness.

www.CanTeach.ca

Creating a Logo

Objective

Students will practice using a draw program on the computer to create a logo for a business or a product. They also will understand and put to use the necessary characteristics of a successful logo.

Materials

drawing program
computers
samples of logos
Method

Skip the first two instructions for younger students.

Display samples of logos and ask students to guess what businesses and/or products that they belong to.
Have a class discussion on the noticeable similarities in the logos (if any). Ask the questions such as: Do you think these logos have had an impact on you? What colors, shades, style do you notice are used the most?....
Ask students to make up a business or a product that they would like to design a logo for. Ask older students to write a paragraph on the name, the audience, and the purpose of the business/product. Also ask students to write about what kind of image that they are trying to present through their logo.
Using a drawing program, ask students to create a logo for a business or a product that they have thought of.
Mark for clarity, creativity, effectiveness, and relatedness.

www.CanTeach.ca

Writing Prompts | Journal Topics

What is... What is something you dislike about yourself? What is something you do well? What is your favourite room in your home and why? What is a good neighbour? What is the worst thing parents can do to their children? What is your favourite time of day? What is your idea of a dull evening? What is the best way to treat meddlesome people? What is something you are optimistic about? What is something you are pessimistic about? What is your most indispensable possession and why? What is the meaning of "He laughs best who laughs last"? What is your favourite song and why? What is the best birthday present you ever received? What is the best birthday present you could receive? What is something that makes you feel sad? What is your favourite book and why? What is something that really bugs you? What is something that really makes you angry? What is the best advice you ever received? What is your favourite holiday? What makes this holiday special? What is your favourite day of the week? What is your favourite month? Why? What if... What would happen if you could fly whenever you wanted? When would you use this ability? What would happen if there were no television? Why would this be good? bad? What would happen if everyone lived in space? What type of houses would they live in? What type of clothing would they wear? What type of food would they eat? How would they travel? What if cows gave root beer instead of milk? What if all the streets were rivers? What would be different? What would happen if people never co-operated? Why do you think it is important to co-operate? What would happen if it really did rain cats and dogs? What would happen if animals could talk? What are some of the questions you would like to ask animals? What would happen if you could become invisible whenever you wanted to? What are some of the things you could do that you cannot do now? What would happen if everyone wore the same clothes? What would happen if you threw a piece of trash on the ground? What if everyone did? What if you could walk up walls and across ceilings? What would happen if you loved your neighbour as yourself? What if everyone did? What would happen if you grew taller than trees? How would this change your life? What would happen if children ruled the world? What would happen if there were no cars, buses, trains, boats, or planes? How would this change your life? What if everyone lived under water? Where would people live? What games would children play? What would school be like? What would happen if you found gold in your backyard? What would you do if a bully bothered you on your way home? What would you do if you did very poorly of a test? What would you do if a friend borrows things from you but never returns them? What would you do if You were the teacher and everyone forgot his homework? What would you do if you were in the middle of the lake and your boat began to leak? What would you do if Your friend had a broken leg? How would you cheer him up? What would you do if you saw little bugs in your salad? What would you do if you woke up in another country and no one could understand you? What would you do if you ordered an ice cream cone and you forgot to bring money? What would you do if someone got in front of you when you were in line at the movies? What would you do if your jelly sandwich fell upside down on the floor? What would you do if only one hot dog is left and neither you nor your friend have had one? What would you do if two of your best friends went to the movies without inviting you? What would you do if the surprise party was for you but you weren't surprised? What would you do if you got a present you didn't like? What would you do if you were at home and your homework was at school? What would you do if you dropped the cookie jar and it broke? What would you do if you were invited to two parties on the same day? What would you do if you promised to feed your pet and you didn't? What would you do if someone said you did something wrong and you didn't? What would you do if your new shoes felt fine in the store but now they are hurting? What would you do if someone told you a joke that you don't think is funny? What would you do if an hour before the party you remember you don't have a gift? What would you do if a friend comes to your house and his/her mom doesn't know he's/she's there? What would you do if you had four math problems marked wrong that were right? What would you do if you found in the street? What would you do if you found a magic wand? What would you do if you wanted to be friends with someone who spoke no English? What would you say if someone told you it was all right to steal from a large department store? What would you do if you saw a friend cheating--report it, confront the friend, nothing--and why? If you could have been someone in history, who would you have been? If you could only take 3 people with you on a trip around the world, who would you take and why? If you could give any gift in the world, what would you give and to whom? If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? If you received any sum of money as a gift, what would you do with it? If you could do whatever you wanted to right now, what would you do? If you were principal of this school, what would you do? If you were a mouse in your house in the evening, what would you see your family doing? If you were five years older you would... If you were lost in the woods and it got dark, what would you do? If it were your job to decide what shows can be on t.v., how would you choose? If there were no rules, what do you think would happen? If you owned a store, what would you do to discourage people from stealing from you? If you could participate in an Olympic event, which one would you choose and why? If you could break the Guiness Book of Records it would be for? If you had to describe yourself as a colour, which would you choose? If your friend told you of a secret plan to run away from home, what would you do and why? What do you think... What do you think of 3D movies? What do you think someone your age can do to help reduce the amount of pollution in our environment? What do you think the world needs now? What do you think your friends say to each other when you're not around? What do you think about the amount of violence on T.V.? What do you think about people polluting the environment? What do you think about having set rules for people to follow? What do you think about people who are inconsiderate of others? What do you think should be done to keep people who are under the influence of alcohol off the road? What do you think the world will be like when you are a grown up? What do you think about ghosts? What do you think of someone who has bad manners? What do you think about people who take advantage of others? What do you think about when you can't fall asleep? What do you think courage means? What do you think makes a good friend? What do you think makes a happy family? What pollutants do you think do the most damage and why? What things do you think are beautiful? What do you think about students having to wear school uniforms? What...misc. What do you like most about yourself? What do you like to do in your free time? What kind of animal would you like to be and why? What kind of trophy would you like to win? What TV or movie star would you like to invite to your birthday party? What does "Clothes make the person" mean to you? What does "Have your cake and eat it too" mean to you? What does "The early bird gets the worm" mean to you? What do we mean when we say, "The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence"? What does "You can't take it with you" mean? What do we mean when we say, "You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar"? What do we mean when we say, "Hitch your wagon to a star"? What does "still waters run deep" mean to you? What does "There are two sides to every coin" mean to you? What does Canada mean to you? What are you afraid of? Why? What are junk foods? What are some nutritious foods that you like? What are some rules you have to follow at home? What are some examples of prejudice? What is more important to you, appearance or personality? What is most important to you in a friend--loyalty, generosity, honesty--why? What is something that makes you melancholy? What makes your best friend your best friend? What makes you feel safe? What makes you laugh? What would you invent to make life better? What would you do to entertain your family without spending any money? What effects does watching violence have on people? What effects do cigarette and alcohol advertising have on young people? What kind of t.v. commercial would you like to make? Describe it. What kind of pet would you most like to have--monkey, snake, goat--why? What kind of program do you enjoy most on TV--detective shows, comedies, game shows--and why? What advice would you give a new student? What advice would you give to someone who stole something but now feels guilty? What things are better than going to school? Why? What talents do you have? What three words would describe you right now? What four things are most important in your life? What colour makes you think of happiness? What has been the most fun activity at school so far? What quality do you like about yourself--creativity, personality, appearance--why? What eccentric behaviour in a friend disturbs you the most? What parts of nature do you like best? What do you do for exercise? What is the most ludicrous outfit you can think of? What is the funniest dinner you've ever had with your family? How... How do you feel when it's your birthday? Why? How do you feel on the first day of winter? Why? How would you feel if you were going to be on a show? Why? How do you feel when you do something wrong? How do you feel when you do something that is very good? How do you feel when you play a trick on someone? How would you feel if a new child moved into your neighbourhood? How do you think the new child would feel? How do you feel when you have had a fight with your best friend? How do you think your friend felt? How do you feel when you are in bed with the lights out? How do you feel when you want something very badly and you cannot have it? Why is this so important to have? How do you feel on a warm sunny day? How do you feel when you stay with a babysitter? How do you feel when you're leaving home on vacation? How do you feel when you sleep at someone's house? How do you feel during a thunderstorm? How do you feel on the first day of school? How do you feel when your parents are upset with you? Why do they become upset with you? How do you feel on Thanksgiving? What are you thankful for? How do feel on (any holiday)? How do you feel when something scares you? What do you do when this happens? How would you feel if someone told you that you were his or her best friend? How do you feel about your appearance? How would you change the world to make it better? How do you think eating junk food affects you? How do you have the most fun--alone, with a large group, with a few friends--and why? Explain how to play your favorite game. How would you describe your house to someone who has never visited there before? I wish... I wish I had a million... Then I would... I wish I had one... because I wish I could be like.... This person is special because.... I wish to be a ________ when I grow up. Then I will.... I wish there were a law that said..... This would be a good law because.... I wish I could forget the time I ..... because.... I wish trees could..... because.... I wish I could see...... because..... I wish I could learn..... because..... I wish I didn't have to eat...... I don't like this food because..... I wish everyone would learn to ..... Then everyone would..... I wish I never...... I wish I had one more chance to..... Then I would..... I wish there was an electric...... I wish I had enough money to...... I wish everyone loved...... I wish all children would...... I wish everyone had..... I wish I could touch...... I wish animals could...... If they could, then..... I wish I looked like.... because...... I wish there were no more..... I wish I didn't have to..... I wish I could go to..... I wish there really was..... If there really was, then..... I wish I could hear...... I wish I could give...... If all my wishes came true, I would...... When... When you are angry, how do you look? When are you happiest? When have you felt lonely? When do you feel proud? When was the last time you cried and why? When a friend was in an embarrassing situation, what did you do? When it might hurt their feelings, how do you feel about telling your friends the truth? When might it be bad to be honest? When someone picks on someone else, how do you feel? What do you do? Once, when you were very frightened, what happened? Once, when you were embarrassed, what happened? Once, when your feelings were hurt, what happened? Describe a time when you felt vengeful. When you have a problem who do you talk to? Why? Which... Which quality best describes your life--exciting, organised, dull--and why? Which quality do you dislike most about yourself--laziness, selfishness, childishness--and why? Which place would you most like to visit--Africa, China, Alaska--why? Which holiday has the most meaning for you-Canada Day, Thanksgiving, Valentines Day--and why? Which is least important to you--money, power, fame--and why? Which is most important to you--being popular, accomplishing things, being organised--and why? Which is your favourite Star Wars character (or other movie/book/t.v. show, etc.)? Why? Why... Why is it important to be honest? Why is important to have good manners? Why do you think adults smoke/drink? Why is exercise important to someone your age? Why do you think some people encourage others to smoke/drink? Why do you think the rules you must follow are good or bad? Why would it be good to be honest? Why have men and women usually only done certain types of work? Why should or shouldn't a man stay home to care for the house and children while his wife goes to work? Why do you think some people take advantage of others? Why do you think prejudice exists in the world? Why would we say that someone is "passing the buck"? Why would a Prime Minister have a sign on his desk which read, "The buck stops here"? Why do you think tact is an important quality? Why is it not wise to squander your money? Explain why we say, "dead as a door nail". Think of your favourite toy. Why do you like it best? Think of the best teacher you ever had. Why were they a good teacher? Misc... Do you think there is too much fighting on t.v. Why or why not? Do you think it is necessary to have alcohol at a party in order to have a good time? Does it bother you to be around someone who has bad manners? Should there be a dress code in places such as school, restaurants, and places of business? Why or why not? Should animals be used for medical research? Should the Canadian Government financially support Olympic teams? Should people be prohibited from smoking in certain places? Families are important because... Would you like to be famous? Why or why not? What would you like to be famous for? Who or what has had a strong influence in your life? Where would you prefer to be right now--mountains, desert, beach--and why? Should you have to do chores around the house? Why or why not? Should you be required to wear a bike helmet? Why or why not? Should skateboards be allowed on sidewalks? Where do you think we should go on our class fieldtrip this year? Why? Should you have to take tests in school? Should cellphones be allowed in school? Can television (or videogames) influence your behaviour? How? Should schools be year-round? Should junk food be banned from schools? Should students be required to learn a second language?

Writing Prompts for Grade 9 - 12

My craziest experience in a restaurant or shopping mall
The hardest thing I’ve ever done
My first encounter with a bully
Let’s hear it for my favorite senior citizen.
The toys I’ll never give up
A friend who moved away
I couldn’t believe that my mother volunteered me for that job.
Putting my foot in my mouth
What if school sports were dropped?
Who knows me best?
What do I worry about?
My muscles were so sore after . . .
What do we Canadians do well?
“Obstacles are what you see when you take your eyes off the goal.”
I admit it; I enjoy professional wrestling.
An unforgettable dream
My worst vacation
A “visit” to a hospital, doctor’s office, or dentist’s office
Coping with brothers and sisters
A typical evening at home
Morning madness
When I was a discipline problem
A meaningful gift I’ve given or received
We all make mistakes.
Why do I deserve the job?
My brother (or sister) made me so mad!
Hanging out
Something this school really needs is . . .
Why are soap operas so popular?
I take some things too seriously.
What do I do to break routine?
The next wave of personal communication
Greed
Alone on a desert island
Let’s push alternative sources of energy.
______ is like a boomerang.
How it would feel to walk in space
It's a rule, so it’s right . . . right?
What invention would you like to see in your lifetime?
Why appearance is not so important
How I express myself artistically
Is pollution a necessary evil?
What different colors mean to me
Why are soap operas so popular?
I take some things too seriously.
How do people who are in constant pain cope?
Is this love?
Foods I love, foods I hate
Tools I’ll need in my intended profession
Why are some people so cruel?
What animals can teach humans
Self-esteem
Sometimes, adults seem . . .
My dream car
The idea hit me like a tornado.
My Web site
If I were a superhero, I’d be . . .
Something this school really needs is . . .
What do I do to break routine?

Writing Prompts for Grades 6 - 8

Here’s what a new student needs to know about my school.
Why weekends should be longer
A narrow escape from trouble
What I’ve broken or lost that belongs to someone else
My first friend
A visit to a relative’s house
My chores
A dedicated teacher or coach
When I was lost
My idea of a fun weekend
A school field trip
I’ve done something no one else has done.
I’m principal for the day. Here’s my schedule of events.
A typical lunch hour
If only I would have listened!
How could TV be better?
My favorite neighbor
My bedroom from top to bottom
A memorable bus ride
My best class ever
My first concert
Finally, a good assembly
If I could be someone else, I would be . . .
The most fun I’ve had recently
A toy I’ve held onto all these years
A trip to a space station
The wildest hairstyle I’ve ever seen
What’s good about hard work?
A cool store
Why parents should be honest with their kids
Dear Senator:
Why school fund-raisers are important
My favorite singer(s)
Rights that kids in my grade should have
What a house of the future will look like
My participation in an outside-of-school activity
How I picture myself four years from now
Can farmers grow enough food for everyone?
The worst food I ever ate
Summer in a cabin by a lake
How I can change the way I look
We couldn’t stop laughing!
We got caught!
A toy, stuffed animal, or game that once meant a lot to me
Why I deserve a larger allowance
The book that got me hooked on reading
This really bugs me.
One thing I want to do by the time I finish 8th grade
I would like to have lived during this time in history.


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Writing Prompts (from 365 Journal Writing Prompts for Kids)

January Writing Prompts Samples

 1. What benefits do you receive when you help someone else?

2. Write a poem about yourself.

3. If you could set a world record, what would it be for?  Why?

4. What is the best way to make new friends?

February Writing Prompts Samples

1. What does it mean to be successful?

2. How does writing make you feel?

3. Write a poem about getting older.

4. What is your favorite sport?  Are you good at it?

March Writing Prompts Samples

1. Create your own holiday.  What would you celebrate?  How could you get others to join in the fun?

2. Would you rather hang out by yourself after school or with friends?

3. If you could end any one problem in the world, what would it be?  Why?

4. What does it feel like to be wrong?

April Writing Prompts Samples

1. Would you rather eat ice cream or cake?  Why?

2. Write about a song that reminds you of something or someone special.  Why did you choose the song?

3. Imagine taking a trip on a hot air balloon.  Where would you go?

4. Write a poem about being a kid.

May Writing Prompts Samples

1. Who was the first friend you ever made?  Why do you two get along?

2. What would be the worst job to have?  Why?

3. What is your greatest wish?  Do you think it will ever come true?

4. Write a poem about swing sets.

June Writing Prompts Samples

1. If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would you go?

2. Write about a person whom you’d like to be like someday.  What is special about this person?

3. Who is someone whom you can always count on?  How do you know you can trust this person?

4. If you were in the circus, what role would you have?

July Writing Prompts Samples

1. If you were a toy, what kind would you be?  Why?

2. How is your life different today than when your parents were kids?

3. What is the most valuable thing you own?  Why is it so special?

4. What is the most important quality for the President of the United States to have?

August Writing Prompts Samples 

1. Write about a time when your first impression of someone changed after you got to know him or her.

2. Write a poem about laughter.

3. What is the coolest family trip you ever went on?  What was the most memorable part?

4. Are you good at remembering to do your chores and your homework?  How do you remember things?

 September Writing Prompts Samples

1. Write about a time when you were afraid that you would fail at something.  How did you conquer your fear?

2. Do you think that humans will ever travel to another planet?  Why or why not?

3. Write a poem about your grandparents.

4. Do you believe time travel is possible?

October Writing Prompts Samples

1. Write a poem about outer space.

2. What is the coolest type of technological device available today?  What do you like about it?

3. Write about your bedroom.  What’s in it?  How does it make you feel?  Does it reflect your personality?

4. What is the most important lesson you have ever learned?

November Writing Prompts Samples  

1. What is it that makes you who you are?

2. Would you rather dance or sing?  What type of performances do you like to give?

3. Write about a time when you were trusted to do something important.  How did you handle it?

4. What is the best party you ever went to?  What made it so special?

December Writing Prompts Samples

1. Write a poem about happiness and how it feels.

2. Would you rather play basketball or football?  Which sport is better suited to your talents?

3. Write about the best Christmas you ever had.

4. What is the hardest thing you’ve ever had to do?  How did you accomplish it?