This is the latest news and information for workers and managers from across the Web universe, brought to you by Monday Morning Manager writer Harvey Schachter. Follow us on Twitter @Globe_Careers or join our Linked In group.
Athletic coach Kedric Kwan says you can improve your productivity with a "don't do list," writing down three bad habits that may be preventing you from completing your tasks. Stick a reminder on your computer or wall and try not to do any of the items on the list. Lifehack.org
Use questions to shape your day
Here are some questions to start your day, courtesy of consultant Kevin Eikenberry: Who will I encourage? What change will I advance or support? What is my most important task? How will I build trust? Which customer will I talk to? What will I learn? Kevin Eikenberry's Blog
Break the ice with a laugh
April is Humour Month and consultant Michael Kerr suggests telling people that admission to your next meeting requires them to bring, and share, a clean and, ideally relevant, joke. If there are too many people attending, put the jokes in a bowl and pick some to be read out. MikeKerr.com
Don't hide office romances
Research shows that colleagues are more receptive to a workplace romance when told about it directly by one of the participants rather than finding out through covert or overt behaviour, gossip, or catching them in the act. Organizational norms also play a role in how the romance is perceived. Western Journal of Communications
Take multitasking to a new level
The Multitasking app for Android can allow you to simultaneously use common apps such as Browser, Calculator, Camera, and File Explorer in separate floating windows, tech writer Waqas Ahmed says. AddictiveTips.com
Harvey Schachter is a Battersea, Ont.-based writer specializing in management issues. He writes Monday Morning Manager and management book reviews for the print edition of Report on Business and an online work-life column Balance. E-mail Harvey Schachter