1) Avoid meetings. Test importance of a meeting by asking, "What happens without it?" If your answer is, "Nothing," then don't call meeting.

2) Prepare goals. These are results you want to obtain by end of meeting. Write out your goals before meetings. They should be so clear, complete, and specific that someone else could use them to lead your meeting. Also, make sure they can be achieved with available people, resources, and time. Specific goals help everyone make efficient toward relevant results.

3) Challenge each goal. Ask, "Is there another way to achieve this?" For example, if you want to distribute information, you may find it more efficient to phone, FAX, mail, e-mail, or visit. Realize that a meeting is a team activity. Save tasks that require a team effort for your meetings.

4) Prepare an agenda. Everyone knows an agenda leads to an effective meeting. Yet, many people "save time" by neglecting to prepare an agenda. A meeting without an agenda is like a journey without a map. It is guaranteed to take longer and produce fewer results. Note, without an agenda, you risk becoming someone else's helper (see tip #6 below).

Imagine New Kent County, Virginia, a quiet rural area located between Richmond and Williamsburg Virginia, as a place for retirement…

New Kent County’s rural scenery and serenity coupled with its proximity to Richmond and another historic town, Williamsburg, make it perfectly situated for retirement. New Kent County is also home of Martha Washington, wife of George Washington and one of our founding mothers. There are many notable historic sites in New Kent County to visit, and one of oldest Native American reservations, inhabited by Mattaponi, is located here. Keep reading, because there are other attractions that make New Kent County a perfect choice for retirement in Virginia, too.

Brickshire Golf Community In Retirement magazine readers voted Brickshire Golf Community as best place to retire. It has all of amenities retirees have come to expect from an exclusive community. The Brickshire features an 18 hole Curtis Strange Signature Golf Course. Retire to Brickshire in Virginia and enjoy Owners' Clubhouse and fitness center with a swimming and tennis complex, miles of walking trails and direct access to an Equestrian Center. With home sites that begin in 60s, Brickshire is a great deal for pre-retirement buyers and retirees alike.

Colonial Downs Racetrack For horse racing enthusiast, New Kent County is home to Colonial Downs Racetrack, a significant contributor to 1 billion dollar horse industry in Virginia. This contemporary complex offers luxurious sky seating to groups and box and field seating to race enthusiasts. The extended Thoroughbred racing season now runs from mid-June through August. Harness racing is open for wagering from September through November.