Ten Terrifying Questions with Donna McGeorge!

Donna McGeorge is a speaker, author and mentor who helps people make their work work. Using a creative, practical approach, she improves workplace effectiveness while challenging thinking on leadership, productivity and virtual work. Her latest book is called The 1 Day Refund, the third in her It’s About Time series for improving productivity and time management.

Today, Donna McGeorge is on the blog to take on our Ten Terrifying Questions! Read on …

Donna McGeorge

1. To begin with, why don’t you tell us a little bit about yourself – where were you born? Raised? Schooled?

I was born in Ryde Hospital in Sydney, as was my father and my grandfather before me. A bit of a Ryde girl born and bred. Because my Dad was in the Navy, we moved around a fair bit which disrupted my education. I went to 9 schools over a 9-year period! I have an undergraduate degree in adult education from the University of Technology, Sydney. I am a lifelong learner and have always made professional development a priority. Whether it’s neuro-behavioural modelling, anthropology, or calligraphy, I’m always signing up for something!

2. What did you want to be when you were twelve, eighteen and thirty? And why?

At 12 – I wanted to be a coroner. I think it was because the most popular show on TV when I was that age was Quincy MD.

At 18 – I wanted to work in travel so I could leverage the benefits

At 30 – A trainer and facilitator. I was ready for an audience!

3. What strongly held belief did you have at eighteen that you don’t have now?

That I would marry Gary Eiffert. He was my first love, and despite dating someone else at the time, I still held out for him. I met and married Steve in 1991 and have been happily married for over 30 years, so I’m pretty happy that one didn’t come true.

4. What are three works of art – this could be a book, painting, piece of music, film, etc – that influenced your development as a writer?

This was the toughest one to answer! Salvador Dali because as a kid studying art at high school, I was fascinated with how he both created amazing art, whilst also breaking laws of physics. That philosophy of flexibility and duality has stuck with me. The Alchemist by Paolo Coelho because it was my awakening to being able to create your own destiny. And probably, Stephen Covey because the first time I read The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People I felt like I’d finally found my true calling!

5. Considering the many artistic forms out there, what appeals to you about writing non-fiction?

It’s practical and useful. I like writing for immediate application, and ease of implementation. Apart from Stephen King, I love reading non-fiction. I always integrate at least one thing from a book into my modus operandi.

6. Please tell us about your latest book!

The 1 Day Refund challenges people with the question, “If you had an extra day in your week, what would you do with it?”. By working smarter and shaving 15% off, we can create more thinking, breathing, living and working space.

It’s for people who may be overwhelmed, out of control, and at risk of failing at the important things.

7. What do you hope people take away with them after reading your work?

A practical set of ideas, tools and activities they can immediately apply to overcome overwhelm, take back control and focus on what’s important. A way for them to create the adaptive capacity to cope with change and respond positively.

8. Who do you most admire in the writing world and why?

Stephen King. I have always generally been a fan of his work but now that I’m also a writer (although not in his league) I recognise and admire his work ethic.

9. Many artists set themselves very ambitious goals. What are yours?

I’d like to see this book get to #1 in Australia and stay there for a bit. Having any of my books on the New York Times bestseller list would be amazing!

10. Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?

Momentum trumps motivation. Rarely (for me anyway) does the muse descend resulting in inspired thought! Mostly it’s the momentum created by sitting in front of the computer and starting, and then sitting there every day until you are done.

Thank you for playing!

—The 1 Day Refund by Donna McGeorge (John Wiley & Sons) is out now.

The 1 Day Refund

Take Back Time, Spend it Wisely

by Donna McGeorge

Are you constantly juggling multiple tasks and operating at 100 per cent or more? Do you feel you are permanently on the treadmill and can't get off? If you needed extra capacity for something urgent, could you find it?

In The 1-Day Refund, best-selling author and time management expert Donna McGeorge shows you how to recover an extra 15 per cent of your time-10 minutes per hour, 1 hour per day or a full day each week-to think, breathe, live and work...

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