Do you want to have 25 hours in the day? Could you use an extra day in the week?
Today we are all time poor. We are so busy that we could not contemplate taking an hour “off” to organise our thoughts. But creating head space is an essential tool to a more productive day or week.
Robyn felt as if her work was spinning out of control. We talked about ways to address this. For three mornings a week she arrives at her desk one hour earlier than necessary. She sorts out her email inbox and clears her desk. Tasks for the day are prioritised. She checks telephone messages. By the time the rest of the staff arrives, she is focused on which direction she will travel in that day.
Most of my clients struggle with time management. We sit down and develop strategies to create a space for thinking time. By “catching up” with their lives they set a clear course and are less likely to deviate from this path.
Look at your desk right now. Do you have files stacked up on it? Is your in-tray overflowing? Do you feel as if you are going around in circles? To stay in control you should tidy up right now.
Develop effective habits and processes and you will become a lot more productive. Get all your hard copy files arranged alphabetically in a filing cabinet. Make sure the electronic files on your computer have the same names as the hard copies for ease of cross referral. Go through your inbox of emails regularly, and either delete them, or file them appropriately. By organising yourself you will feel less stressed, and you will be able to find things faster!
As you de-clutter, your motivation will improve and so will your performance. You will be able to identify those projects which are a high priority, and you will evaluate the consequence of delaying other jobs. Often, there will be three or four tasks which you judge will take less than five minutes to complete. Do them straight away. You will learn to complete these smaller ones routinely, leaving more time for the bigger assignments.
You can transfer these lessons to your personal life. I have a friend who admits she is a poor time manager. Consequently, her house is chaotic, the children are always late for school, and everyone ends up being stressed. You can change your habits. Setting some quality time to come together and discuss what is important to you as a family is a good start.
By allowing yourself one precious hour for planning you will multiply your available time ten-fold!
By Julianne Kuhlmann
Personal & Leadership Coach
Kool Results
"Putting You First"
Personal & Business Coaching, Leadership Development, Individual Training Programs,Work/life balance, Mentoring & Induction, Organisational performance
Email: info@koolresults.com.au Web: www.koolresults.com.au
Marking time or making time? - To learn more about this author, visit Julianne Kuhlmann's Website.
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