Take a break from time management

Looking for answers?  Too much structure and minute to minute intensity can actually shut down the creative portion of your brain from where answers come. Plant the question with which you are struggling in the back of your mind, and then forget it for a while.  Lighten up and take some time off. Do something you really enjoy doing. Sleep on it.

As you relax, your subconscious will be freed up and keep working for you.  The answer will come when you least expect it, sometimes at three in the morning. When it comes, write it down fast so it doesn’t slip away.

Is your time management problem your boss?

Over the years, I’ve had countless executives come up to me after workshops with the following question: “What do you do if your boss is your time management problem?  He/she interrupts me all day long.” My answer is: “You don’t have a time management problem; you have a communication problem!”  So, here’s the tip.

When trying to find solutions to interruptions, first find the underlying cause. That includes your boss.  Sit down with your boss, communicate and get it resolved. Another executive complained, “When others in the office go on vacation, my boss dumps all of their work on my desk. Then I can’t get my own work done.” My response was, “What is the underlying cause?”  Clearly it was a lack of cross-functional training in the department.

Chronic interruptions, including those from your boss, are symptoms of deeper problems.  That’s why they can’t be fixed with something as superficial as body language. Find the underlying causes of your interruptions, fix them, and the problems will disappear.

The three-minute hour

The three-minute hour is fun, fast and effective.  You’ll love it!  Here’s how it works.  Set aside an hour in your office to not be interrupted.  Get together every loose end you can think of that you can do in three minutes or less, and do them.

Focus on such things as notes you’ve made on little pieces of paper, short calls where people are waiting for a quick answer. File loose papers, make dinner reservations and any other activities you can do in three minutes or less.  If it can’t be done in three minutes or less, don’t do it.

At the end of the hour, your loose ends will be done and you’ll feel a great sense of accomplishment.

Slow down, you move to fast

One of the most enjoyable time management tips is to slow things up.  People who are so rushed that they think they don’t have time to take lunch or breaks should be given a warning rather than a badge of courage.  It’s unhealthy!

An internal combustion engine is not efficient if it’s constantly running on full throttle, and neither is a human being. Schedule time for a relaxed lunch or an unrushed break.  When you do, you’ll discover you will operate more efficiently.

It’s official: We are all burnt out

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) — Feeling a little more tired after a long day of work lately? Join the club.

The Labor Department reported that worker productivity fell 0.9% in the second quarter. That’s the first decline in eighteen months and may be a sign that employees have finally gotten to the point where they are simply stretched too thin. Read Article

The Activity Game

The solution is to attack our activities, become master editors of choice, and manage your daily interruptions. This begins with looking at your time in a new way, in a new perspective. It’s time to think inside the “time box”.

Each day we are given 24 hours, 24 time boxes in which we can do with what we want. The objective is to apply wisdom when choosing activities and filling your time boxes.

Learn more about it

4 Ways an organization can increase productivity

Most would agree time is our most precious commodity. Why then do so many organizations pay so little attention to its use? Here are four things any organization can do to increase productivity:

1. Heighten the value of time in the minds of all members by talking about it in meetings and all areas of communication.
2. Teach time management skills to all members and require them to use a time management system.
3. Hold all persons accountable by measuring what is accomplished with their time.
4. Cut meeting time in half with better planning.

How does your organization measure up? Are you paying enough attention to its use?