How I am getting better at time management
Being a knowledge worker can be complicated. Whether you are the CEO, or an inside sales rep…most of the same time suckers are chomping at your heels for attention, I have concluded.
Having been in the tech space now for 15 years, I can say that the influences competing for my mindshare are getting stronger and more varied.
Some days it can be really hard to stay focused. Other days, I’m takin’ names and killing my to-do list.
I started thinking about why I’m wiping out on the days I’m not focussed. I found a study online that underscored that up to 30% of the day is spent either looking for information or thinking about what to do with information.
I concluded that on my bad days, I’m not:
• effectively handling all of the information coming my way
• finding a clear path through the chaos and creating order for efficient workflows in order to make an impact
• working in ways that break down information into tasks that can be handled more easily
• communicating effectively in plain enough language to get the desired effect
I was falling prey to a lot of these issues on my bad days.
So I got some help from an Organization Development friend who is helping me in three areas and I can say that it’s making me better at time management and more efficient as a knowledge worker. Those areas are:
1) Input skills (reading and processing information faster at higher retention, and comprehension rates)
2) Processing skills (self and action management, working more effectively with Outlook and my Blackberry)
3) Output skills (writing and speaking more effectively, so that I get the desired results from my reader or listener)
So far, I’m happy with the results…it’s hard though, because it’s easy to fall into the old habits of doing what’s urgent all the time instead of what’s important.
I’m finding this kind of growth isn’t easy, but I’m liking the results because I feel more at peace with my daily work-flow, because I can see that I’m getting more of what I want in my day.
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About the Author: I value good design, growth, effectiveness, simplicity, profitability, lots of sleep, tons of laughter and above all, freedom. If it makes money - it's a business. If it doesn't make money - it's a hobby. Period.
