Have you ever felt like there are not enough hours in a day, days in a week or months in a year?
That no matter how many to-do lists you write or plans you put in place, no matter how intent you are on following through on your intentions - ‘I will finish all of my work today, I will do the food shopping, I will get to the day care on time’ etc. -at the end of the day you still feel like your inbox (both on your desk and in your email) are overflowing, that you’ve never got any time for you, that your children will be wondering where you are and your fridge is empty?
Are you feeling:
- · Overwhelmed?
- · Out of Control?
- · That there is never enough time?
- · That procrastination is a big hurdle?
- · Those important goals always seem out of reach?
- · That productivity at work is not being maximized?
- · Out of balance in work and personal life?
If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, then please know that you are not alone! These feeling resonate with millions of people all over the world.
Where’s the time gone?
Time is one of the few things in world that we cannot buy any more of. Once it’s gone it’s gone. As such we are wise to want to constantly improve how we utilize the time that we have available.
There are a multitude of Time Management books, e-books, seminars, webinars, blogs and websites available to assist you in managing you time more effectively. A quick browse through them reveals tips such;
- · Set goals
- · Write things down
- · Set up a filing system that works for you
- · Learn to say ‘no’
- · Prioritize important tasks / urgent tasks appropriately
- · Don’t procrastinate
- · Create ‘to-‘do’ lists
- · Beware of ‘filler’ tasks
- · Be productive rather than efficient
- · Don’t be a perfectionist
- · Keep a goal journal
- · Use your energy cycles
- · Balance your time
- · Give items a home
- · Make checklists for repeat tasks
- · Make time for Important projects
All of these tips certainly have merit though I could anticipate that you are feeling slightly overwhelmed again – which one do I start with? Or – Do I change everything all at once? Or – I can’t stop being a perfectionist – that’s just how I am!
To help with any confusion I would like to simplify time management techniques into two basic principles for you:
1. Create habits that serve you well
2. Consciously create them one at a time.
We can make even simpler:
1. Habits
2. Baby steps.
Let’s explore how a simple habit can help you control your time more effectively. Habit number 1: Lay out your clothes for work the night before.
You may be thinking – how is that going to help me get my work done? Hear me out.
A few years ago when I was working as a restaurant and functions manager I used to be one of those hit snooze on my alarm 6 times, rush around in the morning, never eat breakfast, and put my makeup on the car, speed to work kind of people. I always felt like I was working in circles, chasing my tail, like I never actually had time to breathe or eat, that I was being pulled in 10 different directions and that nothing was done on time. I felt that I was making excuses or whining about how much work I had to do but never really knew what I could do to change.
A stay in hospital diagnosed as exhaustion was the wakeup call that I needed on my stressful life. My physician recommended that I make some small changes beginning with the some routines. I started with ‘Laying out my work clothes the night before’ It helped me as it was a habit that had a flow on effect. To be able to lay out my clothes I had to have clean ones, which meant I needed to do the washing and put it away. My clothes were ready. Make-up was put on in the bathroom, breakfast was consumed at home and the drive to work was spent contemplating what I needed to do when I got to work. I began work with a clear head, a clear plan and a calm demeanor.
What impact do you think that this had on my productivity at work?
Yes you’re right! When you start work with a clear mind and a plan the likelihood of a productive work day skyrockets!
Not only did this have a positive impact on me and my workload, it also transferred to my colleagues and my direct reports! Wow! What a difference a small change made!
The implementation and mastery of this one habit led on to a range of habits that continue to serve me well.
These include:
At work:
- · Planning my week on a Sunday evening
- · Reviewing my day and reflecting on the things that I have done well and what I could improve upon and then altering the next day accordingly
- · Ensuring that when I leave my desk for the day it is clean and that all programs on my computer have been closed and shut down
- · Setting aside 3 x 20 minute blocks per day to answer and read emails.
Personally:
- · Menu planning before I go shopping
- · Doing some form of laundry every morning
- · Going to bed at a decent hour with the dishes done and put away
The feelings of being overwhelmed, unproductive and out of balance have waned and for the most part I live a healthy and balanced life.
I invite you to think deeply about what one habit you could consciously create in your life to serve you well and then implement it. Notice the change in you and celebrate it!
“Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.” – Benjamin Franklin
If you would like more information about how to create habits that can serve you and the staff in your work place well then please contact us at Alive and Kicking on info@aliveandkicking.com.au
Thanks for reading! Jaymelee
