Make Every Second Count
Mastering the time management see-saw
“Times eventually humiliates us all”
Time and workload never seem to get in synch. In fact, often the opposite is true. There’s a old saying “When it rains, it pours”. When we are already busy, even more work hits our in-basket. When we’re least busy, we can’t get the phone to ring and our e-mail inbox is empty. The natural tendency is to work hard and practice good time management during busy time, then coast during the least busy or down times. Never Do This! The key to maximizing productivity is to spend all periods-down and busy-productively.
During the week when you don’t have enough work to keep you busy, make your time productive during these empty hours. The temptation is to call in sick, plop into bed for a nap, or watch television. Don’t do it! Always consider working hours as working hours, and commit yourself to work during them.
During the busy time learn to handle and juggle projects. If you’ve been in the corporate world for a spell, you know how difficult it can be to cope with an overload of work. For then,
Learn to say no: It’s scary to turn down work or say no to a manager above you. If you take on more than you can handle and miss a deadline or do shoddy work in order to make the deadline, that will do far more harm to your relationship and reputation than saying no.
Set the parameters: An alternative to turning down work cold is to set the schedule and deadline according to your convenience, not theirs. One can tell the prospect,” Well, I am booked fairly solidly. I can squeeze you in but it will take seven weeks (or whatever) instead of the usual three to complete your project, because of my schedule:”Many prospects will turn to someone who can accommodate their original deadline. Yet, many others will say “yes” to your request and hire you on your terms.
Also, if you are extremely busy, get up an hour earlier or work one or two hours in the evening after dinner .If you
“Times eventually humiliates us all”
Time and workload never seem to get in synch. In fact, often the opposite is true. There’s a old saying “When it rains, it pours”. When we are already busy, even more work hits our in-basket. When we’re least busy, we can’t get the phone to ring and our e-mail inbox is empty. The natural tendency is to work hard and practice good time management during busy time, then coast during the least busy or down times. Never Do This! The key to maximizing productivity is to spend all periods-down and busy-productively.
During the week when you don’t have enough work to keep you busy, make your time productive during these empty hours. The temptation is to call in sick, plop into bed for a nap, or watch television. Don’t do it! Always consider working hours as working hours, and commit yourself to work during them.
During the busy time learn to handle and juggle projects. If you’ve been in the corporate world for a spell, you know how difficult it can be to cope with an overload of work. For then,
Learn to say no: It’s scary to turn down work or say no to a manager above you. If you take on more than you can handle and miss a deadline or do shoddy work in order to make the deadline, that will do far more harm to your relationship and reputation than saying no.
Set the parameters: An alternative to turning down work cold is to set the schedule and deadline according to your convenience, not theirs. One can tell the prospect,” Well, I am booked fairly solidly. I can squeeze you in but it will take seven weeks (or whatever) instead of the usual three to complete your project, because of my schedule:”Many prospects will turn to someone who can accommodate their original deadline. Yet, many others will say “yes” to your request and hire you on your terms.
Also, if you are extremely busy, get up an hour earlier or work one or two hours in the evening after dinner .If you