If you're responsible for your own actions and results, finishing a day of high production is the key to high morale. For some, this occurs often. For others, it is rare. Managing by lists is probably the most common time management system out there - aside from folks that operate with no system at all. Any system is better than having none - in fact it is important to keep a good record of actions that need to be done. But these tend to not be effective in getting things done. The key to getting things done is to manage our days. We need to battle plan our days. We need to manage those precious hours between morning and evening. This is a missing action in most management systems and that lacking leads, always, to frustration and overwhelm.
Our days begin with the greatest of intentions. We expect to get much accomplished as we begin our morning activities. But the days pass and, most always, we begin to wonder where the day went. Why did we not get those actions done that we absolutely needed and wanted to get done this morning? If you have this problem more often than not, here are 7 tips that will help you get more done in a day. Take a look and put some into effect. You'll see immediate improvements:
1. Do not try to multi-task. Don't try to do more than one item or task at a time. Even folks that you see who "seem" to be multi-tasking, really are not. An air traffic controller may appear to be multi-tasking. He or she is not. It is a single task which is to keep track of many airplanes. Any project task needs all your attention to be done quickly, efficiently and well.
2. The key component of Power and Effectiveness is the ability to do WHAT your are doing WHILE you are doing it. Give it every unit of your attention until the portion of the task you want to get done is completed.
3. Our lives require both planning of what to do, and then doing it. We can't effectively plan and do at the same time. It is important to set aside specific periods for each. Of course, there may be mid-course corrections - fine. When you need to adjust, stop what you are doing and put on your planning hat, make the change, and then get back to task.
4. Focus is another vital part of effectiveness. You should use whatever tools you can find to help you do this. An excellent choice is a simple countdown timer. What you do is decide on a period of time you intend to concentrate on a given subject, and then start the timer. Discipline yourself to not break agreement with that timer. While it is counting down, you do the task. You do that and nothing else.
5. Take a look at the Pomodoro Technique. This is a specialized method of counting down where you work for 25 minute periods and then break for 5. We call the 25 minute periods "Pomodoros". Some folks, after several Pomodoros, take a longer break. Many find this to be an amazing system for concentration and effectiveness.
6. While planning your day, make sure you find an efficient method to "Battle Plan" your day. You want to account for everything that typically comes up in a day - such as obligations, duties, routine errands, exercise and even interruptions. Once you decide what to do, and account for everything, you will find that you can really concentrate on each item, knowing that all are accounted for.
7. Using a task management program, there are many out there, is very important if you wish to keep the "grand picture" in view. It is the way to see the forest (as a metaphor). But remember that Battle Planning your day is the only way to get the actions actually accomplished. You need both. You need a task management system and a battle planning system.
Remember, nothing ever gets accomplished tomorrow. Action is in the "now". Lists management software manages the big picture but daily battle planning helps you manage the "nows" in your life.
Our days begin with the greatest of intentions. We expect to get much accomplished as we begin our morning activities. But the days pass and, most always, we begin to wonder where the day went. Why did we not get those actions done that we absolutely needed and wanted to get done this morning? If you have this problem more often than not, here are 7 tips that will help you get more done in a day. Take a look and put some into effect. You'll see immediate improvements:
1. Do not try to multi-task. Don't try to do more than one item or task at a time. Even folks that you see who "seem" to be multi-tasking, really are not. An air traffic controller may appear to be multi-tasking. He or she is not. It is a single task which is to keep track of many airplanes. Any project task needs all your attention to be done quickly, efficiently and well.
2. The key component of Power and Effectiveness is the ability to do WHAT your are doing WHILE you are doing it. Give it every unit of your attention until the portion of the task you want to get done is completed.
3. Our lives require both planning of what to do, and then doing it. We can't effectively plan and do at the same time. It is important to set aside specific periods for each. Of course, there may be mid-course corrections - fine. When you need to adjust, stop what you are doing and put on your planning hat, make the change, and then get back to task.
4. Focus is another vital part of effectiveness. You should use whatever tools you can find to help you do this. An excellent choice is a simple countdown timer. What you do is decide on a period of time you intend to concentrate on a given subject, and then start the timer. Discipline yourself to not break agreement with that timer. While it is counting down, you do the task. You do that and nothing else.
5. Take a look at the Pomodoro Technique. This is a specialized method of counting down where you work for 25 minute periods and then break for 5. We call the 25 minute periods "Pomodoros". Some folks, after several Pomodoros, take a longer break. Many find this to be an amazing system for concentration and effectiveness.
6. While planning your day, make sure you find an efficient method to "Battle Plan" your day. You want to account for everything that typically comes up in a day - such as obligations, duties, routine errands, exercise and even interruptions. Once you decide what to do, and account for everything, you will find that you can really concentrate on each item, knowing that all are accounted for.
7. Using a task management program, there are many out there, is very important if you wish to keep the "grand picture" in view. It is the way to see the forest (as a metaphor). But remember that Battle Planning your day is the only way to get the actions actually accomplished. You need both. You need a task management system and a battle planning system.
Remember, nothing ever gets accomplished tomorrow. Action is in the "now". Lists management software manages the big picture but daily battle planning helps you manage the "nows" in your life.
About the Author:
You will master every day with good battle planning. This has been made easy by Gary Singer's unique and simple program called Time Coach.
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