Best practise for managing time
Last week I said that you must cultivate the philosophical mind-set that puts you first. Since I wrote last weeks blog I have completed another Authentic Leadership Seminar for Women Leaders from diverse companies such as ...Coke, Lloyds, Cisco, Vodafone and Cigna, amongst others.
During the event last week, a large majority of our discussion time was taken up by the very important subject of work/life balance. I hesitate to use the phrase 'work-life balance' because it has become a well used cliche but when I am facilitating group discussions with women who are trying to manage the feelings of guilt spawned by a high flying career when they also have young children, it is a very serious topic indeed. These women are often the majority earners and their husbands either stay at home or earn far less. Managing feelings and expectations in these new 21st Century relationships is tricky.
It is possible to keep all the balls in the air and to feel less guilty through creating a time management system for the whole of life. One of the keys to it's effectiveness is your willingness to put your well-being first so that you have enough energy to keep all the balls in the air at the same time.
Once you have a plan for life and have identified your key roles and responsibilities you need to start getting ruthless about how you invest time.
Here are some strategies for making the most of your precious time:
1. Plan your day before it starts
2. Analyse activities and prioritise them
3. Analyse your colleagues/peers/customers to identify time wasters
4. Manage interruptions - learn to say NO!
5. Control telephone and email by scheduling block time for it
6. Learn how to terminate discussions, identity a strategy for doing this (email tracey@eve-olution.net if you need more support or tips here)
7. Delegate
The last point - delegation - is a subject in itself and I will go over this in more detail next week.
Remember that time is the only thing that is equal - you can run out of money and/or talent and you can get it all back again but time ticks away and it will never return. Spend it wisely.
For now, breathe in some sunshine and Live with Passion!
Tracey
During the event last week, a large majority of our discussion time was taken up by the very important subject of work/life balance. I hesitate to use the phrase 'work-life balance' because it has become a well used cliche but when I am facilitating group discussions with women who are trying to manage the feelings of guilt spawned by a high flying career when they also have young children, it is a very serious topic indeed. These women are often the majority earners and their husbands either stay at home or earn far less. Managing feelings and expectations in these new 21st Century relationships is tricky.
It is possible to keep all the balls in the air and to feel less guilty through creating a time management system for the whole of life. One of the keys to it's effectiveness is your willingness to put your well-being first so that you have enough energy to keep all the balls in the air at the same time.
Once you have a plan for life and have identified your key roles and responsibilities you need to start getting ruthless about how you invest time.
Here are some strategies for making the most of your precious time:
1. Plan your day before it starts
2. Analyse activities and prioritise them
3. Analyse your colleagues/peers/customers to identify time wasters
4. Manage interruptions - learn to say NO!
5. Control telephone and email by scheduling block time for it
6. Learn how to terminate discussions, identity a strategy for doing this (email tracey@eve-olution.net if you need more support or tips here)
7. Delegate
The last point - delegation - is a subject in itself and I will go over this in more detail next week.
Remember that time is the only thing that is equal - you can run out of money and/or talent and you can get it all back again but time ticks away and it will never return. Spend it wisely.
For now, breathe in some sunshine and Live with Passion!
Tracey
posted by Tracey Carr at
20:40
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