Getting fully organized involves more than simply buying some cool file folders and alphabetizing the reference books on your shelf. Instead, it is more about making sure you can easily find the information you need, when you need it, all the time. That requires that you put the necessary systems, processes, and resources in place so you can spend your time productively and efficiently accomplishing what you need to achieve and meeting deadlines as necessary, not searching for a particular document or email you created last year that you now think might be relevant to a current issue. If you organize yourself in this way, your goals will be more readily accomplished, you will feel less stressed, will actually have some time to be more creative, and be able to spend some quality time with your family and friends.
Here are the ideas to consider:
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Try to make specific choices about the various activities in your life. If family time is important to you, choose a lifestyle that allows ample quality time with them, so that you can feel satisfied. If you like to work out regularly, be sure to make time for that so that you will feel good about yourself and maintain your energy levels so that you can perform well in all you do.
Because the things you do well usually give you greater joy and require less time, choose to do them and delegate, if you can, at least some of those tasks you do less well or enjoy less . Try not to take on something with a steep learning curve if you don’t have the available time. Instead, design your life to meet your desires, and recognize when to say no to opportunities that are outside the scope of those aims and wants.
Many people go crazy trying to figure out how to spend time with friends, family, work, play, etc. If possible try to find ways to enjoy them in a combined manner. For example, maybe you can try to build your social life around people in your work environment. Perhaps there are people with whom you work who share common interests so that you can develop your career around people and activities you love. This is not easy, it requires some thought and organization, as well as some give and take, however nothing is truly impossible if we put our minds to it, it just depends how important it is to you. The same holds true for running errands, if you can work them into one outing or on the way somewhere or on the way back, you will not only save time, but also gas in your vehicle…more economical on all counts.
Social media, family, friends, employees, co-workers, and unscheduled meetings, various interruptions, etc., can use up precious time if you let them. Try to carefully budget your time for necessary activities and tasks. Also remember to use the small word, “no”, sorry I cannot do that for you at this time. If your plate is already full, adding more jobs will only make you stressed and lower your performance level. Decide to limit non-supportive interactions that don’t energize and support what you are trying to accomplish. As for social media, it can easily be a black hole for time and productivity. Use it appropriately and sparingly as a tool to support your endeavors and social needs, not to fill your day and take away from your ability to achieve what you must and wish to fulfill.
You would think learning takes time from your productivity, but actually there are always new tools and innovative ways of doing things that can save you time on mundane tasks which would free you up for your priorities. Always be looking for a new way to gain valuable hours here or there. In the end, it will have been time well spent and will increase your efficiency and help you to accomplish more in less time.
There is absolutely no need to beat yourself up if you find that you cannot do all the things you want because you are handling other work that needs your attention. Life happens! The world will not end, in most cases, just because you left a few things undone until the next day or so. Celebrate your progress and keep refining your abilities and achievements towards creating a happy productive existence. This is why making lists and crossing off items is a staple in any productivity handbook. Every completion is a small victory that adds up along the way, just don’t make those lists too long as that can defeat their purpose, make them doable and you will feel less frustration and more happiness! [/message][su_spacer]
Remember this…..time management is actually a misnomer, you cannot actually manage time, you can only manage yourself. So the more systems, processes and practices that you can employ to help you accomplish what you wish to, the happier, healthier and more successful you will be!
Involvement, collaboration, sharing, communication, co-creation. Do things really together, leaving responsibility and freedom to act, it is the key to the engagement of an individual. In so doing the people “not engaged” come out of organizations simply because they do not find a meaning to their work. Engagement is an ongoing process and it is important that the company compare itself with its own resources to verify the degree of motivation and be always prepared to implement appropriate measures.
Hi Aldo, always nice to hear from you as you add good elements to the discussion and of course, you did so again. Thank you for your insights……engagement is certainly more likely when employees are given autonomy, support, and encouragement. Providing appropriate training opportunities and well as the resources necessary for them to do their job well will also help to keep employees happy and productive. It is up to the top management to create the culture of the organization and if it is one that is respectful, appreciative and supportive, the employees will likely be happy. Happy people are more productive, efficient and creative and generally are also healthier…..all beneficial to a successful business.
The best ways to increase productivity is develop a list of rules of thumb. For example, if you had a task that would take two hours today but one hour tomorrow, would you do the task today or tomorrow?
If you honestly answer this question and give thorough reasons why, you’ll yield major gains in your productivity and the productivity of you team.
Hi Chris,
Good thought! Few people are really good at managing their time well and that is why they are not very productive & efficient. When you have a plan and can prioritize aspects of a job or project, you will definitely be more productive. And, if more members of the team espouse the same approach, or a similar one that works for them, then the whole team will certainly benefit.
Thanks again for your comments, they are always worth reading!
Years ago, we had rules of thumb for everything. Today we have these deep and rich bodies of knowledge. These Bodies of Knowledge (BOKs) are making it difficult to mine out these rules of thumb. Instead, things are going the other way with hyperspecialization.
I suppose that is true and there are advantages and disadvantages of the new realm. I guess people just need to find out what works best for them and then implement it.