In today's busy world, with vacations ahead of us, how can we do more? It is a subject that is still current in our active world. Here are some classic tips that save time but are not always standard in people's habits.
1. Make an Appointment
Often people come and go with long text messages or email to schedule appointments. Create a free Google calendar for yourself on YouCanBookMe.com so people can choose and schedule a time. If your calendar can't be standardized, at least shorten your correspondence by suggesting three times instead of sending back and forth messages. It's amazing how many messages it takes to make an appointment unless one person suggests multiple options to speed up the search for a time.
2. Measure Your Results; Maximize Your Time
When we do things, many of us would like to take all the time in the world to make them "perfect". The problem is that "perfect" is not only hard to achieve, it's usually not "profitable" either. This doesn't mean that you have to give up excellence, but that you have to understand what 80% is great.
Recently, a speaker at a conference suggested a concept called "Get-mo", which is short for "Get More". It is similar to the Optimum philosophy. He is analyzing the task to be performed, the time available, and finding creative solutions to achieve the result. It is the incarnation of the maximization of time. It is understanding what is a "reasonable" time to accomplish a task or project or "available time" and then finding a way to achieve the results in that limited period of time. Time period. Too much time is wasted or too much time is spent on tasks that take too long, leading to mistakes, rework, parts that need other solutions now, but also new emergencies that are cut online because a task takes too long.
3. Have Daily Routines
Many of the routines we have are invisible to us. Think about how many things you do in the morning when you wake up. Most people are reduced to a little routine that they do in a rather "sloppy" way. If you plan to regularly perform a few more tasks and group them into AM and PM habits, your mind will count them as "one" task (compared to the number of tasks grouped in that routine). If you do them every day in the same order and execute the routine consistently, the task will shift from conscious awareness and effort to the subconscious ability to execute. This means that you can do it quickly while your brain is able to hold or prepare other things.
4. Stop Multitasking and Concentrate on One Thing and Finish The Job
The more we emphasize, the more common it is to let things happen half the time. We started something and then got distracted or jumped to another task, often related to what we were doing, but in the end we may feel frustrated that so much was touched, but nothing was done. The key to getting traction is to FINISH. You must choose a task; then you must be disciplined and stay focused on the END. It is important that the task is a specific action for a project, but when outlining the "step" to be taken, concentrate on it and do it.
5. Get Organized
Have systems for your things and labeling. My friend, taught me this years ago. He even marked parts of my notice board! He helps to organize things and find or process them. When you have a new contact, enter it into your phone, get the right information and enter it with your "contact name settings". Some people omit numbers and search for that person later if they have the information, but have not yet "entered" it. If you do these things when you first receive them, you will find that you will save a lot of time. When sending e-mails, use the subject line. It will help you to search, sort and find them later. When you have files, you have a "file system" so you can store things in the right place. It's easy to keep everything on your desk or C: disk, but then it's hard to find. If you have set up a system with your key folders and then have the same system in your email, soft folders and paper folders, you will find that your mind is able to organize and shape the system quickly.
6. Start with The End in Mind - Know The Goal and What You Are Trying to Achieve
As I said in point 4, know what you are really trying to accomplish. This often leads to partially completed projects. This not only takes up space and mental energy, but is an emotional distraction to partially complete projects. Whenever possible, knowing what the "end" is and working to complete the task to the end.
7. Having a List and a Plan
Some people think they have a good memory and do not like to write things. Sometimes we are too busy to stop and make a list. Other times people are not "list makers". The point is that making a list is useful for your brain. It cleans out the different thoughts floating around and allows the organization of those thoughts and priorities. No matter what "type" of person it is or isn't, the brain works more efficiently if it is able to download thoughts and tasks, organize priorities into a list, and start working.
8. Getting to The Point
Talking about small things and relating is important, but time is often wasted by not being prepared for what is the purpose and intention of time. In meetings (even a 1-1) have a schedule, have an identified goal and focus on it, set a time limit, call for meetings, have a notary, schedule actions. Time is valuable to everyone and most people appreciate that their time is respected and that things are kept on track.
9. Recruitment
While some people feel that "things" are not a problem or are an "organized mess", the truth is that people work faster with an organized desk and an organized space. You can find things faster, lose less and be more focused. There was a study years ago that studied people with disorder versus disorder in their desks and even those who loved and wanted to keep a cluttered desk ended up working more quickly and efficiently without the disorder. Take the time to clean your desk every day. Take the time of the night to clean and pick up your house. Clean your car, your purse, whatever you use regularly. It will make a difference.
10. Get up Early. First Things First
The most important thing has to be done first thing in the morning. That's why "Eat That Frog" is a great concept and "The Morning of the Miracle" is a crucial productivity tool. It makes your mind concentrate and all the "critical but not urgent matters" do it. I confess that I'm not a morning person and it's not always easy for me to grasp this, but it's true that when you do these things (confirmations, mediations, exercises, learning/reading, diaries, etc.) it puts you on the right track and forces you to do them. You can drag them and leave them on your to-do list for the day and sometimes these things touch during lunch, at the end of the work day or in the afternoon is possible and a better time, but the truth is that you want to BE SURE, do it at the beginning of the day!
There may be things you already do and things you think you can't do, but find and choose ONE that you can put into practice to support your efforts to do more in your life!