Time Management

Time management. Could anything sound more boring?

But when you're in the middle of a crisis, a stressful duration, or find yourself being thrust toward a daunting deadline, time management looks a little more attractive.

Often we turn to "What is the priority?" when, in fact, several things are the priority.  Everything is truly the priority. This can be very confusing when there is no pat answer for what to do first, especially for we task-oriented people who love checking things off our lists.

Instead of prioritizing, focus on time management of concurrent needs. Several things all need to happen at once. Several issues all need attention now. So they all get attention. But it is very focused attention, no rabbit trails or distraction.

Example: I have a sick daughter, a bill that is due in two days, no money to pay the bill, plus preparations for a workshop that I'm giving for the first time, also in two days. Which do I care for first? There is no "first." All need attention now. So I time manage giving attention to all of them. I budget time to care for the demands of each need.

In the morning, give 10 minutes to the teenager, hugs, "Sorry you're feeling crummy, sweetie," see that she has the juice, soup, lozenges, vitamins she needs. Instructions for rest and when to take her next dose of medicine.

Next.

Give myself 30 minutes at the computer to check emails and respond, check bank balance, check Craig's List for the sale of my rug and reduce the price, drink my milk while at the computer, keep a running list of groceries I may need to grab while I'm out and about later. Check my calendar, task list, weather for the day, and news headlines.

Next.

Email 3 former customers, check in with potential customers, tantalize them with the March special and see if anyone bites for some work for today or tomorrow.

Next.

Allow one hour to begin printing off the materials I know I've completed for the workshop. They can be completed and sitting in the wings, buying me time to continue developing my speaking outline. While they're printing, go turn on the dryer to fluff the load I just missed so I can pull them out after printing is completed. Remember to research two companies for laminating services I will need for a couple of printed materials in my workshop.

Next.

See how it works? Several issues can be addressed concurrently. And if you feel the need to multi-task, do it well.

True multi-tasking, in my opinion, is only effective when a machine is doing a job for you while you do something else which occupies your attention. Dishwashers, washers, dryers, printers can all be working for me while I do something else which requires my creative input or decision-making. Talking on the phone while reading email.... not multi-tasking. Both require your brain and attention. This is the same as texting while driving--deadly to relationships and very ineffective. Talk to your person. Then read your email. Be fully engaged so both tasks receive a full version of you.

Focus. Manage your time and tasks. You can get many things accomplished at the same time. May not be your favorite way of living, but you can accomplish necessary tasks when it is demanded of you. Then when the pressure is off, you can breathe again and return to your favorite version of management--Event or Lifestyle!


(c) 2010 Sheri Smith Bertolini