Jul 15 2009
Taking My Own Time Management Advice
OK, I came to my computer this morning, slightly less “bright-eyed and bushy-tailed” than normal.
As I waited for the machine to spring to life I unfolded a piece of paper on my desk – it contained notes to include in a teaching session on writing a research paper. I flattened out the creases in the paper and spread it out before me.
When technology had caught up with me/my laptop, I set it off to check my emails…
Noticing a half finished blog entry, I then logged on to Wordpress to complete the task I’d started yesterday.
It was only a matter of minutes before my email alert pinged and had me checking out my Inbox and my eyes glanced back to that sheet of paper I’d put on my desk.
It was only as I recognised the urge to finish off that email for a new autoresponder sequence that was also in an open file on my laptop that I realised the seriousness of this situation.
Within five minutes of starting work I had flitted between three or four tasks…Multitasking gone mad!
Now I can’t believe you’ve never experienced something like this.
As someone who teaches time management sessions this is time to take my own medicine.
Faced with numerous tasks, none too complicated, none are incredibly urgent, none will take a very long time to complete, I’m going to recommend a dose of serial single-tasking.
This is when I choose a task, set my timer for 15 minutes and go for it!
Get as much done on the chosen task as possible before the bell rings. If I complete the task, great!
If I don’t complete the task, I lay down my tools, set my timer once more and move onto the second task for the next 15 minutes.
It works brilliantly. I don’t get bored, I know I’m moving many different things forward and for the slightly more complex tasks, I have the added oomph of the deadline effect… when I can see I have only a few minutes left before the bell, it’s amazing how much more focussed I can be in working towards a convenient pausing point.
OK, job done. Blog entry completed – and this one written as a bonus. Notes for workshop captured in a scratch file and my autoresponder message sorted.
(Also installed X-Site Pro and rearranged my office! What a profitable morning?)
Hope serial single-tasking works well for you too.
