Over the past decade or so of studying time management, personal productivity and workplace efficiency, I’ve learned there are at least four things that make for a more effective day.
Understanding that "change" is what we deal with, and maximizing (1) processes and (2) systems to more efficiently get things done IS a way to gain an advantage over our work.
We could easily get all-consumed by what we have to deal with: We need to understand (3) theories and (4) practices of the psychology of work to most effectively engage with our work and our lives.
PROCESS: This is the methodology each person follows as they make decisions about what to do, when to do it, how to prioritize, and what to put off until later. As people make these decisions, the significance of creating systems that map to their own organizational style and preferences goes up and up.
SYSTEMS: For every person who works with a computer, makes phone calls, attends meetings and (at some point during the day) decides to go home, their system will serve as an organizational aide. Whether you write your to-dos on sticky notes, buy a bigger wall calendar, upgrade to a new version of Microsoft® Outlook®, or wirelessly synchronize your phone to your computer system, everyone has “their way” of keeping track of the important things.
THEORIES of productivity have been around for years. Looking back over the past century, with the advent of industrial machines to electronic calculators to programmable (and upgradeable) computers, people have theorized on the best practices of building and maintaining productive and efficient habits. More than likely, you’ve read some books, attended some classes and even had someone sit down and formally (or informally) coach you in goal setting and professional effectiveness.
PRACTICING the habits you want to instill is the fastest way to make them…well…habit. Too often, people say that they need to change a habit. I’ve found over the years that I rarely (if ever) change a habit, as much as I practice with and implement something new. For example, starting my day by identifying the top priorities of the week (yes, every day, I re-up that agreement) instead of checking (and getting sucked into) e-mail first thing in the morning has made it easier for me to focus on and achieve the goals I have set for myself month-to-month.
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