A Very Short, Very Advanced
"Course" in Time Management
by
Marty Nemko © 2006
Here are the keys to getting more done in less
time.
1. Embrace work.
If you recognize that the more you accomplish, the better you’ll
feel about yourself and your life, you’ll get more done.
2. Write a personal mission statement.
Example: “I want to be a beloved manager while allowing time for my
kids and my hobby: acting.” When in doubt about what tasks to
prioritize, your mission statement can often help you decide.
3. Be time conscious,
aware that time is your most valuable commodity. That is the
key to time management. So, always be asking yourself, “Is this
time-effective?” Sub-questions:
Should I do this task, delegate it, or say no?
If I’m going to do it, should I do it full-bore
or, in this case, is good enough good enough?
If I’m not sure of the most time-effective way to
do a task, whom should I ask?
3a. Hire a personal assistant.
I believe that every non-poor person should hire one, even if just
for a few hours a week. That person could do things like errands,
housecleaning, whatever you don’t like but someone else could do
reasonably well without your having to spend too much time on
training. The extra hours you’ll free-up far exceed the cost of your
assistant.
3b. Beware of meetings.
Meetings are among the biggest time wasters. If you’re in a position
to decide whether to convene one, think three times before
scheduling one, let alone a standing one. If you decide you really
need a meeting, invite only the people who really need to be there.
Don’t just invite people “to be inclusive.” The time-suck usually
greatly outweighs the benefit. Then, send a tight agenda and any
material for review in advance. Before making an off-site person get
into a car let alone on a plane to attend a meeting, consider a
teleconference or webconference. Software such as WebEx (webex.com)
makes webconferencing very easy. If you’re asked to attend a
meeting, especially a standing meeting, realize that it may not be
because you’re needed but because today’s corporate-think says, “Be
inclusive.” If you’d rather not be included, ask your boss if you
could opt out, for example, by saying, “I believe I could make
better use of the time if I did X.” Your boss may say no but there’s
usually no harm in asking. That’s an example of another key to time
management: Ask for what you want.
3c. (Optional) Keep a Time Log.
If you’re not sure you’re time-effective, for at least a day, keep a
memo pad with you and every time you change tasks, write the time
and what you’re starting to do. At the end of the day, review your
time log. Not sure if you have been time-effective? Show your log
and key work products to someone who gets a lot done.
A time-effective summary of this article:
Throughout the day, ask yourself,” Is this time-efficient, and where
possible, consistent with my personal mission statement?”
A super time-effective summary:
Be conscious about time.
Anyone wish this course were longer?
The San Francisco Bay Guardian named Marty Nemko “The Bay
Area’s Best Career Coach.” His columns and an archive of his
National Public Radio San Francisco show plus excerpts from his
book, Cool Careers for Dummies,
which, in the Reader’s Choice Poll was rated the #1 most useful
career guide, are free on www.martynemko.com.
Copyright 2006 Marty Nemko, all rights reserved
