Just looking on our tweet deck and in the HBR; still highly ranked as some of the most read articles are “How to manage your day.” This thing called time management and searching for a better way to do things is a common pursuit. And as time becomes even more precious the battle continues.
Recently we came across Russell Eastwood, Business & Personal Effectiveness Coach, Mapping the Gap. Russell has built a highly successful bushiness around offering practical and timely advice about working more effectively, planning your time and day.
Delivered in a fresh and upbeat style, Russell has mastered the art of successful planning and has a few ‘tried and true’ tricks and smart moves to offer the harassed as we try and squeeze every last drop out of our day.
Given our world of recruitment is about new employees starting in new companies, we asked Russell what he thought a person should consider when about to start a new position. So often they are asked to ‘hit the ground running’ so what could they do to support themselves with savvy work behaviour because impressions always count…
According to Russell, “It’s about just doing it instead of just reading about it.” Following are some of Russell’s philosophies about working more effectively, what to do, why and how to do it (PWWH.)
1. Philosophy: Become incredibly selfish.
Don’t spread yourself too thinly to everyone. This is not just for the Gen Y – the idea to hang on to here being that if you look after number one you will have more to give and more energy to do.
What? Get very clear about what you would like to achieve in your day, week or month. Write it down and be absolutely honest with yourself. Write down what you want it to look like.
Why? For you to change habits there needs to be a bl**dy good reason as to why you should. Having a clear, compelling picture of what you want your week to look like will create that want for you to look after yourself and achieve the goals. If you do this on a regular basis then you will begin to rewire that brain of yours to do this on a regular basis
How? For a compelling picture of your week write down:
a. What’s in it for you to achieve the plan
b. The consequences of achieving and not achieving the plan
c. Realistic time allowed for doing it
d. Book it in to your calendar
e. Tell someone you trust to keep you on task
2. Philosophy: Clean yourself up.
Again, with the selfish idea in mind, de-clutter your environment, workspace and desk. Less clutter and only having on your desk what you are planning to work on will lessen the distractions and temptations. Put a positive slant on “out of sight out of mind.”
What? Set your files up in a sacred space that is close to you. Only have files for Key Responsibilities not for your hoarder tendencies.
Why? In this urgency addicted world there are so many distractions like email, phones and open plan offices. Don’t add to it with your mess. Control what you can. Why should we be any different to a surgeon that would have everything orderly and at their finger tips as and when they need it?
How? Gain good clarity about what your responsibilities are and set up a file or place for each one
3. Philosophy: There is always something cooking.
There is always the next step for everything you touch, pick up, open or speak to. And by this stage your set up should have a place for everything to go to. Be it your files, calendar, task pad, bin or a person to do it for you.
What? Always progress anything you touch to the next step of its journey.
Why? It keeps the momentum going it reduces clutter and above all else it helps you make a decision as to whether the task or errand is worthy of your time.
How? Only touch things once and never put it back in the same place without progressing it.
To learn some smart time management moves and get more out of your day contact:
Russell Eastwood
Business & Personal Effectiveness Coach
+649 446 3415 or +6427 268 1407
russell@mappingthegap.co.nz
