Professional efficiency

We cannot handle more than two intellectual tasks at the same time; to attempt this would lead to inattentiveness, disorder, and indecisiveness.  Nevertheless, the business world demands ever-increasing efficiency, i.e. we are constantly expected to do more, in a shorter time.  

Being efficient should therefore mean producing the expected results and achieving the set objectives on time.  Time is a unique resource: it cannot be accumulated or retained.

An approach to improve your time management:

1 - Know what you want to do

You cannot manage your time without knowing what you want to use it for. A motivating factor in this regard: good organization results in greater freedom. You have a clear vision of what you want to do and the time you plan to spend on it.

In order to achieve this objective, we will draw up a plan.

To do this, create a table to fill in by hand every week. Every Sunday, complete the table. Write down the times that suit you best.

• You should write:
• • business matters in one colour,
  • special projects in progress in a different colour (the implementation of this method, for example),
  • and personal matters in yet another colour.

• In this table, define the time you can currently devote to your activity, taking three elements into consideration:
• • Time spent with costumers,
  • Time spent on analysis and preparing your meetings,
  • Time spent introducing this method of organizing your activities.

2 - Rank all your activities in order of priority, flagging up any urgent and important tasks.

Keep this table on your desk. It is an invaluable tool to help you meet your targets.

3 - Identify and write down five urgent tasks for the next day.

Create a 'Day Sheet': a little sheet on which each evening you write down the five urgent tasks to be carried out the next day.

This will only take you five minutes, and will free your mind and allow you to be more creative.

4 - Stick with it!

Remember what La Bruyère said: "In order to achieve their goals, most people are more capable of a major effort than long perseverance." But success has always come to those who persevere!

Nathanaël Ramos - Noosphère

www.noosphere-institut.com
www.noosphere-conseils.com

published 11th decembre 2008