Have you noticed a time management backlash to the economic crisis? Procrastination seems to be at an all time high these days--90% of our clients complain about their ineffectiveness at work these days. It's hard to get anything done....when people you are doing business with take longer to respond, you've got a bunch of new responsibilities to wrap your head around, and your own to-do list has become a bit of a stranger to you.
Restructuring, hiring freezes, and the unpredictable business climate have created a situation in which it's hard to figure out where to invest your time, to provide value. How do you prioritize when your to-do list goes on for 7 pages? How do you produce quality work when you are distracted with worry? ..............
Here are 3 ways to prioritize to recover from a time management meltdown:
- Dance close to the revenue line. In tough economic times, your ability to make or save your company money is where your greatest value lies. Evaluate everything on your to-do list and identify which of your responsibilities ensure the company has the highest chance for survival. (e.g., Retain existing clients, gain new accounts, produce innovative products, ensure compliance with government regulations).
- Start every day by tackling the most critical tasks first. (Not necessarily the easiest ones first). This way, no matter how chaotic the rest of the day becomes, you've gotten the most valuable tasks accomplished. And, be sure to select your first task of the morning by the end of the day before. This way, you walk into your office and can hit the ground running.
- Be cautious of the greatest time eaters of all--eMail, and all forms of social media (twitter, facebook, linkedIN,etc.). Process each at planned intervals throughout the day--but do not turn to them mindlessly just because you are overwhelmed with an item on your to-do list.
How are you coping with the overwhelming shifts at your workplace? What strategies have you come up with to prioritize and get things done? What new efficiencies have you come up with to boost your productivity and satisfaction at work? Share your tips and solutions here.
