Time-management is important to most of the people I know, but I have the feeling it’s even more important for introverts. We have a tendency to think and ponder and dissect our actions, and this often translates to having less time to actually do the items on our to-do list.
I have a downtime course coming up (you should take it. It’s awesome, and I’m proud of it). It’s the culmination of years of interest in time-management, and the result of reading countless articles and books about time-management, not to mention a result of my own journey. It’s also a 4-week course. And you know what? Four weeks doesn’t even begin to cover all of the things I’ve learned about time-management. So I thought I’d create this list of 26 concepts and tips that didn’t make it into the course.
Are you ready?
• To-do lists are great. But sometimes unproductive habits can get in the way of us actually getting to the items on our list. And sometimes these habits are so automatic that we forget we’re going them. One solution is to write a “Stop Doing List.” For instance, many people could probably put “Checking Facebook between 1 and 4” or “Doing favors for my coworker who doesn’t respect me” on their Stop Doing List.
• Instead of reading an interesting article right after you see the headline, try saving it to Pocket and read the article later. If you forget to read the article by the end of the day, chances are you were just wowed by the headline and you can just delete the article from the program and forget about it.
• Buy an electronic hourglass or a timer with a large count-down screen. It might help you visualize time passing if you tend to let certain projects take up too much of your time.
• If you set up a meeting, make sure it has a strict time limit.
• If you’re running a meeting make sure everyone knows the purpose of the meeting from the outset. Qwest COO Teresa Taylor starts her meetings by asking, “Do we all know why we’re here?” and then asks, “Does everyone need to be here?”
• Learn two keyboard shortcuts. Here’s a list for Windows: http://www.computershopper.com/feature/the-best-computer-tips-and-tricks-keyboard-shortcuts-for-windows-vista-and-xp-and-microsoft-office and a list for Macs: http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1343
• Have a text document on your computer with canned responses to frequently emailed questions. Instead of typing the same thing over and over again, why not copy and paste the appropriate answer into an email?
• Consolidate email accounts.
• Drink water. You have less energy when you’re dehydrated.
• Make sure you eat lunch so you can fuel your body and brain.
• OHIO: “only handle it once.” This mantra works best for tasks that take two minutes or less, like shredding or emails that only deserve a very quick reply.
• Do you always leave the TV on in the background? An activity that has made us more productive in the past doesn’t necessarily translate into a helpful activity in the present. The TV may actually be distracting you, so why not try some experiments. Leave the TV on in the morning and off in the afternoon for a few days. The next few days turn the TV off in the morning and leave it off in the afternoon. Was there any change to your productivity?
• Do you tend to email someone only to have them email back with a list of questions? And then, after you answer those they email with even more questions!? The majority of introverts prefer text over speech, but sometimes it’s far more productive to have a 5 minute chat then write 20 back-and-forth emails.
• Take a 20 minute nap. Many people find their energy dips around 2pm. Instead of zoning out and automatically checking Facebook for half an hour, you could take a short nap. Naps help your memory too. If you work in an open-plan office and naps aren’t an option you might want to plan doing no-brainer activities at the time when your energy normally dips.
• Consider carpooling or taking public transportation so you can concentrate on other things rather than driving.
• Do you wear noise-canceling headphones at work? If you think your boss might object, see if you can compromise and only use it for a few set hours during the day, when your energy level is at its highest and you’re naturally more able to concentrate. The headphones have the added benefit of discouraging people from talking to you when you’re at your most productive.
• Set up a filing system that can be reached from your desk chair, so can file papers immediately without letting your to-be-filed pile get out of control.
• Institute a no meeting day. A friend of a friend has a boss who takes it one step further and has “wordless Wednesdays” where she shuts her door completely on those days.
• Have a hard time finishing tasks because bright ideas just pop into your head and you want to do them Now? Keep a notepad by your desk and make note of any thoughts, then go back and concentrate on whatever you were doing before.
• Learn to touch type or use a dictation program (though you’ll have to spend some time training the program first before it becomes effective).
• Have set times you’ll stop work. The more tired we are the less effective our willpower is, and the more likely we are to do busywork instead of important work.
• Get your eyeglass prescription checked. It may be causing headaches, which will put a damper on your productivity.
• At the end of your working hours, mark off that day on the calendar. That day is done, and no use beating yourself up over missed opportunities, etc.
• Get up and stretch every 90 minutes.
• Get your laundry done at a fluff and fold, instead of doing it yourself.
• Back up your computer. It doesn’t take that long (you can leave it running while you have lunch) and it will save you a lot of frustration and work if something happens to your computer.
Ok, so that’s a lot of tips, I know! Why not try one or two this week and see what happens. And if you’d like more structure on your path to better productivity I hope you consider taking my downtime class. The last day to sign up is October 2nd.
