Do you start your day with high energy then crash around 2:00pm and find it hard to focus on important tasks the rest of your workday? Most people do.
If that’s you, here’s a smarter approach to time management that won’t make your brain hurt.
-1- STOP MULTI-TASKING
Multitasking is a myth—you aren’t a super-human computer with multi-functional processor. While it’s tempting to juggle five tasks at the same time, Neuroscientist, Dr. Caroline Leaf says, “Multi-tasking is not humanly possible.”
You really can’t prepare for your next presentation, handle customer service, answer phone calls and eat lunch without getting heartburn at the same time.
Slow down and focus on completing one task at a time. You’ll actually get more done and feel less stressed.
-2- WORK IN TIME BLOCKS
Both Elon Musk and Bill Gates are well known for having high levels of productivity along with the ability to maximize each minute of the day.
What’s their secret? Time blocking.
Productivity experts like tell us the single task nature of time blocking can improve productivity by as much as 80%.
Focus for an hour or two at a time and do deep work. With time blocking, your schedule becomes your touchstone and eliminates the need to decide on what you should focus on.
-3- PLAN YOUR ENTIRE WORK WEEK ON A POWER CALENDAR
One of the ways I help my clients improve their productivity is to set up a default calendar with Focus Days, Buffer Days and Free Days.
Each day is mapped out and color coded in strategic time blocks.
Unlike a to-do list, time blocking not only tells you what to do but when to do it.
When you’ve divided your calendar into time blocks, it keeps you task-focused and by sharing your calendar with your support team, it limits the ability of others to infringe on your time.
What’s more, instead of following an ever-expanding to-do list, time blocking lets you start each day with a schedule of specific tasks to complete.
Be sure to add time blocks for team member meetings to keep staff on task as well.
There you have it; 3 Tips from your Smarter Approach Coach to help you get more done with far less stress.
Be sure to mark your calendar for my next 90 Minute workshop, April 20 at 10:00am Pacific for a deeper dive into making your calendar the productivity Power Tool in your practice.
Be sure to like this post and let me know what you think in the comments below.
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