Tracking Our Time
For years people have struggled over the concept of deadlines and wondered why it is so very difficult to meet them. But then I realized that in order to meet deadlines, you really need the commitment of both parties involved.
Most people suck at managing time projects. Most people have more than one project going on at a time, and when one deadline is moved it moves the other ones (whether we want to admit that or not). People are so busy these days and a million things impact our days, thus impacting our schedules. In this day of modern technology, we are supposed to have more time, but it seems to me there IS LESS TIME.
In advertising, we need to give our clients a realistic expectation of the time slot when we will have their project done. And if this is looking like it needs to be moved for what ever reason…ex. revisions, creative, copy or non-response from the client…at least they can see what progress is being made. The deadline dance is not always productive.
I found 20 Time Savers that I go by and it has helped me in my personal and professional life. I hope it helps you in some way.
1. Learn to set priorities on things like goals, tasks, and meeting agendas.
2. Start with an “A-priority” task, which is the best use of your time.
3. Fight procrastination: do it now if it’s important and do not put it off.
4. Subdivide large, tough tasks into smaller ones that are easier to accomplish.
5. Establish a quiet hour, even though it may not always work….lunch hour is good for me. Helps to take a deep breath and regroup with a fresh outlook.
6. Find a hideaway. The office of a co-worker that is traveling or goes home for lunch.
7. Learn to say “no” when you are working on something very important that has to get finished.
8. Learn to delegate. Everyone in this office wants to help. If they can, then that is great.
9. Accumulate smaller, similar tasks and do them all at one time.
10. Minimize routine tasks; spend only the time on them they deserve.
11. AVOID PERFECTIONISM. The 80/20 rule applies here.
12. Avoid over commitment. Be realistic in what you can do in the time you have.
13. Don’t over-schedule. Allow time for crisis and interruptions.
14. Set time limits. Make small decisions in 3 minutes.
15. Concentrate on what you are doing.
16. Use BIG blocks of time for BIG jobs.
17. Do difficult things quickly; waiting doesn’t make them easier.
18. Try to handle paper only once which is impossible for us here at the agency.
19. Think the job through before acting.
20. Finish as you go, get it right the first time. Don’t want to repeat jobs.
This is a great list and I have used it a lot of times and deadlines and pressure seems to be easier for me to handle. Stress does not get to me as much because of it. You try it and see if it works for you.
And oh yes, the 80/20 rule is:
Twenty percent of the things you have on your “to do” list will provide you with eighty percent of the payoff.
I also think that if you track your time, you become more aware of how you use it, and waste less of it.
I have to track my time and this certainly helps me do it.
Thanks,
R. Gail Moore
Benedict Advertising