Time...Time...Time
From our yesterday's meeting, I conclude the need to write this article. From your eyes, I just know we are overrun, dragged, zapped and completely drained. Controlling our work day is sure a tough nut to crack, even for veterans who's been working for twenty years. No one is spared. No one is given a free access pass. So, like everybody, the race intensified and it's about time we take back what belongs to us with a nice twist...by learning how to control our workday.
When you're not clear and focused on your highest priority todos, getting out the door on a regular workday with a sense of accomplishment is impossible. Rush Hour - that last hour (or two or three) of the day - becomes your stressful closing window to get to the stuff you thought you had all day to accomplish a mere 8 hours earlier.
1. Get one thing done first - THEN check your email
Author of Never Check Email in the Morning Julie Morgenstern suggests spending the first hour of your workday email-free. Choose one task - even a small one - and tackle it first thing. Accomplishing something out of the gate sets the tone for the rest of your day and guarantees that no matter how many fires you're tasked with putting out the minute you open your email client, you still can say that you got something done.2. Deliberately choose your MIT
You've got a million things to do every day, but chances are there are 1 or 2 that are top priority. Even if you're not big on fancy-schmancy prioritized todo lists, you can probably identify one or two Most Important Tasks (MIT) for a given day. Write it down and place it somewhere you will see it, even if it's a Post-It note on your keyboard. Monday morning when you arrive? That's the first thing you're going to do. No matter what.3. Get your priorities straight
It doesn't feel like it - especially at the beginning of what seems like a long work day - but your time is limited. There are only a certain amount of hours in the day, but there are an unlimited number of things you could work on. Make sure you work on the most important tasks.
4. Make post-work appointments
If your kid has to be picked up at daycare at 5:30, or your buddy's waiting for you at the bowling alley, or you've got reservations with your other half for dinner, chances are your butt's going to be up and out of your desk chair on time. Make dates with yourself or friends for the gym, a movie, or simply dinner at home at 6 sharp to get yourself out the door on time.5. Wrap-up alerts
One last "get out of the office on time" trick: decide what time you're going to leave at the beginning of the day, and set a "wrap-up" timer. If Love is cooking you dinner tonight and you need out the door at 6PM, set an alert to go off at 5PM, 5:30, 5:45 and 5:55 (more, if necessary) saying "Hey! Time to wrap up and get home!" Prepare yourself mentally to start closing up shop ahead of time so you're not surprised when your spouse calls at 6:30 wondering where the heck you are.
Thank God!