Change your Context, Change your Results
Two people riding a roller coaster can have two very different experiences. If they like the rush and excitement, they will love the ride and want to get right back on to repeat the thrill. If, however, they are terrified of falling and don’t like that feeling of their stomach leaping up to their throat, they will hate the ride and be relieved once it’s over. Life is a bit like a roller coaster ride.
You start your day with a long ‘to do’ list and then the phone rings and you have to respond to a client or boss. Then someone comes through your door with an emergency and you shift gears again. You walk back into your office with your mind spinning at everything you know is still waiting for you and you hear the email ding, indicating you have more new email requests. You answer several emails and realize you now have to run off to a meeting. Before you know it, it’s 3 p.m. and you haven’t even checked your list, let alone checked off any completed items. Suggestions:
1. List fewer items on your ‘to do’ list each day. Plan for interruptions. Spread your ‘to do’s’ over a week.
2. When people interrupt your flow, ask yourself if someone else could respond to them instead of you. Better yet, think about whether or not they could really handle their dilemma by themselves with a little guidance. Off-loading even one action a day will save you some time to focus on that which is most important to you.
3. Clear off your desk and re-prioritize several times each day.
4. When you ask yourself, "What’s next?" check your ‘to do’ list before you check your email or the web.
5. Remember, this too will pass. Eventually you will get a window of free time or, management will change or your responsibilities will shift, etc. Either way, you will eventually have no more reason for angst, so consider surrendering to the ‘way things are’ now and let go of any suffering about it.
You will probably get more done and have more fun… the ride is the same but your results are more satisfying.
Tags: delegation, interpretation, office organization, time management
