CFN – In this age of doing more with less we are bringing you some valuable business tips to start your week off. Sue McConville of McConville and Associates has agreed to provide us with quick insights into how
you can improve your personal and organizational performance. Sue possesses more than 30 years of experience in business, learning and people development in the education sector as well as private – and publicly – led companies in both Canada and the United States.
We are going to start with a topic that everyone can use some help with, time management.
Tip # 1
Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the things that need to be done each day?
Does the day fly by without you accomplishing everything you want to do?
Many of us go to bed each night and wonder what happened to our day. If you want to carve out more time for yourself, then you must first understand how you spend the 24 hours you are allotted each day.
Let’s assume that you want 8 hours of sleep. That leaves you 16 hours each day to go to work, cook meals, volunteer, clean the house, call your mother, chauffer the kids, check your email, surf the net, shop, watch TV, exercise, visit friends, pay bills and well – you get the idea..
For the next week, write down EVERYTHING you do and approximately how long it takes to do it. Use a day-timer, a note book, or your favourite electronic device – whatever works for you. Try to categorize the activities – meeting (2 hours), making lunches (15 min), walking the dog (20 min), chatting with co-workers (25min). Do not try to add details – just an overview.
At the end of the week, plan on spending two hours analysing your data.
Can you identify your “time wasters”?
Sue McConville and Associates
P.O. Box 686, Ingleside Ontario K0C1M0
Providing inspiring and meaningful coaching to transform your organization.
Email: sue_mcconville@bell.net
Phone: 613.537.2753
Cellular: 613.360.9538
www.SueMcConvilleandAssociates.ca
What is the definition of time wasters?
Hello smee,
I define time wasters as any unnecessary activity – one that does not produce desired benefits or results. It may be hard to quantify as it has as much to do with perception as reality.
As an example, I may find surfing the net and reading sports pages a “time waster” while someone else finds value in that activity.
Kind of like what we are doing now, it shows just how time efficient we are cheers!!
I wish you all the best Sue!
When I was in manufacturing I experienced many different groups trying teach companies how to do the job better. The last one I remember was relating to a paradigm shift in manufacturing. A buzz term which could could be manipulated for promoting a new idea. It always seems that the directive is the same it is just the path that differs.
For the most part it was all subjective and rarely applied by the company.
Smee, I hope you don’t post here on company time. 🙂
“chauffer the kids” — warm up the kids? That’s a good one. Take note, Tammy Hart and Long Sault francophobes.
Thanks smee..I appreciate your kind thoughts.
@ PJR – thanks for catching that spelling error. I did, of course, mean – chauffeur..although I guess if they were at a hockey or skating arena then the word “chauffer” may well apply.
Nice pivot, Sue.
Indeed, I took it for a typo. At the same time, too tempting to pass up as a chance for a dig at the Long Sault Parkway sign freaks.
I would define “time wasters” as anything that doesn’t help you get closer to your objectives / goals / dreams.
The challenge is then to eliminate your time wasters and stay on course to your destination. That’s easier said than done.
Great tips Sue!
Thanks Thanh.
I totally agree with you! Much easier said than done – but not impossible!
Watch for my new posting Monday for some tips on eliminating those personal time wasters and setting personal goals.
Reach for your dreams! Be your own hero! Be all you can be! And on and on….