[Return to Blog list] [Add your comment]
 
Time management training
Posted by Chris on 21/05/2009
Time management training Good Time management boils down to this:
Operate according to your plan! Not to your mood, nor to the moment. Many people do not plan.
They are too busy mopping up after the mistakes caused by a previous lack of planning.
Leader-managers make a mental shift from the immediate moment into the middle future.
They need to be thinking now about things needed for next year. That means rational planning. It takes effort and an act of will. It also takes training. Each individual must learn the principles of prioritising to allow time to plan. Question
What happens to managers that are disorganised in their use of time? Learn the following list:
Q1 Crisis
High value
High deadline pressure
Crisis management Q2 Productive
High value
But not YET deadline driven
The key quadrant Q3 Busy Zone
Lower value
But deadline driven
Busy but non-productive Q4 Fruitless
Lower value
Gossip
Office politics / Pity parties Q 1
High value/high deadline pressure – we all get this sometimes. The question is, how much time is spent in crisis? In this zone, tasks have to be done to the highest standards and finished yesterday. In this zone there is pressure, stress and a greater likelihood of error. This zone is called the pressure zone.
Other people create some of your Q1 activity. But some may be cause by an earlier failure to complete Q2 activity. Q 2
High value/low deadline pressure – these tasks are high value, but are not yet pressing. They therefore need to be planned for and a strategy worked out. They may require a larger degree of time and resources allocating to them in order to ensure high quality. This is where you are at your most efficient and productive.
These activities increase efficiency, reduce future errors and improve systems. This is why this is called the productive zone. Q 3
Low value/high deadline pressure – these tasks are urgent, so they can feel more valuable than they actually are. You should limit the amount of time spent on them. Delegate these if possible. If not possible, restrict the amount of time spent on each ask. You need the time for Q 2. If you spend too much time here, you will be rushed off your feet, accomplishing little (busy but non-productive).
This zone is called the busy zone. Q 4
Low value/low urgency – if a task is neither urgent nor valuable; maybe you shouldn’t do it at all.
Q4 activity is relatively a waste of time so should be kept to a minimum. This zone is therefore called the fruitless zone.
Four implications for leader-managers
1. Your goal is to reduce Q1.
2. Do that by spending at least 50% of your work time in Q2.
3. You do that by managing Q3. Avoid being caught up in Q3. You will be busy but not productive.
4. Do not waste time in Q4.
No comments yet - why not add yours?
|
