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Submitted by bteachman on
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So maybe you can not add more hours in the day, but you can be more affective. I have been trying very hard to get out my "wasted" time, but I am having a hard time finding places to cut and still add on some of the suggested ideas from Manager Tools (Reading the local paper on a regular bases, etc) and other sources (Never Eat Alone, etc). Wondering how other people do the out side of work stuff and still have a "life". How do you do it?

It may sound like a strange question, but I do not see how most managers can work there 8-9 hour days and still have time to do all these suggested practices.

HMac's picture

Don't try to do it all at once. Look out a year, five years, even ten years. What do your really want to accomplish THIS year? And what do you want to accomplish within the next five?

-Hugh

jhack's picture

Ultimately, something's gotta give.

9 hours at work, 2 commuting, 1 dinner with family, 7 sleeping, 1 showering/dressing/etc, 1 exercising, 1 reading, 1 with partner, and 1 handling household chores means:

no television
no hobbies
no friends
no random surfing the internet

(at least on weekdays)

So what gives? You'll find that many folks have chosen deliberately: No TV, for example. Less time with family. Less time with friends. Less time at work.

You can't do it all - but you can know your priorities and act accordingly. That might mean doing some things less well than you could if you chose differently.

Me, I'm behind in my reading, and I have a meeting in a few minutes...

John

ctomasi's picture

If you're looking for a good source of information regarding managing your time and tasks, I recommend David Allen's "Getting Things Done". (www.davidco.com). Tools available include books, audio, and conferences.

I've been using GTD for six years. It sure has kept the anxiety down. I know what's in front of me, let's me determine when my plate is full, and helps me follow up on commitments like keeping the network alive.

My tools have changed over time (as my roles have), but the heart of the material is still very valid and valuable.

You might also want to read Steven Covey's "7 Habits of Highly Effective People" to help discover your core principles that guide your priorities.

bteachman's picture
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Thank you for the advice. Some times it is hard to see the big picture.