efficiency Archives - Debra Kasowski

Subscribe: RSS

businessman showing Stop doing what doesn't work words Pro athletes are always looking for ways to improve their performance. Improving performance isn’t only for the pro athlete. It is for the business owner, entrepreneur, and executive of an organization. We are all looking for ways to fine-tune the systems we use to execute what we need to accomplish to reach our goals.

Even though were all given the same amount of time, it appears that some people are able to master their time better than others. So I wanted to share some tips, tricks, and resources that I have used and learned to help streamline some of my process that may be beneficial to you.

Time Blocking

When it comes to time, consider blocking off preparation and planning time. Block off 15 min. at the beginning of the day and 15 min. at the end of your day so that they bookend your schedule. Block off time for exercise. I want you to consider the compound effect. You could work out 1 to 2 times a week for 60 min. sessions or you could work out 3 to 5 times per week in 30-40 minute increments. Your body and your mindset become more conditioned when you have shorter more frequent intervals of fitness.

Block off date night, time with family and friends, and even individually with your children. It’s not always about the quantity of time is much as it is the quality of time that we spend. You need to be committed and dedicated to the time that you block off especially when it comes to your own self-care and commitment to your family. If something comes up on the schedule, it is only by mutual agreement to shift to another time otherwise, you should stick to that commitment as closely as possible. The commitment to yourself and others should be just as important as the commitment you put in at work or in your business.

Use a Kitchen Timer

A great method to work with intensity is turned on a kitchen timer for 20 to 30 min. and focus on filing or whatever the activity is that you want to for that time. You will be surprised how much you can actually get done when you’re not distracted and your focus on what you need to do. You can also use the timer to ensure that you take breaks away from your project or computer work to prevent eye strain. You cannot sustain your pace for too long and be effective. Ensure that you are taking a break every 90 min. to get up and walk around or grab a glass of water.

Silence or Turn Off Your Phone

Turn off your phone during the dedicated time that you are working or set it to vibrate. We get so used to checking our phone to see if someone has texted or e-mailed us. It is also easy to get caught up in social media when it’s on your phone looking for that instant gratification and dopamine hit of seeing who likes a post that we posted or makes a comment.

Managing Email

E-mail can be a major time waster. First of all turn off the notifications, they are huge distractions. To become more efficient with e-mail, check it only at certain times of the day. I like to refer to e-mail as O.P.A., not the Greek phrase that you hear but other People’s agendas. Have you ever noticed that e-mails are often requests from other people wanting something from you? What you need to focus on is what you need from others. Motivational speaker Brendan Bouchard has an excellent productivity tool that I highly recommend. It helps you to focus on your projects, priorities, and people. Click on the link in the show notes so you can access it too.

Delegation – Are you able to do this?

Delegation should not be underestimated. You can’t be all things to all people. You need to be focused on what you do best and allow others to do what they do best. Delegate tasks to others to lighten your workload see you can focus on what you do best.

Meetings – Right People Right Time

Meetings can be a great time to connect with others and get things done. There are some meetings that are simply a waste of time. It is important to check out the agenda in advance and see if it’s necessary to meet in person. Some of the information required can be shared through an e-mail or phone call rather than gathering for an hour meeting.

Get Your Body Movin’

Take the opportunity to get some form of exercise in the midst of your day. Not only does it break up the day, you may be able to flush out some of the thoughts and ideas you have circulating in your head. You can go for a walk at lunch, maybe do yoga from an app, or hit the gym to lift some weights.

Declutter

Keeping the clutter clear can be a challenge. At the end of your day clean off your desk to ensure that you have an orderly workspace to come to and always check to make sure you have enough supplies on hand. Ensure that you have a filing system that works well and you can find things quickly. So much time is wasted looking for things. When things are in their place, it is easy to find -have a place for everything. When it comes to the home front, you may hire a cleaning person or a housekeeper to help maintain your home. There are many professional organizers out there to help keep you on track. Many organizers have different challenges and schedules to help keep you on task. You may want to check out the Fly Lady or Peter Walsh. You can click on the links in the show notes.

What’s for Supper?

I don’t know about you but often when I’m grabbing a lunch together I start thinking about what’s for supper. Meal prep doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Plan out your meals for the week and buy your groceries to match up with those meals. You may learn that you actually save money by doing so. I’ve found crockpots, freezer meals, and prepared snacks to save me a lot of time and temptations. Stir-fries are always quick for those busy days. Keep away from screen time while eating and focus your discussion at the table about learning about everyone else’s day.

Out Running Errands?

Organize your errands together. Instead of running from one part of town to another, make an attempt to organize your errands in geographical location.

Meet Your Deadlines

Set self-imposed deadlines to help get things done. Organize your resources so you can leverage or utilize them more effectively. When you have a deadline, you focus on getting things done in a timely manner. Your commitment and dedication show through in your word. Do what you say you’re going to do. If the timeline seems off, let people know respect and honour their time too. Set a new time that will allow you to meet with integrity and demonstrate your commitment to follow through. The more efficient you are, the more productive you will be. Watch your performance skyrocket!

We would love to have you subscribed to the Success Secrets newsletter on my website at www.debrakasowski.com where you’re going to get us free MP3 download 10 Surefire Strategies to Power Up Your Productivity and Performance. I would love to hear about this podcast has impacted your life. E-mail me at Debra@DebraKasowski.com. Thank you for listening to The Millionaire Woman Show where we talk about leadership, business, and human potential to help you live rich from the inside out. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Share it with Your Friends. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time: 09:52 minutes

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

“If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” – Bruce Lee

Productivity and performance can be a total game changer. We all have the same 24 hours in a day but some people seem to get more accomplished than others and others say, “I don’t get it. How do you get to do all that?” The secret lies in the sauce.

Boost productivity and performance is about blocking time. We cannot make more time. We all have the same amount of time but how do we structure the time that we have. How are we using it more effectively?

I have an awesome downloadable – Infographic for you!

DOWNLOAD HERE

There are many Time Tracking logs or apps out there. I have used time tracking for those people who claim that they are “so busy” and we hear people use the buzz word “busy”. I do make the attempt to track my time anytime I catch myself saying that I am busy. Busy is that buzz word but it is almost like an excuse for people not doing things. It is actually saying, “I do not want to do that” or “That’s not important to me.”

When you start tracking your time, you can start seeing where you are spending your time. You can do the same exercise by tracking the amount of water you drink, the workouts you want to have, or anywhere you want to make a change. If you start tracking it, anything that you track you are able to manage better. Start tracking your time for 3-7 days to see where you are actually spending your time and then you can adjust accordingly.

One of the great things I like to recommend to people is scheduling 30 minutes in the morning to start to plan your day and another 30 minutes at the end of the day to review and plan for the next day. You will be forward thinking, you are making the plan, and have an intended direction of where you want your day to go.

Make a list of all your priorities. What are the A-game changers where you are going to have the greatest return on your investment? This is where you need to be focusing your time. Focus on your priorities first.

Set office hours to eliminate distractions and interruptions. It is so easy for people to pop by and say you are working at home today or you don’t have office hours I can just pop in and have a casual chat. If you are in the middle of working on something important that you have a deadline, these interruptions can really suck some of the time that you have. Consider that when you are working on a big project there may be a time of the day where you just need to close your door.

Turn off notifications and email alerts on your smartphone and computer. BING! Every time you see one of those, it is a bright shiny object! BING! BING! BING! Or SQUIRREL – anything that takes you attention to a different place!

Block out time on your calendar to focus on high priority tasks. Block off dedicated time. Use a timer. You would be surprised how much you can accomplish in 20 minutes when you are trying to beat a clock.

Develop a system for managing information such as paper and emails so you only deal with it once if possible. Consider creating folder or filters to help sort emails. Do not hang on to emails that do not require a reply or that you can get the information somewhere else.

Delegate to others who have the knowledge, skills, and ability to get a task done so you can focus on high priority tasks requiring your expertise. I know sometimes we like to be in control and be the boss. If you want to be a smart boss you need to delegate some of that out. If people have the knowledge, skills, and ability, let them do the work that they love to do. You can focus on the work that is a high priority and you can focus on your expertise. Everybody is using their skills more effectively on a team.

Don’t schedule meetings unless they are necessary and they have a targeted agenda. Sometimes I think people throw up meetings just to have a meeting but then they get there, there is no focus or direction and they feel that people are just wasting their time. When they could be focusing on what is really important to them, what has pressing deadlines, and where they are going to get the greatest return on their investment? Ask yourself whether or not you can do a meeting over the phone versus driving to somewhere or taking up a lot of time. Sometimes it can be addressed in an email. Consider how you can respond so you can get to the meat of the matter very quickly.

FOCUS on ONE activity or task until completed…then REWARD yourself and CELEBRATE! It might be a stretch break or getting a coffee or a cup of tea giving you a small reward so you are focused on one activity. “If you spend too much time thinking about a thing, you’ll never get it done.” When you start doing too many things or multi-tasking, it divides your attention. Put your intention and attention to the place you want to get your results.

Try these 10 things and you will be boosting your productivity and performance and watch what happens to your results.

Be an implementer!

Email me at Debra@debrakasowski.com and let us know what you would like to be featured on the show. Subscribe to The Millionaire Woman Show. Give us a 5-star rating!

DEBRA KASOWSKI, BScN CEC is an award-winning best-selling author, transformational speaker, blogger, and Certified Executive Coach. She has a heart of a teacher and is certified in Appreciative Inquiry and Emotional Intelligence. Her writing has been published in a variety of print and online magazines. Debra Kasowski International helps executives, entrepreneurs, and organizations boost their productivity, performance, and profits. It all starts with people and passion. Sign up the Success Secrets Newsletter and get your free mp3 download today! www.debrakasowski.com

Time 9:11 min

EPISODE 63 – Efficiency Improves Performance

EPISODE 6: Boost Your Productivity and Performance