April 13, 2008
just 15 minutes
I just spent some time this afternoon, and wrote down everything that I need to accomplish this week. It is a busier-than-usual kind of week, and already I feel the tightening in my stomach, wondering how in the world I am going to finish it all. So, I took a short break, spent some time in prayer, and committed it to God, asking for his grace to see me through.
I also thought through some practical work strategies that have helped me in the past when I have been in this position. The biggest challenge at times like this is the temptation to get distracted by all that is calling for my attention from the “to-do” list. As a result, I lose my focus…or at the very least, I find it difficult to keep my focus. Can you relate?
I want to share with you an idea that has worked for me in the past, and I look forward to using it again this week. In fact, I am using it right now as I write this blog posting. I am always amazed about what can be accomplished in 15 minutes. When I feel overwhelmed by the number of items that I need to complete, I choose one thing off the list. I put in a pair of earplugs to quiet any distracting noise, I set a timer for 15 minutes…and I go at it. I focus on that one thing. When the 15 minutes is up, I quickly re-evalute my progress. Do I need to set it for another 15 minutes? Am I ready to move to the next project?
Now, I know realistically that many projects take much more time than 15 minutes to complete. But somehow, getting a focused, running start at that project often gives me the momentum to keep at it. It helps to me to keep from sliding into a pattern of procrastination.
The other thing that I have found is often, some projects do not take as long to complete as I think they will. I build the task up in my mind and imagination to be a bigger than it really is. The 15-minute focused work time helps me to determine with greater accuracy exactly how much time is needed on a particular task.
Setting the timer also keeps me from dawdling. Yep, I can work at something for 30 minutes, but if I am not focusing, I really can waste half of that time. That timer is like my “work accountability partner!”
How about you? Do you have some great strategies that help you get through busy crunch times? I’d love to hear about them. Send them to me at kathy@kathybutryn.com or leave a comment on this blog!
Have a productive week!
kathy
www.kathybutryn.typepad.com/blog
Filed under Life and Time Management by Kathy Butryn
Comments on just 15 minutes »
Demetria Zinga, M.S. @ 11:17 am
One of the things I do, Kathy, is keep an old fashioned planner on my desk at all times. It has the Mon-Sunday weekly planner and the monthly view as well. I love the weekly view. I tend to set my “bigger picture” goals at the beginning of each week, usually on Sunday night, for the remaining week. Then I fill in any missing pieces as I sit at my desk throughout each day. I cross off what I’ve completed during the process the day. I only get spurts and bursts of free time at the computer since I work around a 4 1/2 month old’s naptimes, plus homeschooling, and other busy-ness of life. So, when I do sit at the PC these are GOLDEN moments and I only have a short amount of time to accomplish a lot so I bear down and get busy with my specific tasks ahead of me. i never know when the baby will wake up from her nap so I work extra fast!