How to Get Your Work Done and Still Have the Time of Your Life! Joanna R. Branham, Facilitator

How Do You KNOW When You Are Being Productive? Three very important questions to ask ourselves: Are you productive—or just busy? Do you plan your day? Do you have goals?

Are you productive—or just busy? Everybody likes to look busy. Having lots of plates spinning at once doesn’t necessarily mean anything was accomplished. Set your sights on realistic, attainable goals, and work towards them.

Do You Plan Your Day? Planning is about keeping track of your projects and long-term goals and managing your priorities. You can have a to-do-list and never look ahead. PLAN

Do You Have Goals? Our biggest goals, professionally and personally, are the things that we care most about in the world. Your big goals in life are your highest priorities. Write down your goals.

PRODUCTIVITY Means having done everything I meant to do yesterday, keeping in control of today, and actively preparing for tomorrow.

BECOMING MORE EFFICIENT Time management isn’t about finding more hours in the day – it’s about making the most of those you have! Stop hunting for spare minutes and starting thinking about how to become more efficient.

Question 1: How can I complete this task in less time? Make sure you aren’t over- researching, over-analyzing, or just plain over-thinking what you’re trying to do. Some fish will grow to fit the size of their tank!

Question 2: What will help me do this faster? What’s the number one technique for speeding things up? F-O-C-U-S! Give yourself 10 minutes to focus on the task at hand. Don’t forget about technology.

Question 3: Can we create a process to simplify this task? Struggling with the same or similar tasks over and over? It’s time to GET A SYSTEM IN PLACE! How do runners finish marathons? One stride at a time.

Question 4: Does this task require such a high level of perfection? Some tasks demand excellence. Others might only need to be acceptable. Perfect isn’t going to happen. A perfectionist’s projects are often in a frustrating limbo.

Question 5: Can we skinny it down a bit? Projects can snowball Take a deep breath and get back on track. Go back to your original intentions. Step back and take another look at the big picture.

Question 6: What needs to happen to meet this deadline? Break it down. Be specific. No deadline? Create your own. By focusing on your more manageable, self-imposed deadlines, the project will naturally break down into manageable chunks.

USING “TO-DO” LISTS: No One Can Use Just One Master To-Do List: Running list of everything I need to do. Daily To-Do List: Essentially my daily plan, this captures everything I truly intend to get done that day.

ACHIEVING A STATE OF “FLOW” AT WORK Being totally immersed in what you were experiencing or doing.

Benefits of FLOW Output is increased. You perform optimally and do your best work. The time invested in projects is decreased. Less rework. Peace of mind is enhanced.

Characteristics of the non-flow states. Continually stopping one task and starting another. Not establishing a goal or “end” state Constant disruptions and interruptions, which make it difficult to concentrate Feeling overwhelmed Low energy period

Characteristics of the FLOW state A vested interest in the outcome A strong belief that you can and will accomplish your goal Total focus, with no interruptions High energy period

Characteristics of the FLOW state Passion/Fun/Enjoyment Proper environmental conditions (temperature, smells, noise) Minimal effort required (low learning curve)

How do you achieve this wonderful state of FLOW? Master your job. Prepare for and expect to achieve FOCUS. Clear your desk. Set aside some time. Ensure no interruptions. Take each step deliberately and with full attention.

RESOURCES FLOW chart Using your planner Master lists To-Do-Lists

Life Is To Be Lived! What’s Important!What’s Less Important!

Make it a productive day! Thank You!