CHAPTER 17 Enhancing Personal Productivity and Managing Stress Andrew J. DuBrin Essentials of Management, 6/e South-Western College Publishing Copyright © 2003 Screen graphics created by: Jana F. Kuzmicki, PhD, Christian Brothers University

PP T 17.1 After reading this chapter, you should be able to: 1 Identify techniques for improving work habits and time management. 2 Identify techniques for reducing procrastination. 3 Understand the nature of stress, including its consequences. 4 Explain how stress can be managed effectively.

PP T How to Improve Work Habits and Manage Your Time 1. Develop a mission, goals, and a strong work ethic 2. Clean up your work area and sort out yours tasks 3. Prepare a to-do list and assign priorities 4. Streamline your work and work at a steady pace 5. Concentrate on one task at a time 6. Do creative and routine work at different times 7. Stay in control of paperwork, , and voice mail 8. Strive to achieve peak performance and take power naps 9. Put extra effort into managing multiple priorities 10. Build flexibility into your system 17.2

PP T Using Technology to Boost Productivity Use personal information manager (PIM) software to organize work Use a laptop computer when away from the office Use an interactive pager to transmit short messages to others Use groupware to allow all team members to edit a team report Use a palm-size computer as a personal digital assistant 17.3

PP T Calculate the cost of procrastination Make a commitment to others Post a progress chart in your work area Force yourself to confront an uncomfortable task Reward yourself for achieving milestones Break task down into smaller units Use subliminal messages Techniques to Reduce and Control Procrastination 17.4

PP T The Job-Demand - Job Control Model Low Control Low Job DemandsHigh Job Demands Passive Job High-Strain Job Low-Strain Job Active Job High Control Adapted from Exhibit 17.5 A worker is likely to experience the most job stress when he/she exercises low control over a job with high demands. 17.5

PP T Organizational Practices Contributing to Stress Work overload- longer hours and less free time Lack of reward for one’s contribution Lack of control over one’s work Absence of a work community Unfair treatment Value conflicts between work and one’s personal ethics 17.6

PP T Methods to Control and Reduce Stress Get social support Improve your work habits Develop positive self-talk Hug the right people Demand less than perfection from yourself 17.7

PP T Five Tested Stress Busters Take a brief break from a stressful situation and do something small and constructive, like washing your car or getting a hair cut. Get help with a stressful task from a co-worker, boss, or friend. Concentrate intensely on reading, surfing the Internet, a sport, or hobby. Contrary to common sense, concentration is at the heart of stress reduction. Finish anything you have started. Accomplishing almost anything reduces some stress. Find somebody or something that makes you laugh, and have a good laugh. 17.8