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!