You’ve
heard it before—time favors no one; time is one of the great equalizers;
and all the other truisms that describe this fleeting commodity that we
all share. The truth is that although we can’t control the passage of
time, we can make better use of the time we have. In the next few editions
of The Achiever, we’ll be sharing some tips and tools from our
“I Hate Time Management” program to help you find ways to better
manage the use of your time. In this issue, we’ll talk about Focus and
the Swiss Cheese Technique.
Focus. While
this may sound simple, focus is one of the most powerful tools we can use
in making the best of our time, achieving goals, or creating greater
balance in our lives. What methods or systems have you put in place to
create focus on the things that are important to you? Writing down your
goals, creating a personal mission statement and values, a planner, to do
lists, computer software, bulletin boards, sticky notes? All these methods
can help you create the focus you need. The key is to know what works for
you and what derails you from focusing on what’s important. Remember, we
achieve those things on which we focus!
Swiss Cheese Technique. By “poking holes” in
a large task, you can accomplish an activity by using little bits of time
instead of waiting for one large block of time. Whether writing a report,
planning a vacation, or completing a home improvement project, breaking
the job down into smaller pieces not only helps organize the project and
proactively prepare for the different phases, it also allows for
completion in smaller segments. This technique reminds us of the value of
any amount of time, no matter how small.
If your organization would benefit from our “I Hate Time Management”
program, contact us at 800-886-2MAX or visit our
“I Hate Time Management”
seminar description.
Kathleen J. Wheelihan is a professional speaker and consultant for AchieveMax®,
Inc., a firm specializing in custom-designed keynote presentations, seminars,
and consulting services. Kathleen has made presentations ranging from creativity
to customer service and leadership to teambuilding for a number of industries,
including credit union, education, government, health care, manufacturing, and
real estate. She can be reached at 800-886-2MAX or by visiting
http://www.AchieveMax.com.
Publication Date: Spring 2001
