Work Smarter Live Better

I read a book recently called Work Smarter Live Better. I thought I'd share a few things I learnt from the book.

The book is based on the premise: your time is valuable - don't waste it! This can be done by increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

Increase Efficiency
1. Have an effective filing system and time management system. Don't use your desk or your email Inbox as a filing system or task management system. Don't even leave Post-it notes and other bits of work around your desk to remind you of work which needs to be done. This should be handled by your Task Management system.

2. Don't multi handle information. Decide whether you will do something straight away (short tasks), otherwise diarise when you will do it.

3. Avoid interruptions. eg. Don't check your email several times per day. Set aside one or two times in the day when you will answer emails. If you manage people, only allow them to interrupt you for non urgent tasks at certain times of the day. Work outside the office more. Write out three things which are time wasters and work out a strategy to overcome these.

Increase Effectiveness
There's not much point being efficient (having a clean desk) if you are not effective. Every quarter write out what High Impact Activities (HIAs) you want to concentrate on during the next 3 months. Ask your peers to review these. Then at the end of each week set aside two hours to plan the following week. Do this by reading over your HIAs first. Diarise into your week when you are going to concentrate on these HIAs.