ARTICLES

Getting Organised > The Ultimate Time Management Tool
By Linda Anderson
March 16, 2011

If I had a dollar for every time someone wanted my coaching advice on time management or conquering the “to do” list I would be a very rich woman.

I think I have now discovered the Ultimate Time Management Tool. Since implementing this time management tool the following things have occurred:
•    I now tackle the big, hard jobs first instead of ignoring them until the end of the day
•    I cross things off my “to do” list at twice the speed I used to – I have never experienced such productivity
•    I am totally focussed – no more procrastination making cups of tea, rearranging files etc
•    My “to do” lists only contain the things that are important – gone are the days of unrealistically and unachievable long lists

Does this sound like a time management tool you would like to have? I will happily loan this tool to other business owners at a premium price … this tool is appropriately named “SLEEPING CHILD”!

Yes, my Ultimate Time Management Tool is a sleeping child. There is nothing like the uncertainty of a daytime sleep to spur me into productivity overdrive. Will she sleep for 1 hour today, or perhaps 3 hours? Who knows! So I better get moving now … sink my teeth into the toughest jobs first whilst I am guaranteed she will stay asleep. Then move to smaller, easier tasks so that if she wakes and I have to stop it won’t be a problem.

The downside of this time management tool is the frenetic energy and pace at which I work. Perfect if her sleep only lasts an hour but on those blessed days where she sleeps for 3 hours I am utterly exhausted after 2 hours of working at such a pace. Still, the productivity it amazing and would be worth millions if I could bottle it.

If you are not interested in renting my child out for a day or perhaps a week to help you conquer your “to do” list consider what other structures you could create to replicate “Sleeping Child” … the Ultimate Time Management Tool. How can you create that same sense of urgency and time restriction?
Be creative … have fun …

Is this article complete? Good enough to publish?
“Waking Child” is calling out which means this article is complete whether I like it or not … perhaps “Waking Child” is my Ultimate Tool for conquering perfectionism?

 

Linda Anderson, Principal Coach of a2a coaching, is dedicated to helping people live bold and rewarding lives. Linda has an energetic and direct style of coaching which suits people who like to be challenged. Linda is also the co-founder of Mums on the Go - a website created to support mothers to value themselves as much as they value their children.