One of the frustrating things about knowing so much about time management is that I become acutely aware of when I’m not being terribly efficient or effective.
Even worse is that when it really strikes me I feel like such a hypocrite. I feel like the mechanic who has a beaten up old car that barely works, or the builder whose house constantly looks like a building site.
But then I have to remind myself that I’m only human and thus subject to all the other stresses and distractions that we all get. I get caught up in details, taken away on a tangent, wander off on something that needs doing and feels like urgent, and today I was listening to The Specials on my MP3 player and ended up singing along instead of writing a blog post.
So, what’s the solution, especially for someone who ought to know better?
Really it boils down to constant reiteration and realignment of what you’re meant to be doing. When you realise you’re going off topic you should stop, make a note of where you were and then get back to what you’re supposed to be doing.
If you do this often enough you’ll end up with better focus after only a few weeks.
Overall, I’m more productive than I’ve been in years. I work more effectively than ever. But it’s still not an easy ask at times, I’m often inefficient, I still have to check myself and realign what I’m working on.
So, give it a go and let me know (in the comments below) how it goes.