Finding More Time, Part 4: Optimizing

July 9th, 2008          Email This Post        Print This Post

This series (1, 2, 3) has helped you to eliminate many tasks. Everything you still do can be done better and faster.
I firmly believe that everything can be improved. Not from a pessimistic viewpoint that things are bad, but from an optimism that however good something is, a new creative approach can make it BETTER.
Approach everything with an attitude that it can be made more exciting, faster, return better results, etc. simply that it can be improved! If nothing comes to mind right away, look around online, ask people you know, or just let it bother you, so that your subconscious will look for an answer.
Here are some principles to get you started.

Batching
When you do similar tasks in a row, such as paying bills or making phone calls, you have some great benefits:
*You need to start less. Starting is the always the hardest part. You only need to agonize over starting once, and then you can keep cranking. Instead of having to work up the courage to pick up the phone five times, with batching, you only need to start once.
*Less set up time. All things have a set up or preparation time - getting out the check book and calculator, preparing the ingredients, or looking up the directions. If you do them all at once, or in bigger quantities, you will set up - both physically and mentally - fewer times.
*Its lets you immerse yourself into an action that normally is too short. When you make a phone call, you get into a mindset that helps you make the next calls even easier.

Make It A Race
Have something that’s really routine or mundane? Race the clock! Try to beat your best time. This adds challenge and excitement. You may find yourself having lots of fun!

Parkinson’s Law
“Work expands to fit the time allotted.” Beware of this law! It applies to meeting, checking email… everything.  Things will come up, you will be sidetracked to related issues, or ideas will come up that will cause you to spend more time. (For high value projects, it may be good, since you can start implementing new ideas right away.)You may also slow down if you have lots of time. Setting firm time limits will get you to work faster and find more creative solutions, so you finish sooner.

Pareto Principle - The 80/20 rule
Mentioned in part 3, use the Pareto principle to focus on the important parts for better results. Have you noticed that in person you usually make a sale, but not on the phone or by email? Then don’t waste your time with lots of long phone calls or emails answering questions, instead schedule a face to face meeting to make the sale.

Similar Posts:

• Finding More Time, Part 1: Eliminating Activities
• Finding More Time, Part 3: Eliminating Even More!
• Limiting Distractions, 101
• Do you run your life, or does it run you?
• Finding More Time, Part 2: Delegating/Working With Others
• Being on time