Top Time Tip #102
Lessons From The Toy Box - How To Find Sanity In The Midst of Chaos!
14th May 2008
I've just had a very busy week, looking after two of my smaller grandsons - a nearly-walking one year old, Matt, and his 3-year-old brother, Corin. Many time management principles were reinforced by the experience - let's look at three of them.
Complete actions the first time
This applied even to something as simple as getting dressed. On Monday I wandered downstairs in my dressing gown, thinking that I'd have a shower later. Bad idea. Once the baby was up the quiet moments to attend to ablutions vanished, not to be seen again until he went down for his mid-morning nap. Lucky no-one knocked on the door or they'd have found me still in my nightie! (Not quite the preferred image!)
In your world, how often do multiple interruptions bounce at you? If you're like most people it's often. And how do you handle them? Do you control them, or do they control you? If we're not careful we end up with projects and incomplete tasks layered all over every spare inch of workspace.
Instead, take that extra moment or two to complete things or, at very least take them to a natural stopping point before letting the next 'highly important question' railroad your good intentions.
Get ready first
On Tuesday I had a hair appointment. With two little ones you can't just down tools and dash out the door (my normal style). Instead, preparation involves raisins, bananas, water, nappies, shoes, car seats to put in the car, toddler to toilet, flannel for sticky fingers, extra time to get them in and out of the car. Not knowing how long it would take I got ready well ahead of time. We turned up at the hair salon so early even the hairdresser was surprised!
In business the same concept applies. If you find yourself often running late for appointments, stressed, flustered or behind the mark in some way, perhaps you're not preparing early enough.
Instead, at the beginning of the day or even the day before, do a mental check list of the coming day's activities. Lay everything out long before you need it and then carry on with other tasks until it's time to change activity. It's such a simple thing - yet it takes away a huge amount of pressure.
Cut the clutter - 'minimalist' is good!
On Wednesday morning I had a speaking engagement for the annual convention of the Venue Management Association (Asia & Pacific). Time to call in the favours - daughter Catherine and her slightly older pre-school sons came over to help babysit the little cousins. By the time I returned home early that afternoon four small boys had pulled almost everything out of our large toy cupboard. Wooden blocks, cars, soft toys, balls of all shapes, puzzles, Lego, playing cards, books... You name it, it was there - carpeting the floor. (Can you can tell I'm a well-set up grandma? With 10 little blessings it saves a lot of hassle for us all when everything's on site.)
Cath offered to clean up before heading home. 'Don't worry about the mess, dear,' I said. 'The two little ones will only pull things out again as soon as you've gone. I'll pick up tonight when they're in bed.'
That night I was too tired (every parent reading this will understand!) so decided to leave things where they lay. The next morning Corin and Matt poked at the heap of toys but nothing much seemed to hold their attention for long.
By Thursday afternoon I couldn't stand the clutter any longer. With baby Matt tucked up for his afternoon nap I swung into action, assisted by Corin. As you'd expect, there was great satisfaction in finding my carpet again. Clean space really works for me! However, the real 'aha' was in the behaviour of the boys.
While the floor was littered with 'stuff' they seemed quite scattered and irritable. As soon as the house was tidy and they only had a few toy items to choose from, they calmed right down. And further to that, whatever they then chose to play with got lengthy focus instead of the previous 'look and discard' treatment that I'd observed when there was so much choice.
And doesn't that happen in our work space as well? When our office is littered, don't most of us feel overwhelmed and somewhat fragmented? We don't know which pile to start on first. Even if we are clear about our priorities, the other items in eye range wave invisible hands saying 'pick me, pick me.' Our sub-conscious tap-dances in double time - flat out suppressing potential interruptions as well as trying to stay focused on key activities.
So, here's this week's final time tip, courtesy of two babies. Whether you're a senior executive with a huge workload or a busy parent with a houseful of small children, keep things pared down to basics. Put away what's not being used right now. Just get things out when you really need them. No matter what the age, clutter equals confusion, lack of focus and irritability.
If you'd like help with more techniques to overcome your particular chaos, check out Getting a Grip on the Paper War
And to all you working mums out there, especially those with small children - my hat is off to you. I'm not sure how you do it and stay sane!
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