Managers: 3 questions to bear in mind on managing your time better – Column in Les Echos Business by Paule Boffa-Comby
Coach advice : Heavy schedules, difficulty in saying “no” or in getting parallel projects done successfully … Sometimes it is difficult to feel on top of everything that needs to be done. Here is some advice on how to take control of your schedule and to make slots available.
How much time do you spend on filling in spreadsheets, preparing business reviews, attending progress status meetings which you didn’t choose, finding new solutions to problems, challenging what exists and thinking about your organization’s future, being available for your clients? Do you spend more time in taking action on everything that needs to be done within the Company or do you privilege your clients? Heavy schedules, difficulty in saying “no” or in getting parallel projects done successfully, most managers feel they don’t have a minute for themselves. Before they know it, their schedules are fully booked with internal matters and office work routines which are set up surreptitiously. They are so focused on what needs to be done that they don’t take the time to even question the process and the way it is handled, nor do they prepare the meetings they have been asked to attend. Cascading inefficiency ensues and a lot of time is consumed by the teams trying to catch up with the information or action that wasn’t processed before.
Dirigeants, reprenez la main sur votre agenda. Vous apprendrez à y dégager des poches de disponibilité si, au préalable, vous vous posez ces trois trois questions.
What are the real priorities?
Take a step back to see what has to be done and (re)define your objectives. Decide first to address only what is comfortable, visible or rewarding in the very short term - this will give you momentum and credit. Then look at what is possible to change the situation in the long term and permanently eradicate a recurring problem with the objective of getting rid of the feeling of spinning like a hamster in its wheel, being given the runaround by systems and organizational knots that no one dares to approach for fear of reprisals or of having to bear the weight of the change.
Who are the relevant representatives and what are the real subjects to be adressed
When you decide to organize or attend a meeting, make sure you prepare for it! Your presence and the presence …
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