I’ve been looking forward to 2010 for a while. Not because 2009 wasn’t good, because, in fact, it was great. I’ve been looking forward to it because I have spent the last few months coming up with ways to maximize my time with little things that make a big difference.
Here are a few little things I am going to do in 2010 that should make a big impact.
1. My “To Do” list: Friday afternoon before the end of the day
I will update my To Do list every Friday afternoon. This way I can re-prioritize my tasks every week. The top half is tasks. The bottom half is to log weekly calls.
I will copy any tasks not completed during the week in the order I think they need to be done next week.
The bottom half I will copy any phone messages not complete during the week.
I will highlight the tasks and phone calls I classify as “Don’t Wanna but Gotta Do”
2. I will schedule 30-45 minutes three times a week where I will not answer my phone, door or e-mail. I will work on one thing from the “Don’t Wanna but Gotta Do” list.
3. I will set aside 4:30pm everyday to worry about all of the things I am worried about. I read about this one in a magazine. I love the idea. From now on I will write down things that I am worried about and promise not to worry about them until 4:30 pm every day. I will let you know how this works for me next time.
4. I will write down one process I do on a regular basis every month. This could be procurement card authorization or advance reconciliation. We do things everyday that no one else knows about. They only know if it does not get done. It’s sort of a “get hit by a bus” list. I know it’s not pleasant but it really is something we can do for ourselves that could help us have fewer things to worry about at 4:30 pm every day.
5. I will reach out to colleagues regularly. Face it – I like you guys!
I would love to know what you are going to do to make your year easier or more productive. It would be great if you would share these ideas here so we can have more ways to reduce our 4:30pm worry list.
Jude Russo Caserta
Your AthleticBudgetCoach.com
