Time Management Tips for Disrupters

Have these "time disrupters" happened to you? While working at home, you were distracted by a personal call, and then couldn't refocus your mind on the work needing to be submitted within the hour. Or maybe this... When you arose from the desk chair to take a much-needed stretch, you felt unmotivated to return to the task at hand.

You're not alone in needing help to manage time. While there are more complex approaches** for time management (e.g., strategic planning, software systems, etc.), here are two quick tips and some useful information to reduce time disrupters in the office every day:

An unfocused mind can lead to wasted time and frustration during the workday, whether working from home or in any other employment setting. The good news is that your brain can respond very easily and quickly to refocus through deep breathing.

How does it work? Try this technique now.

1. Whether standing or sitting, begin taking slow breaths while reading this.
2. Count to 6 while inhaling, then exhale for 6 counts. The oxygen to the brain is already allowing clearer focus.
3. Now ask yourself (and answer), "What is the best use of my work time right now?"
4. Make and act on that decision while continuing to breathe slowly and steadily for several minutes.

People are less likely to allow work disruptions when reminded of the important reasons for their work.

How can it be done? Follow the steps below.

1. Identify your motivation to work. It could be creative expression, a sense of winning, paying bills, saving for the future, independence, family support, helping others, etc.
2. Write 3 sticky notes that identify your top 3 reasons to work.
3. Add images, which connect to the visual cortex in the brain, if available.
4. Place the stickers in a drawer or file that you can open to read daily.

**For more complex time management solutions, Agile projects may help to overcome time wasters and lack of motivation. Agile projects are not planned by a project manager, the customer, an executive, or anyone else. The Agile team plans their own work and then works their own plan. Learn about iteration planning, product roadmap and backlog, estimating practices, and user story development. Iteration execution can be discovered in our Agile Bootcamp and other Agile training. To learn more about Agile, visit our Global Knowledge Learning Portal.

Debi Ford is a Consultant at Dunson & Associates. She has provided management training at Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, government agencies, and other non-profits. Contact us for a free time management assessment, and ask about management webinars and coaching for your team. Call (937) 854-5940, x7 .