How Do You Spend Your Time?

I don't think I have ever heard anyone complain that they don't have enough to do..  Somebody once said that we spend approximately 40,000 hours of our lifetime in the workplace.  How do we make that time productive?

A few years ago, I was introduced to a time management philosophy that made sense, and really seems to work.  It is based on the Pareto principle that basically says "80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts."

Another way to look at this is to divide your work tasks into three groups (A, B and C), based upon the impact those tasks will have on your or your company's success.  The "A" items will have the biggest impact, the "B" items will have a lesser impact, and the "C" items the least impact.  Let me tell you right now however, the irony in this system.  Typically, the "A" items are the most difficult and take the most time to complete, the "B" items, are less difficult, and take less time complete.  The "C" tasks are generally the easiest and take the least amount of time to complete.

An example of an "A" task is a large project or complicated quote that can bring in millions of dollars.  An example of a "C" item is clearing out the spam from your email inbox.  Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, and wanting a sense of accomplishing something (I do it on occasion), people will fall into the habit of focusing on those "C" items, with very little return.

The real focus should be on spending most of your time each day on your "A" tasks,then your "B" tasks, and the least amount of time on your "C" tasks.  A physical aid for this process is to have your "A" tasks in a prominent position on your desk and your "B" tasks nearby.  Take your "C" tasks and put them in a desk drawer, out of sight.  After six months, take a look at those "C" tasks in the drawer.  If no one has asked you about them, throw them out, as chances are no one will ask about them.

Like I said, it's a process that seems to work and improve productivity.  It's not easy, at first, because it involves changing habits.  But give a try.  I think you'll improve your productivity, impact and results.

Dave Janosz

Marketing Manager

Custom Components Company