Time Management

From http://cbs3.com/health/Health.Alert.Stephanie.2.1877150.html Stephanie Stahl

Teenagers are becoming addicted to texting, according to a new study. In fact experts are saying being hooked on texting can be like being addicted to drugs...

The average teen sends 3,000 texts a month....

"It clearly fits the criteria of an addiction," said Dr. Gary Small, a Psychiatrist....

Neuroimaging studies show the same brain areas are stimulated with both texting and using heroin....

Some texting addiction warning signs include losing track of time because of excessive texting, neglecting eating and sleeping, having a constant need for more, and suffering negative repercussions, like ignoring others or lying because of texting....

"What they like to do is text, rather than talk. So if you call them, they go 'mom why didn't you just text me, why did you have to call me?'" said Cara Steninberg, a mother.

In many of my blog entries, I have raised the concern for loss of focus. The obsession with texting will continue to erode our ability to focus and accomplish important tasks. This problem will continue to impact our workforce as a "texting" generation becomes the next wave of employees.

(c) 2010 - Jim Lindell

Too many people waste time due to interruptions by e-mail. Listen to the brief podcast and understand the impact of turning off your e-mail notification on both your ability to focus and your ability to become more efficient.



Copyright 2010 - Jim Lindell
Thorlessons0003

One of the biggest time wasters is email. Many of us start the day or end the day with checking our email. However, I am willing to bet that no one comes to the office and their top goal is to "check my email." Here is the method to tame the beast:

Turn off email notices - the notices destroy focus.

Set specific times to check email - i.e. 10:00, 12:00, 2:00 and 4:00 - I am sorry, there are only a few jobs in the world that truly need to check more often. Guess what? Yours isn't one of them.

Prohibit negative email conversations - if there is a disagreement require people to talk by phone or in person. This will avoid or limit misunderstandings.

Set firm rules for cc: individuals - I am sorry (again). What you think is important and that everyone needs to know is only partially correct. Take the total number of people that your regularly cc: and reduce that by 75%.
Cheers! You now have 15 more minutes to invest in really important things like internet shopping or ESPN!

Copyright 2010 - Jim Lindell