S2E1: The Power of Presence

Episode 3: Productive Patterns: The Thematic Message Your Calendar Is Trying To Tell You

Here are some ideas to help you be more successful in working or learning (or – TEACHING – from home) Create a space to work * Doesn’t have to be perfect office like set up | Just make sure you are comfortable and have what you need close by * Right now, we have one office and my husband needs it for meeting online with clients and his work team * My set up in our room, kitchen 9 table, etc. Get ready * Don’t dress up if you don’t want to, but at least get dressed and brush your teeth! Set alarms on your phone to get up and move around * A lot of people are more comfortable at home. While you are able, drop and do push-ups, jump on an exercise bike in the middle of the day, take a lap around the house, run some stairs Prep meals the night before. * Decide what you are going to eat, just like you were packing a lunch, so you don’t snack and so you eat more healthful. * If your kids are currently homeschooling, have them pack their school lunch, too! Set work hours * When are you starting? * When are you done? The pros and cons of working and learning from home: First the good news - Pros: * No commute! Save money and time * A little more flexibility. Though you may be required to be available or online during certain hours, often those who work from home can choose what their day looks like * No distractions from co-workers (kids are another story....) I know when I am working from my office, I am often interrupted multiple times a day. Even if only 5 people interrupt your workflow for 10 minutes each, that’s an hour you have lost of precious productivity time. Now the bad news - Cons: * Isolation/loneliness – extroverts need people. Period. * Communication – Consistent and effective communication with colleagues and managers is often cited as the most difficult problem to overcome. * Too much autonomy – when you work separate from your colleagues, without discipline AND a plan, it can be easy to get off track. I combine time blocking with what I call Theme Scheduling. Theme Scheduling means each day of the week has a specific theme that corresponds with your work duties. How to start: * First – Look at your current schedule Do you have reoccurring meetings, appointments, kids activities each week? Schedule them first. Start to notice the patterns already showing up in your week. * Second - Look where you can bundle like items together. For example: Start scheduling all flexible meetings only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Use meeting days to return phone calls as well. * Third – Plan your upcoming week. Choose your themes for each day then start planning your projects and tasks. Why does this work? * It helps balance your urgent and important tasks. * Forces you to make a commitment to your priorities. * It promotes deep work while combating procrastination. You lose the words “I’ll do that later” * Assists you in understanding how you are really spending your time so you aren’t over- or underestimating how long it will take to complete a task. * It allows you to say “no” without feeling guilty since you know when you’re available and when you’re not. Remember – you can use this method for your job, if you are a university or college student, for your kids, for a cleaning schedule, even for your meal planning.

27. maalis 202036 min

S2E1: The Power of Presence

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