Add Ten Items to your To-Do List. . .and Save Time

It may seem incongruent to suggest that by adding things to your to-do list that you can actually save time.    Learning from my own personal experience, if one adds theses things to the accomplishment list, you will, in fact, save time, save energy and will be more successful.

#1.  I will thank someone on my team.    The work the team dedicates to the job should not be taken for granted;   neither should it be assumed that they believe their compensation is an ample example of gratitude.    Thanking someone for a job well done is accelerant for the continued accomplishment of good work.

#2.  I will thank someone outside of my team.   Be it a vendor, a peer or even a supervisor - the above principles apply.

#3.  I will find an item on my list that is very low priority and/or no longer matters and cross it off.   The wonderful thing about this is now you get to cross two things off your list.  Instant time savings!

#4.  I will actively reach out and establish an additional professional relationship.   Pays off big time. . .double pay-off if the individual you connect with is someone you really would rather not converse with.   You're making bridges and crossing them.

#5.  I will simply listen intently to at least one individual.   Sometimes we get so busy disseminating information and giving instructions that we forget to get intel - which is the very act of listening.  

#6.  For at least one of my e-mails, in lieu of sending it, I will get up from my desk and go have a conversation.  E-mails are great for disseminating information, not so good at forming relationships.  Go have a face to face and save some time.

#7.  I will go for a walk at lunch.  Go to Starbucks.  Head to the lobby.   Take a short swing through a store or a museum.   Clear your head.  You will be more efficient afterward.

#8.  I will find one report and/or meeting (bonus for both) and eliminate it.    What was once relevant is not always relevant.   Clean house - eliminate that which you do not need.

#9 and #10.    Repeat #1 and #2. 

Like it?   Share it!

My book, Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders, is available for e-readers, tablets and PCs from Amazon Kindle for 2.99.   Put it on your list, buy it and save even more time!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0095KPA6A/ref=r_soa_w_d