Imagine.
A world where time is available on the shelf next to the flour and sugar. It would probably fit better beside something that takes a really long time.
Maybe risotto.
I may have just discovered the next major motion picture. But this is no reality. Sadly, if you have a deadline to meet in 3 hours… it’s now 2 hours and 59 minutes.
One of our favourite authors at Cash Doctors is Tim Ferriss. He is king of optimising the workday. Here are 3 ideas from his ‘Not-to-do’ List blog that I think we could all benefit from.
1. Do not let people ramble
Forget “how’s it going?” when someone calls you. Stick with “what’s up?” or “I’m in the middle of getting something out, but what’s going on?” A big part of GTD is GTP — Getting To the Point.
2. Do not check e-mail constantly — “batch” and check at set times only
Get off the cocaine pellet dispenser and focus on execution of your top to-do’s instead of responding to manufactured emergencies. Set up a strategic autoresponder and check twice or thrice daily.
3. Do not carry a mobile phone or Crackberry 24/7
Take at least one day off of digital leashes per week. Turn them off or, better still, leave them in the garage or in the car. I do this on at least Saturday, and I recommend you leave the phone at home if you go out for dinner. So what if you return a phone call an hour later or the next morning? As one reader put it to a miffed co-worker who worked 24/7 and expected the same: “I’m not the president of the US. No one should need me at 8pm at night. OK, you didn’t get a hold of me. But what bad happened?”The answer? Nothing.
It’s too bad we can’t buy time, but we can optimise it.
Happy time saving,
Greg
