Spending time on work is a worthy cause. I don’t mind work. Most kinds of work can be very fulfilling. But sometimes the work I want to finish interferes with pursuing other goals, also worthy. Here are my best efficiency tips so that you can get past the work you need to finish and move on to the things that you want to do.
- Go ahead and put the phone on the charger in the other room and leave it.
- Reduce the music, the noise, the TV. Put away noisy toys when working.
- Make a dinner plan and use it.
- Make some meals in bulk and freeze for future use, even if you just double your dinner occasionally and freeze half.
- Set limits for all of those things your children need permission to do (TV, electronics, computers). Once a limit is decided use times and/or install software to reinforce your rules so you don’t have to.
- Be a clear communicator. If you have a team or large family you are managing, make communicating as painless and efficient as possible. For the children, we have a family facebook chat going 24/7 where people can share funny things, ideas, quotes from the kids, songs, etc. We also use it for general announcements that are not terribly time sensitive, since we are not all plugged in all day (see number 1). We also have a brief meeting in the morning where we do a quick devotional and do announcements for the day. For business, I use a software management program where I drop to-dos for my assistants and I can attach relevant files and links as needed. Spend time finding the right one and implement it. (A stitch in time saves nine.)
- Keep a current calendar/planner. If you are responsible for the schedule for everything, keep it handy and keep it updated. You should be looking at it regularly. If you manage lots of people, either at work or home, having an electronic calendar may be best because it can be updated on the run. Also, as you add things, add ALL the important info you need- time, address, room number, names.
- Tidy up! Having a home for things makes the smooth running of the household (and workplace!) possible. Having a home for things like scissors, crayons, staplers, pens, car keys, hats, gloves, sports equipment, bibs all saves hours each week searching for the things you need. If you have a catastrophic mess happening, pick the things you need the most and define their home. Then build from there.
- Delegate. If you do this wisely, each person in your business or household will be spending their prime working time on their highest and best work, even if it takes someone longer. For example, I can spend time reading stories and doing math lessons and art with my younger chidren while my ten-year-old does the dishes. Or I can do the dishes while all the children run around unsupervised, making more messes for me. I have learned that even if it takes the ten-year-old longer, it’s his highest work. It’s good for him. For me, nurturing the children is my highest work, which the ten-year-old can’t do.
- Come ready to work. Get dressed for the type of day you’re planning. Slogging around at 10 AM in your pajamas makes you sluggish and tired and slow-witted. Get up, get dressed, and put yourself in work mode. This is true even if your work is sitting on the living room floor playing Candy Land. Come ready.
