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 Why is making up a daily plan the evening
before better than making one in the morning?
Question submitted by J. Moriarity.It's possible for some people that the morning time frame is better, but for most people, the evening before offers some real advantages. First, after
making up your daily plan for tomorrow, you will probably
go home in the evening with a mind that has been wiped
clean from all the unfinished tasks or pressing problems
left over from today. Most people say that they enjoy
their evenings better by clearing their desks and
clearing their minds. Many also say they sleep better. Second, you
find that your unconscious brain works on tomorrow's
issues in ways you aren't conscious of, but nonetheless
still occurs. Many people report dreaming solutions to
such tasks as how to write the most effective letter to a
client, or how to handle a difficult staff member in
tomorrow's weekly meeting. Third, if
you plan to start on a high value, non-urgent task first
thing in the morning, there is a chance you'll do that.
If you wait until you get to the office to make your
plan, there is little chance you will start on something
proactive. You will undoubtedly be reactive. And
remember, for many many people, those early morning hours
at the office are among the most productive of the day.How can
I work at home and be as effective there as at the
office? Question submitted by J. Steinman. You have phrased this question in an interesting manner. Many people would phrase it the other way: How can I be as effective at the office as I am at home? The advantage of working at home is reduced interruptions, unless you have little children who are developmentally incapable of understanding that mommy and daddy are working. Certainly
the person working at home has to learn not to submit to
the opposite extremes of (1) getting nothing done because
there are so many personal items to handle, or (2)
spending every single moment while at home because there
are no boundaries on the home office. There are a
few critical practices to put in place to make the home
office work. First, you
have to set boundaries on the home office. Work when you
are in the work space. Don't let your papers spread
throughout your home, onto the dining room table, in the
bed, etc. Putting these boundaries in place will help you
focus when you are working and also prevent the 24 hour
work schedule simply because the work is so close by.
That schedule will soon lead to burn out. Second, if
friends and neighbors think they can drop in anytime just
because you are at home, you have to immediately set
limits. Behave as if you were at the office. If someone
dropped by to see you, you would signal them that it is
time to leave after a quick hello at your office or
cubicle. You need to be very direct in your comments
to get friends, family and neighbors to comply. Third, set a
schedule for yourself and stick to it. Start your morning
off at the same time each day. Some people we know get
dressed as if going to the office. Not everyone needs to
do this, but many people find the signals of office dress
get them in the mood to start work. Fourth, let
people back at the home office know your schedule. If you
have to run an errand, let people know you are going to
be gone for a short while, so you don't create the
impression that you are abusing your home office
advantages. There is
certainly going to be more and more opportunity for
people to work at home. Modern telecommunication
technology makes this very easy. We're all going to have
to learn how to manage this opportunity well. Thanks for
your question! Previous
"Time Manager Q & A Corner" pages: #1
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