7 energetic approaches on time
Level 1: I constantly feel pressed for time, always at its mercy.
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Level 2: I perpetually battle against time, striving not only to accomplish all that I can but also to delay the inevitability of death for as long as possible.
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Level 3: Time is an inherent part of life, and while it's finite, I am committed to developing effective strategies to manage it efficiently.
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Level 4: I see numerous opportunities to contribute, and I am determined to use my time wisely to maximise my impact during the time I have.
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Level 5: How I choose to use my time is entirely within my control. I can opt to relax and do nothing, or I can choose to create and pursue something exciting. Time is a precious gift that allows me the freedom to decide how to make the most of it.
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Level 6: Time seems to stand still for me when I'm fully immersed in the experience of life. In those moments, this present instant feels eternal, as if time itself stretches infinitely.
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Level 7: Time is a linear illusion crafted within the human experience to quantify what seems to be a finite life.
Find your ressources to go beyond
The Way of the Productivity Ninja. Using techniques including Ruthlessness, Mindfulness, Zen-like Calm and Stealth & Camouflage you will get your inbox down to zero, make the most of your attention, beat procrastination and learn to work smarter, not harder. Written by one of the UK s foremost productivity experts, How to be a Productivity Ninja is a fun, accessible and practical guide to staying cool, calm and collected, getting more done, and learning to love your work again.
Time is an invaluable resource that is irrecoverable. There are only have 24 hours in a day. Time is continuously moving. Time management involves estimating the time needed for tasks, setting deadlines, and adjusting for conflicts to ensure timely completion. Effective time management prioritises completing the most important tasks rather than simply doing more.
““Time is a created thing, To say, “I don’t have time is to say, ‘I don’t want to."” Lao Tzu
While we can't change the number of hours in a day, we can reshape our perception and use of time.
By intentionally managing our time, we can make it work for us rather than against us, allowing us to accomplish what we choose in life.
Leaders understand that making empowered decisions about time usage is crucial for success. Utilising time effectively helps maintain high energy levels, whereas a lack of awareness can lead to a loss of internal control, resulting in stress and catabolic energy. Being mindful of time allows you to balance all aspects of your life.
How satisfied are you with how you spend your time in each area of your life? Use a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest level of satisfaction.
Be Present in the moment...
Being present in the moment is crucial for energy, performance, and leadership. To achieve peak performance, one must be entirely free from distractions, devoid of physical tension or stress, and fully immersed in the task at hand.
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The 7th Level Leader understands that the present moment is all that truly exists. He recognizes that the past is a source of lessons to be learned and then released, and that the future is unpredictable. Thus, he focuses solely on the present, the only time in which he can act. He knows that dwelling on the past or the future prevents him from fully engaging in the present.
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These beliefs enable him to concentrate on one activity at a time. This quiets his analytical and critical mind, bringing his intuition to the forefront. It allows him to operate effectively in each moment, confident in his ability to adjust as new information arises through his intuition and senses. When one moment ends, he seamlessly transitions to the next.
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Being present in the moment is linked to a state of "flow,"a mental state where a person is fully immersed in an activity, feeling energised, focused, and enjoying the process itself. Flow is often characterised by a sense of deep enjoyment and satisfaction derived from the activity, where time seems to pass quickly and external distractions fade away.
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Here are a few questions for you to reflect on:
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When you take an action, is it to enjoy the experience or just to get it done?
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When you have a conversation with someone, are you truly listening or just waiting to get your point across?
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When you're in a conversation with someone, are you genuinely listening or just waiting for your turn to speak?
"Attention is your currency. Time might be spent, but attention still needs to be paid. Look after this currency, as it's the most valuable currency in the world." Graham Allcott
How focused are you?
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Graham Allcott, in his book "How to Be a Productivity Ninja: Worry Less, Achieve More and Love What You Do" distinguishes between three types of attention: Proactive, Active, and Inactive.
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How could you plan your day based on your attention level?
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How does your attention fluctuates during the day?
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What are your Proactive, Active and Inactive hours every day.?
Pay attention to your attention!
Take 15 minutes to think about your typical day and identify the slots when your attention is Proactive, Active, and inactive?
Step 1: Write the slots for each type of attention.
Step 2: List your typical daily tasks
Step 3: Group them based on the type of attention they require.
Step 4: Use your analysis to schedule your daily activities to maximise productivity.
A few tips to enhance your focus with your physical body
Raise awareness about:
What you eat: Choose a diet that promotes brain health. Avoid processed foods and heavy lunches.
What you drink: Drink at least 2 liters of water daily. Keep a water bottle at your desk. Minimize energy drinks and limit yourself to one coffee per day.
How much you exercise: Find the type of movement that suits you, whether it's walking, running, practicing yoga, or any other exercise. Aim to keep your body active three times per day.
Staying still: Meditate once a day to relax and bring awareness to your day and life.
Benefits of time management for teams and individuals
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Higher productivity: Efficient work organisation, a stronger focus on important tasks, and optimal use of energy levels lead to increased productivity.
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​Lower stress: Improved work-life balance and the ability to avoid rushes through smart scheduling and planning result in reduced stress levels.
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Enhanced quality of work: Preventing mistakes and paying attention to details becomes easier when you’re not always in a hurry, leading to better work quality.
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Better forecasting: Regular engagement in task estimation improves your ability to predict outcomes and manage expectations effectively.
Different approaches to time management
There are various methods to keep your tasks and goals on track:
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ABC Analysis:
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Categorise tasks into A (high priority/urgent), B (important but not urgent), and C (low priority).
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Pareto Analysis: ​​
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Focus on the 20% of tasks that will give you 80% of the results.
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Eisenhower Method:
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Sort tasks by urgency and importance into four categories:
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Important/Urgent: Do these now (crises, deadlines).
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Important/Not Urgent: Schedule these (planning, relationship building).
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Unimportant/Urgent: Delegate these (meetings, interruptions).
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Unimportant/Not Urgent: Eliminate or postpone these (time wasters).
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These methods help you prioritise effectively, manage your time well, and achieve your goals both personally and professionally.