Today’s time/tech tip was submitted by Tom Novak of Timmerrr.com, and since we love timers at OTR, we had to share.  Have you used it? Tell us what you think!

Timerrr is an online countdown timer inspired by a traditional kitchen timer both in terms of functionality and design. That makes it easy to use - even your Grandma will know how. Especially that it comes in two versions – as a rotary timer or as an egg timer.

Countdown Timer

Use autostart mode  when you want the timer to start automatically. Or, use manual mode to start the timer when you’re ready. Simply press the green start button.

Egg Timer

 Did you know that this online app is free? Learn more at http://www.timerrr.com.

Looking for ways to stop sucking at managing your time? Check out these three websites – all are full of tips and tricks that can help you get a better grip.  

43 Folders

“Right now, 43 Folders is focused on an arc about how to improve the quality of your career and life by managing your attention in a way that allows you to work your ass off on the creative projects that matter most to you.” How to Use 43 Folders

The 99 Percent

“Through articles, tips, videos, and events, we share best practices that help creative professionals move beyond idea generation into idea execution.” Get Tips

Web Worker Daily

“We offer practical tips and advice for anyone who uses the web for work, especially those who want to use the web to be more productive, more connected.” Read More 

“Women who did not take a vacation were up to eight times more likely to suffer from heart disease than women who took two vacations per year, according to Intuit. Men who take vacations were 32 percent less likely to die of a heart attack.”

Read More:

‘Independence’ away from business leads to innovation | InsideTusconBusiness.com | 7.8.11

Get More Information

Yesterday, I worked with a client who had lots to do before her upcoming trip this week. We worked on getting her ready by packing and creating a list of to do’s she has to take care of before she heads out of town. Here’s what we did…

Schedule Tasks on Specific Days

Instead of creating one long laundry list, we decided to assign each task to a specific day, with only minor, last minute things for her day of departure. That way, she wouldn’t feel overwhelmed and she could concentrate on looking fabulous and feeling comfortable before leaving for the airport.

We were realistic about how much could be accomplished on each day and realized that at least one day would be a little crazy. Knowing this ahead of time will help her prepare mentally and give her the opportunity to cross something off that may not really be necessary. If nothing gets crossed off, at least there’s a nice vacation waiting…and she can always sleep on the plane.

Schedule Errands by Location

We also grouped certain tasks by location. At least 5 of her to do’s required stops that were close to each other, so all of those tasks got lumped together on the same day. It’s more efficient and definitely less stressful than having to roam about DC. There were other tasks that could be handled virtually so we planned for her to do those later in the evening (i.e., after she returned from her brick and mortar errands). 

How do you get everything done before a you take a trip?

How often do you have a plan in your mind about how your day will go that gets turned upside down because of a few unplanned things (read: time-sucking stuff)? The key is having a plan that is flexible AND doable no matter what bright, shiny thing floats by. 

A few things to consider…

1. Route your errands on a map.

I know it might sound a bit OCD to do this, but who cares??? Plot your errands based on location so you can keep a few more minutes to yourself (and keep more gas in your car). Does it really makes sense to go through your town from end to end without considering all your stops?

2.  Keep an open slot in your schedule for bright, shiny things.

Why fight the time-sucks, especially the fun ones? After all, they keep the stress at bay. If you make time for them, then you can actually stick to your productive plan knowing that you’ll be goofing off soon enough. Angry Birds, anyone?

3. Pitch your mental notes.

Ever notice how mental notes get lost and then re-surface after your deadline has passed? Unless you’re trying to test the elasticity of your brain, make written notes and lists instead. Go for a short list of things that’s reasonable to get done. 

Try these simple steps to hook your fingers in the nose of time. Reel it back in. Off you go.

Sometimes work/family balance seems like a big joke. Impossible, really…unless something comes off your plate (but is that really balance??). While the notion of a good (read: realistic) mix of work and life stuff can elusive, there are ways you can tip the scale in the right direction at the right time.

One of those times is when you take a vacation. Constantly checking your e-mail, outing fires at work, and always being tethered to your clients when you’re supposed to be off is not a fab formula for fun…or relaxation. But what if you could save money by temporarily ditching your smart phone and kissing work adiós while on you’re on vacay? Would you do it?

Some hotels are now offering a Digital Detox or Technology Break option AND are passing on a 15% discount. All you have to do to hand over your tech when you check in.

“Among those planning to check email, 68% say they will do so—daily or more frequently—for work, up from 58% in 2010.” ~WSJ.com

Do we really need to be forced to put our tech and our work away when we take vacation? (Some of you might argue that getting a discount is more akin to being persuaded, rather than being forced.) Does it matter? Probably not, if you can let go of being connected.

But, if we have such a hard time “letting go,” can we really ever find the right balance? Maybe we just need a bit of practice so we can get good at it. That would mean we’d have to want to disconnect. And, tell everyone at work, including the boss, that we’d be out of commission while away. That might also mean choosing a job that is not so demanding – even it it’s well-paying.

What do you think? Would/do you put your tech on pause while vacationing? …and would you be more selective about your choice of careers even if better balance meant less money?

Have you heard of The 99 Percent? It’s a site that’s full of great info about “making ideas happen.” It also has great tips on how to better manage your time. I’ve pulled together a few good ones for those of you who have trouble finishing projects, are indecisive, easily distracted, and who are victims of life’s hurdles (thrown squarely at your head).

Check them out and leave a comment to tell me what you think.

Don’t Overthink It: 5 Tips for Daily Decision-Making

“We make hundreds, if not millions, of micro-decisions every day – from what to focus our energy on, to how to respond to an email, to what to eat for lunch. You could easily argue that becoming a better (and swifter) decision-maker would be the fastest route to improving your daily productivity.”

Why Can’t I Finish?

“Whether it’s due to a rabid perfectionism, an aversion to criticism, or just an inability to maintain enthusiasm for the long haul, we all have challenges and fears we must overcome to produce work that matters. But pretending they don’t exist won’t get us anywhere.”

A Day Without Distraction: Lessons Learned from 12 Hrs of Forced Focus

“Over the past half-decade, researchers have been sounding the alarm on the dangers of multitasking. Gloria Mark, for example, a professor at the University of California at Irvine, found that the technology workers she studied would make it, on average, only 11 minutes into a project before being distracted. It then took 25 minutes to return to the task post-distraction.”

When Bad Things Happen to Productive People

“You relish being seen as the go-to person when it comes to getting things done. You take pride in your ability to deal with a hefty workload and numerous deadlines without getting tripped up along the way. Yet, no matter how accomplished and efficient you are, there will be times when you get overwhelmed by negative or upsetting events.”

Make Your Ideas Happen

“The best ideas most often come when you are away from the office. Without the pressure of responding to “every crisis,” the small business owner has time to reflect, which often leads to innovative approaches and solutions. Intuit reports vacationers experienced an 82-percent increase in productivity.”

Read More:

‘Independence’ away from business leads to innovation | InsideTusconBusiness.com | 7.8.11

Get More Information

Last week, I mentioned that getting better at estimating how long it takes you to manage your tasks, will help you plan your day with greater success. This includes picking the right person to delegate certain activities to.

When you pass off a to do to someone else, be:

1. Matchy Matchy. This is definitely the time to be matchy matchy. Does the task fit with the person’s skillset? Will it be difficult for them to successfully handle it? Or, is it right up their alley? Sometimes picking the wrong person for the job is worse that doing it yourself.

2. Particular. Does the person know his or her own limitations? Do they know how long it will take them to complete your task? Do you get the sense that even though they have the right skillset, they might be overextended? Sometimes picking the right person who’s overwhelmed is worse than doing it yourself.

3. Ready. What if you find the right person with the right talent who (seemingly) is completely free to do your bidding…and they say no? Do you have a back up person in mind? A back up to your back up? Sometimes not thinking ahead will kill your best laid plans.

4. Flexible. What if you find the right – but uncertain – person. Would you consider offering up a job sharing partnership him/her and your back up person? Two people with the right skills who are not over committed working on your project together? Could they work well together? Sometimes you get great results when you find creative solutions, like a two-fer. 

 

 

 

We all have trouble estimating time. Yes, that’s an admission of guilt. But, there’s no shame. It’s tough – especially when you get distracted by fun stuff. Like Angry Birds. Enough said.

There’s an easy — though not necessarily quick — way to really tell how long it takes you to get stuff done. When writing your to do list, include how long you think it will take you to complete each task. Then, check the time you start and finish each one (it might help to set a timer). Write down your actual time and repeat the process with the each thing on your list.

How off do you think you’ll be with your estimating? Does it matter? Yes. It matters how good you are at estimating because you’ll be more realistic about the things you:

1. Say yes to

2. Add to your to do list

Try tracking your time for a day or two or seven. Try to be more thoughtful and realistic about what you add to your list and how long each task will take. And, start thinking about who you can tap on the shoulder for help, particularly for those tasks that will take more time than you can spare.