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Journals by EmailI work on three projects and belong to a fourth project that will require some updates to existing documentation before the end of the year. I decided early in 2009 while putting together this year’s goals that I needed to be more productive by spending larger chunks of time on these projects. I tended to bounce from one task to another across projects, flying by the seat of my pants, and I suspected that it was reducing my productivity.
Sometimes that kind of bouncing is unavoidable, such as when my team manager needs me to take care of a communication task or some release notes need some last-minute updating. I gave myself some leeway in the goal. But the overall goal is to spend three- to four-hour chunks of time on a particular project so that even if I switch tasks within a project’s work, at least I’m not having to change my mindset. Because we set goals for each quarter of the year, I’m currently in the quarter where this goal applies.
It’s tough to do. I still find myself bouncing between projects more than I want to or intend to. I think working on this goal has helped my productivity some, but I’m coming to realize that what I’m lacking is planning. I need to plan out those half-day chunks of time so that when I know I have one or two tasks to do, I don’t finish them up and then ask myself, “What else can I do on this project?” Doing that, I probably lose whatever productivity I have gained by continuing to work on the same project.
What I probably need to do is spend a few minutes at the end of each day looking at what I need to do the next day, and then plan out those half-day chunks of time. I think I’ve heard of people who spend a few minutes either at the end of the day or at the beginning planning out what they’re going to do. Those few minutes will probably help the productivity go up. I think I’d rather do it at the end of the day while I still remember where I was and when I’m not distracted by the email that’s accumulated.
Thanks for the idea. I’m glad we talked this over.
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1 Comment to 'A Goal for Increasing Productivity'
September 29, 2009
Good insights. You don’t even need to wait for the end of today to make tomorrow’s list. As things cross your desk, you can shunt them to the “to do” list for tomorrow — or the next day, or next Wednesday, as appropriate. Then you can continue with your mind focused on the task you’re working on today.