(edited 5/28/08; added a section about Process Maps)
(edited 5/29/08; added two online mind mapping applications)
Struggling with time management? That ends today.
In this post, I'm going to share with you six things I use that are guaranteed to:
- Increase how much work you get done
- Increase the QUALITY of your work and business
- Make your life less stressful
FOUR DAY WORK WEEK
There's a great blog for webmasters and designers called A List Apart. I was introduced to the founder, Jeffrey Zeldman, several years ago and was immediately impressed with his passion for the Web. His style and blog are as strong as ever. The other day I was searching his site for articles on 'Project Management' and found this gem: The Four-Day Week Challenge. I'm already applying the principles learned.
THE PICKLE JAR THEORY
Also found on A List Apart is an article by Jeremy Wright entitled The Pickle Jar Theory. No charts, no grids, no five-syllable words, just a simple idea that can help you get more done with less stress.
NO B.S.
A must read book by the legendary Dan Kennedy; No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs is one of those books you'll markup, go back to, and completely reread once or twice a year. No doubt, Rich Schefren got inspiration for his Attention Age Doctrine from this classic 'no b.s.' guide to getting things DONE.
PROCESS MAPS
I've become fanatical about building process maps for all my repetitive tasks and/or tasks that I need to delegate. I highly recommend getting a free trial of Mindjet software. Process maps are essential if you a) feel overwhelmed by your workload; and b) you find yourself repeating certain tasks on an irregular basis.
For collaborative online versions, check out bubbl.us and mindmeister.
Start mapping today. You'll be hooked.
GETTING THINGS DONE
Speaking of getting things done, I can't say enough about this book by David Allen. I credit David with helping me to tame my e-mail inbox once and for all. See my 'takeaway' points here.
BOW TO THE EGG TIMER
Although I've blogged about Rich Schefren's 'super awesome must-read' Internet Business Manifesto in the past, I want to direct your attention to page 19 of that free e-book where he discusses the use of a 'kitchen timer' in order to engage in truly 'productive time'. Well, I call my kitchen timer an 'egg timer' and you can bet it's on right now. Download the Internet Business Manifesto immediately and go to page 19 before you waste another hour of your life.
Mike
P.S. Look for a post from me later in the week about 'Split Testing'. Every web site should be using it.
P.P.S I'm happy to say that I've been asked to become a weekly contributor on StumpMarkus every Thursday at 12 noon EST. I strongly encourage everyone to take advantage of this free discussion hosted by a real marketing genius, Markus Allen. By the way, Markus charges $297.00 for a 45-minute private brainstorming session, but I gotta tell you it's a better deal when you sign-up for his 30-day FREE trial and get access to his entire archive of business-building tips, strategies, and methods. Easily worth thousands of dollars to me.
2 comments:
one thing to add: Use 'process maps'! See mindjet.com
Process Map ALERT!....
I'm addicted to bubbl.us ;)
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