Getting Rid of Unwanted BusYness

I’m writing this article Monday after a restful weekend. Last week, I finished the majority of the newspaper before the end of the week, which allowed me to enjoy two full days off this weekend. For the first time in months, I did not do anything work-related on Saturday or Sunday, and I thoroughly enjoyed doing nothing for two days.

The news business is a generally a 24/7 job. The emails constantly flow through the server. The calls don’t stop just because it is the weekend. Considering the demand of the business, time management is an important component.

Time management is important because it created space in my schedule to decompress and disconnect. The past week, I decided to follow my planner precisely. I was curious as to why I’m always behind on tasks. What I discovered may be applicable to you, too, if you’re struggling to stay on task. I realized that nonscheduled tasks were the biggest issue.

So what are nonscheduled tasks? Those tasks are impromptu meetings, visits, phone calls and emails. Does this sound familiar? The consistent use of a planner illuminated time-wasters. I am sure many of you can relate to something as simple as a friend dropping by your office for a quick visit that turns into half an hour. Don’t get me wrong, I love those drop-ins. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, I dropped in on Debbie Shelly and Stacey Wade unexpectedly.. To manage this better, you should plan for these types of interruptions by allocating time for the unexpected. Other sensible measures would entail allowing voicemail to manage those unexpected calls. Just remember to return the calls timely. Also, by setting aside time to review emails at the beginning and at the end of the day can add time back to your time bank. These simple tactics will aid in getting rid of unwanted business.