1. Eliminate the causes of most
problems, and avoid crises. There's a difference between an emergency
and a "crisis" that occurs because something wasn't
done. If you delay something long enough, you're contributing
to a future crisis.
2. Control and prevent interruptions.
To avoid getting bogged down by interruptions while still managing
to stay informed, establish conditional interruption criteria,
set aside check-in times, or create signals to show when deadlines
are imminent and you can only be interrupted for emergencies.
3. Handle drop-in visitors and
co-workers effectively. Controlling time taken up by visitors
requires both courtesy and good judgment. Be honest and assertive
about how much time, if any, you have for a particular interruption.
4. Refuse requests you don't
have time for. Just say no if something doesn't fit into your
schedule. Set boundaries, so you don't have to feel guilty about
being the bad guy -- and stick to your guns.
5. Recognize and eliminate personal
shortcomings, especially if they lead to decreased departmental
and organizational productivity. Your company's in business to
help customers and make money, not to tolerate your idiosyncrasies.
6. Avoid spending time in irrelevant,
unnecessary meetings. If you're calling a meeting, carefully
choose the best time to hold it. In any meeting, help the group
stay on track. Find ways to avoid some meetings altogether: e.g.,
by sending an alternate, by having someone tape it, or by leaving
early.
