The feeling of inadequate time is relatable to nearly everyone. It is often considered as precious as, if not more valuable than, money. However, regardless of one’s authority or position, time is one of the scarce resources that cannot be augmented.
In the modern era of connectivity, where professional and personal lives frequently intertwine and numerous individuals have coworkers spanning across different time zones, it can be arduous to manage and accomplish all our responsibilities efficiently.
As leaders of IT organizations, it is common for us to shift frequently between virtual meetings to coordinate with our employees and associates situated globally. Despite prioritizing important tasks and individuals, online conferences, correspondences and notifications are capable of interrupting productive work unexpectedly.
One can contend that technology plays a key role in the frequent distractions that hinder our workflow. It is undeniable that we can be contacted through numerous digital channels at any moment and from any place. Nevertheless, technology can also aid and serve as a powerful tool in managing our restricted time wisely if utilized correctly with certain astute approaches.
Praising TiVo
Individuals of a particular generation may recall TiVo and VCRs with familiarity. These inventions granted the ability to perform a task previously unattainable, rendering them critical landmarks in the advancement of society.
Before the emergence of digital media, audiences had to be present at the scheduled airtime if they wished to watch a show. My children struggled to grasp the concept that, in earlier times, it was not feasible to watch programs at one’s convenience and that features like pause and rewind were non-existent.
TiVo and VCRs provided the audience with the luxury of enjoying programs at their desirable time, a trait that was considerably appealing. Nonetheless, in present times, our work routines tend to be heavily structured with pre-planned gatherings, resulting in a feeling of living in the past where our “schedule” is pre-set.
By implementing a two-stage strategy, you can employ time-shifting technology to regulate your current appointments. Firstly, similar to how you would not grant unrestrained entry to the company’s financial assets for employees, you should refrain from giving anyone unrestricted access to your time.
Upon receiving a meeting request that is non-critical, it is advised to reach out to the individual who made the request via phone. Since it is someone whom you know personally, a prompt response is unlikely to be expected. You can determine whether your attendance is necessary for the meeting to proceed or whether a brief conversation instead of a prolonged meeting would suffice.
As the second phase, it is advisable to utilize the recording capabilities accessible through the majority of video conferencing software for gatherings deemed less important or only informational. To economize on time, the presenter or attendees can deliver a brief overview of the significant points, or the recording can be watched subsequently. Alternatively, the footage can be rewound and viewed at a faster pace to shorten the duration of the content.
Discover effective ways to work in an Asynchronous Environment
It is evident that several assignments in the professional environment necessitate the presence of multiple employees simultaneously. In contrast, working asynchronously offers a flexible alternative, granting workers the freedom to finish tasks at their individual pace and with the desired team size.
Prospective employees with a background in working within an asynchronous setting, like Node.js, will comprehend the benefits (and shortcomings) of this form of programming. Asynchronous labour mandates supplementary structuring to avoid any prospective scheduling conflicts that may arise.
Most accomplished managers incorporate asynchronous practices in their approach. This comprises delegating tasks to team members, addressing any prospective challenges arising due to incomplete assignments, and initiating subsequent undertakings once the primary job has been attended to. If you can master this skill, you will experience control over your day instead of being pushed around without any control like a pinball machine.
Guaranteeing the involvement of team members should emphasize equipping them with apt knowledge, resources, and data to accomplish their assigned duties. Reserve 10-15 minutes to deliberate with colleagues regarding the requisite actions for each team member and potential interdependencies that may arise. Steer clear of extended meetings and “stand-ups” that can veer off-course from the principal objective.
Empower team members to take control of their roles and provide them with the independence to execute their responsibilities. For swift inquiries, they can connect with you through chat; for detailed conversations, they can communicate via email; and for more pressing matters, they can reach out via phone. Meetings should not be regarded as a viable alternative for these purposes.
To sustain productivity within your team, it is advised to periodically review emails and chat tools every one or two hours to address inquiries or concerns. These brief communication intervals should accord with your unique schedule and preferably utilize non-instantaneous technologies, granting your colleagues freedom to operate in an asynchronous manner.
While it may appear daunting to execute, the prospective long-term benefits surpass the investment required. It is akin to acquiring proficiency in a new operating system or programming language. If you can effectuate this transformation, the technology that has been consuming our time will be repossessed under our jurisdiction, providing you with control over your own timetable.
