Work ahead so you’re ready for surprises.
When you work ahead, you immediately give yourself a stress-reducing cushion.
It’s a vital time management key, especially if you often work under pressure.
Why?
Well, for one thing, when the unexpected hits, managing your tasks and priorities can be a big challenge.
Here’s one recent example that hit close to home:
An unexpected disruption here at The Time Finder…
Readers of the Finding Time E-zine know that last month I had an accident that resulted in a broken femur.
This is an excellent example of the “unexpected” — and one that is, unfortunately, probably familiar to lots of you.
I’m healing well, now, but the lesson is that you never know the challenging situations that may confront you. So, it’s always a good idea to expect the unexpected and build in some time for it in your life. How, you ask?
Work ahead in case something sets you back.
One of the best tools that I have found is to work ahead when I have the time. I think of it as saving up for a rainy day. It’s like a savings account that you can draw on in times of need.
When the unexpected hits, it often requires your full focus, as well as the lion’s share of your time and energy. That was certainly true for me in the early weeks after my accident.
When you work ahead, you give yourself a reserve that you can fall back on when your time and energy and focus are diverted elsewhere. Aside from providing you with the ability to respond quickly and with agility and flexibility to any situation, it also reduces your stress considerably.
So, any way you look at it, working ahead, whenever you can, is a great time choice and an excellent energy investment!
Generally, I like to work ahead whenever I can. This practice has been so helpful over the past several weeks, as I’ve been able to tap into work I’d already done, leaving me with energy and flexibility to deal with the situation at hand. And now, as I feel my energy returning, I am ready to start working ahead again, and replenishing my ‘savings account.’
Are there special ways that you have found to make sure that you have room to maneuver when the unexpected hits?
What are they? I’d love to hear!
Here’s something more for you…
What if you could find another hour every day? You can.
For more Time Finding resources, you are invited to sign up and download our complimentary Finding Time Success Kit.
And when you sign up you’ll also receive (if you don’t already) my complimentary, weekly Finding Time Tips and my monthly Award-Winning Finding Time E-zine!
Let’s explore time together …
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