The document outlines five processes for managing work and maintaining well-being: 1) Planning projects simply with flexible tools and regular updates, 2) Managing tasks with sensible granularity and checking off boxes, 3) Defining SMART goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-framed, 4) Maintaining self-care through sleep, hydration, nutrition, exercise, and avoiding performance enhancing drugs, and 5) Conducting post-project analysis to determine what went well and improvements for the future. The document emphasizes flexible planning, breaking work into manageable tasks, setting clear goals, and self-care.
68. Thank you! Questions?
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ben@neutroncreations.com
Photos:
Dr Strangelove: Columbia Pictures Corp.
Pancake Machine: W H Robinson
The Matrix: Warner Bros Entertainment Inc.
Forza: Microsoft Game Studios
Emotional Expressions: Presenter’s own
Quit Your Day Job: Zac Gorman
Editor's Notes
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Dealing \n
Show of hands who has said or at least felt each of these...\n\n
Dealing with changes.\n
Treading the hamster wheel.\n
Processes are your tools against all of these problems.\nSimple systems to pre-empt and solve common problems.\nThe aim is to instil these processes in you so that they become automatic. And when that happens...\n
You can control the matrix.\n
Processes apply best to project based work\n
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It is essential to plan.\nAll you’re trying to achieve is to know where you are heading and how you’re going to get there.\n\n
First objective is to simplify. Pretty much everything starts out looking complicated.\nBreak large units of work and goals down into smaller, more tangible items. \n
Put target dates on the bits you’ve broken down. Ideally on everything. \nYou’ll gradually get better at estimating time.\n\n
Even if it’s just scribbles. Get it written down so you can refer back.\nEven the best minds forget things\nSeeing something in written form also helps you formulate a lot better.\n\n\n
Chances are that you should be planning in a more simple fashion. \n
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Looking at available time and picking tasks accordingly, not just picking a task and working till its done.\nEstimate time for tasks. Pick tasks to fill gaps.\nWork this in with your prioritisation of tasks. More efficient time usage.\n\n
Cut your available working time up into time units. Either 30 or 60 minutes.\nTune depending on how well that works for you.\n
Define tasks with a sensible level of granularity.\nToo granular = always looking after your task list.\nToo large = forgetting you have a task list. Not needing to come back\n
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Ticking boxes is rewarding.\nSelf motivation technique, gives impression of movement through the workpile.\n\n
This should help you get off the hamster wheel.\nTake the time to think about what you’re doing - longer term objectives.\n
Race drivers talk about focusing on the apex.\nBy focusing on it, you instinctively control yourself toward the next turn.\nidentify the next corner you want to turn.\n
Make a list of things you want to achieve. Doesn’t necessarily have to be work related.\nThink beyond the scope of what you’re doing now.\n
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Check back on your goals\nKeep them in your mind\nChange what you’re doing if you’re not getting closer to them\n
Take a few seconds and write down (or think of) one goal you want to achieve in the next 6 months.\nTake it seriously - from time to time after today, you will recall this goal. \n\n
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Sleep: mood, concentration, learning ability, memory\nWater: keep a jug or large bottle on your desk. Drink & refill throughout the day.\nEat: Look up brain foods. Oily fish, blueberries. \nDrugs: I actually mean multi-vitamins, omega 3 capsules and so on. “Limitless” effect.\nExercise: Just go for a walk. Also helps creative thinking.\n\n\n
Sleep: mood, concentration, learning ability, memory\nWater: keep a jug or large bottle on your desk. Drink & refill throughout the day.\nEat: Look up brain foods. Oily fish, blueberries. \nDrugs: I actually mean multi-vitamins, omega 3 capsules and so on. “Limitless” effect.\nExercise: Just go for a walk. Also helps creative thinking.\n\n\n
Sleep: mood, concentration, learning ability, memory\nWater: keep a jug or large bottle on your desk. Drink & refill throughout the day.\nEat: Look up brain foods. Oily fish, blueberries. \nDrugs: I actually mean multi-vitamins, omega 3 capsules and so on. “Limitless” effect.\nExercise: Just go for a walk. Also helps creative thinking.\n\n\n
Sleep: mood, concentration, learning ability, memory\nWater: keep a jug or large bottle on your desk. Drink & refill throughout the day.\nEat: Look up brain foods. Oily fish, blueberries. \nDrugs: I actually mean multi-vitamins, omega 3 capsules and so on. “Limitless” effect.\nExercise: Just go for a walk. Also helps creative thinking.\n\n\n
Sleep: mood, concentration, learning ability, memory\nWater: keep a jug or large bottle on your desk. Drink & refill throughout the day.\nEat: Look up brain foods. Oily fish, blueberries. \nDrugs: I actually mean multi-vitamins, omega 3 capsules and so on. “Limitless” effect.\nExercise: Just go for a walk. Also helps creative thinking.\n\n\n
Don’t end one project and dive straight into the next.\nExcitement-Boredom cycle.\n
Take the time to look back at what you’ve just done.\nHave a break, clear your mind, and analyse.\n
Try and think how you can bring more of these aspects into future projects\n
Try and think how you can bring more of these aspects into future projects\n
Try and think how you can bring more of these aspects into future projects\n
Try and think how you can bring more of these aspects into future projects\n
Try and think how you can bring more of these aspects into future projects\n
Try and think how you can bring more of these aspects into future projects\n
Think about what you can do to suffer less of these things on future projects\n
Think about what you can do to suffer less of these things on future projects\n
Think about what you can do to suffer less of these things on future projects\n
Think about what you can do to suffer less of these things on future projects\n
Think about what you can do to suffer less of these things on future projects\n
Think about what you can do to suffer less of these things on future projects\n
This is a big question. If you aren’t learning, you might as well be on that hamster wheel.\nIt can be anything. Identify something. Gives you a positive feeling and motivates.\n