Time Management
The fine art of being happy
while getting your job done
• I suppose that achieving what you
want to achieve will make you
happy
• You need tools to focus on
important, do more, reduce stress
• You are ready to work hard to
make it happen
• I will give you opportunity to learn
how to achieve your goals
In scope:
Agenda:
• Learning basic principles of productivity
• Finding out your roles & defining scenario
for being successful in each one
• Identifying what you are trying to
accomplish
• Setting 1st portion of goals
• Figuring out reserves we can use to
achieve more
• Forming action plan: in MyLifeOrganized
or ClearContext
Out of scope:
• “I don’t have motivation!”
• “I’m not disciplined
enough for any
approach!”
• “World is imperfect &
unfair, you must admit!”
Rules of engagement
• No laptops, phones & tablets:
do handwriting
• Don’t be late: if you missed 10
minutes you missed the logic
• Ask questions: the only stupid
question is question not
asked
• No trolling: respect colleagues
The Clarity
Few words on the origins of stress
The Core Concept
That’s official :)
“Wheel of life”
FamilyBusiness
WealthHealth
Pattern 1: Epic Fail
HealthHealth
Business
Wealth
Familyess
W
HealthHealth
Pattern 2: Skewness
Business Wealth Family
Health
How will you feel
driving?
FamilyBusiness Wealth
is about
being unable to do things
which are important
to you...
Homework: Check #1
• Please write tags from
highest to lowest priority
• Now sort tags by total time
• Does 2 lists match?
Health
Family
Work Health: 5
Family:
10
Work: 85
is about
being unable to do things
which are important
to you...
or doing them wrong
Homework: Check #2
• Calculate total
time
• Calculate total
shitty time
• Take % shitty time
as of total time
“Discipline”
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...
I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...And write that
1000 times!
Discipline
is remembering
what you
WANT
David Campbell
Core Concept: The
Battery
• There is a battery inside you,
and its more like NiMh than
LiIon
• You draw your battery by taking
any action
• You short-circuit your battery by
doing things wrong
• It recharges when you rest
Important: Cycle energy
0.1 mA
Working...
Done!
Wasting cycles
0.1 mA
Working...
Done!
What
should i
do now?
I should
immediate
ly google
that
book!..
Erm...
Where did
i left it last
time?
The Operating
System:
Even here:
“Some of my colleagues
have featured very strong
projects, accompanied
with nice children, cozy
homes & good mood.
Under these feats you
will always find some sort
of organization - some
form of planning &
executing procedures.”
There are 3 “time managements”
Dispatcher Creator Manager
DISPATCHING
How to handle that incoming stream of tasks
Anybody who’s primary job function
is to handle errands or requests
of other people is
DISPATCHER
Where dispatching
happens:Head of
Dept
Subordinate Subordinate
Support Unit
Manager
Subordinate Subordinate
Deputy
Success criteria:
① Errands  requests not lost
② Response time is
predictable
③ Deadlines are met
④ Quality is acceptable
How
4 core components:
The Inbox
The Task List
The Procedure
The Effort
Take cycles to
remember:
GTD Processing:
“We call these people
successful not
because they
managed to complete
all the tasks in their
task list.
They are successful
because they know
what needs to be
done right here right
now.”
Procedure:
Make it a ritual:
• Print a guideline
• Every working day
• At the same time
• Cut enough time
(approx. 30 min for
starters)
• Follow it carefully
• Takes approx. 1 month
to adopt
Unload it:
Ideas for delegating:
Task (or ToDo) List:
Eisenhower matrix
Important
and not
urgent
Important
& Urgent
Not
important
& not
urgent
Urgent
but not
important
Urgency scale:
Importance scale scale:
Cannot start?
Tasks which I hate! Why I hate it? What I can do to change that?
I hate requesting servers from
admin because every single time It
takes MONTHS to get it!
Because I like writing code and
drinking beer, not writing long
emails!!!
Can having beer with admins be fun
and actually speed up server
approval?..
Hint (always works)
Stay focused!
• Choose task
• Close Facebook,
Skype etc.
• Set timer for 25 mins
• Focus on the task
• Focus on the task –
no chats, sms etc.
Software can help:
Hint: 3 MITs
Important task
Important task
Important task
Important task
Important task
Important task
Important task
Important task
These 3 things are absolutely
realistic to complete today. I
know why I’m doing that. Not
doing them means being lazy &
dumb. I will not end like this. I
will not end this end until I finish
these 3 Most Important Things…
Typical day:
Clear inbox
Update policy
Discuss policy
Finalize policy
Train team in TM
Lunch
PPT for board meeting
Next chapter in my book
Complete report for boss
Do report for
boss
As you planned it
Clear inbox
Update policy
Discuss policy
Finalize policy
Train team in TM
Lunch
PPT for board meeting
Next chapter in my book
Pick kids after school
Do report for
boss
The reality
Publish policy
Write 1 chapter
Complete report for boss
Publish policy
Write 1 chapter
Mistake:
overcommitment
Finding time:
• Travel time
• Moving in pick times
• Communicating offline
• “Optional” meetings
• Stupid non-automated
tasks
• Flight & train times
Improving quality of
time:
5 - 30 mins
30+ mins
Typical Contexts:
No noise
Good light
Convenient place
No distractors
Right temperature
All tools
@ Quiet Room
@ Fast Internet
@ Servers Accessible
@ Out of office
@ Creative Mood
@ Cannot Think
Large tasks:
Iceberg tasks:
Buy tickets to vac!
• Choose date
• Confirm with wife
• Remind wife
• Confirm with manager
• Ping manager
• Ping manager again
• Research flights
• Discuss flights with
family
• Find somebody with MC
• Pay for tickets
Prepare new policy!
• Write outline
• Discuss outline
• Rewrite goals
• Discuss goals again
• Draw workflow
• Describe roles
• Add examples
• Add appendix
• Discuss again
• Make changes
Summary:
• Unload everything to Inbox
• Sort: file, do now, delegate, add to Task List
• Prioritize Task List
• Do I & U: focus
• Iceberg found: split into chunks
• Change Tasks which you don’t like
• Reclaim your time for achieving more
Congratulations, you
earned:
CREATING
Short guide into building your future
Anybody who works
TOWARD LONg-TERM
PLAN
is
CREATOR
Success Criteria:
① Your have your dreams & your plans
and
② [While reacting to external interrupts]
③ You still make this plans happen
④ Without burning out
Your
principles 
purpose
Your lifestyle &
career
Long-term goals what
you want to be, do or
have
Your current “projects”
Your tasks & errands
50,000 Feet View
50,000
30,000
40,000
20,000
10,000
Visualizing your
ambition:
Business
Family
Mental
Physical
Travel
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul
Fun
Aug Sep Oct Nov
Open US Subsidiary
Earn MSGP cert
Adirondack & Appalachian
Mountains
Train for Woodland
championships
Finish boathouse
Replace ERP solution
Managing retail from
UGSC London
Woodland
Dec
Transfer manufacturing back to UK
Prepare for Jan
Austria
Vac after each of runs
Do something stupid and  or funny every time you want it 
25M
per
Q
20K
run
compl.
!
Project:
• Result which will take
number of steps to be
achieved
• Each steps is actually
task
• Each task can be done
when you will find
appropriate to do it
Buy new
car
Write down reqs
Estimate budget
Research
market ->
shortlist
Shortlist:
discuss with
colleagues,
choose 3
Test drive 1-2-3
Pay for car
Register in
police
Buy New Car
3 х 3 principle:
1. 3 projects simultaneously
2. 3 MITs for 3 projects each
week
3. 3 MIT tasks every day
Timeboxing:
Daily Tasks
Daily Tasks
Daily Tasks
Daily Tasks
Daily Tasks
Daily Tasks
Project C
Daily Tasks
Daily Tasks
Project A
Project A
Project A
Project B
Project B
Unexpected
Unpredictable
Useless
Hard task vs soft task:
Meet Sam at the airport (Mar 17, 14-
30) at take him to the office
Plz prepare me attrition breakdown by
level; I need it for meeting at Jan 20
Slicing:
The NEXT:
Habit:
Complete my
1st 5K Fun
Run
Train 3 times
per week
Run for 30
mins
Keep 6m per
KM pace
5Km
run
completed!
Same for revenue:
• We need 100K revenue from site!
• One of 100 visitors buys for 1K
• One of 10 impressions generates 1
visitor
• I work for 20 days per month
• How many impressions should I do
every day to generate 100K?
Typical mistake:
“I found myself trying
to fill every single
minute with activity.
Even when I was
sipping coffee at
mom’s kitchen I was
thinking ‘omg, during
these 15 minutes I
can do so much
useful things…’”
Typical Energy
Production:
Energy production tips:
Degrades:
• Insufficient sleep
• Irregular pace
• Lack of physical activity
• Alcohol
• Heavy food
• Monotonous work
• Pressure & “discipline”
Increases:
• Good rest
• Regular pace
• Trained body
• Healthy food
• Switching contexts & task
types
• Allowing yourself
“rebellions”
Work of same type:
Summary• Know your goals in each of the areas
• Prioritize & visualize them
• Do 1-3 projects at once
• Secure some time for them or slice them &
cram them into your daily run
• Install new habits which help you achieve your
goals (one at a time)
• Review your progress & make adjustments
• Follow this workflow, but from time to time
screw it completely and do whatever you want!

Congratulations, you
earned:
MANAGING
How to make most of your teams time
Anybody who
CLEARS THE PATH
for people
is
MANAGER
Success Criteria:
① Your team achieves results
② Because you make them to know
priorities
③ And you help them structure their time
Deliverables-
oriented:
Process-oriented:
“Score 30% better on next SAT”
Helpful dashboards:
Rule of thumb:
• Focus on 3 – you will get them
• Focus on 5-7 – you will get 3
• “Focus” on 10-15-20 – you will get
nothing
Summary
• Don't create chaos & rush
• Clearly set priorities
• Restructure team schedule to recover time
• Allow them to manage their time
• Help them define results & lead metrics
• Coach them how to not waste cycles
• Don’t ruin their schedule
Those who do are:
The Software
Choose whatever you want:
Has Inbox
Has Projects  Goals & Tasks
Shows them on time line
And has good NEXT screen
Allows time estimates & contexts
Provides “review” capability
Allows at least 2-level task hierarchy
Has mobile client

Time management

  • 1.
    Time Management The fineart of being happy while getting your job done
  • 2.
    • I supposethat achieving what you want to achieve will make you happy • You need tools to focus on important, do more, reduce stress • You are ready to work hard to make it happen • I will give you opportunity to learn how to achieve your goals In scope:
  • 3.
    Agenda: • Learning basicprinciples of productivity • Finding out your roles & defining scenario for being successful in each one • Identifying what you are trying to accomplish • Setting 1st portion of goals • Figuring out reserves we can use to achieve more • Forming action plan: in MyLifeOrganized or ClearContext
  • 4.
    Out of scope: •“I don’t have motivation!” • “I’m not disciplined enough for any approach!” • “World is imperfect & unfair, you must admit!”
  • 5.
    Rules of engagement •No laptops, phones & tablets: do handwriting • Don’t be late: if you missed 10 minutes you missed the logic • Ask questions: the only stupid question is question not asked • No trolling: respect colleagues
  • 6.
    The Clarity Few wordson the origins of stress
  • 7.
  • 9.
  • 10.
    Pattern 1: EpicFail HealthHealth Business Wealth Familyess W
  • 11.
  • 12.
    Health How will youfeel driving? FamilyBusiness Wealth
  • 13.
    is about being unableto do things which are important to you...
  • 14.
    Homework: Check #1 •Please write tags from highest to lowest priority • Now sort tags by total time • Does 2 lists match? Health Family Work Health: 5 Family: 10 Work: 85
  • 15.
    is about being unableto do things which are important to you... or doing them wrong
  • 16.
    Homework: Check #2 •Calculate total time • Calculate total shitty time • Take % shitty time as of total time
  • 18.
    “Discipline” I will notspend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff... I will not spend time on meaningless stuff...And write that 1000 times!
  • 19.
  • 20.
    Core Concept: The Battery •There is a battery inside you, and its more like NiMh than LiIon • You draw your battery by taking any action • You short-circuit your battery by doing things wrong • It recharges when you rest
  • 21.
    Important: Cycle energy 0.1mA Working... Done!
  • 22.
    Wasting cycles 0.1 mA Working... Done! What shouldi do now? I should immediate ly google that book!.. Erm... Where did i left it last time?
  • 23.
  • 29.
    Even here: “Some ofmy colleagues have featured very strong projects, accompanied with nice children, cozy homes & good mood. Under these feats you will always find some sort of organization - some form of planning & executing procedures.”
  • 30.
    There are 3“time managements” Dispatcher Creator Manager
  • 31.
    DISPATCHING How to handlethat incoming stream of tasks
  • 33.
    Anybody who’s primaryjob function is to handle errands or requests of other people is DISPATCHER
  • 34.
    Where dispatching happens:Head of Dept SubordinateSubordinate Support Unit Manager Subordinate Subordinate Deputy
  • 35.
    Success criteria: ① Errands requests not lost ② Response time is predictable ③ Deadlines are met ④ Quality is acceptable
  • 37.
  • 39.
    4 core components: TheInbox The Task List The Procedure The Effort
  • 40.
  • 41.
    GTD Processing: “We callthese people successful not because they managed to complete all the tasks in their task list. They are successful because they know what needs to be done right here right now.”
  • 43.
    Procedure: Make it aritual: • Print a guideline • Every working day • At the same time • Cut enough time (approx. 30 min for starters) • Follow it carefully • Takes approx. 1 month to adopt
  • 44.
  • 46.
  • 47.
  • 48.
    Eisenhower matrix Important and not urgent Important &Urgent Not important & not urgent Urgent but not important
  • 49.
  • 50.
  • 51.
    Cannot start? Tasks whichI hate! Why I hate it? What I can do to change that? I hate requesting servers from admin because every single time It takes MONTHS to get it! Because I like writing code and drinking beer, not writing long emails!!! Can having beer with admins be fun and actually speed up server approval?..
  • 52.
  • 53.
    Stay focused! • Choosetask • Close Facebook, Skype etc. • Set timer for 25 mins • Focus on the task • Focus on the task – no chats, sms etc.
  • 54.
  • 55.
    Hint: 3 MITs Importanttask Important task Important task Important task Important task Important task Important task Important task These 3 things are absolutely realistic to complete today. I know why I’m doing that. Not doing them means being lazy & dumb. I will not end like this. I will not end this end until I finish these 3 Most Important Things…
  • 56.
    Typical day: Clear inbox Updatepolicy Discuss policy Finalize policy Train team in TM Lunch PPT for board meeting Next chapter in my book Complete report for boss Do report for boss As you planned it Clear inbox Update policy Discuss policy Finalize policy Train team in TM Lunch PPT for board meeting Next chapter in my book Pick kids after school Do report for boss The reality Publish policy Write 1 chapter Complete report for boss Publish policy Write 1 chapter
  • 57.
  • 58.
    Finding time: • Traveltime • Moving in pick times • Communicating offline • “Optional” meetings • Stupid non-automated tasks • Flight & train times
  • 59.
    Improving quality of time: 5- 30 mins 30+ mins
  • 60.
    Typical Contexts: No noise Goodlight Convenient place No distractors Right temperature All tools @ Quiet Room @ Fast Internet @ Servers Accessible @ Out of office @ Creative Mood @ Cannot Think
  • 61.
  • 62.
    Iceberg tasks: Buy ticketsto vac! • Choose date • Confirm with wife • Remind wife • Confirm with manager • Ping manager • Ping manager again • Research flights • Discuss flights with family • Find somebody with MC • Pay for tickets Prepare new policy! • Write outline • Discuss outline • Rewrite goals • Discuss goals again • Draw workflow • Describe roles • Add examples • Add appendix • Discuss again • Make changes
  • 64.
    Summary: • Unload everythingto Inbox • Sort: file, do now, delegate, add to Task List • Prioritize Task List • Do I & U: focus • Iceberg found: split into chunks • Change Tasks which you don’t like • Reclaim your time for achieving more
  • 65.
  • 66.
    CREATING Short guide intobuilding your future
  • 67.
    Anybody who works TOWARDLONg-TERM PLAN is CREATOR
  • 68.
    Success Criteria: ① Yourhave your dreams & your plans and ② [While reacting to external interrupts] ③ You still make this plans happen ④ Without burning out
  • 69.
    Your principles purpose Your lifestyle& career Long-term goals what you want to be, do or have Your current “projects” Your tasks & errands 50,000 Feet View 50,000 30,000 40,000 20,000 10,000
  • 70.
    Visualizing your ambition: Business Family Mental Physical Travel Jan FebMar Apr May Jun Jul Fun Aug Sep Oct Nov Open US Subsidiary Earn MSGP cert Adirondack & Appalachian Mountains Train for Woodland championships Finish boathouse Replace ERP solution Managing retail from UGSC London Woodland Dec Transfer manufacturing back to UK Prepare for Jan Austria Vac after each of runs Do something stupid and or funny every time you want it  25M per Q 20K run compl. !
  • 71.
    Project: • Result whichwill take number of steps to be achieved • Each steps is actually task • Each task can be done when you will find appropriate to do it Buy new car Write down reqs Estimate budget Research market -> shortlist Shortlist: discuss with colleagues, choose 3 Test drive 1-2-3 Pay for car Register in police Buy New Car
  • 72.
    3 х 3principle: 1. 3 projects simultaneously 2. 3 MITs for 3 projects each week 3. 3 MIT tasks every day
  • 73.
    Timeboxing: Daily Tasks Daily Tasks DailyTasks Daily Tasks Daily Tasks Daily Tasks Project C Daily Tasks Daily Tasks Project A Project A Project A Project B Project B Unexpected Unpredictable Useless
  • 74.
    Hard task vssoft task: Meet Sam at the airport (Mar 17, 14- 30) at take him to the office Plz prepare me attrition breakdown by level; I need it for meeting at Jan 20
  • 75.
  • 76.
  • 78.
    Habit: Complete my 1st 5KFun Run Train 3 times per week Run for 30 mins Keep 6m per KM pace 5Km run completed!
  • 79.
    Same for revenue: •We need 100K revenue from site! • One of 100 visitors buys for 1K • One of 10 impressions generates 1 visitor • I work for 20 days per month • How many impressions should I do every day to generate 100K?
  • 81.
    Typical mistake: “I foundmyself trying to fill every single minute with activity. Even when I was sipping coffee at mom’s kitchen I was thinking ‘omg, during these 15 minutes I can do so much useful things…’”
  • 84.
  • 85.
    Energy production tips: Degrades: •Insufficient sleep • Irregular pace • Lack of physical activity • Alcohol • Heavy food • Monotonous work • Pressure & “discipline” Increases: • Good rest • Regular pace • Trained body • Healthy food • Switching contexts & task types • Allowing yourself “rebellions”
  • 86.
  • 87.
    Summary• Know yourgoals in each of the areas • Prioritize & visualize them • Do 1-3 projects at once • Secure some time for them or slice them & cram them into your daily run • Install new habits which help you achieve your goals (one at a time) • Review your progress & make adjustments • Follow this workflow, but from time to time screw it completely and do whatever you want! 
  • 88.
  • 89.
    MANAGING How to makemost of your teams time
  • 90.
    Anybody who CLEARS THEPATH for people is MANAGER
  • 91.
    Success Criteria: ① Yourteam achieves results ② Because you make them to know priorities ③ And you help them structure their time
  • 92.
  • 93.
  • 94.
  • 95.
    Rule of thumb: •Focus on 3 – you will get them • Focus on 5-7 – you will get 3 • “Focus” on 10-15-20 – you will get nothing
  • 96.
    Summary • Don't createchaos & rush • Clearly set priorities • Restructure team schedule to recover time • Allow them to manage their time • Help them define results & lead metrics • Coach them how to not waste cycles • Don’t ruin their schedule
  • 97.
  • 98.
  • 99.
    Choose whatever youwant: Has Inbox Has Projects Goals & Tasks Shows them on time line And has good NEXT screen Allows time estimates & contexts Provides “review” capability Allows at least 2-level task hierarchy Has mobile client