Focus Amidst Distraction
April 7, 2009 by Kristin
This article reminds me of that essay we had to write when we were kids: “How I Spent my Spring Vacation” by Kristin Lowe.
There are 4 extra bodies in the house this week, and they all want to be wherever I am, drawing me into whatever they’re doing. I am genuinely interested, but I keep wondering, “Does anybody else see the computer in front of me, or the phone I’m holding up to my ear?”
The 'Everything ASAP' Problem
December 1, 2008 by Kristin
We all know we’re expected to manage loads more information and communication that our parents and grandparents had to in their careers, but what we don’t seem to be grasping fully is the fact that we simply cannot do it all – even if we’re great with technology.
We keep trying to do ‘Everything ASAP’…and it’s just not working. The consequences of treating all incoming information and communication as equally important and urgent are dire; we’re more stressed and working longer hours than any generation before us.
Establishing Com-Free Zones
September 1, 2008 by Kristin
Here’s the challenge: do you value your time (a.k.a. your life) enough to place some parameters around how it gets used? Or do you find it easier just to go with the flow, crossing your fingers that it will all get done? How well is that working for you?
If you’re like many of our readers, you probably struggle with finding ways to make yourself available to colleagues and clients yet also get your work done so you have some time left for your life and loved ones.
Bottling Flow
February 21, 2008 by Kristin
Last night – after a full day of consulting and mommying – I looked at my to-do list and felt my heart sink. You know the feeling – it goes something like this: “There is no way I can get all this done. It’s all so complex and time consuming. I’m tired, my hands hurt and I would rather go to bed…but it’s now or never if I’m going to have this stuff ready on time. Ugh…here we go…”
Then something cool happened. I blasted through all three projects, one after the other. I was totally in the groove: everything came together easily, I was enjoying myself, I finished it all up and sent it off to others for review, then found myself shutting down the computer at 11:24 – much earlier than expected. I had even forgotten that my hands were hurting.
