Amongst all the activities that you do to raise your profile and be hired, do you know where you are wasting your time?
This is a powerful question to ask yourself because it helps focus on the right priorities. I mean the priorities that will bring the results you are looking for.
Starting with the end in mind
If you were given a jigsaw to assemble in the quickest way possible, what would you do first? You would probably look at the picture on the jigsaw box to visualise what it would look like when it’s finished.
So to save time, it’s important to be clear about professional and business objectives in the first place. I would make them specific by asking the following questions: What outcomes do you want? By when? How are you going to know they have been achieved? Is that realistic? How confident are you that you can achieve them?
Looking back at the to-do list, which tasks or activities are not related to the results you are looking for? Are they worth keeping? Are they a waste of time? I find that watching TV is a waste of my time but going to Zumba classes is worth it because it keeps me fit.
Focusing on key results areas
Once the goals and objectives are clarified and top of mind, define your key results areas. Sounds boring? Well, again this is just being very clear about the right priorities. What are the activities that must be done to achieve the results you want, or your client or your employer wants? For example spending time becoming a Twitter expert is focusing energy in the wrong place for a therapist, but a must for a social media consultant.
Looking back at the areas you focus your attention on, are there any of them that could be outsourced or delegated to someone else? Could the time spent on one area be reduced whilst obtaining the same result? Should more time be spent elsewhere instead? Is there a key area where you are procrastinating?
I hope this post wasn’t a waste of your time and inspired you to review where you are spending yours.
Photo credit: psyberartist cc
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