In my last job they were kind enough to send me on a time management course. Most of it was the impractical stuff you would expect from people who have never had a proper job (lock other people out if they’re late for a meeting, wear a stupid ‘I’m busy’ hat if you don’t want to be disturbed), but one piece of advice stood out though- and it was about being organised.
Some people like working in controlled chaos, doing at least three things at once and working very hard at achieving not much at all. It’s dull, but doesn’t getting the boring stuff over with give you more time to play? Doing the filing, getting research brief over with, whatever it might be; if you get really good at doing it as quickly and effeciently as possible, you’ve more time to read, collect stuff, find a more interesting picture for the presentation, or blog.
I suppose it’s a bit like two people at the gymn who were doing more chatting than training. I overheard some of the conversation and they were moaning about how little time they have to get fit! Organise what session you’ll do before you go, get in there, get it over with and go and do something else.
Here’s to being organised enough to be interesting.
NORTHERN PLANNER 
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