tylerToronto / flickr (the content has nothing to do with time management, but the mind map does!)
This article was co-written by Robert Bryce and Peter Mackenzie.
Grandma used to say, “Some people can fall into a bucket of crap and climb out smelling like a rose”. As we grow older, we start to realize the wisdom behind those words. Why do some people have a ton of excrement in their lives and still keep it together while others fall apart? Men, it comes down to 6 simple rules for beating the clock:
1. Don’t half-ass 2 things. Whole-ass 1 thing.
2. Take it if it’s easy. And if it’s easy, take it twice.
Reach for the low-hanging fruit, gentlemen. Focus on what you’re good at, on your strengths, and don’t waste a lot of time on things that you suck at. It’s a simple rule, “If it’s easy and it gets results, do more of it.” Use the KISS system “Keep it Super Simple”
3. Something not not worth doing isn’t worth doing well.
This is the most pivotal lesson I learned in high school. Our best friend said this and we never forgot it, although we think he might be in jail now. By now, you should see a simple theme emerging: “Work to your strengths, not your weaknesses.” If you continually work for employers that have you spend more than 20% of time on busywork or things at which you suck, maybe it’s time to go in a different direction.
4. Work with people you like.
It’s a myth that you shouldn’t have friends in the workplace. You’re going to be spending 50-70 hours per week with them for the next couple of years, so it helps if you can have friendship in addition to a semi-professional working relationship. Sometimes you have to draw the line and kick some butt, but that happens in friendships too. There’s no reason why people can’t be friends at work as long as they both realize that results take priority. Friends have an easier time deciding what those results should be and how to streamline processes to make room for other creative pursuits.
5. Giggedy, Giggedy.
Have fun always. Guys are hard-wired for fun mischief. It’s science. Life should be fun, work should be fun. If your workplace doesn’t allow you to get up to a little no-harm mischief now again, you work in the wrong place. All managers should be forced to read Dave Barry’s “Complete Guide to Guys.” Productivity will skyrocket. And if it doesn’t, no one will notice.
6. No Pissing Around.
Gents, true productivity is a responsibility that each of us must must man up to when things skid sideways. NHL legend Bobby Clark once drank beer for thirteen straight hours without leaving his bar stool to drain the pipes. Impressive, yes, but endowed with same human anatomy as the rest of us, it was Clark’s absolute focus and appetite for greatness that separates him from ordinary mortals. Each of us has this level of bladder control if we want it badly enough. It’s a matter of blocking the disruptive thoughts and unwanted distractions that creep into each workday.
If your stock hasn’t improved after making this six pack of changes… consider changing brands.