Finishing On Time

If you work from home do you find that you’re getting tempted to work extended hours just because your office is in the room next-door or that you end up working sporadically throughout the day or late into the evening?

Just because you work from home doesn't mean that you can't create structure in your day. While you might not want to work 9-5, think about hours that work for you. How many hours a day do you need/want to work? Would you like to have some time off during the day/week? Make sure that you spend time planning what needs to be done each day and that it fits with your business plan and goals. What would be a good start time ... 7.30am, 9.30am? What is a good/reasonable time to finish ... 3.30pm, 6.30pm? If you’re in the habit of working most evenings, aim to finish work a little earlier on at least a couple of evenings a week. Take a half-day off during the week and work a little later one evening if you need to.

Make sure that you plan in breaks too. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy (or Jill). You won't work as effectively or be as productive if you're working constantly and not taking breaks. Even if you work from home, so the 'office' is never far way, set yourself a cut-off time each evening and make sure you get breaks during the day. Take at least one day off at the weekend. If you're doing what needs to be done then you're working more efficiently, you won't get so tired out or feel guilty when you're not working. After all, why should you?

Think about what you need to get done, plan it in accordingly and don't work for the sake of it. If you want to cut down your hours - look at prioritising what's currently on your list of roles and responsibilities and see what you can change about the way you're currently working.

November Newsletter - Plan Your Time

My latest newsletter is just out. This month's main article is how to plan your time.

One of the most important things you can do to improve your productivity is to plan your time.

If you don’t currently plan your time then the chances are that you start the day and just deal with things as they come in, some things get done, some things get forgotten, some things get missed and other priorities take over. By getting into the habit of planning regularly, you will ensure that you’re focusing on the right things.


- if you'd like a free copy of the November issue, let me know and I'll be happy to send it to you or just sign up on my website.

Joined Up Thinking

Or rather a lack of... displayed by the local councils.

They're currently digging up the road and creating traffic chaos on the A27 just outside of Lewes in order to create a bridge over the Beddingham level crossing. Because it's a busy road and there's the potential for a fatal accident as cars speed through the barriers or perform some dodgy manoeuvre like weaving through the closed barriers, they've decided to implement the roadworks to bypass the crossing. As a result a number of cars are using the A259 coast road from Newhaven into Brighton to avoid the traffic hold-ups on that stretch of road.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni_Ndb7bzWA

However, they've now decided that this is the perfect time to start the implementation of the A259 Bus 'corridor' along the only other main access road into Brighton, along the coast. That should be fun when it really gets going. So far, they've restricted it down to one lane at the Ovingdean roundabout for a couple of days but have stopped.

It's already busy enough along there in the morning and evening rush hour with traffic starting to back up all the way from Rottingdean to Peacehaven from 7.00am onwards.

On top of that - yet again, they're digging up the road along the Brighton seafront. The same stretch of road they dug up a few months ago and a few months before that. So if I want to get to the other side of Brighton - I need to leave plenty of time and be prepared to sit in a traffic jam at some point.

No Shows And Missed Meetings

Now I know that life gets in the way sometimes and we can't always allow for the unexpected but it always amazes me (perhaps it shouldn't any more) that people will take the time and effort to book, register or sign-up for meetings, seminars and workshops and then just not turn up. Sometimes these events are free, sometimes people have paid upfront.

Is it just disorganisation, poor planning or over commitment? What gets in your way to make you miss an appointment, you've committed to?

If you've agreed to be there - there's an expectation that you will turn up. If you have to change your plans, call the person at the first and earliest opportunity to let them know, so they can make other arrangements, change bookings or make adjustments.

If you're always saying yes to things and then not turning up or letting people down at the last minute, start being more realistic with your time. Don't over commit yourself - make a tentative arrangement and then confirm nearer the time but agree this upfront, so that the other person isn't left in doubt.

Don't say yes when what you actually mean is probably not. You'll become known as being unreliable.

There's no excuse for not turning up and not letting someone know?