Do You Set Aside Time to Set Up?
If you are doing a task that requires technology you’ve never used before, plan the setup and the run through for different times. For example, I am producing videos for my new “time control” monthly program, and I foolishly thought I could just grab the lights, the camera, and start shooting video. Not at all.
Technology always seems to have dozens of details that take a while to master. By scheduling a setup time that’s completely separate from your actual use, you can put all your attention and concentration on mastering the technology and getting it working. Then you can come back fresh to use the technology. Otherwise, you’ll be trying to think about both at the same time.Â
The same applies to using a new graphics package to create pictures, or a new to-do list program that tracks your tasks, or … You get the idea. Separate your learning-the-technology time from your getting-real-work-done-with-it time and you’ll be happier. And, of course, you’ll work less and you’ll do more!
Time image courtesy of Shutterstock
About the Author
Stever Robbins was the host of the podcast Get-it-Done Guy from 2007 to 2019. He is a graduate of W. Edward Deming’s Total Quality Management training program and a Certified Master Trainer Elite of NLP. He holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School and a BS in Computer Sciences from MIT.Â
