This morning's read-worthy post comes from Graywolf - how to maintain an exceptionally busy life. My favorites from Michael's list include:
...The first key was realizing checking your email every 5/10/15 minutes is not helpful, in fact it’s distracting and disruptive. I tried every 2 hours, then 90 minutes, and settled on checking no more than every 60 minutes...
...The 2 minute rule, if something comes in and you can complete it in 2 minutes, no matter how trivial just do it. This one really is key, it encompasses the touch a piece of paper once rule. When you have a long block of time you can even expand it to 5 or 10 minutes, any longer is dangerous. Do it, delegate it or defer it, a concept to live by...
I think the only reason I can survive and do all the things I do is because I don't have kids or a family to worry about. My workday can run from 8am to 6pm and then 11pm to 2am and I don't have to worry about missing other obligations. Best of luck to you Michael - I hope your life is holding together better now.
Man, I have a family and a business (a auto body shop) to run and now I also have the internet business that I am trying to get going. It is hard to juggle these. I know that family comes first but it seems to wait the longest and the most understanding. And the internet business seems to take so much time, and after hours online, sometimes I feel like I haven't accomplished anything.
I think having a wife that supports and understands you even through rough times is very important to have too.
Just my 2 cents.
I think that anyone who has a family and a company to run (or otherwise a very busy life) needs and follows rules similar to michael's list. In the end it is a question of priorities and finding a balance between life and work. In addition to those by Michael I have few handy ones:
1. Shut down the phone when in necessity of peace. "Leave a message after the beep" is something we're all familiar. I only wonder why so few use it ;)
2. Learn how to use a good organizer efficiently. If something is not in my calender, then it does not exist. Especially if you use outlook, learn how to move data between devices.
3. Schedule In addition to owning a organizer, making good and valid schedules is important. Don't put everything by the minute timetable, otherwise you'll knock yourself out to experiencing a burnout.
I like these two:
1. Most forums and newsgroups have a new threads, recent posts, or posts since your last visit link, use them they will save you time.
2. Forum and newsgroup discussions are helpful, debates are time wasters. Stay involved in discussions, remove yourself from debates no matter how tempting it is to respond.
If I didn't adhere to these two rules, I'd never get any work done. :-)