No list of resolutions for 2005 is complete without an entry related to being more efficient.
However, most general counsel I know are chronically time-starved. Doing more in less time seems part of the job description.
A recent article in Fortune features an interview with author Stephanie Winston about her book that sheds light on this common practice. In additon to providing some general time management tips, the topic of multitasking is addressed:
The biggest mistake most people make, according to Winston, is multitasking. “Successful CEOs do not multitask,” she told me. “They concentrate intensely on one thing at a time.” What stops the rest of us from doing likewise is a reluctance to set boundaries, she says. “People tell me they feel guilty if they turn off their instant messaging, even though it drives them crazy,” Winston says. “But how can you do your best work if you’re constantly distracted? It’s perfectly okay to say, ‘No, I’m busy right now.'”
Balancing an open door with a focused mind is not easy—but it is important.
Thanks to Jim Grisanzio for the reference.
Best wishes for a healthy and effective new year; and here’s hoping that we all support those suffering or less fortunate…