Why Less is More, Part 2: Making M.O.R.E. for Yourself

In part 1 of this series, I talked about how LESS activity becomes MORE productivity. So, what does MORE really mean for you?

M = Manage Your Time

You've heard it a million times that time management is the key to success. Utilize the most important and productive time management tool available to you: Block out your time before someone else does and link your time blocks to your major goals and objectives.

What do you get with time blocks? You get a plan. The more detailed your plan, the more focused it will force you to be. I was recently reminded of how powerful a plan is when I went to go workout with my husband. He is really into his weight workout plan, whereas I am all over the place jumping from machine to machine. I typically find myself unable to focus on the reps or the sets that I have completed unless he is there to help me focus and keep me on track. It's amazing how valuable his help has been and I've realized it's because he has a very focused plan of attack when he hits the weight room. He also has it written down in front of him so there is no question about what he's going to do next. Same goes for managing your time - if you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

O = Organize Yourself for Success

Not being able to find what you need in a snap is a major zap to productivity. If you need to overhaul a few systems, then put the time aside to do it and get it done so you can find what you need when you need it. You need to have a place for everything and everything in its place.

What do you get when you have a place for everything and everything in its place? You get time. The Wall Street Journal estimates that we spend 6 weeks a year looking for misplaced items. Reclaim your space and get organized once and for all!

R = Be More Realistic

If you have 4 hours of meetings in a day, chances are you aren't going to get much else done. Let yourself off the hook and don't create a massive to-do list on those days. Being realistic with your time also means that you know how long things will take and you plan for them appropriately. Plan ahead and give yourself some whitespace so that you have enough time for the important things, as well as some time to decompress in between.

E = Find your Natural Energy Cycles

It's really important to understand when you are at your best for completing certain tasks and when you are not as present. If you have flexibility, plan your day so you are working on your highest-level thinking tasks when you are most alert and present (in the morning for most people).

How do you find what time works best for you? Keep a log. It doesn't have to be complicated, but I recommend tracking a few specific things:

• When you went to bed.
• When you got up.
• How much sleep you got.
• How you felt when you got up.
• How you felt over 4-hour blocks of time (for example: 6am to 10am, 10am to 2pm, etc.

These last two don't have to be complicated. Just use smiley faces. Happy face = Lots of Energy! Sad face = Little Energy. After a few weeks you will see a smiley face pattern. Then make that work for you!

Now, it's up to you to work with the concepts of LESS to get MORE - more out of work, business, office time, alone time and most importantly, life!