Doing What Matters E-Book

Mario Schäfer

• Herausgeber: Books on Demand
• Kategorie: Fachliteratur
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 138

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2023

Beschreibung

Success is not measured by the busyness of our days, but by the depth and purpose of our actions. As a busy professional constantly striving to keep up with the demands of our fast-paced world, you have likely experienced the toll of never-ending busyness and relentless productivity. But what if there is a better way to approach your work and life, one that brings meaning and fulfillment while maintaining efficiency? In "Doing What Matters: The Power of Purposeful Productivity", this book offers a transformative journey tailored specifically for driven professionals like yourself. It delves into the challenges of our productivity-driven culture and how it can lead to exhaustion, fragmented focus, and neglect of what truly matters. The book introduces the concept of purposeful productivity, showing you how to shift your focus from quantity to quality, from ticking off tasks to making a lasting impact. Through practical strategies, you will learn to organize and gain control of your tasks and time, optimizing your efficiency while making room for creative thinking and innovation. Discover the art of saying "no" strategically, streamlining routines, and creating an environment that fosters deep work and undistracted focus. If you are ready to break free from the cycle of busyness and embrace a more intentional and purposeful approach to productivity, "Doing What Matters" is your guide to success. Make a conscious choice to align your actions with your true purpose, rediscover the joy in your work, and enhance your overall well-being. Don't wait any longer, take the first step towards transformative productivity and meaningful success. "Mario Schaefer's 'Doing What Matters: Harnessing the Power of Purposeful Productivity' is a masterclass in efficiency and focus, qualities I've seen him embody since our early days at trifermed. This book is not just a guide; it's a testament to Mario's own journey towards purposeful productivity." - Prof. Dr. Sergi X. Trilla, MBA, Founder & Chairman at trifermed "This book empowers professionals with valuable guidance on achieving success in their work through business knowledge and productive working styles." - Volker Weber, CEO at NIXDORF Kapital AG "Mario's work enables efficient project and focus management. He embodies a supportive and execution-driven spirit, devotedly pursuing his dreams while sharing knowledge generously." - Kuntal Chatterjee, Managing Partner at Pharmacircuit

Leseprobe

"Mario Schäfer's 'Doing What Matters: Harnessing the Power of Purposeful Productivity' is a masterclass in efficiency and focus, qualities I've seen him embody since our early days at trifermed. This book is not just a guide; it's a testament to Mario's own journey towards purposeful productivity."

Prof. Dr. Sergi X. Trilla, MBA, Founder & Chairman at trifermed

"This book empowers professionals with valuable guidance on achieving success in their work through business knowledge and productive working styles."

Volker Weber, CEO at NIXDORF Kapital AG

“Mario's work enables efficient project and focus management. He embodies a supportive and execution-driven spirit, devotedly pursuing his dreams while sharing knowledge generously.”

Kuntal Chatterjee, Managing Partner at Pharmacircuit

Table of Content

1. Doing What Matters

2. Organize and Gain Control

2.1 Core Tasks: Focusing on What Matters

2.2 Effective Task Management

2.3 Calendar Management for Efficiency

2.4 Weekly Preparation for Success

2.5 Daily Preparation for Productivity

2.6 Starting Strong: Winning the Day

3. Optimize and Gain Time

3.1 Defending Our Time: Setting Boundaries

3.2 The Power of Saying "No"

3.3 Streamlining Routines and Repetitive Tasks

3.4 Reducing Noise: Managing Overload

4. Focus and Gain Attention

4.1 The Power of Attention: Harnessing Concentration

4.2 Awareness: Embracing Mindfulness

4.3 Monotasking vs. Multitasking: Finding Focus

4.4 Eliminating Distractions: Creating an Environment for Deep Work

4.5 Managing Interruptions: Staying on Track

4.6 Finishing Strong: Enhancing Task Completion

5. Handle Urgencies and Reduce Stress

5.1 Navigating Unforeseen and Urgent Events

5.2 Method for Handling Urgencies

5.3 Identifying the Source of Urgencies

5.4 Learning from Each Urgency: Building Resilience

6. Manage Meetings and Increase Efficiency

6.1 The Impact of Meetings: Maximizing Time and Results

6.2 Meeting Effects: Assessing Effectiveness

6.3 Avoiding Common Meeting Mistakes

6.4 Optimizing the Weekly Meeting

6.5 Express Meetings: Efficient and Productive Gathering

7. Control Messages and Enhance Overview

7.1 Taking Control of Our Messages: Managing Communication

7.2 Writing Better Messages: Clear and Effective Communication

8. Conclusion: Embracing Purposeful Productivity

9. About the Author

10. Sources

1. Doing What Matters

Success is not measured by the busyness of our days, but by the depth and purpose of our actions.

Believe me, I had to learn this the hard way. We are on a relentless journey, constantly striving to keep up with the demands of our fast-paced world. From the moment we wake up to the moment we lay our heads down to rest, we are consumed by an endless stream of tasks and responsibilities. We pride ourselves on being busy, as if our worth is measured by the sheer volume of work we accomplish. But what if this constant busyness is doing more harm than good?

Being constantly busy with a high volume of work can have serious negative consequences for us. The physical and mental demands of the workload can quickly lead to exhaustion, leaving us drained and depleted. As we race from one task to another, our focus becomes fragmented, and the quality of our work suffers. We find ourselves caught in a never-ending cycle of ticking off items from our to-do lists, yet the satisfaction we seek remains elusive.

In the pursuit of productivity, we often neglect one crucial element: time for creative thinking and innovation. Our minds are wired to explore, to question and to create. Yet, the constant pressure to get things done leaves little room for these vital aspects of our work. We become trapped in a cycle of sameness, unable to break free and discover new and unique ideas that can truly make a difference.

But it is not just our work that suffers. The impact on our work-life balance can be significant, as the never-ending workload consumes all of our time and energy. We find ourselves neglecting the things that truly matter; our relationships, our health, and our well-being. We forget that our most important asset is our own physical and mental health, and we pay the price for this oversight.

Chronic stress becomes our unwelcome companion, and its effects seep into every aspect of our lives. Our bodies bear the burden of our relentless pursuit, manifesting in physical health problems that silently erode our vitality. We become a mere shadow of ourselves, struggling to find meaning and purpose amidst the chaos. The constant feeling of being overwhelmed and overworked gradually erodes our motivation and satisfaction, leaving us yearning for something more.

We must pause and ask ourselves: Is this the life we truly desire? Is this the definition of success we want to embrace? Success is not about completing a lot of tasks; it is about doing important things exceptionally well. It is about making a lasting impact, not merely checking off items on a never-ending list. The quantity of our output does not matter as much as the quality of it.

It is time to break free from the obsession with productivity that permeates our culture. We must embark on a journey of purposeful productivity; a path that focuses not on doing more but on doing what truly matters. In this book, we will explore the power of purpose and how it can transform our approach to work and life.

Together, we will uncover strategies to prioritize our tasks, reclaim our focus, and unleash our creative potential. We will learn to harmonize our work and personal lives, nurturing our relationships and preserving our well-being. We will discover that success is not found in the endless pursuit of busyness but in the intentional pursuit of meaningful work.

So, let us embark on this transformative journey together. Let us cast off the shackles of productivity for productivity's sake and embrace a new paradigm; one that celebrates the value we create, rather than the quantity of work produced. It is time to reclaim our lives, to do what truly matters, and to harness the power of purposeful productivity.

2. Organize and Gain Control

"The key is not to prioritize what's on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities." - Stephen Covey

What do you think about your productivity in your daily work? Have you ever felt overwhelmed and overworked? I know I have. That's why I felt compelled to write this book. In the beginning, I believed that my knowledge and talent were enough to handle my job well. However, the reality was different: I lacked the skills to manage it all effectively. This realization led me on a journey of discovering the power of purposeful productivity. In sharing my experiences, I hope to help you regain control over your workday and transform your life, just as I did with mine.

The challenge of modern work: In today's fast-paced world, work seems to be getting increasingly difficult. There are more tasks, constant urgencies, and an endless stream of messages that demand our attention. We find ourselves always in a hurry, with less time for what truly matters. Learning a sustainable and intelligent way of working becomes a crucial challenge: one that allows us to allocate time for both our projects and ourselves. In this chapter, we will focus on developing personal habits and methods to help you take control of your work, reduce stress, and prioritize effectively to achieve your goals.

Developing a system: We begin by addressing our day-to-day work and creating a reliable system to manage our calendar and tasks. By establishing a robust framework, we can keep track of our commitments, avoid forgetting important details, and concentrate on what truly adds value to our work. Taking charge of our activity allows us to stay aligned with our goals and work more efficiently.

Gaining extra time: Time is a precious resource, and finding ways to maximize it is essential. We will explore strategies to create additional time for what truly matters. By identifying time-wasting activities, optimizing processes, and making conscious choices, we can free up valuable moments for important projects, personal growth, and rejuvenation.

Enhancing focus and attention: In an age of constant distractions and multitasking, enhancing our ability to focus becomes paramount. We will delve into methods for improving attention and concentration, eliminating distractions, and avoiding the pitfalls of multitasking. By training our minds to stay fully engaged in the present task, we can accomplish more with less effort.

Effective urgency management: Urgencies are an inevitable part of work life, but how we handle them can make all the difference. We will explore strategies to effectively manage unexpected situations, minimize their impact on our productivity, and maintain a sense of control even in challenging circumstances. By preparing for urgencies and developing a proactive approach, we can mitigate their disruptive effects.

Mastering meetings and messages: Meetings and messages can often consume a significant portion of our time, leaving little room for focused work. In this chapter, we will explore techniques for making meetings more productive, reducing their frequency when possible, and optimizing communication through effective message management. By streamlining these areas, we can regain valuable time and create a more efficient work environment.

The ultimate goal of this book is to help you develop healthy habits that will enable you to bring out the best version of yourself. The constraints of time, the feeling of being overwhelmed, and the pressure to succeed in your projects can hinder your potential. Together, we will work step by step to overcome these challenges, reclaim control over your work, and pave the way for your success. Organizing your activity and taking control of your work are vital steps toward achieving better results and finding fulfillment in your projects. Let's embark on this journey of purposeful productivity and transform the way we work, one habit at a time.

How to Organize?

We start this journey by placing our focus on managing the two fundamental areas of all our activities:

Tasks:

We begin by gaining mastery over the tasks that demand our attention.

Calendar:

We recognize the importance of managing our time effectively through a well-structured calendar.

As we progress, we cultivate productive habits that serve as the building blocks for achieving our desired level of productivity:

Planning:

Every day and every week, we dedicate time to meticulously plan and prepare our work.

Initiating our day:

We harness the power of a productive mindset to drive tangible results.

2.1 Core Tasks: Focusing on What Matters

We will frequently refer to core tasks, which encompass the essential tasks that drive our work forward, creating genuine value and impactful outcomes.

Within the realm of our projects, there are certain key elements that propel us towards success, enabling us to reach daily milestones and produce tangible results that are both visible to ourselves and others.

To truly harness the power of productivity, we must adopt an intelligent approach to our work, resisting the allure of chaotic working styles that surround us. It is crucial to recognize that mere busyness does not equate to true productivity (activity vs. productivity). Instead, we ought to embrace the 20/80 rule, directing our focus towards the vital twenty percent of tasks that yield eighty percent of the desired outcomes.

Each day, we must center our efforts on the core aspects of our work, prioritizing them above all else. By doing so, we lay the foundation for achieving meaningful progress and maximizing our effectiveness.

The 20/80 Rule

Have you ever experienced it? The relentless feeling of having an ever-growing to-do list, constantly occupied with tasks, and finding it impossible to catch a breath throughout the day?

In truth, many of these tasks and activities are nothing but distractions, stealing our precious time and keeping us trapped in busyness. They exhaust us and, more importantly, divert our attention from our true objectives and priorities. By allowing these insignificant tasks to dominate our day, we make little progress towards our goals.

This is where the power of the 20/80 rule comes into play.

Have you ever taken a closer look at your actions? It is fascinating to realize that 20% of what we do yields 80% of our results. In other words, each day presents us with a handful of crucial tasks and activities that, if executed effectively, can drive substantial progress and help us reach important milestones.

On the flip side, a staggering 80% of our daily endeavors are futile. These activities have a negative energy balance, consuming more of our time and energy than the progress they bring, especially when compared to the impactful 20%. There are countless things that keep us busy, but fail to propel us forward as much as we are led to believe.

In the pages that follow, we will explore how the 20/80 rule applies to our daily work, enabling us to genuinely transform our time and energy into tangible results. It is my hope that by doing so, we can bid farewell to the exhausting cycle of working relentlessly, pouring in immense passion and countless hours, while squandering our energy on tasks that offer little in terms of real outcomes.

How to Focus on Your Core Tasks

To achieve the greatest impact with our limited time and energy, it is imperative that we prioritize our core tasks. By focusing on these essential tasks, we can unlock our full potential and make significant strides towards our goals.

Identifying our core tasks: We must recognize the tasks that are absolutely necessary for our success. Often, we neglect these activities or hastily complete them, failing to give them the attention they deserve. These core tasks include critical aspects such as analysis, planning, strategy development, audits, efficiency studies, and even personal growth through training.

Allocating dedicated time for our core tasks: It is essential to reserve specific time slots in our schedules, both on a daily and weekly basis. This designated time should coincide with periods when we are at our peak focus and energy levels. By protecting these blocks of time, we can ensure steady progress in the areas that truly matter to us.

Exercise: Analyzing our Core Tasks

Grab a sheet of paper and draw two large concentric circles.Evaluate your work and identify the essential core tasks that contribute the most to your growth. (Which 20% of tasks should you prioritize daily for significant progress?)Write down your core tasks within the center circle.In the larger outer circle, list the minor tasks that typically occupy your time.Assess the amount of time you allocate each day to your core tasks. Are you doing enough? Are you achieving the desired results?

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2.2 Effective Task Management

Effectively managing our tasks is essential for successful project execution. It enables us to know what needs to be done and when, as well as what tasks are not essential. By gaining this clarity, we can review our work, prepare ourselves for the day and week ahead, and take proactive steps towards staying ahead of our workload. This approach allows us to maintain order, make progress, and meet deadlines, ultimately completing projects on time. Furthermore, effective task management alleviates stress, enhances focus, and cultivates a sense of serenity.

Understanding Different Types of Tasks

In order to allocate our efforts wisely, it is important to recognize the various types of tasks:

Core tasks: These are the most significant tasks of our day, forming the foundation of our work. Typically limited to 2 or 3 tasks, they require careful identification and prioritization. By investing our best efforts in these core tasks, we set ourselves up for success. It is crucial to choose the optimal time for their execution, either at the beginning of each day or when we know we perform at our best. To maximize our productivity, we should eliminate distractions and avoid multitasking, seeking maximum concentration and intensity. Additionally, preparing in advance ensures a productive start and finish.

Complementary tasks: These tasks are ancillary to our core tasks, often accompanying them. While they may not have a significant impact, they are still necessary to fulfill our responsibilities. However, it is important to allocate minimal time and energy to these tasks, as their return on investment is limited.

Repetitive tasks: