Somewhere along the way, I realized that I didn’t need to feel guilty about not doing time management correctly. There is no one way to do it. After I shed the guilt I decided to experiment with different approaches to organizing my day.
Colored sticky notes, highlighters and whiteboards? Mindmaps, arrows and circles? They may look weird to others, but to my right brain they work just fine.
And technology helps. I found that using the full functionality of MS Outlook was a lifesaver. Now, as a Mac person, I am still amazed that my calendars synch through some sort of virtual cloud.
I think everyone has to create a fluid system that works for him or her. I also am encouraged that current time management gurus stress strategy over technique. Setting goals and honing in on priorities are what counts. Are you taking the time to sit down and plan your day? Are you working on the right things? Are you able to refocus when necessary?
We all have the same 24 hours. Style doesn’t matter as much as substance. Be open to new tools, create a system that works for you and lose the guilt. It just takes up valuable time.
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]]>Read the rest of my Friday WSJ guest column here: How To Manage An Introvert and let me know if you have other management tips for getting the best out of the innies on your team.
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I happened to see that Eric Clapton, one of my husband’s real life guitar heroes was in town this week. We grabbed some last minute tix near the stage at the Gwinnett arena and had the most incredible night. Along with thousands of other blue jeaned baby boomers, we were transported by his brilliant riffs.
Clapton took us through a journey of his music through the decades. He was very different from the opening act, Roger Daltry (clearly the extrovert ). He never introduced the songs (we all knew them anyway) and only spoke softly to name the band members after their solos.
He didn’t put on foolish grins or try to win us over. He simply was himself, a gifted musican, clearly in his own world. He let his talent speak, or rather play, for itself.
Clapton grew up an introvert. He spent many hours alone with his guitar dealing with a rough childhood, honing his gift. Later on he battled alcohol and drugs. None of that mattered last night. The man and his guitar shined with a quiet grace. I am so grateful I was there to witness it.
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]]>As a proud introvert, Sheri relates to the great blue heron. This bird will stalk prey slowly and deliberately. They are solitary or small-group foragers. While the geese are loudly squawking, or doing what geese do, she thinks about the blue heron and it gives her a sense of peace.
I mentioned this in my recent newsletter and received some interesting reactions. Here is sampling:
From Bob Cady: ” Read your newsletter and enjoyed your jottings. Keep it up. The Blue Heron story reminds me that each of us believes in the stories that feature US. Isn’t it the truth. The eagle is shaking its head about that slow old bird. No wonder he’s so thin. Doesn’t eat much…the ‘tortoise and the hare’ is supposed to be a fable about sticking to it and relentless pursuit of goals. The Intros love the tortoise. We are supposed to reject the hare because it is reckless and thoughtless. However, each has its good and bad points, as we all do. That Blue Heron…..is just doing its thing. The extroverted, fast acting eagle also has a nature….The Heron is not, after all the symbol of our country. In most of the stories you read, the character that is the quiet, introverted, slow, low voiced speaker when the President needs someone to solve the world crisis, is the one chosen to lead the exercise….”
From Kathy Greider: “Thanks for the great blue story — made me think about when I worked in an office. I always surrounded myself with as much nature as possible (plants, sea shells, round beach stones and lots of photos) when I was upset I would find myself rubbing the shells and stones to calm down. It always worked — and still does….Thanks for sharing this — maybe it will help others.”