Playing Tetris With Time

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Title: PLAYING TETRIS WITH TIME MANAGEMENT
Author: Dave & Christine Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Email: mailto:editor@overcoming-depression.com
copyright: by Dave Turo-Shields, ACSW, LCSW
Web Address: http://www.Overcoming-Depression.com
Word Count: 549
Category: Success

PLAYING TETRIS WITH TIME MANAGEMENT

There I was, running around trying to juggle umpteen items
and doing only a fair job of it at best. There was my
therapy business, and I have been putting big pieces into
place to add coaching to my business along with having to
prepare a presentation for an annual convention. Then
there's family, kids' needs, marital needs... You know
what I mean.

Suddenly I thought about my wife. I began to notice how
smoothly she manages tasks in her life. It would have been
really easy to miss because she really does make it look
effortless, but when you add up the sheer number of things
she does... WHOA! Absolutely amazing!

So, about two weeks ago I asked her if she would teach me
how she juggles so much so well. She asked for a few days
to think about it. She said, "Honestly, I just do it, so
I'll have to think more about how it is that I do all I do.
" Here is what she came up with.

Her first comments came a few hours later. She said, "Do
you remember my favorite game, Tetris? Well, I work with
time like I play the game Tetris." Pieces are always
falling, it never stops. Sometimes you get an indication
of what's coming, because at the right of the screen there's
a picture of the next falling piece, but when the pieces
pick up speed you often have no time even to look over to
see what's coming. You simply have to fit them all into
place as they are falling at a frenzied pace. "This," she
said, "is how I manage time."

What a great analogy and then she added these jewels to
round it out for me. I'm passing them along to you.
They've already made a difference in how I deal with time
management. I know they will for you too.

GUIDING "TETRIS" TIME MANAGEMENT PRINCIPLES

1. Expect interruptions!

2. Tolerate interruptions!

3. THINK SMALL! Fit small activities into small bits of
time

* Make that quick phone call
* Start a load of laundry
* Sort through the mail
* Unload the dishwasher
* Answer a quick email
* Mow part of the yard
* . . . the list is endless

4. Remember that few things these days have a true deadline
-mostly, they are things we just want to do or accomplish

5. Do not start big or long projects unless time is blocked
off

6. Guard your time & learn how to say "NO" when big or long
projects near a deadline

* Make a "crunch time" list
* Say, "I'm sorry I can't do that, I promised myself
I'd get this done"
* Enlist the help of friends/spouse to guard your time
* Prep your children in advance
* Close a door, and display a "Do not disturb" sign
* Plan breaks & connect with the family - knowing that
you will spend time with them in 2 or 4 hours, they
won't feel neglected and won't interrupt as much

7. Mentally adopt the belief that there will always be
things to do and get done - the tasks will never be gone!

* If you die today, someone else will do what is
necessary!
* If you die today, some stuff won't get done because
it wasn't important to anyone but you!

Best wishes towards your wise use of time!