Working Smarter; managing your person

I recently came actoss a great post talking about something called ultradian sprint in the Harvard Business Review.

The basic idea is that because there’s so much information out there it is easy to get distracted with this or that  -Nytimes, gmail, etc. etc. A better way to work is to focus one’s time using a timer such as timer for mac. Set the time for an interval between 90-120 minutes, focus on a singular task and then – GO GO GO!!! This is a sprint not a walk in the park. Just as the sprinter goes in one direction toward the finish tape, so too these sessions should be equally focused and singular in purpose.

Follow up each block of time with true relaxation, meaning something enjoyable that will recharge you. Though you may feel like you can continue onto the next session it is important to treat the rest intervals with as much seriousness (of relaxation, that is) as you do the GO intervals. If you’re working as you should you will need these breaks.

It’s important not only to work smarter in each block interval but to make sure these intervals are in line with your core beliefs and values. This seems so obvious to say and yet how many of us are truly immune from judgment and comparison to our peers? One of the great temptations is to remain busy in our fast times. Let’s not forget that setting course in the wrong direction can take us farther from the destination than if we stayed in place and charted course properly.

Peter F. Drucker of The Harvard Business Review says the following on career:

Only when you operate from a combination of your strengths and self-knowledge can you achieve true—and lasting—excellence. To build a life of excellence, begin by asking yourself these questions:

“What Are My Strengths?”

“How Do I Work?”

“What Are My Values?”

“Where Do I Belong?”

“What Can I Contribute?”

As an entrepreneur it is very easy for things to spin out of control and to revert to putting out fires. Remaining on target and keeping that spark and original intention is critical to get through the hard times. Hopefully these questions can help keep the fire burning without consuming.

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