According to Dr. DJ, when it comes to the topic of time management many people think that it is just a trend that gains momentum at the beginning of a New Year.
Dr. DJ adds, “I would say yes and no. No, I don’t believe time management is a trend because most people are lifelong learners and are always looking for opportunities and strategies to improve their lives, especially when it involves managing their time. In earlier times, people used to use the stars, the planet’s movement, the sun’s shadow, and the moon to measure time and stay on track. However, today, we have calendars, clocks, and other technologies to enhance the time management experience. Even though becoming a more effective time and path manager often starts at the New Year, it’s those technologies that create the trends while time management itself is a way of life”.
When asked to share some of the first steps people should take to gain control of their time, become more efficient, and create a more productive lifestyle, Dr. DJ answered, “One of the first steps to becoming more efficient and productive is to develop new habits and change the old ones. However, to do so, I suggest developing a time management plan, which involves a four-step process that includes, developing a time audit, prioritizing tasks, creating a time schedule, and using a to-do list.”
“Firstly, to develop a time audit, one must manually track and audit time by writing the start and end times for each daily task. This type of assessment will reveal how long it takes to complete tasks. Secondly, assess tasks, and put a star next to everything that’s mission-critical, time-sensitive, and important. Those will be the main priority, and other tasks on the list can be delegated. Next, design a schedule that avoids overbooking and schedule downtime throughout the day, This will help minimize burnout and increase productivity. Use the 5, 10, 50 rule to plan for downtime and rest. Spend five minutes planning, 50 minutes working, and 10 minutes taking a break and repeating. And last, prioritize to-do lists.”
During the interview Dr. DJ shared how she likes to under-promise and over-deliver, explaining, “One of the ways to do this is to set a reminder. For instance, if there is a project due in 30 days, set reminders for four weeks, three weeks, two weeks, one week, and then drill down to hours and days to ensure that deadlines are met. However, in a scenario like this, the ultimate goal is to deliver the project in 20 to 25 days. And by doing so one earns a reputation of dependability and professionalism.”
Dr. Deborah “Dr. DJ” Johnson-Blake is the CEO of The Writing Pad, LLC, a writing, editing, and consulting firm focusing on proofreading, editing, and customized writing. She is an award-winning assistant professor, a subject matter expert with expertise in servant leadership and management, and dissertation chair.
The interview concluded with “Dr. DJ” saying “I recently published a journal/planner entitled, Being the Best You: Intentional Journaling and Planning to Take Back Your Time, which is available on my website and Amazon.com. This brand falls under my company, The Writing Pad, LLC where our main services include redesigning bios and resumes, training and developing, and consulting. Also, I was selected as the American Businesswoman of the Year for the American Business Women’s Association, which is a national recognition that I am proud and honored to have received.”
To listen to the full interview on Business Innovators Radio, visit https://bit.ly/drdjinterview.
To learn more about Deborah “Dr. DJ” Johnson-Blake, please visit https://deborahjohnsonblake.com.
