Productivity
Productivity is a luxury when you're quarantined with 4 children. I try to stay focused and efficient and, in reality, if you were to isolate the time I actually spend working (on my job, that is), I probably am pretty productive for the time I get to spend. Problem is, it's not focused time and it's not big chunks of time. It's frustrating to be sure, so when I got an email about a 15 minute productivity webinar (free!) I was all in! This could be great! I could get a tip or two that would help me.
At the appointed time, I logged into the Zoom meeting and eagerly awaited. I was spending valuable nap time on this so I had high hopes.
I was disappointed.
Really disappointed.
It started out promising, like most webinars. Separate what you spend your time on into four buckets:
At the appointed time, I logged into the Zoom meeting and eagerly awaited. I was spending valuable nap time on this so I had high hopes.
I was disappointed.
Really disappointed.
It started out promising, like most webinars. Separate what you spend your time on into four buckets:
- Important and urgent
- important, not urgent
- urgent, not important
- not urgent not important
Big reveal--spend your time on buckets 1 and 2. Um. Ok. Well, that's not possible. I can think of things that fit into each category.
Important and urgent: screaming, hungry kids. Feed them now. Grant proposal due TOMORROW. Web updates--you have one hour. Phone is ringing--it's the boss. ANSWER it! Poopy diaper! Say no more.
Important, not urgent: impact report for big donor. Due Friday. Ivy needs help with algebra. I'm a math EXPERT (well, 7th grade math anyway). Newly wealth screened donors--need to connect with these folks.
Urgent, not important: children fighting over Mario Kart--split it up before there's blood. Phone is ringing--dry cleaning is ready. We ARE open. Audio book expires tomorrow. Gotta update those social media pages with volunteer highlights (we have NO followers).
Not urgent, not important: floor needs mopping. Expense report for December (yes, December) still not finished. Baby is eating cheerios off the floor (ok, I don't care that much...except WAIT, the floor needs mopping!).
Sigh.
I can not ignore those things marked not important. I can't. Got any more tips?
YES! DELEGATE!
Um, to whom?
Have no one to delegate to?
Oh, YES! That's me--what's the answer?
Hire an ASSISTANT!
Seriously? If I had paid for this I'd want my money back.
It seems this productivity webinar is not for busy working moms who are married to essential workers during a global pandemic. When THAT webinar is offered, I'd gladly pay for it.
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