"Being rich is having money; being wealthy is having time."
- Margaret Bonnano
Architects,
across the globe are well-known for their bottled-formula of ‘last-minute
submissions’ and ‘night-outs’, which they justify as an absolute need for
‘creativity’.
A
creative Design is a product of knowledge, experience and skill. Spending more
time on Design only indicates deficiency of these key elements. Hafeez
Contractor, one of the most celebrated Indian architects quoted, “I take about
10 minutes to create a design.” We all may have different perspectives around
it but I strongly believe more time doesn’t guarantee a better design.
Here
are a few quick-tips for Architects to manage time and deadlines:
1. Know your priorities
Kick-start
your day with a crisp checklist! Without a checklist, you could end up doing
things you don't need to do, miss to do things you actually need to do and
waste a lot of time oscillating back and forth between niggling activities that
will hog your day.
Prioritize.
Can
you manage your time if you don't know which project is the most important;
which client needs your immediate attention? If you don't know to prioritize
your daily activities, how can you get the most out of your day? Sort your
checklist in the order of priority, starting with the highest priority item on
top. Allocate some time for miscellaneous tasks and unexpected interruptions
that often show up when you least want them.
You
don’t really need sophisticated digital organizers to manage your time. A
simple checklist with clearly prioritized tasks would do the magic.
If
you don't have one for today; Pause here and make one right
away!
2. Don't Be a Slave to
Technology
The
internet is an addiction. Tablet PCs and Smart phones undoubtedly provide you
the luxury to connect instantly to your social and professional network, give
you the ability to socialize ideas and exchange responses in a split second.
But this is viral and addictive. Today, this is affecting zillions of keen and
nimble professionals all over the world. If you are checking your Blackberry or
Facebook accounts 80 times a day, you are wasting time!
Let
technology work for you. Don't let technology enslave you.
3. Multiply your time -
Outsource
If
you are the CEO of your firm, should you really spend time in housekeeping your
pantry or making travel arrangements? Your time is priceless; Every minute is
an investment. Figure out what you can outsource and get it off your plate.
Joint venture, alliances and teamwork are the keys to multiply your time and
increase productivity.
4. Learn to Say No
If
you are asked to do tasks that you do not appreciate or have unreasonable
timelines, muster up some courage to say No. Of course, you don’t have to come
out aggressive sounding like "Hell No!”. At the same time you don’t have
to be submissive and carelessly meek. Be assertive, diplomatic and take the
help of the right choice of words.
For example, when your boss
says, "Can you stay late this evening to work on this project that just
came up? The deadline is tomorrow."
Instead of simply saying
‘no’ and risking your job, you may say, "I'm scheduled to pick my children
up this evening. What parts of the project can I help with from home after
they've gone to bed?"
5. Squeeze out time for
yourself
The
ultimate purpose of effective time management is to help you gain additional
time for yourself, to pursue what you truly want to do in your life and fulfil
your wishes. Ask yourself these questions to periodically reflect on how
balanced your life is:
- Are you spending too much time
working?
- Are you spending time with people
and activities you enjoy outside work?
- Are you exercising and eating
right?
Work
– Life balance is crucial; if you are out of balance, eventually you would end
up just “sustaining” and not “living”. Plan your day as well, so that you don’t
end up being a stress bubble which someday may simply burst.
Time and Tide wait for none.
So, think now and act now!
Stay tuned for more blogs, coming your way!
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