MBA35 Guest Teacher: Mike Vardy- How to Focus on Task Over Time
Sep 22, 2014
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Mike Vardy, a renowned author, speaker, and co-host of Workflowing, shares transformative productivity insights. He emphasizes the shift from time management to a task-oriented mindset for enhanced efficiency. Vardy introduces practical techniques like the Pomodoro method and the concept of theming your days to stay focused. He also discusses the importance of aligning tasks with personal context, advocating for a balanced approach to responsibilities that can significantly boost productivity in both work and life.
Shifting to a task-based mindset allows for consistent progress and reduces the pressure of looming deadlines.
Utilizing flexible time-blocking techniques like the Pomodoro method enhances focus and adaptability in task management strategies.
Deep dives
Focusing on Tasks Over Time
Shifting from a time-based to a task-based mindset can significantly enhance productivity. A major point is that many tasks are perceived as time-sensitive only when deadlines approach, which can create unnecessary pressure. By treating every day as a due date for tasks, individuals can make consistent progress and avoid last-minute rushes. This approach emphasizes the importance of addressing tasks daily rather than being constrained by the calendar.
Effective Use of Tools
Utilizing the right tools for task management is crucial for maintaining a task-oriented focus. Instead of choreographing tasks around time slots in a calendar, it's better to allocate specific time for uninterrupted focus on tasks, such as using the Pomodoro technique. This technique promotes concentrated work sessions followed by short breaks, which can enhance mental agility. By adopting flexible time-blocking strategies rather than rigid scheduling, individuals can swiftly adapt to unexpected events while maintaining productivity.
Theming Days and Contextualizing Tasks
Theming days and assigning contexts to tasks can provide clarity and purpose in daily planning. By defining specific themes for days or months, individuals can align their efforts toward particular goals, which helps in reducing decision fatigue. Additionally, adding context to tasks, such as energy levels or preferred project locations, can enhance focus and motivation. This strategy ensures tasks are approached with purpose rather than a disorganized checklist, thereby improving overall efficiency.
In this guest teacher episode of The $100 MBA Show, Mike Vardy teaches productivity secrets that will change how you think about time and how you manage your work or tasks as they relate to time. Mike Vardy is a well-renowned author, speaker and co-host of the show Workflowing. It was an honor to have him teach this lesson, which we know you will love and certainly gain some extra nuggets of wisdom. Press play at the top of the page and enjoy!