Page 37 - Time Management

Mancini02.qxd 1/16/2003 4:21 PM Page 22
Time Management
22
Here’s an example.
A manager working in a highly disorganized and unproduc-
tive position within an airline learned she was about to be laid
off. Encouraged to apply for another position within the airline,
she found a managerial job opening in the cargo division. Even
though she recognized that she knew little about cargo and that
making a change would require learning new skills, she also
knew that the division was highly regarded—efficient, well
staffed, and less stressful. She applied for the position, and got it.
A year later, she found that she was delighted with the
change she had made. She was now working in a proficient and
well-organized department, surrounded by efficient and produc-
tive people, and able to exercise her own considerable organiza-
tional skills with far fewer obstacles and less stress. Change, she
discovered, wasn’t as bad as she had feared. In fact, it led to a
far more gratifying work situation.
Changing jobs isn’t always possible, though. So what do you
do when faced with inefficiency and disorganization in your
immediate work environment? The best approach—although
apparently counter-intuitive—is to investigate ways to assert
some control over that environment itself. For example, you
might suggest to a well-placed ally that you’d be willing to serve
on a committee to create a better distribution of responsibilities
within your division. (If you can arrange to chair the committee,
even better.) You at once take control of the agenda, help shape
the process, and are able to delegate responsibilities. By exert-
ing some control over the process, you’ll perhaps create a bet-
ter situation for yourself.
Other possible ways of achieving control over your work
environment:

• If you have problems with constant interruptions during
your workday, ask permission to work more flexible hours
or even telecommute on certain days.
• Arrange to travel more on business. Much useful work
can be done on an aircraft or in a hotel room, without the
distractions usually associated with telephones and office