Time Well Spent – Getting Things Done Through Effective Time Management

Citation

Cattell, A. (2010), "Time Well Spent – Getting Things Done Through Effective Time Management", Industrial and Commercial Training, Vol. 42 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/ict.2010.03742dae.002

Time Well Spent – Getting Things Done Through Effective Time Management

Article Type: Bookshelf From: Industrial and Commercial Training, Volume 42, Issue 4

Lyndon Jones and Paul Loftus,Kogan Page, London and Philadelphia, PA,2009,240 pp.,ISBN: 9780749456498,UK £9.99 (paperback),

This book is collaboration between Lyndon Jones a UK based consultant and trainer and Montreal based Paul Loftus an industrial psychologist and management development consultant. Both have published articles and spoken at conferences and events globally. The content is essentially for anyone interested in thinking about and improving their effective use of time whether they are employed or planning for retirement.

The stated aims of the text are threefold: to help you focus on your objectives; to analyse your strengths and take corrective action on your weaknesses; to use your time more effectively.

The book is set in a context where changes globally, de-layering, technology and communications have had an effect on the effectiveness and efficiency of many. The authors point out that many organizations employ fewer people, thus the “survivors” must work harder and more effectively. Allied to changes in organizational structures, the onus is on employers to provide cost effective opportunities for self-improvement and on employees to take charge of their own careers.

Consequently the book is divided into two sections. The first contains six chapters concentrate on aspects of personal choice. These include life goals, increasing your leisure time, choosing how to spend your time, knowing yourself better, avoiding procrastination and removing barriers to your time effectiveness.

The second section deals with generic time management skills under the chapter headings of:

• •

  Exploring your prime time.

• •

  Analysing and improving your time expenditure.

• •

  Organizing your workload.

• •

  Organizing your workplace.

• •

  Handling interruptions.

• •

  Managing information.

• •

  Making your reading and writing more effective.

• •

  Active listening.

• •

  Effective use of the telephone.

• •

  Effective use of technology.

• •

  Dealing with a boss who wastes your time.

• •

  Effective delegation.

• •

  Effective meetings.

In the main the text covers fairly standard time management fare and techniques including time analysis, action planning, Pareto Principle, keeping a time log, job analysis and prioritisation.

Notably it also includes advice likely to be useful to those working in less defined job roles (in the restructured workplace) and for home workers or virtual office workers. Achieving work-life balance is briefly covered as are consideration of your daily energy cycle and the effects of your biorhythms physically, emotionally and intellectually.

Whilst the text has limited theoretical references, academic content as such is low. This is above all a very practical book that presents ideas and techniques in a simple and no-nonsense manner. Much of the material will be known to experienced trainers and managers to whom it may present little that is new. However as a reference point of good practice for employees interested in being more effective inside and outside work it provides some useful insights. For those seeking to plan for a productive retirement or already retired the book presents valid perspectives on how to get more out of your “me” time.

This is not an earth shattering text in terms of anything radically new, but it is a good value thought provoking self development tool for individuals and a valuable template of content for anyone developing time management training materials and courses.