Time management strategies can manage your energy, too. But first, you have to recognize and appreciate your unique attributes. Are you an introvert or an extrovert? If you find you are an introvert, these 5 simple tips can help you direct your energy where you need it the most.
According to Marti Olsen Lani, author of The Introvert Advantage, introvert strengths include:
* Independence
* Capacity to work well in one-to-one situations
* Ability to concentrate closely on tasks
* Creativity and
* Capacity to analyze systems
If you are introverted, your experience of time may differ dramatically from that of your extroverted colleagues. So apply your creativity and originality to making the most of time in ways that celebrate your uniqueness.
Quiz: Do You Possess an Introvert Time and Energy Temperament?
___ T/F: I think through what I need to say before speaking.
___ T/F: When working with others, I can run out of energy with no warning.
___ T/F: My creativity is fueled through solitude.
If you answer these questions with "True", then the 5 tips in this article apply directly to you. Essentially, your powers as an introvert multiply when you direct your attention inward and eliminate distractions. At the same time, you need to protect your energy in situations that extroverts find regenerating.
5 Ways Introverts Can Supercharge Their Productivity
1. Conserve Your Energy
Estimate your "battery life" for group interchanges and plan accordingly. What period of time can you work at peak effectiveness in large groups? Schedule private time to re-energize yourself prior to entering challenging encounters. (Introverts can deplete their reserves when engaged in demanding interchanges, because it is more difficult to monitor and safeguard their energy.) Your exit strategies may include volunteering for tasks that temporarily remove you from the fray, or that allow you to record rather than directly engage in interactions.
2. Schedule Solo Time Throughout the Day
Schedule private time between group activities whenever possible. Restorative sips of time are an excellent investment in your effectiveness. If a relaxed, solitary interlude is not possible, consider taking small breaks of five to ten minutes between meetings, if only to make photocopies or fetch supplies. While on your own, conduct a quick body scan and progressively relax tense muscles, while taking a few deep breaths.
3. One on One Works Best
Structure collaborations as one-on-one interchanges whenever possible. Identify which individuals you work with most easily, and ask if they would be willing to serve as point persons to report findings to groups. Volunteer to cover responsibilities you find less taxing, in return. When you must discuss issues within a group, explore the possibilities of teleconferencing. This reduces the intensity of stimulus you are exposed to.
4. Promote Your Unique Attributes
Know your "solitary strengths" and capitalize on them. Invest your time in your areas of personal strength. The more detailed your understanding of how you can best contribute to group endeavors, the more capably you can engage in ways that don't drain you.
5. Communicate by Writing Whenever Possible
Commit to checking in as regularly as needed through email and notes. You can send memos with your comments and suggestions after meetings. Remember, your extroverted colleagues may feel stranded if you withdraw without providing a context.
Comprehension fuels creativity, so always be on the lookout for new possibilities as you explore your unique relationship with time.
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