MARCH SHOUTOUT: LET'S TALK ATTENTION MANAGEMENT

MARCH SHOUTOUT
LET'S TALK ATTENTION MANAGEMENT

When addressing productivity we often focus on time management, but at the heart of time management is attention management. In my teaching, I liken it to an iceberg. On a daily basis, we tend to pay attention to what's above the surface (our emails, phone calls, meetings, and urgent projects) and then forget about what's lurking below. Below are the long-term projects with the potential to make a greater impact, but we tend to push them off until they rise to the surface and are urgent. How do we make what lurks below a priority?
 
The following article, book and take-away tool will help you think about attention management in new ways.

An Article Making My Case
The New York Times: 6 Tips to Getting Things Done
 
In this  NY Times Smarter Living article, Tim Herrera makes the argument for attention management and provides six ways we can change our perspective in regard to time management and productivity. 

Read the Article >>

My Latest Must Read
Automic Habits 
 
A comprehensive guide on how to change your habits and get 1% better every day. In this book, the author helps us understand keystone habits, what habit stacking is and why our brains need to make and keep things consistent. I have gained a TON of insights from Atomic Habits that I have already incorporated into my daily life and lots of tools that I’m sharing with clients and friends. Have a read and let me know what you think!  Also, if you have a great book that you want to share with me, email me at sara@saracaputoconsulting.com – I love learning from you all!

Get the Book >>

A Free Take-Away Tool
Don't Let the Important Become Urgent
 
Once you download and print the worksheet, take a few minutes to categorize your current project list. List out your urgent tasks (the tip of the iceberg),  things that are fast, easy and not always the most important things to be doing. Then list your important projects (what's lurking UNDER the surface), things that really move the lever on projects, anything with multiple steps, and definitely items that don’t have a deadline. Once you have your lists, think through how you can "flip" your iceberg so your attention gets to your under the surface items (important).
 
Here’s the key: blocking out time is the only way! How can you block out time (1 to 2 times/week) to make sure you are having focused, uninterrupted time to get to those bigger more important items every week? Feel free to take a picture of your sheet and send it my way—I love learning about what’s above and below your icebergs!

Download the Worksheet >>