Actually, I started the wrong way, I thought to myself after having read the last column. Knowing “how to work” is all well and good, but isn’t the “why” or ” what for ” the really important question? There are two levels of this question – the personal as well as the entrepreneurial, more strategic level.
Personally, it is important to contribute to a bigger whole with work, which, however, is different for everyone. As an entrepreneur, a job is often more than just a job and as an employee, this personal responsibility is also important. In order not to lose sight of this personal “why”, a vision board, or writing down your own life vision can be helpful.
At the strategic level, the ” what for” or “why” is also a good guide. It helps to differentiate the most important tasks from the urgent ones. Well-known is the Eisenhower matrix, which divides the tasks from important and urgent to unimportant and not urgent, the latter i.e. useless and never to be done.
Often, however, it is used in an unsystematic way and should ideally also be structured according to the nature of task:
How long? Does a task take only two minutes? Then do it right away! Taking the same task in hand again usually costs you more time.
How much productivity? Can I do the job even when I’m not that focused or tired? On the one hand, it is important to know your own energy rhythm, but also being aware of your daily routines. Some tasks can then be done at “low energy” time and have no negative effect, while for others you should be able to think sharp.
How much brain power? If it is clearly an important task and you should be fit as well, it is advisable to block the time clearly in the agenda and then work according to the Pomodoro technique, for example. You work for 25 minutes without interruption, pause for a short time and then continue working for another 25 minutes.
The original version of this article appeared in German in the magazine “Die Wirtschaftsfrau”.