Today I had to renew my passport. With such tight security at the embassy, I was asked to leave my cellphone and computer behind at the front desk.
I was horrified! What will I do while I wait? Fuming, I grudgingly took out pen and paper and started making notes. In 90 minutes here’s what I achieved:
1. A clearer vision of company directions, products, status and next steps
2. A revised PR and Marketing plan for the next 30 – 60 days
3. Two blogposts written
4. One press release written
5. Most importantly, clarity on the bigger picture.
I’ve been stuck on a few things and having the time away without distractions of emails, calls, Twitter and my kids running afoot made space in my mind for ideas to come through and connect in a different way.
In terms of boosting productivity and time management, I learned sometimes the office is NOT the most productive place to get things done, especially as a WAHM.
I’ll be scheduling a “get out of the office day” with just pen and paper at least twice a month and looking forward to letting my brain “work out of the box”.
Won’t you join me?
Elena is founder of a technology PR agency that works with startups to billion-dollar companies. She is passionate about helping marketers and small business owners with practical publicity strategies.
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I totally agree! My co-worker did not come in today and the things I got done were incredible! I always knew I needed to work in a different environment, just hadn’t gotten around to do it. However, we are moving and I have gone as far as to set up TWO offices in my new house. One with all my “must-have” equipment and communication devices and the other with just a desk, a few pens (and highlighters for those ah-ha moments) and paper. I’m so excited…I’ll just have to lock the blackberry in the other office!
I couldn’t agree more. Sometimes we procrastinate because we think that it is going to take a lot of time, and then when we actually do it, we are amazed how much we did in no time.
Once I had 1.5 hours between meetings, there was no point for me to go back home and leave again. So I went to a cafe with wireless internet (ok, ok, in my case I had a laptop). There were so many people drinking coffee and working on their computers. I felt like part of the team. Maybe I miss a little bit working in corporate world. So I didn’t end up pointlessly surfing internet, I had a really good chunk of work done and it felt so good, that I decided to do it again from time to time.
So very true! I have been feeling a bit stuck too and I am going on vacation this weekend. So excited.
This is true!
When my team is fully staffed I give myself “slow days” I will take a notebook and pencil and go to a cafe. I ignore my phone and just read/think/write for at least half a day.
It makes a huge difference to my energy level back in the office.
“Get out of the office day” is a great idea. I’ve experienced earlier today just how much it helps to get out of my comfort zone (ie. my cubicle). Thanks, Elena!