Special Report on Time Management 2.0 by Framework Consulting

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8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 Introduction

I'm often asked what gives me the motivation for writing about time management, and it's not because I like to repeat the same old boring stuff that other people have been rehashing since time immemorial.

It's because I like edgy, radical ideas that make a big difference in the lives of busy working people who are trying their best to improve the way they manage their time.

I imagine that if you downloaded this report that you are someone who has more than a passing interest in your personal productivity, and are looking for a few new ways to take your daily performance to another level. You may have been exposed to some of the latest ideas, or not, and probably have some ideas of your own. Or perhaps you are simply curious about what "Time Management 2.0" is all about.

Whatever frame of mind you might be in, I want you to know that the purpose of this report is to meet you exactly where you are in your life, at your current level of productivity. You might be just starting out with your first attempt to improve your skills. Or, you might be an expert who has been honing your skills for many years. Regardless of where you are in the spectrum, I can promise you that every single one of the 8 Edgy Ideas applies to you.

That's an astounding claim, given the fact that we have never met, and probably won't ever meet. But here's what I know: you are using some kind of system, and (like gravity) it is subject to some limitations that are simply facts of life. None of us escapes the gravitational pull of the Earth, and none of us is able to remember everything that we have to do on every day using just our memory. There are certain truths that are just....true.

A few years ago as I delved into time management books and websites, trying to get some help in designing a system that would fit my new life in Jamaica, it struck me that those who were teaching time management were ignoring some of these truths about the way their learners were learning. By ignoring them, they were making it harder for people to benefit and use their ideas. I realized that behind all the pages, and charts and paper inserts was a fact that most gurus acknowledge quietly: 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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Time management gurus don't really expect you to do all the stuff that they tell you to do. There is no way they could. They tell you to do too many things all at once, and you are bound to fail to put them all into action within a day, a week, a month or even a lifetime. You leave the learning event having to make a choice about which aspects to keep and which ones to discard. The problem I had was a natural one: "Who helps the learner decide what to use, what to discard, and when?"

I don't think that it should be me. Instead, the responsibility lies with you, the professional, but without a knowledge of the truth, you might come to think that something must be wrong with you when you experiences the inevitable failure to implement too many new ideas all at once. Time Management 2.0 was born with a commitment to put you, the learning professional, back in the driver's seat, and in charge of your time management system. This idea is a radical one, and I believe that when it's told often and early enough, it sets people free. But free to do what?

In my mind's eye, if you have read this far, then you probably have an interest in improving some aspect of your time management and personal productivity in one of the following areas. You want to:

- keep the professional respect you have earned for being efficient even as your job requires you to do more with less - never be in fear of being late, or having something important fall through the cracks - get to the end of your day and feel satisfied and accomplished - have a sense that your work and home life are in balance - look at all aspects of your life and know that none is being short-changed - maintain a cool, calm and peaceful frame of mind - beat the other guy to a promotion because you have become better and faster You want the freedom to accomplish all your goals and wishes, even as they change from month to month, even in the midst of a recession, and regardless of what life may throw at you.

That's the commitment behind Time Management 2.0 - to meet you, the user at your current level of skills. You could be brand new to learning a time management approach, or a veteran who has been honing their practices for years with an insider's knowledge of several commercial systems.

To do so effectively, you need to determine the answer to this important question: 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

Do You Have a Static or Dynamic System?

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Many years ago I happened to have my mother in a time management class that I taught, long before the days of Time Management 2.0. I remember being a little disappointed at the end when she told me that she was a retired person, and that she probably wouldn't be using much of what I had taught. I argued the point a bit at the time, but it wasn't until later when I remembered that she had also said that if she were still working, it would have been more useful. Now, looking back, I realize that she had made a downgrade to her time management system, which is something that I imagine that most people do when they retire. They change gears now that they have fewer critical time demands to manage, and they change their habit patterns to simpler ones.

At the time, I only taught what are called Static Systems in timemanagement. They are made up of fixed habit patterns, and set practices, that are developed at some point in time and are meant to be followed exactly as described. I falsely believed that time management was something that you learned once, and once only, like learning to walk. It's a little like figuring out a great recipe for fried chicken, and teaching others to follow it "no matter what." If that sounds like a formula for success, then it should, as KFC, McDonalds and many others have followed this formula and made great profits. By contrast, "Dynamic Systems" are ones that are continuously evolving. In addition to what's taught in Static Systems, people also learn how to own, manage and upgrade their time management systems from year to year. They develop the ability to do so in response to changes in technology, demands on their time, job responsibilities and family obligations. 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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It's a little like being able to make your own recipes for fried chicken!

In Time Management 2.0, which is one of the few Dynamic Systems I am aware of, professionals develop these improvement skills and they become theirs for life, and they use them to make intelligent upgrades and downgrades.

One of the major problems in the way time management is taught is that participants are given a Static System, when what they really need is one that is Dynamic. Which one do you have?

To help you decide, here are the 8 Edgy Ideas that are included in Time Management 2.0, summarized on the next page. Each Idea is detailed in its own chapter in this special report. I'd love to get your feedback! Look for instructions on how to share it on Facebook or on my blog at the end of this report. Francis

8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

Summary:

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The 8 Edgy Ideas

EDGY IDEA #1 - THE TERM "TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT USED TO!

Others say: "A time management system is simply a bunch of tips that you learn in a class" Time Management 2.0 says: "The modern professional's time management system consists of: top class hardware, software and internet services combined with a personalized habit pattern."

EDGY IDEA #2 - BE SMART. FIGURE OUT YOUR OWN SYSTEM.

Others say: "Don't worry about why this system works, just believe it, follow it and use it" Time Management 2.0 says: "Find out the design principles behind all useful systems so that you can craft your own"

EDGY IDEA #3 - BUILD ON WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. ADOPT A PLAN TO MAKE IT BETTER.

EDGY IDEA #4 - NEVER GET STUCK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE TODAY -- KEEP EVOLVING

Others say: "Time management is something you learn once, like riding a bicycle" Time Management 2.0 says: "If you don't continually upgrade your skills, prepare to fall behind"

EDGY IDEA #5 - SWIPE TIME MANAGEMENT IDEAS FROM EVERYWHERE YOU CAN FIND THEM Others say: Don't deviate from this system" Time Management 2.0 says: "Experiment and try new ideas from all sources"

EDGY IDEA #6 - SET YOUR OWN GOALS AND TRACK YOUR OWN PROGRESS AS YOU IMPROVE

EDGY IDEA #7- TAKE PLAN

YOUR TIME AND MAKE CHANGES ACCORDING TO YOUR COMMON-SENSE

Others say: "Here is a long list of changes you need to make NOW" Time Management 2.0 says: "Plan out your changes over time and implement them organically"

EDGY IDEA #8 - EVOLVING YOUR SYSTEM IS A FUNCTION OF YOUR HABIT-CHANGING SUPPORTS

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At the time of writing this report, the 2Time website is the only one you'll find that distinguishes Time Management 1.0 and 2.0. Because of that, these concepts are a bit "edgy" simply because they aren't widespread!

What makes Time Management 2.0 an improvement is the fact that it goes past the standard prescription to copy someone else's formula for success. Time management gurus claim to have found the best path, and their instruction is a simple one: "Follow me." What's often not said openly is that statement's corollary: "...Or else you'll fail." Yet, many people are happy to follow 1.0 thinking because it's easier to do so, relieving them of the ownership and responsibility inherent in 2.0. It promises quicker, faster, easier, more painless results. Time Management 2.0, on the other hand, is built on the following assertion: "Today's professionals are capable of being taught the design principles of time management so that they can assess their unique needs, understand what's working for them today, set some realistic goals and upgrade their systems in an organic and fulfilling way."

They don't need to be spoon-fed.

Yet, there are some who would argue that this document is just more rules from a different guru. I recognize that this is likely to happen, but I'm willing to take the risk of being misunderstood. I believe that the value to be gained from people using these Edgy Ideas, far exceeds the criticism that might come. But you should be the judge! Here are the details of each of the 8 Edgy Ideas. It's not essential that you agree with all of them, but I suggest that you grapple with each of them seriously (rather than superficially,) and transform the way you think about managing your time. Further Resources: In this special report, I'll be pointing out further resources that can you can access via text, video or audio. Each of these topics can be studied in greater depth, and there is some research (although not nearly enough) that backs up each Edgy Idea.

Read -- virtually all the 500+ pieces of distinct content on my research blog speaks to these 8 Edgy Ideas to some degree: http://2time-sys.com. However, this is the first summary document that pulls them all together. Watch -- The following video that I placed on YouTube might be helpful: FAQ#1 - Why should I care about time management? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVkLQF99C2Y 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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EDGY IDEA #1 - THE TERM "TIME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM" DOESN'T MEAN WHAT IT USED TO!

Others say: "A time management system is simply a bunch of tips that you learn in a class" Time Management 2.0 says: "The modern professional's time management system consists of quality hardware, software and internet services combined with a personalized habit pattern."

What is a Time Management System?

There's no denying that the thing that we call a "time management system" has radically changed.

Back in the good old days, people didn't have "systems" - they simply had diaries that they used to manage appointments and keep a few phone numbers. They were simple tools, designed for a time when lives were not nearly as hectic as they are today. Fast forward to today, and it's not too hard to see that time demands have increased rapidly, and so have communication channels. While some people strenuously avoid Twitter, Facebook, cell-phones and even email, most of us are users of these and other technologies that are busy receiving messages and time demands 24 hours a day. To deal with today's massive information flows, you and I have hobbled together our own "systems" -- mostly without knowing it. They encompass much more than the simple appointment diaries of old. Today they include: • mobile gadgets for internet access (smartphones) • portable devices for information storage, retrieval and manipulation (PDA's) • cell phones for voice and text messaging • batteries and chargers • software for email and time management (e.g. Outlook and Lotus Notes) • web services for email and time management (e.g. GMail and Yahoo) • paper pads, some of which have special uses • digital voice recorders Plus there are devices that combine two or more of the items listed above, such as the most recent smartphones.

These are the physical tools we include in today's modern time management systems, and you probably use one or more of these items to help manage 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade © 2010

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your time. However, while they are a part of every person's system, they are only a small part of the picture. Habits, Practices and Rituals

In addition to the physical objects listed above, a time management system must include our personal habits, practices and rituals; those activities that we repeat without thinking. We build them into our neuro-muscular systems via hundreds or thousands of repetitions, starting at an age when we first developed a concern for using our time wisely. Most of us didn't pick up new habits with a conscious intention to enhance our time management systems, any more than a child who learns to brush his teeth is concerned about hygiene. We started to do them because others were doing them, they worked for us, and we just never stopped.

For example, if someone tells you to call them later and then gives you their phone number, you immediately look for a pen and a piece of paper, as is your custom. That habit makes up an important part of your system. So, time management systems consist of a blend of physical "tools," plus the habits and practices that we teach ourselves.

Therefore, it's not too easy to imagine that no two time management systems are the same. Even if two people sit in the same training or read the same book, they still assemble their own unique systems based on what they have learned in the past, from trial and error. Most, however, have used no help whatsoever, and built a system without being conscious of what they are doing. It's not until they bump into a website like this one, or a program or book, that they realize that they actually have a system that is a key component of their success. Knowing that you have a system that functions at some level is important, especially when you are tempted or forced to make a change, such as any one of the following: • your company switches from Microsoft Outlook to Lotus Notes • your trusted Palm PDA breaks and it's no longer being manufactured • your multi-tabbed DayTimer diary is lost on an airplane • a new Blackberry comes along that has some enticing new features • an iPhone is given to you by your boss as a wonderful Christmas present, and as a strong hint to become more organized • you buy a book that speaks to some new practices, but makes no mention of hardware or software • your online calendar is corrupted and you decide to try a new service instead • you wake up one day to the 10,000 messages in your email Inbox and decide to trash all of them with a single hit of the delete button 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade © 2010

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Most people make (or suffer) changes like these to their time management systems, and do so blindly. At the end of it all, they might still not know that by changing their tools they have forced themselves into new habits, and therefore made a deep alteration to their time management systems. In Time Management 2.0, professionals see the system in its entirety, and understand that simple-looking tweaks could lead to lost messages, late arrivals at meeting and increasing feelings of overwhelm. They appreciate the delicate interplay between the elements of their system and make changes slowly, and carefully, treating their productivity as the #1 priority. You might see them turn down the gift of an Android, experiment with some new habits daily, and measure key aspects of their system, such as the average number of items in their Inbox. They know that they have a system, and they are careful to manage it as the key resource that it is to their success. Further Resources:

Read -- visit my blog at http://2time-sys.com and do a search for "systems." You'll find how my views have evolved over the years as I faced the truth that each person was doing something unique, and always requires a custom solution. Watch -- SAQ#2: What is a time management system? What am I trying to change? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9HMi6X4J9w

EDGY IDEA #2 - BE SMART. FIGURE OUT YOUR OWN SYSTEM.

Others say: "Don't worry about why this system works, just follow/use it" Time Management 2.0 says: "Find out the design principles behind all useful systems so that you can craft your own"

People who come across a time management book or class are generally told to "follow the instructions," and to adopt the new practices they are being taught. But they are simply never told WHY, exactly, the system being described is better than the one they are currently using.

Don't blame the teacher/author/workshop facilitator. They simply don't have the time to work with each individual in order to understand what they currently have, and instead they present a generic system that they honestly believe the listener / reader should adopt in whole... for their own good, of course.

8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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If you have ever been in a time management class or read a book, you might know exactly what I'm talking about. That approach works fine for a few people, but an increasing number have come to realize that one size doesn't fit all. When they come across new time management information tips, they have no intention of adopting all of them. Instead, they cherry-pick ideas from here and there, making the changes they believe are the right ones for them. Nothing wrong with that, and most authors and teachers admit that that is exactly what users do. The problem is that the gurus don't share the "secret sauce," or just don't know what it is. The gurus have built a system that works for them, but they don't turn around and share the process they followed. That's a secret.

Some treat it as "intellectual property" to be locked away and hidden from the public because it's so valuable. Others have no idea what they did, and couldn't repeat the trick if their life depended on it. But which would you rather have? The rules or the "secret sauce?"

"Francis," you might say, "are you nuts....???!!!! I'd want to know how to fix, shape and improve my own time management so that next year, when someone creates some new invention that will change my job forever, I'll be able to escape the mayhem with a small tweak! Also, I don't want to be one of these people who chase after the next sexy gadget but keep forgetting their wife's birthday!" Unfortunately, you are never given the "secret sauce," but you do your best anyway using bits and pieces from here and there. You probably won't cover all the essentials of time management in your design, and also won't figure out your upgrade path for the future. Gurus haven't offered professionals the real help that many need -information on how to effectively manage, maintain and improve their own systems based on the fundamental principles.

It turns out that the fundamentals are pretty easy to understand, and in Time Management 2.0 professionals come to learn what they are and how they work for themselves, so that they can do things like: - repair their way of dealing with email if they find themselves continually falling behind - choose a new device, such as a smartphone, knowing which habits they'll have to change - upgrade to the new version of Outlook or Lotus Notes and understand whether things will be easier or harder - make a change in their habits forced by relocation, or by travel, and understand the impact on their productivity

8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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These fundamentals can be learned by taking one of my courses or by reading the 2Time blog (see the references at the end of the report.) You can also download a manifesto I wrote on "The New Time Management" that describes the 7 essential fundamentals: Capturing, Emptying, Tossing, Acting Now, Storing, Scheduling and Listing. Further Resources:

Read -- Taking Responsibility for a Design Revolution http://www.2time-sys.com/2008/10/08/taking-responsibility-for-a-designrevolution/ Watch -- SAQ #1 - is it my time management system, or theirs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oovj4KvCsH8

EDGY IDEA #3 - BUILD ON WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE. ADOPT A PLAN TO MAKE IT BETTER.

Others say: "You must forget what you already know and adopt everything you are now being taught" Time Management 2.0 says: "You have already had some success with the home-grown system you use today. Retain what works, and make a plan to work on what doesn't, keeping growth organic" The truth about time management systems is that we all start to develop our own habits and practices as teenagers, or even before. Back then we had classes, homework and exams, and being a success at school required some degree of time management skill.

A new employee comes to the job with certain habits and practices already in place, even if they have never picked up a book. Over time, they hone their system without knowing it, by changing what they do on a daily basis and adding and removing practices to their routines. By the time they enter a time management class, pick up a book, or purchase a device, they already have a system in place, even if it has no name. The problem with time management teaching today is that it assumes a blank canvas - that a user has nothing that is working. It's assumed that the new system that is being taught must simply replace the user's current system. 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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For the majority of users, and I imagine for you, that's just: a) wishful thinking - it's hard to implement brand new habits without acknowledging current ones b) a bit of an insult - many people work very hard on their productivity skills during their careers, and to take them back to age 14 when they had almost no habits is a subtle put-down

You no longer have to be left with either sentiment: in Time Management 2.0, the popular assumption is reversed. Instead, professionals need to start and build on what they already have if they hope to be successful in implementing any new system. In particular, the parts that work need to be preserved. It's simply more realistic, and easier, for a user to illuminate and understand their current habit-pattern in a new way, so that they can plan the changes they need to make. In that way, they focus their efforts on the most profitable improvements, and don't waste their time trying to implement a system that might not work at all, on top of their current system which has been working for them up until now. Further Resources:

Read -- visit my blog at http://2time-sys.com and do a search for "own systems." Here is a sample post: Plane Design, Time Management Design Watch -- FAQ#7: What if I'm already using a time management system? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ8lECioZnIQ and SAQ#4: Is it easier to mimic someone else's habits or start with your own? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Trz9-5-ZpuA

EDGY IDEA #4 - NEVER GET STUCK WITH WHAT YOU HAVE TODAY -- KEEP EVOLVING

Others say: "Time management is something you learn once, like riding a bicycle" Time Management 2.0 says: "If you don't continually upgrade your skills, prepare to fall behind" Fortunately for us, we live in an age of rapid innovation, and there's hardly a day that goes by without an announcement of some gadget, software program or web service that promises to help us increase our productivity.

8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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The future is likely to continue in the same vein. Given these changes, we need to be constantly scanning the horizon to discover which new tools could be used to help us improve our time management systems. For example, here in 2010 alone, we have seen the release of Apple's iPad, GMail's Priority Inbox and Xobni's program for Outlook. Also, a number of books have been published that promise new tips. It's easy to throw our hands in the air and claim that it's all happening too fast to keep up.

In Time Management 2.0, we embrace these changes and find ways to evaluate new offerings in terms of their potential impact on our time management systems. We must do so because working professionals are likely to face the following in the future: - increased competition for our attention - more technologies with built-in disruptors (pings, beeps, buzzes, vibrations, chimes, etc.) - new channels of communication - even more messages sent at us each day Dealing with this reality will require you to have new technologies, new techniques and new tools. The professional who develops her time management systems to any given point, and stops, is likely to fall behind, simply because her current time management system is not geared to deal with the latest reality. For example, I know CEO's who have their secretaries print out their email so that they can read it each morning. Clearly, their skills have not kept up with what's happening around them.

On a more personal note, I remember when I had AOL as my primary email account, and the program announced "You've Got Mail" whenever I got a new message. That was fun when I got 2-3 messages per day, but at some point that technology became useless when the number of emails received exploded. Anyone using AOLMail today probably doesn't use that feature for the 150 messages that they receive on average.

One of the most unproductive places you could be, is to have old skills in the midst of new technology. The key is to find a feasible, stress-free pathway for continuous improvement. Before discovering Time Management 2.0, all of the time management systems I looked at made the mistake of taking their users to a single point and leaving them there. The assumption seemed to be that once you "got" time management, you were set for life.

Here in Time Management 2.0, we emphasize the idea that there are people in the world who are highly skilled practitioners in time management. They are designated as "Green Belts," according the ladder of skills ranging from White to Green that we use as a tool. They start with a simple assessment to determine their current belt level. (For an example of how this is done, see 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

Further Resources below.)

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There is no external pressure or expectation to move up from one belt to another whatsoever, recognizing that each person is different. They compare their skills against their life's current needs, and then make a decision about whether or not they'd like to upgrade their skills, and perhaps earn a new belt. Some decide that they are fine where they are at the moment, but most are able to see some gaps for the first time and make some plans to close them. That's a far cry from many who think that time management is something to learn once. Further Resources:

Read -- read the blog post - Never Trust Your Time Management System! Watch -- FAQ#5 How do I make permanent changes to my time management system? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJEjk1 Dlie8

Take a Quiz -- For a real example of how you can determine your skill level at the skill of Capturing, take this quiz. You'll find out which belt level you currently have in this skill, and how you can effect an upgrade.

EDGY IDEA #5 - SWIPE TIME MANAGEMENT IDEAS FROM WHEREVER YOU CAN FIND THEM

Others say: Don't deviate from this system" Time Management 2.0 says: "Experiment and try new ideas from every source you can find"

Looking for ideas to upgrade your time management system might sound more daunting than it really is. There are lots of gurus out there who have put together excellent systems for personal productivity. Some are well known, while others are more obscure.

The good news is that there are quite a few gurus who have put together good systems, but the chances of any of them being compatible with your current habit pattern are small. After all, they based their system on what 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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worked for them, and then found that it worked with others, but they probably didn't get around to consulting YOU!

They know that their system works, and they can't imagine that you can use it in a way that's different, and therefore they urge users to stick to the habits and practices that they prescribe. I remember one guru who insisted that his unique lexicon was essential to making the system work, including a pretty unique definition of the word "Now."

If you're lucky, you might be one of the few who are already using habits that are similar to the gurus, therefore making the change a relatively easy one. However, you might be like many users who aren't interested in walking lockstep with someone else's ideas and practices. You sense that the guru's ideas probably do work quite well for the guru, but that your life is different. You need something that's customized for your needs, personality, career, idiosyncrasies, lifestyle, age and culture.

You probably also want to have the ability to change the guru's ideas as you see fit, and to use the ideas from as many sources as you can, regardless of the name of the author or trainer. I have found that taking a bit from one source and then another has been the best approach, giving me a system that's all mine but works well for me. You probably want the same thing.

I know the gurus are smart guys, but I don't think that any of them is perfect. We are all better off mashing together a time management system of our own, and being open to the next new idea so that we can incorporate it into our routine.

What Time Management 2.0 explores are the principles, or fundamentals of time management. When we understand them, we can easily take ideas from here and there as we become aware of them, and continually improve our productivity. A few years ago, I learned how to build PC's, and since then I have been able to custom-build my own, and repair them, simply because I have that skill. I'm just grateful that there were lots of people who were willing to teach the principles of computer building and repairing so that I could understand it.

Not too long ago, users dared not open their computers for fear of damaging them, as they lacked the basic knowledge necessary. They simply could not do much with them.

8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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In the world of Time Management 2.0 I want to leave you with the ability to enhance your own productivity whenever you want or need to, and to show you how to incorporate the very latest ideas and technologies as soon as they become available.

For example, recently GMail released a new feature called Priority Inbox. I analyzed it using Time Management 2.0 principles (see the article in the Further Resources appendix to this chapter) and found that it didn't deliver on its promises to save time and ease email overload. It's the kind of analysis that's easy to do once you know the principles, and I'm now applying it to a quest I'm on to see if adopting a smartphone will enhance or diminish my overall productivity. You'll be able to do the same thing on your own once you learn how to use Time Management 2.0. In this world, it's too easy to run after the sexiest new technology, only to end up with un-productive habits like texting while driving -- endangering other people's lives -- which is very unproductive! Further Resources:

Read -- read the article on my blog - Upgrade, Don't Replace Your Time Management System. Watch -- SAQ#10 Should I keep looking for new techniques?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEpkulNiuVM

EDGY IDEA #6 - SET YOUR OWN GOALS AND TRACK YOUR OWN PROGRESS AS YOU IMPROVE

Others say: "Follow or use this system and you'll double/tripe/quadruple your productivity" Time Management 2.0 says: "There is no easy way to measure an increase in your productivity, but choose a tangible behavioral goal" The promises that some make are outrageous. Without giving any hint of how the result can be measured, they promise to "add 90 minutes to your day" or "triple your productivity." It's easy to see the nonsense of this claim when up you realize that it's being made to everyone, from the novice to the most skillful time management expert. The hype is annoying (except perhaps to the most gullible,) because the fact 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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is, there is no easy way to measure the impact of a time management system on someone's productivity. While it might be possible one day, at the moment there is no method that is even remotely reliable in scientific terms. This presents a problem for us all - how do we know when a change we make to our time management system actually makes a difference?

There are proxy measurements available, however, that show the results of good time management, such as the average number of email messages remaining in an email Inbox at any given time. I watch other leading indicators such as missed appointments and broken promises, which tell me when some aspect of my system isn't working. Unfortunately, I have to track all of these manually, as there is no program, that I am aware of, that is available in programs such as Outlook.

I have recently tried RescueTime which attempts to measure how productive you are by tracking the amount of time spent using different kinds of software or websites. This isn't a perfect approach by any means, and its final statistics are better than nothing. The truth is that they are only useful to help you know what you shouldn't be doing, like spending 20 hours a week on Facebook. I tell participants in NewHabits and MyTimeDesign programs to track their peace of mind as the final indicator of how their system is working. This is a subjective measure that is purely psychological. What makes it an interesting measure to use is that it can be applied immediately, once a change is made, and it brings the user right back to the benefit they ultimately want, which is one that is emotional, but not scientific.

After all, we aren't machines. Tripling our productivity would probably make most of us miserable!

Until better tools are available, I recommend that people focus on specific behaviors, and on changing them from day to day until they become automatic. For example, remembering to take your manual capture point with you wherever you go is a powerful habit, and one that can be mastered, even in the absence of formal measurements. Just because it's tough to measure, doesn't mean that it shouldn't become a habit. Further Resources:

Read -- read the blos post - LifeHack: Measuring Your Time Management System Watch -- FAQ#8 How can I triple my productivity and profits? While working less? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQLydckWSac

8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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EDGY IDEA #7- TAKE SENSE PLAN

YOUR TIME AND MAKE CHANGES ACCORDING TO YOUR COMMON-

Others say: "Here is a long list of changes you need to make NOW" Time Management 2.0 says: "Plan out your changes over time and implement them organically"

You might be like most people who never got past the first few chapters of one or more time management books or websites. You like the ideas or tips you got, but very quickly become overwhelmed by the amount of new stuff you discovered that had to be implemented all at once in order to make the system work.

The list of new habits was so long you were sure you couldn't remember the whole thing, and you probably failed to make all the changes required. Some do try however, and are able to make a few changes for a week or two, until the crunch comes and, under pressure, they revert to their old habits.

Many of us end up feeling guilty at what we think is our lack of discipline, and label ourselves as procrastinators. Sometimes we even feel like failures, and this is particularly hard to take, given the initial excitement we felt when we first heard the ideas and liked them because they made sense. This is all no fault of ours, however.

Individual habits are difficult to change, as we all know. New ones are hard to learn, and old ones stubbornly resist removal, no matter how destructive they might be. Yesterday a friend shared with me the fact that as she lay down in bed at 11:30pm to go to sleep, she noticed the light on her Blackberry was on, which led her to check her email and immediately fashion a reply. Afterwards, she knew that what she did was unproductive, but in the moment there was no choice - the habit was that strong. The gurus, however, seem content to do the easy part -- sharing the ideas, while leaving the hard part (implementation) up to us. And they don't help the situation by not providing a pathway to actually effect the changes. It's no wonder the book is never finished.

In Time Management 2.0, the idea that a transformation can happen all at 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

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once is rejected, in favor of a new approach that happens to fit the latest research in habit change.

It turns out that habit changes are more effectively undertaken when they are broken into small steps, and when one works to perfect a single step at a time. In this way, a person builds confidence and skill gradually, or in other words "organically." This does make things tricky for the gurus, however, as the sequence of habit to be changed differs from one person to another. The solution is simple and puts the onus back on the user: 1. teach someone how to distinguish individual habit changes 2. show them how to sequence the changes over time, so that the flow from one change to another follows a natural progression

When you have these 2 skills your rate of success increases, which is exactly what the latest research predicts. Over time, you build a foundation of effective changes that builds confidence and skill at habit change. In Time Management 2.0, your implementation is everything, and success isn't measured by how cool the guru's ideas are, but instead, by how many habits that you, the user, actually put into play. To make the transition stick, users need a third step, which will be covered in the next Edgy idea. Further Resources:

Read -- read the article on my blog - On the Failure of Time Management Systems Watch -- SAQ#9 What will a finished plan for upgrading my system look like? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_xhVdvydt8

EDGY IDEA #8 - EVOLVING YOUR SYSTEM IS A FUNCTION OF YOUR HABIT-CHANGING SUPPORTS

Others say: "Habit change is easy!" Time Management 2.0 says: "Habit change is hard, but it can be made easier with the right support." Thankfully, the research done on changing habits is clear and helpful.

To be effective, you'd better have a great support system. This is a part of the reason that Alcoholics Anonymous and Weight Watchers work so well -8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

they provide superior support systems.

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In Time Management 2.0, successful implementation has everything to do with the quality of the support system that a user puts in place. Once again, however, there is no one-size-fits-all solution that you can find that would work for you. The research is clear on this point - a support system that works for you, might create havoc for me. Instead of just doing what others do, you must design your own combination of social, electronic and expert support so that you make it hard to escape the new habit without getting some feedback that reminds you (or forces you) to get back on track.

Doing this well is no easy task, as you are essentially finding creative ways to work around your habitual tendencies. In time management, someone may have practiced certain habits for decades before deciding to make a change. These are difficult to dislodge because they have had lots of time to be burned into your neuromuscular memory, and you no longer conciously think about doing them - they just get done. In Time Management 2.0 we assume that changing habits is difficult, and that crafting this kind of supportive environment is critical to success. People need help in learning how to build these supports, so that they can radically improve the odds of implementing what they learn. Some people use paid coaches to help keep them on track. Others join a group in which they can help each other stay on top. Electronic reminders have become more popular as a way of automatically prompting oneself to take action at specific times. Tracking progress with metrics is also a very powerful method.

Recently I stumbled across a web service at www.sticck.com that allows you to place a bet on yourself using real, live cash -- it's a fascinating new way to support yourself in making changes.

Understanding which of the above options, among many, will work for you requires some experimentation and insight that few possess. Once you figure out which supports work, however, you have the tremendous ability to change any habit at will, and you'll be able to tell the difference between changes you MUST make and those you'd like to make someday. Further Resources:

Read -- read the article on my blog - A New Hypothesis on Learning Time Management Skills Watch -- SAQ#7 What kinds of supports do I need? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puYpR0sjV3A 8 Edgy Ideas from Time Management 2.0 by Francis Wade ÂŠ 2010

Thanks for reading my special report on the 8 Edgy Ideas of Time Management 2.0.

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Here are some additional resources that you might find to be helpful.

The 2Time mailing list: hear about the latest news, blog posts, audios and videos by being a member of my main mailing list. Join by visiting the 2Time website (www.2time-sys.com) and filling in the form to be put on the mailing list. Training: A few times a year I offer my online programs, MyTimeDesign 1.0.Free and MyTimeDesign 2.0.Professional. If you would like to be notified when they become available for registration, simply visit the www.MyTimeDesign.com website. I also do live training and coaching in my NewHabits-NewGoals program. Use my contact form to send me a personal message: http://ReplytoFrancis.info Discussion and Feedback: You can visit the blog page for this special report and leave a comment for discussion. You may also discuss the report on Facebook, on my Time Management 2.0 page by clicking here. Questions: I answer public questions at my Facebook page which you can visit at Q: time management.

Thanks again for reading my special report, and stay tuned to the latest developments in the field of time management by keeping in touch. I think that there are some exciting things coming to the world of personal productivity that will empower all of who are striving for greater performance and satisfaction.

Francis Wade

Kingston, Jamaica Share with your friends:

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2Time Special Report © Copyright 2010, Francis Wade and Framework Consulting, except where indicated otherwise. All rights reserved worldwide. Reprint only with permission from copyright holder(s). All trademarks are property of their respective owners. All contents provided as is. No express or implied income claims made herein. Your business success is dependent on many factors, including your own abilities.