What if Disney?s FastPass system could make you more productive and focused on the job? This could be especially useful for those important tasks that you never have time to address.
The FastPass idea has become a well loved productivity tool at Disney and other theme parks. It?s for those popular rides that can feature a long line.
Either through paper or electronic means, you?re able to get a ticket to go to an attraction at a later time. When you arrive at that specified time, you have a significantly reduced or nonexistent wait.
This principle is brilliant for those who visit amusement parks and it helps them avoid the pain of standing in line. The same concept can produce similar victories at work.
While there are no thrilling rides on the job, there are probably important tasks that you are underserving. The problem is not that you lack competence but rather that you have too many demands on your time. Let?s see if we can add some FastPass to your day:
You?re Forced to Make Choices
When you go to an amusement park, you probably have three or four rides that you want to experience. Seeing them, will make your visit rewarding. These are the ones where you commit to getting a FastPass.
Think about the three or four most important duties that you need to do on the job. You may be tempted to list every task as being important. This is a mistake and a surefire way to kill your productivity. It?s very important that you identify your top tasks.
It Adds Structure
With a FastPass in hand, you know when you need to go to the attraction. Typically, you?ll fill in the rest of the available time up to that deadline. This might be when you go to some less popular rides, grab lunch, or just take a break.
Can you build a similar itinerary around your most important tasks at work? This allows you to fill your day but not overstuff it. When we take on too much, the important things often are put off until another day. Sometimes that day never comes.
This exercise also allows you to see if you need to delegate some of your workload. A day full of little tasks may not add up to improved productivity.
You Have an Excuse to Say No
At the amusement park, there may be more activities than hours in the day. You have to choose which ones you?ll enjoy. Sometimes this involves saying, ?No,? to going on the same ride twice.
In your workplace, you have a lot of demands on your time. When you?ve added a structure to your day, you can turn down those things that pull you away from your most important tasks.
For instance, you may be invited to join the birthday committee. While this would likely be fun, your participation will not help you achieve your quarterly goals. There?s likely someone else in the organization who could adequately fill your shoes.
Another example could involve a task, like cleaning your desk. You may be in the habit of spending half a day on tidying up your workspace. This may be more time than you can afford. Instead, you could make better use of your time if you limited yourself to spending five minutes at the end of each day to clean things up. You?re not rejecting cleanliness. You?re making sure it doesn?t dominate your day.
Final Thought
When you leave a well planned amusement park visit, you feel good. You experienced things that you enjoyed. Why not strive for that feeling when you?re leaving work?
