Make time in time: Clever creates capacity

Using snippets of time wisely can greatly improve your productivity.

In “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban,” one of the main characters, Hermione, carried a “time-turner.”

This hourglass pendant on a necklace allowed her to travel through time and be in two places at once.

Each turn of the hourglass equaled one hour of time. It was essential in using this time-turner that she never be seen by her past or future version of herself—unless, of course, she was aware she was using the time-turner.

This allowed her to attend multiple classes at the same time and accelerate her schooling. Oh some days how do we wish we had Hermione’s time-turner!

As we don’t have access to this piece of jewelry, we need to make time in time. We can cleverly use aspects of time to increase capacity by applying several strategies:

• Combine activities. Carry a reading file with you so you can always read journals, magazines, or best-selling books while waiting for your next appointment or for your kids to finish their sporting activity.

• Walk and talk. While you walk from one office building to the next, consider inviting someone to join you.

Early in our career with a large Australian bank, we worked for an amazingly successful women who was the queen of making time in time. Her busy calendar required walking between our office and the corporate head office, which was connected by an underground tunnel.

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