Comments on: How to Act and Not React

By: Georgann

Georgann — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 19:15:12 +0000

Ok I will try to do this. LOL I found myself wanting to read the new email that just sounded while I was reading this. oh well it lasted for a 20 seconds.

By: Ali Al-Hawwaj

Ali Al-Hawwaj — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 06:40:28 +0000

Thanks David,
Sometimes, I read a book and get little from it while othertimes, I got a lot from a word.
I think I learned a lot from your articles and will do my best to reflect the advices to my life.
regards,

By: Kim Clarke

Kim Clarke — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 15:28:03 +0000

This advice is perfect timing. I am in the midst of reflecting on what needs to change so I can eliminate working weekends. I have resorted to focusing on my really important tasks on the weekend when I have no interruptions of the urgent short term tasks. The weekend approach has come at a price in other areas of my life, a price that I am no longer willing to pay. The advice in the article is very helpful and I will use the online Change Anything tools to support the change. Thanks

By: Weekly Links Aug 29th – Sep 2nd 2011 | Leader's Quest

Weekly Links Aug 29th – Sep 2nd 2011 | Leader's Quest — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:04:34 +0000

[…] How to Act and Not React – David Maxfield […]

By: David Maxfield

David Maxfield — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 13:22:40 +0000

Laura’s point is especially important. I hope it came through in my suggestions. Try something, but try it the way a scientist would–as an experiment. Then learn what works for you. As Elizabeth notes, you’re fighting an addiction to short-term tasks. Best wishes,

By: Elizabeth Richards

Elizabeth Richards — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:57:49 +0000

Short term tasks are addictive. One way I’ve discovered to avoid the temptation is to unplug the laptop and head to Starbucks. I don’t login in to their free network but I do indulge in a cup of tea. Something about escaping the office to do work makes me feel like I’m on holiday. I get my projects done and feel like I’ve played hooky at the same time. Plus settling into deep uninterrupted thought is a gift of it’s own.

By: editor

editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:33:03 +0000

@Laura Moen That's a great point! We need to recognize that what works for one person might not work for another. Try a few of David's tactics (such as scheduling periods of uninterrupted thought and delegating short-term tasks) and see if they work for you.

By: editor

editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 18:23:50 +0000

@Arma Thank you for your comment. It's always nice to hear that we're helping someone!

By: Laura Moen

Laura Moen — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:28:33 +0000

I agree – great advice. It echoes what my Division heard when I brought in a time management specialist to help us break out of some problematic behaviors. It can also be helpful to take a step back and look at your time management behavior as an individual – different people do different things for different reasons. Understanding that personal motivation is a key element towards change.

By: Arma

Arma — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 16:19:15 +0000

Hello
This is great advice and I am sharing with my co-workers. I could spend 8 hours respodning to email and telephone calls.
THANKS!