Space, mind, and time are independent factors and interconnected dimensions of our environment that can either boost or jeopardize productivity. Understanding this holistic approach can enlighten you on why some people excel in ticking off their to-do lists while others struggle. Effective space, mind, and time management are key to this difference.
Interestingly, when it comes to being effective and efficient at what we do, it’s important to note that time management does not exist in isolation; hence, there is a need to consider the concept in terms of the dimension of one’s environment.
Over the past three weeks, I’ve dealt with the different elements of the physical and mental environments, which serve these three dimensions and become testaments to how they are all interconnected for the overall success of any career person.
Whether the environment in question is physical, invisible, or abstract, forming a routine, scheduling, decluttering, archiving, completing, filing, stowing away, dealing with, addressing, and carrying out some of these tasks or activities ensure we free up necessary spaces inside and outside us to take on more responsibilities. After all, no one continues to do things the same way and experiences phenomenal growth. We are all expected to take on more tasks, duties, and challenges through capacity building and creativity, thereby needing fresh, free spaces all around, within, and upon us as mind, space, and time could connote.
Using the analogy of a popular concept known as the lean approach, one can identify, eliminate, organize, and, most importantly, standardize space, mind, and time management for effectiveness and efficiency. The lean approach, often used in business and manufacturing, focuses on reducing waste and improving efficiency. In the context of productivity, it means identifying and eliminating distractions, organizing tasks, and standardizing routines to create an environment that supports productivity and wellbeing. This holistic framework considers the interconnectedness of the factors that affect productivity in the following manner:
Space: The role of space management in improving productivity entails identifying and using physical location(s) to perform one’s daily tasks. Space management, landscape, interior design, and décor transcend aesthetics or glamour as they characterize a physical work environment not limited to impression and location. It includes the layout, comfort, and amenities available in the workspace. Cleanliness and comfort are key attributes of a space that will yield heightened productivity. Ergonomics furniture, room temperature, and appropriate lighting do not only enhance good work but also creativity. They include aesthetic visuals, functional work tools, availability, proximity, and resource access. Other attributes of an excellent physical workspace are privacy, flexibility, and adaptability. No matter how bustling the workspace can get, creating an area or space in the same locality that provides a level of quietness for reflection, focus, and mental recalibration is essential. Also, having a versatile workspace that can serve at least three purposes when push comes to shove will be efficient. Such adaptability provides options for different workstyles, preferences, and autonomy for ideal workflow. Optimizing space management creates environments that support visual and physical factors that enhance productivity, creativity, and overall wellbeing.
Mind: Decluttering the human mind, another dimension of the environment, involves stress management, emotional intelligence, and resilience. This invisible terrain, which requires continuous learning, motivation, focus, and clarity to be productive, does not only conceive but also create. Identifying mental clutter, practicing mindfulness, prioritizing thoughts, and maintaining a clean and clear mental space are keys to a productive mind space. Although this environment is invisible, its creative power makes it possible to transfer its clutter into the physical in terms of actualization or into a journal for future action or reference. The lean approach applies to the mind space through pinpointing distractions and stress triggers. These can then be controlled by practicing mindfulness, meditation, and exercising, after which goals that form our thoughts are itemized, prioritized, and actioned according to their rank and file. This habit makes it possible to clear the mind from time to time to receive more instructions and tasks and set goals and ideas with clarity and ambition.
Time: This is the most unique dimension of the three, having written at length about the other two for some time now. Although time may seem abstract in the context of the environment, it’s as real as the money we all work for. It is the third dimension, in which everything else exists, yet no one controls it; hence, it is best managed. Also, its worth is dependent on every individual’s perceived value, knowledge acquired, or impact made or felt. Interestingly, this dimension of the environment can never be regained once gone. To optimize your time for effectiveness and efficiency, you need to identify its wasters, streamline and prioritize your tasks, and then standardize them to form routines. For instance, you can use tools like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks or the Pomodoro Technique to manage your work and break times. Scheduling is one of the most proactive ways to get all these done. Other factors to consider when managing time to boost productivity are pacing, flexibility, reflection, and balance. By mastering these aspects of time, individuals can optimize their productivity, achieve a balance, and enjoy a sense of fulfillment, joy, satisfaction, and wellbeing. Effective time management can lead to increased efficiency, reduced stress, and greater control over one’s life and career.
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Did you know that everyone has their creative peak, a time when they are most productive? Recognizing and harnessing this peak can empower you to take control of your productivity. Have you ever noticed your creative peak? If yes, how have you made the most of it?
Opaleye, a wellbeing specialist and corporate wellness strategist, writes from Lagos
