?? How to go from stressed to in control ??
My top tips for reducing stress by mastering your process
When I first started working, I didn’t realize there was an art to HOW you get your work done, you just get it done, right? But then a colleague a few years older than me sat me down and drew out his process…. It changed my way of working entirely!
Confused? Let me explain….
It’s Monday morning and your boss walks into your office. She lets you know that next Friday (10 business days from now, 9 depending on how you look at it ??) your team has a critical meeting with a client and you’ll need to prepare some materials for that meeting.
Simple right?
WRONG!
One of the hardest things to learn as a new or even experienced employee, is how to manage the next 10 days to:
? Produce the materials for the meeting
? Get the necessary information/data from other internal teams
? Review and finalize the materials with your boss
? Stay sane
Here’s what I typically see happen:
Look familiar?? Of course! We’ve all done it. It’s so easy to:
? Prioritize our individual work?
? Underestimate how long it will take to get information from other parties
? Review with our manager too late?
? Completely rebuild materials?
? Endure massive stress as the deadline approaches
OK, now let me show you how I would structure my 10 days to drive a more effective process:
Day 1 is CRITICAL
Here’s a visual for how I structure my time:
Now let me explain my agenda for each meeting that I’ve scheduled with my boss so you can understand why I’ve designed it this way [Remember you can cancel some of these if they’re no longer needed]:
领英推荐
Meeting #1
Purpose: Drive alignment with my manager from the outset ?? show them my WIP outline
Input I ask for: Would you think about this differently? Have I missed anything critical? Do I need any other information/data from other teams?
Meeting #2
Purpose: Status update before the weekend, discuss any emerging information that meaningfully changes what we aligned on in meeting #1
Input I ask for: None - just setting my manager’s mind at ease!
Meeting #3
Purpose: Let my manager know the key areas I’m focused on coming into the week and what’s outstanding
Input I ask for: If I’m blocked from delivering any critical items, I ask my manager for help for example, chasing data with other teams
Meeting #4
Purpose: Review of completed materials (though your manager will likely make edits)
Input I ask for: Detailed page by page review & edits
Meeting #5 [Everyone always forgets this one!!]
Purpose: Align on meeting roles before the client meeting
Input I ask for: What role should I play in this meeting? What should I own? Are there specific areas I should present or answer questions about?
Why is this approach so powerful?
? You are in the driver’s seat the entire time - you OWN the process
? You engage in a collaborative, iterative process with your manager that builds trust
? You maximize efficiency by parallel processing work
? You ensure you have a seat at the table in the meeting
? You subtly impress because you’re in control and calm
I hope this visual calendar helps you think about how to structure your process differently. Let me know in the comments if you have any questions or areas I can clarify.
??For even more juicy tips & tricks like this one - sign-up for my weekly newsletter here
??Interested in working with me? Schedule a free 30 min introductory conversation here
#Process #CareerGrowth #Tips #learnwithme #ProfessionalDevelopment #ProjectPlanning #LeadershipSkills #WorkplaceEfficiency #TeamCollaboration #EarlyCareerWomen #Mentorship #BusinessSuccess #time
Executive Coach & Certified Life Coach
6 个月This is incredible, Kim! Young professionals NEED THIS ??
I help CEOs sell their services through LinkedIn | Generated over $1.3M deals from my client in 12 weeks
6 个月Kimberlee Sheldon, This is exactly the kind of practical advice that can make a real difference in someone's career. One thing I'd add is the importance of adaptability. The best plans can sometimes go awry, but by having a strong process in place, you're better equipped to handle unexpected changes.
Logistics & Supply Chain Administration | Procurement | Inventory Control | Account Management | Budget Planning & Forecasting | Risk Assessment & Mitigation | Project Management | Business Process Improvement
6 个月Thanks for the tips, Kimberlee Sheldon! Important to know at any stage in your career!