How to Nap at Work - or Anyplace You Need a Rest

Would You Visit a “Nap Cafe?”

When I was working in the city for a big corporation, there were many days when I was wishing there was a “Nap Cafe” I could go to instead of having lunch. I was working A LOT and never getting enough rest so I was always tired….just like everybody else! So this idea sprung in my head, a “Nap Cafe,” where you could go to take a nap, in a small quiet room. All my friends laughed at the idea saying it would be too difficult to keep people from doubling up in those small quiet rooms, wink, wink. I don’t think so. But my idea never got implemented. I was busy with other projects. Read More here

Live 25 Hrs in a Day: 61 Tips

You DO have enough time for everything. This is the first thing you need to realize. You feel pressed for time because you misuse it. Do you surf the web or watch TV just because you are bored? When you’re stretched for time, these activities will only worsen the situation. Turn off the TV, shut down the computer, and complete whatever task you are delaying. You definitely need to manage time
Read all the 61 tips here

Project Management

I just came across this post by Keith Robinson giving some excellent advice for project management:

Look at what you need to do. Break it down. As a project manager you’re probably not going to have to do all the work yourself. You just need to make sure that it gets done, is done right, is done on time, etc. What are the tools you need to do that? A proper plan, good people, clear expectations, good communication, a timeframe, deadlines, a budget, etc. If you really take the time to look at it all, you’ll likely see that with a little thought it’s pretty manageable. Whatever you do, don’t go making a mountain out of a mole hill.

I think one of the biggest problems with many project managers is that they over complicate things or they force you into an overly ridged or complicated process. This makes everyone’s job harder. The idea is to work on the project, not for the project.

Some very good advice! Overdefining tasks can kill a project or make the effort much less enjoyable and less efficient than it needs to be. Part of being a good project manager entails giving people freedom, responsibility, accountability, and clear goals. One of the first rules is that something, somewhere will go wrong. Uncertainty is certain and setbacks are incorporated into any good plan. In a sense, absent a market-mechanism, the project manager tries to lower transaction costs of accomplishing a project and getting it out the door. A good project manager is part coach, coordinator, taskmaster, and peacemaker. Good communication is key.

Robinson sums it up in a nutshell:
If I were to boil it down to some quick and easy tips, I’d go with:

Don’t make it harder than it is
Kick off strong and with clear documentation
Stick to the high-level
Always make sure expectations are set and understood
Trust people to do their jobs
Be a great communicator at all times
Have a solid yet flexible process
Use tools that work for you, not the other way around
That’s pretty much it.

That is pretty much it. Pay special attention to the first point. Missing it can kill the rest. This is some great advice for coordinating people to work in just about any type of endeavor -- in a firm, a non-profit, a church, etc. I often think there is much here that would be usefully applied to what we do in the academy. I can dream, can't I?

If you have any involvement with working with people or leading a group, read the whole post. It won't take long and it is full of good thoughts and great advice.

(HT Gina Trapani)