Time Management We don't have to give up technology to regain control. "You need to set expectations of yourself and other people," says Daniel Mark, a blogger on time management for the Harvard Business Review. Here, some ways to manage time. 1. Finish simple tasks 完成简单的任务 Always complete easy tasks, like reading a memo -- never switch between small projects. "The mind holds only about seven pieces of information at a time," says Carnegie Mellon psychologist David Creswell. Bottom line: Don't try to do two simple tasks at once. 记得完成简单的任务，比如读便笺——绝对不要在简单的任务之间切换。“大脑一次最多可以保存七条信息，”卡耐基梅隆大学的心理学家大卫·克雷斯韦尔讲道。”底线是：不要试着一次去完成两项简单的任务。 2. Break up complex tasks 分解复杂的任务 Complex tasks like building a budget differ from simple ones: You can complete them more quickly and efficiently by breaking them up.But note he's not advising multitasking here -- always learn the contours of a problem thoroughly before distracting yourself with a menial task for a few minutes. Also, choose something completely different from your main project. " 诸如做预算这样的复杂任务和简单任务不同：分解后，你可以更快速有效地完成。但是注意他不是提倡同时处理多项任务——在用小事转移注意力之前，总要先彻底弄懂大问题的概要。同时，选和你的主要项目完全不同的事情来做。 3. Build willpower 培养意志力 Willpower is key to efficiency -- and just like the muscles in your body, if you exercise it more frequently, you can improve it. Willpower gets depleted when you use it too much. Avoid making major decisions after a series of hard choices. When possible, make the toughest decisions when your willpower is strongest, says Baumeister. 意志力是高效的关键——就如你身体的肌肉一样，锻炼越多，越能提升。意志力用太多就少了避免在一系列艰难的抉择之后做任何重大决定。可能的话，在意志力最强的时候做最艰难的决定，鲍迈斯特讲道。 4. Keep a calendar, not a to-do list 安排日程表，而不是待办清单 Mark advises laying out blocks of time for each task. Blocking out time provides structure and gives you micro-deadlines to complete tasks. Leave a few empty spaces for inevitable crises and interruptions, and to make room for tasks that may take longer. 马科维茨建议给每项任务分配时间板块。标出时间板块能让你更有条理，同时帮你给各项任务设置了微观的截止时间。记得留出空白时间给无可避免的危机和干扰，以及可能需要延长工作时间的任务。 |