How to Get Things Done Without Trying Too Hard 2e (2nd Edition)

This is the wise and witty antidote to procrastination, the definitive manual for getting more done and the best and simplest guide to finding time to do all those little things you know you need to do, but usually can't be bothered to. Cover......Page 1 Contents......Page 8 Introduction......Page 12 You can and you can’t......Page 15 You have to want to be organised......Page 17 You don’t have to change your personality......Page 19 Know yourself......Page 21 Make time......Page 23 Have a routine......Page 25 Don’t tell yourself you’re bored......Page 27 Don’t get distracted......Page 29 Think about what you’re not thinking about......Page 31 Don’t panic!......Page 33 Do it little and often......Page 35 Think positive......Page 37 Steer clear of time sappers......Page 39 Know when the good times are......Page 41 Do the scary jobs......Page 43 Set yourself limits......Page 45 Invest now, save later......Page 47 Don’t do too much......Page 49 Don’t waste your downtime......Page 51 Be reliable......Page 53 Don’t wait for people to change......Page 55 Write lists......Page 57 Get off to a flying start......Page 59 Visualise the finished thing......Page 61 Have less......Page 63 Sort it or bin it......Page 65 Ditch the eco-guilt......Page 67 Have a packing list......Page 69 Get into good habits......Page 71 Have a place for it......Page 73 File your week......Page 75 Keep a notebook......Page 77 Count your bags......Page 79 Streamline your workload......Page 81 Streamline your movements......Page 83 Multitask......Page 85 Build up a stockpile......Page 87 Double up......Page 89 Turn your toothbrush upside down......Page 91 Pin a note on the door......Page 93 Be decisive about mess......Page 95 Learn how to tidy......Page 97 Get the kids working......Page 99 Don’t do it yourself......Page 101 Give false deadlines......Page 103 Use a two-bin system......Page 105 Have a shopping list......Page 107 Read faster......Page 109 Keep time......Page 111 Get ahead of yourself......Page 113 Remember birthdays......Page 115 Make technology work for you......Page 117 Get Christmas wrapped up......Page 119 Treat yourself......Page 121 Find a sixpence......Page 123 Be decisive......Page 125 Lay the groundwork first......Page 127 Talk it through......Page 129 When you have to decide, do it......Page 131 Toss a coin......Page 133 Tell everyone what you’ve decided......Page 135 Hone your people skills......Page 137 Be assertive......Page 139 Learn to say no......Page 141 Stand your ground......Page 143 Understand thick skins......Page 145 Say what you mean......Page 147 Keep calm......Page 149 Count to ten......Page 151 See their point of view......Page 153 Feed it back......Page 155 Learn to delegate......Page 157 Know who’s doing what......Page 159 Get the best out of people......Page 161 Know what really matters......Page 163 Prioritise......Page 165 Know what is urgent (and what isn’t)......Page 167 Organise your to-do list......Page 169 Clear some downtime......Page 171 Plan your life......Page 173 Don’t just firefight......Page 175 Have a thorough diary......Page 177 Know what makes a difference......Page 179 Get organised at work......Page 181 Know where you’re going......Page 183 Know what you’re doing......Page 185 First you must push the wheelbarrow and then you can sit down......Page 187 Don’t work a week behind......Page 189 Don’t do things twice......Page 191 Deal with it when it happens......Page 193 Organise your space......Page 195 Don’t read things you don’t need to25......Page 197 Keep it together......Page 199 Make sure the boomerang comes back......Page 201 Keep your meetings on time......Page 203 Know what you’re aiming for......Page 205 Avoid unnecessary meetings......Page 207 Don’t get interrupted......Page 209 Don’t get caught by the phone......Page 211 Choose between email and phone......Page 213 Reduce your inbox......Page 215 Ditch the ping......Page 217 Stop playing games......Page 219 Get it over with......Page 221 Don’t give up......Page 223 You can and you can't -- You have to want to be organised -- You don't have to change your personality -- Know yourself -- Make time -- Have a routine -- Don't tell yourself you're bored -- Don't get distracted -- Think about what you're not thinking about -- Don't panic! -- Do it little and often -- Think positive -- Steer clear of time sappers -- Know when the good times are -- Do the scary jobs -- Set yourself limits -- Invest now, save later -- Don't do too much -- Don't waste your down time -- Be reliable -- Don't wait for people to change -- Write lists -- Get off to a flying start -- Visualise the finished thing -- Have less In this clever book, bestselling author Richard Templar delivers a collection of principles, tactics and techniques that will make sure things always get done, without you ever having to break a sweat or stay up into the small hours to do it. These pithy, self-contained ideas are so straightforward that you can even read the book itself without trying too hard.