ISSUE #13

Welcome to the + 2 newsletter from The PPM Academy

Each month, I’ll send you two quick and simple approaches to improve your Productivity and Project Management that you can try, test, and adapt to work and everyday life.

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Sometimes, standing out as a Project Manager or any role can be challenging if you’re part of a big company. In this month's Project Management Tip, I’ll share a simple approach to help you stand out from your peers and improve your team and client relationships. 45 seconds reading time.

Our days are filled with distractions, and quite often, we don't even realise we're distracted as we're working on a task and, at the same time, wondering why it's taking so long. In this month's Productivity Tip, I'll explain the power of timers and suggestions on which tools to use. 1 minute, 8 seconds reading time.

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Project Management Tip: The One Thing

Doing the basics well on a project creates success.

To excel as a Project Manager, you don’t have to know it all but focus on communicating well, keeping your promises, being consistent and sometimes doing the unexpected. ⁠ ⁠

This is where the one thing tip works really well. How can you surprise your team or client?

Start by putting yourself in their shoes; what would they appreciate, what do they need, what would make their working day better today? ⁠ ⁠

It could be a simple thank you for all their hard work, an update they weren’t expecting, or an offer to help. ⁠ ⁠

Small things can significantly impact your performance and how others perceive you.⁠ ⁠

So, what’s your one thing going to be today?

Then, type up the questions you asked yourself to get to your one thing and save them.

These can be added to your new weekly checklist to improve your performance.

Productivity Tip: The Power of Timers

This is such a straightforward productivity hack.⁠

Use a timer every time you want to work on a single task.

I set 30-minute timers and will only do the task at hand once that timer goes off.⁠

It’s incredible how much you can get done when you’re focused on one thing and don’t task hop hop, or get distracted by your email, messenger apps, etc.⁠

Timers are everywhere, but here are a few you can use. ⁠⁠

1. Search ‘Timer’ in Google for a free one⁠.
2. Use the Forest app, plus get a cute digital tree to plan when your timer is done.⁠
3. The Portal iOS app has amazing scenes and calming background noise. I assume it’s on Android as well. ⁠
4. The one I use the most is the Timer RH Desktop app on the Mac App Store. Simple, straightforward and quick to access⁠
5. I also use Freedom, an amazing tool for blocking distracting websites and apps during the time you need to focus. (This is an affiliate link, so I can get a small donation if you sign up : )

If you’re in the habit of checking your inbox, Teams, and Slack regularly, why not wait 30 minutes before you do?

To truly single task, you need to be full screen and have no access to notifications or your inbox viewable on another screen.

This includes not having your mobile next to you as well.

You may think you’re focusing on a single task, but you won’t be as productive if you don’t do this.

By being more single-task focused and having these 30-minute blocks, you’ll provide far more value versus being fast to reply to emails.

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PS: If you like these tips, did you know I have a programme where I develop PMs on their Project Management skills, Productivity and Mindset to become high-performing Project Managers and Leaders? If you would like to learn more about working with me, find out more here and book a free discovery call. ​

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