New online workshop on time management and productivity offered through Eastern Michigan University’s Professional Programs and Training!

Lean thinking is a process-based approach to increase efficiency and productivity in the workplace – designed to help us work smarter, not harder. 5S is a tool in the Lean toolbox. 5S stands for Sort, Straighten, Sweep & Shine, Standardize and Sustain (I know that’s six, but Sweep & Shine counts as one). Originally designed to help people and teams organize their workspaces, its principles can also be applied to the way we organize our time.

In the Sort phase, we begin to separate the important from the unnecessary in our lives, sifting through the possible many to clarify the vital few. This includes looking at our lives from multiple vantage points – defining and refining the bigger picture of our vision, purpose, roles and goals as well as clarifying the current state of our commitments, projects, tasks and relationships.

In the Straighten phase, we look at methods to organize our time so that all the important elements have a place in our schedule. Here’s where some of the time management tools come in, such as calendars, organizers and different forms of technology. One of my favorite time management tools is a timer.

In the Sweep & Shine phase, we create completion cycles and start to look at routine tasks and activities with fresh eyes.  Here’s where we clear up all the nagging unfinished business that bogs us down and look at ways to kick our most important activities up a notch – to spruce, polish and spiff them up so that we get more value out of them, feel more engaged and reconnect to the purpose and process of doing them.  

In the Standardize phase, we implement processes, systems and process improvement cycles to help us work smarter, not harder, so that we improve our sense of control and efficiency.

When we get to Sustain, we look at how a thoughtful approach to the process of change can help with the challenge of moving from theory to practice to habit. As we integrate the principles and practices of effective time management into our work and lives, we make the shift from too much frantic doing to much more calm being in our relationship with time.

Start the shift from frantic doing to calm being in your work and life. Register today for the online Time Management and Productivity workshop, offered as part of Eastern Michigan University’s Online Quality Leadership Series.

[tags] time management, 5S, productivity, Eastern Michigan University, quality leadership, personal effectiveness [/tags]