CHAPTER 17

Enhancing Personal Productivity and Managing Stress

Andrew J. DuBrinEssentials of Management, 6/eSouth-Western College Publishing

Copyright © 2003

Screen graphics created by:Jana F. Kuzmicki, PhD, Christian Brothers University

PPT

17.1

After reading this chapter,you should be able to:

1 Identify techniques for improving work habits and time management.

2 Identify techniques for reducing procrastination.

3 Understand the nature of stress, including its consequences.

4 Explain how stress can be managed effectively.

PPTHow to Improve Work Habits and Manage Your

Time 1. Develop a mission, goals, and a strong work ethic

2. Clean up your work area and sort out yours tasks

3. Prepare a to-do list and assign priorities

4. Streamline your work and work at a steady pace

5. Concentrate on one task at a time

6. Do creative and routine work at different times

7. Stay in control of paperwork, e-mail, and voice mail 8. Strive to achieve peak performance and take power naps 9. Put extra effort into managing multiple priorities

10. Build flexibility into your system

17.2

PPTUsing Technology to Boost Productivity

Use personal information

manager (PIM) software to

organize work

Use a laptop computer when away from the

office

Use an interactive pager to

transmit short messages to

others

Use groupware to allow all

team members to edit a team

report

Use a palm-size computer as a

personal digital assistant

17.3

PPT

Calculate the cost of

procrastination

Make a commitment to

others

Post a progress chart in your work

area

Force yourself to confront an uncomfortable

task

Reward yourself for achieving

milestones

Break task down into

smaller units

Use subliminal messages

Techniques to Reduce and

Control Procrastinatio

n

17.4

PPTThe Job-Demand - Job Control

Model

Low Contr

ol

Low Job Demands High Job Demands

Passive Job High-Strain Job

Low-Strain Job Active JobHigh Contr

ol

Adapted from Exhibit 17.5

A worker is likely to experience the most job stress when he/she exercises low control over a job with high

demands.

17.5

PPTOrganizational Practices Contributing to

StressWork

overload-longer hours and less free

time

Lack of reward for

one’s contribution

Lack of control over one’s work

Absence of a work

community

Unfair treatment

Value conflicts between work and

one’s personal

ethics

17.6

PPTMethods to Control and Reduce

Stress

Get social support

Improve your work

habitsDevelop positive self-talk Hug the

right people

Demand less than perfection

from yourself

17.7

PPTFive Tested Stress Busters

Take a brief break from a stressful situation and do something small and constructive, like washing your car or getting a hair cut.

Get help with a stressful task from a co-worker, boss, or friend.

Concentrate intensely on reading, surfing the Internet, a sport, or hobby. Contrary to common sense, concentration is at the heart of stress reduction.

Finish anything you have started. Accomplishing almost anything reduces some stress.

Find somebody or something that makes you laugh, and have a good laugh.

17.8