Although we are accustomed to our school and training system to read everything from point to point and then maybe have to memorize it, too, this is snow yesterday!
With this antiquated work style, you will not be able to go further in the age of permanent information overload and high-speed management, but will end up in a dead end of unfinished, semi-finished tasks that will pull you off.
9 tips for a better overview
However, what helps you keep an overview are the following tips:
1. Free yourself up for more efficient reading methods
Get free from old workloads - there are more efficient methods that do not exceed your reading capacity, nor overload your brain, but still let you be the master of the information and material flood.
Another problem, however, is: "I don't see through" "I have no problems with the fabric filling, but how should I relate the different facts to one another and then interpret them? The content of my documents is so heterogeneous that I fear that I will not be able to see through it. ”
2. To understand complex facts
In particular, when a situation seems contradictory and unclear, it is not easy to develop a coherent picture and a coherent concept.
Another problem is the complexity of many issues. Complexity is not to be confused with complexity. “Complicated” simply means “difficult”; “Complex”, however, means “multilayered, forming a multitude of confusing interrelationships, networked with one another, forming a system”.
3. Relax, instead of being demotivated from the beginning
Today many things are not only complicated, but also complex - but still manageable. For the weighing and interpreting of different information, there are also qualitative and quantitative methods, such as the morphological matrix and the paper computer.
So relax, and do not let yourself be demotivated before the start of dummy problems!
4. The real problem when creating a concept
Now that you have reviewed my three tips, I would like to ask you directly the question: What is your personal problem in the development of your concept?
The real problem is that before you get started, you need to be clear about your job:
What is the purpose of your concept?
What conditions or conditions must be observed?
5. What is the task?
Let us assume that your task is to develop an advertising campaign for a new software product. In this case, the goal could be: "The concept should illuminate all elements of the distribution mix and identify the most promising ones."
One condition could be: "The advertising budget must not exceed two million euros." In a nutshell Formulate the goal of your concept as well as all related conditions precisely and completely, in writing.
6. Use the 3 steps to create a concept
I would like to draw your attention to the 3 steps that are necessary for the proper creation of a concept and which I have dealt with very extensively in the following articles.
1 Conception under time pressure
2 Keep an overview
3 Write the concept
7. Objectives in mind
In this way, you always have the essentials of your task in mind. This is particularly important if you are in danger of "drowning" in the variety of information and the complexity of the individual work steps.
A concept is mostly not self-purpose, but pursues an overriding goal; it is created, for example, to serve as an information basis for further work steps. Now formulate the higher goal in writing.
8. The overall goal
In the case of the advertising campaign, the overall goal could be: "The concept serves as a basis for decision-making for the meeting with the advertising agency on February 20th."
Now consider whether you still pursue other goals with your concept. For example, these may be personal goals that are not directly related to the work task but are nevertheless important.
9. Do not forget immediate goals
In the case of the advertising concept, the goal could be: “I want to convince the advertising agency with my concept and win for the solution I have found. With the concept, I would like to recommend myself as head of the advertising campaign. ”
Tip Do not keep up with dummy problems, which ultimately can only call down your abilities unnecessarily. Concentrate on the essence of your concept, namely the immediate goal:
What is the purpose of your concept?
What are the conditions and requirements?
The overarching goal: what is your corporate purpose?
The personal goal: What do you want to accomplish with the concept for you personally or professionally?
Text comes from: Konzepte ausarbeiten: Tools und Techniken für Pläne, Berichte, Bücher und Projekte (2004) by Dr. Sonja U. Klug, published by BusinessVillage Verlag, Reprints by friendly permission of the publisher.
Career according to plan: focus and achieve goals
// By Henryk Lüderitz
The duty is followed by duty. This also applies to professional careers. After the often turbulent occupation, many graduates ask themselves how they should go on. Instead of relying on the fact that you will make your way already, the career should be better planned. Without a red thread, there is a risk of breaking and only half the ladder to climb.
Your personal inventory
Happiness and fateful events certainly belong to the professional development too, but only the salt should be in the soup. As a masterplan they are not good. Career is a very personal matter, the center of which is formed. In practice, therefore, it has proved to be a good idea to plan your career and start with a survey of the current situation.
No matter whether employees or executives - the more precisely you define your situation, the easier it is to plan and successfully implement the next development steps. And even if it is not always easy, be honest with yourself. Do not forget to look beyond the box. Your work environment has a decisive influence on your career.
A clear picture of your own tasks
To get started with the personal per- sonal balance, illuminate your own tasks. What is your core task and what are the tasks? Get a complete picture of what services are to be provided for the company and which are actually provided.
It is important not to run into the trap of self-understanding here. Thus, some tasks may have been added only with time, since no one else has the competences for this. For example, For example, a sales team, for which it may be self-evident to create reports and reports. Whoever takes on tasks of others has less time for his own career.
Your development to date
The next step is the question