Slow Down to Avoid Bad Decisions at Work
Advancement Weekly Article New research says that managers who work too fast and rush into decisions are more likely to make selfish and unethical choices.

Never Miss Another Deadline
Advancement Weekly Article Authorities on time management say it’s possible for busy managers to get all of their tasks done—on time, every time—by better structuring their workload.

Boredom Can Fuel Creativity
Advancement Weekly Article Some of the best solutions to work and life problems come when people take “creative pauses” to think about ideas that "no one else has stopped to think about,” says a management expert.

Always Have a Work Contingency Plan
Advancement Weekly Article The best-laid plans to complete work tasks often go awry. One time management specialist offers some contingency plans for these situations.

To Get More Done, Learn to Say 'No'
Advancement Weekly Article Sometimes time management is more about deciding what not to do than what to do, according to one leadership guru.

Ways Spring Fever Can Boost Productivity
Advancement Weekly Article The arrival of nice weather provides an opportunity to change routines and boost your productivity in unexpected ways, says one management writer.

Discourage Office Interruptions
Advancement Weekly Article Many managers have at least one employee who enjoys popping by their offices to discuss every aspect of his or her work. Sometimes, such visits are important, but many times they are productivity killers for both parties, writes one manager.

The Benefits of Keeping a Job Journal
Advancement Weekly Article Everyone—including managers—should keep a day-to-day log of all of their activities and interactions at work, says one career expert.

Training Yourself to Focus
Advancement Weekly Article New psychiatric research reveals that people can train their brain to ignore distractions—making them more focused, creative and productive at work.

Take Time to Tune Out
Advancement Weekly Article Responding to demands from workers, German automaker Volkswagen recently decided to stop email service to its BlackBerry-using employees a half-hour after their shift ends—and restore it 30 minutes before their shift starts the next day. A New York Times columnist says more organizations should encourage employees to “switch off” and “curb the twitchy reflex to check email every couple of minutes.”

What Highly Productive People Do
Advancement Weekly Article Want to be more productive and regain your focus? It’s simple. Stop multitasking, says one project management expert.

The Best Way to Start and Finish Your Day
Advancement Weekly Article One executive career coach says managers should begin their day with a plan and end it with a recap.

How to Recover Lost Time
Advancement Weekly Article Have you ever arrived on time for an office meeting that started 10 minutes late? Been stood up by someone who forgot she had a lunch meeting with you? Had a flight or train delayed? There are ways to take advantage of this “lost” time—if you’re prepared.

How to Come Back from Vacation
Advancement Weekly Article Rushing back to work can negate the benefits of vacation. Here are some tips to help you manage the transition from beach to campus.

Multitasking Managers Make Better Decisions
Advancement Weekly Article New research suggests that managers who concentrate on one task at a time until it’s finished may be shortchanging their organizations. In certain circumstances, managers perform better when they embrace everyday interruptions—from ill-timed phone calls to colleagues popping into their offices.

Office Space: The Art of Working Effectively
CURRENTS Article In this article, author and advancement professional Rob Crawford reflects on his 10-year-plus effort to manage his time and his workload more effectively and productively. The valuable lessons he has gleaned from management books as well as his own experiments offer useful advice for those looking to improve their work habits.

Managing Time and Energy: A Team Sport
Product This webinar discusses how to effectively manage time, resources, and responsibilities and still have a life. It offers ways to diagnose the problems, assess skills and preferences, and develop sure-fire solutions that each member of the team can take home and apply immediately. This multimedia file is a recording of an Online Speaker Series webinar originally presented April 14, 2008.

Slice of Life
CURRENTS Article The author of this article describes how she often finds herself somewhat overwhelmed with options that can help her stay current and better serve her institution--listservs, blogs, online publications, print magazines, classes, conferences, and more. And she is not alone. In this article, she describes the best ways for PR people to stay on top of technology-related tools in an ever-changing field. She and other communicators describe what the essentials are to read, review, and attend when time--and money--is limited.

Manager's Portfolio: First Close the Door
CURRENTS Article E-mail overload has become all too common. The hundreds of e-mail messages in your inbox aren't really messages anymore--they're broken promises, missed deadlines, and unfinished work. This article provides tips on how to establish routines that ensure you stay on top of things.

Manager's Portfolio: Defeating "Overwhelm"
CURRENTS Article Everyone seems to be suffering from a daily feeling of being overwhelmed. We feel overwhelmed when we do too much, too fast. This article provides tips on how to say “no” and keep firm boundaries because none of us are superman or superwoman.

Manager's Portfolio: Meetings Take a Beating
CURRENTS Article Many organizations or departments meet out of habit, which can be a waste of everyone's time. This article addresses how managers can make their meetings more meaningful in less time--or how to avoid them altogether.

Manager's Portfolio: On the Ball
CURRENTS Article Elementary school development offices face more challenges every year. How can these small shops handle ever-increasing expectations during a time of belt tightening and greater demands for results? Managers should begin by setting priorities, goals, and objectives as well as the strategies for achieving them. Careful measurement and evaluation will ensure that managers focus on vital fund-raising activities and stay on track toward completion.

Career Path: Time Is on Your Side
CURRENTS Article Can flexible scheduling work in an advancement office? The author, now a senior development officer for Denison University, has arranged for modified work schedules--full-time, part-time, and telecommuting--at two different institutions. She explains how she made the case each time and reflects on her experiences.

AdvanceWork: Time Management or Time Wasted
CURRENTS Article Advancement officers who can never find enough hours in the day might want to examine their time management practices. "First Things First" author Stephen Covey proposes a system of four quadrants for dividing work tasks according to their urgency and importance that can help workers identify if they're driven by crises or bogged down by the mundane.

Career Path: A Date with Success
CURRENTS Article Busy advancement professionals often neglect professional development activities in favor of more "important" responsibilities. Here are 12 ideas to help even the most overtasked advancement officers squeeze professional development into their daily "to-do" lists.