08 Feb 5 Time Management Tips for Fall
Welcome to Fall!
The strategies we use to manage our time are top of mind this time of year, as work schedules heat up, the kids go back to school and film festivals begin. Not only does better time management mean less stress, but it also means more time to spend at the VIFF this year.
Here are 5 time management tips we follow at Line 21:
1. Block out the time you need, plus a buffer. When a project comes in at Line 21, we get it on the calendar right away and carve out the space the job will need, working backwards from the deadline. We also make sure to add a buffer at each step so that if emergencies arrive, we have a bit of flexibility and don’t get completely derailed by small delays.
2. Handle the small “must dos” first. At the start of each day, tackle the manageable jobs first. This prepares you for the bigger tasks. Once all the “must dos” are crossed off your list, you can move on to your optional tasks or, as we like to call them, “floating priorities.” Just make sure you don’t float them for too long or they become urgent, and no one wants that!
3. Have designated days for repeated tasks. Try to have designated days each week for repeated tasks, like bookkeeping day, cold calling day, and networking day. Of course, our favourite day is client lunch day!
4. Fit in 1 personal task a week. In between shows and deadlines, we all have daily life to fit in. If you have a long list of appointments – doctor, dentist, bank, furnace cleaner, industry surveys for Statistics Canada etc, – try to work one in each week.
5. If you work late nights, have a variety of activities to do. It is really exhausting (and sometimes impossible) to focus your attention on the same task for hours, especially at night. We are in our jobs for the long haul, so try to view it as an endurance event, and make sure your work habits are sustainable.
4 Films We’re Excited To See At VIFF This Year
Waking the Green Tiger
Gary Marcuse and Betsy Carson’s newest film about a burgeoning environmental movement in China. The film is at the VIFF as part of the Heaven and Earth environmental film series. A broadcast on the Nature of Things is planned for December 1. We love this film!
A Family Portrait in Black and White
Julia Ivanova’s amazing story about biracial children in Eastern Europe. The film has been to Sundance and will also be on The Knowledge Network on October 25 and 26 as part of their Storyville series. We are proud to have been able to work on it, and look forward to seeing it at the VIFF!
Bone Wind Fire
Jill Sharpe’s new film for the NFB about Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, and Emily Carr. This short film is absolutely gorgeous — it’s extremely evocative and completely inspirational.
Sisters & Brothers
Carl Bessai’s newest film follows up his earlier Mothers & Daughters (2008) and Fathers & Sons (2010). This film has some serious starpower in Cory Monteith (Glee), and one of our super favourites, Gabrielle Miller. As with the previous two in the series, you can expect some hilarious and true ensemble storytelling.
Download a PDF sneak preview of all the films at VIFF this year.
September’s Recipe:
Snickerdoodle dessert hummus! A comfort food with some major health appeal.
Source: The Wannabe Chef via Carrots n’ Cake
Snickerdoodle Dessert Hummus
2 cups chickpeas, washed and drained
¼ c almond butter
¼ c maple syrup
2T brown sugar
1t cinnamon
Garnish with cinnamon sugar
Method: food processor for the lot!
