CRS community learns time management from Dr. Gail Berger

The Center for Reproductive Science (CRS) at Northwestern University kickstarted its career catalyst series for 2022-23 with an engaging talk by Dr. Gail Berger on Time Management - “Saying Yes, Saying No: Doing “more” with intentionality and purpose.” Dr. Berger is a Clinical Associate Professor of Management & Organizations, and the Deputy Director for the Center for Executive Women at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. She received her Ph.D. in Management and Organizations from Northwestern University, has a B.A./B.S. in Psychology and Elementary Education from Boston University, and a M.Ed. in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University. In addition to numerous certifications in leadership, she is certified in Executive Coach training and also teaches at the McCormick School of Engineering and the School of Communication. Dr. Berger gave a similar talk in the year 2020-21, when the pandemic redefined work hours and priorities. Working remotely gave the freedom and flexibility to shape your typical work day, but seemed to blur the boundaries between working hours and free time – ironically leading to busier and packed schedules. Now, as we transition from remote to in-person work, it is only fitting that we begin this transition with a much-needed reminder on how to effectively manage this precious, limited resource.

In her talk, Dr. Berger emphasized on how awareness is key – awareness that time is a limited resource, awareness of how you really use your time, and awareness of obstacles that prevent you from focusing on your work. She stressed on the difference between deep work and shallow work. Deep work is “professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit”. It is work that is unique to you, and work that differentiates you from others. Shallow work on the other hand is “non-cognitively demanding, logistical-style tasks, often performed while distracted. These efforts tend not to create much value and are easy to replicate.” In order to utilize your typical work day to its maximum potential, you need to allocate appropriate time for deep and shallow work. One way is to understand your chronotype - “your body’s natural inclination to sleep at a particular time” and its practical implications that drive when your mind is best focused to perform analytical, insightful, and decisive tasks. Reflecting on your true self, and recognizing your strengths and weaknesses will make it easier to design your working hours in a way that is best suitable to you, and which brings out your absolute and best potential.

The latin writer Publilius Syrus has rightly said “To do two things at once is to do neither”. In this fast-tracked world where people pride on being “multitaskers”, Dr. Berger stated how multitasking is essentially switch tasking, and one cannot stay focused on a task when their mind is distracted by other tasks at the same time. With a very simple, unassuming exercise adapted from David Crenshaw, she gave a practical example of how doing two things at once actually required more time than completing them alone – essentially showing how “multitasking is worse than a lie.” She emphasized on time management methods like the Eisenhower Matrix that helps us allocate tasks into those requiring immediate attention; those that can be planned for later; tasks that can be delegated to others; and non-important, non-urgent tasks that can be entirely eliminated from your day. She introduced the Ivy Lee method – listing 6 tasks in the order of importance at the end of each night. The next day, you tackle the tasks in the order on your list and do not move to the next, till you have completed the previous one - a simple but highly effective strategy that helps you prioritize your goals and reduce decision-fatigue.

No matter which tier of your career path you belong to, these strategies are applicable to all, and translate well beyond the realm of academia. The day-to-day may change, as might the priorities and flexibility to delegate and eliminate tasks. But it is important to realize how these strategies can be molded to fit your needs and to bring out your best potential. It is imperative to take a step back and understand your goals, to be agile in adapting to changing priorities, and to organize and redesign your work schedule as required. Realize that having a busy schedule does not mean that your work is effective, and that your health and well-being should be prioritized just as you prioritize your work. Most importantly, be mindful and deliberate about spending your time. Dr. Berger’s stimulating and engaging lecture was a fitting way to begin our new work year – transitioning from remote work to working in-person. With these remarkable lessons in mind, our CRS community looks forward to tackle this transition and its accompanying challenges with improved clarity and productivity.