[lopsa-discuss] LOPSA Book Club - December: Time Management for System Administrators Chapters 1-4

[Mark Lamourine]

OK, so it's my first day too.

I've read the first 4 chapters and I agree with Gilbert.  It's actually
a bit hard to comment because, as he says, much of it seems like common
sense.

The book is fairly lightweight, which is a nice change from his previous
work with Christine, coming in at exactly 200 pages to the end of the
index.  A good thing for a book that claims to be able to help you
manage your time.  He starts right in with help trying to ensure that
you have the tools to make the time to finish the book.

Tom's style is breezy and conversational.  Someone expecting a strict
"tighen your belt and cut out those carbs" self help book will be
disappointed.  Only a stickler would be put off by the apparent
digressions (what do you call it when, in chapter 1, you digress
*forward*?), but I've met some sticklers in my time.  I do have this
feeling I can't explain that there should be a disclaimer somewhere
stating "I am a sysadmin, not a Time Management Guru".  But then where
do you get a degree in Time Management?  If what he suggest works for
you, use it.

The life Tom describes is one that will be all too familiar to anyone
who's worked as a system administrator. Interruptions being interrupted.

The first 3 chapters cover the problems organizational problems a system
administrator faces.  Mostly in the form of interruptions, and the
conflict between management's insistence on immediate response to fires,
and their contradictory insistence on projects with deadlines.  Tom
provides some ideas for ways to deal with not the conflict itself, but
it's effects on you.

Chapters 2 and 3 offer some general help in handling interrupts and in
developing ways to stay focused on the problem in the face of them.  All
good general advice, things I've told other people, but forget to do
myself.

Chapter 4 is the first one on "The Cycle" which is the name Tom's given
his method.

His major tenent is: Record Everything in One Place and Keep It With
You.

Then; Each morning plan your day, set your goals, and decide how to meet
them.  Each evening, note what has been done, and move what hasn't over
to your next day. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

I think I'm going to use the book mostly as a reminder. "You spent $25
on this, don't waste it."  Having it is helpful to remind me (at least
for now) to go back to my good habits and find ways to avoid my
unproductive tendencies.

I started today.  I dug out and refilled my 5x7 Dayrunner.  I made my
todo list and time plan for the day this morning.  I'm 9 minutes over my
time for email and this letter, so I'm off to do those before my whole
day slips.

- Mark

-- 
Mark Lamourine <mlamourine_at_comcast_dot_net>
17 Forest Street, Billerica, MA 01821
Voice: +1 978 671 9263