In the Enneagram, the Heart Types (Types 2, 3, and 4) are those who seek connection and relationship with others. As a Heart Type, how others view you is important and can drive how you approach tasks and manage your time. Here are some strategies which will help Heart Types navigate time management.
2 – THE HELPER/GIVER
- Be sure to identify what is needed versus what you think the other wants.
- Set your agenda at the start of each day. Practice saying, “I’m working on _______, I’ll get to it after I complete this task. I should get it to you by ____. Is that okay?”
- Be mindful of time spent with others looking for connection/talking/chatting about things that aren’t on the agenda. Ask yourself, “Is this a productive conversation?” When people come to you ask, “What were you hoping I could do?” to streamline interruption. Let others know when you’re in the middle of something else. It’s okay to say, “I’ll get back to you after I finish what I’m working on.”
- Set aside time alone each day to work on your tasks.
- Watch out for getting sucked into highly charged, emotional situations with co-workers and staff. Let others solve their own issues – be a facilitator not a rescuer.
- Feed the need to connect so you feel happy but keep it within reasonable limits.
3 – THE PERFORMER
- Working harder or faster does not necessarily produce better results. Sometimes slowing down will reap greater rewards.
- When looking to achieve results through others, take time to stop and listen and make sure everyone is on the same page – charging ahead by yourself isn’t always in the best interest of the result you are looking to achieve.
- Be realistic when making commitments. Add additional time to everything you schedule to actually allow yourself enough time.
- Making sure to give yourself a few minutes to recharge your energy between commitments will help you with focus.
- Be aware of your tendency to overbook. Review and clean up your schedule weekly – take off inessential items and make sure you can keep your commitments to others or they won’t want to partner with you in the future.
- Schedule time to check in with others as to how the “relationship” as well as the project is going. Remain open to feedback along the way.
- Stay awake to your feelings – doing too much is often a sign of avoiding your feelings.
4 – THE ROMANTIC
- Wear a watch, set time deadlines for yourself, especially when doing an undesirable task. “Okay I’ll only spend 5 minutes on this.” Break tasks down into smaller chunks that can be “endured.” Have a “reward” in place for completing mundane or routine tasks. Know that sometimes you don’t have to love the job, you just need to get it done.
- Structure and consistency are important – commit to a schedule and hold yourself accountable to it or ask a friend to check in with you on how you are doing.
- When emotions are high and you don’t feel like doing anything, make yourself do one thing productive.
- Take time to feed your need for creativity so you feel fulfilled. Discover the beauty and creativity in ordinary tasks.
Please let us know if you have any other time management suggestions for these types. We are always interested in what you have to add. Stayed tuned for next week when we look at time management strategies for the Head Types. (Types 5,6, and 7)
If you’d like more information on the Enneagram and the types, check out this link.
Mary Anne Wampler
PRINCIPAL, TRANSFORM, INC.
