We've all heard the phrase, "time is money," but do we really know how to leverage this form of currency to be more productive for us? Here's one way to get started.
Tools like MyAnalytics from Microsoft can help you to analyze how you use time, and to find ways of using it better in the future.
What Is MyAnalytics?
Microsoft MyAnalytics is a set of regularly-updated personal productivity insights available to users of Microsoft 365.
The MyAnalytics dashboards can be configured to email you a monthly status update (with Outlook integration) on how well you are using time for things like "focus" or "networking" or "wellbeing."
The theory behind MyAnalytics is that users must first be aware of the story their data usage is writing, before they can change that narrative with different habits.
Individuals who make a deliberate effort to follow a daily regimen are more productive and happy in their work.
Here's a data breakdown of the time usage of some of the greatest artists, writers, and thinkers of the modern era.
.png?width=2589&name=Screenshot%20(2).png)
Microsoft 2020
In James Clear's best-selling book Atomic Habits, the author and "habit researcher" showed how small, incremental, everyday routines compound and add up to massive, positive change over time.
How much control do you have over time management?
Judging by recent worker statistics, change is exactly what's needed when it comes to taking back our time. In a Microsoft presentation for MyAnalytics, the need for the tool was summarized by the description of the current corporate world as "a caffeine-fueled digital haze: co-workers whizzing by, emails flooding in, and calendars that take our days hostage." Does that sound like your typical workday? You're not alone.
According to recent Forester studies, only 13% of employees report feeling engaged at work, and the average worker claims to have only 3 minutes! of focus time between distractions. (I was just thinking about how many times I was distracted writing this post...anyway, back to solutions.)
If you're one of the thousands of corporate workers attending way too many unproductive meetings, becoming overwhelmed by the dozens of tabs open on your device, being drowned in a sea of unnecessary emails, MyAnalytics wants to help by being a management tool for your current work world.
MyAnalytics is an important part of the Office 365 suite.
MyAnalytics makes it easier for you to see the data on how you spend your time, and who you spend it with.
By showing you data-driven insights, you're able to plan better work habits in the areas that need improvement. These insights are delivered in a personal dashboard that actually displays easy-to-read visual aids about how you spend time and collaborate.
There are MyAnalytics details available for:
1. Meeting time
2. Emails
3. Focus hours
4. After hours
By tracking the data available in MyAnalytics, you'll know immediately which areas of time management need to be strengthened and be able to set some healthy time usage goals for future.
How do I start using Microsoft MyAnalytics?
If you already have an Office 365 account, getting started with MyAnalytics is easy. Make sure you're signed in, then go to your dashboard, and click on the MyAnalytics portal.
Using this data can really help you maximize your effectiveness. Plus, when entire organizations start to leverage the data available in MyAnalytics, management can see patterns and plan things like meetings, office layout, and communication plans more effectively. Imagine a whole department meeting cadence gets adjusted because MyAnalytics data points to a better solution? There are so many positive applications that can come from tracking our time.
PTG Can Help You Make The Most of MyAnalytics
If you'd like help learning how to use MyAnalytics to make your business more efficient--contact us today.
While you're at it, you might also want to sign up for our free Productivity Kickstarter Course.
==> Sign Up For the Free Productivity Course Now <==
