As I scour today’s management literature, I’m struck by how much of it relates to personal productivity. We’re seeking secrets to working smarter. Getting more done. Becoming more effective. Learning when and how to say “no。”

当我搜索今天的时间管理类文献，我陷入思考：时间管理和个人的生产力水平有多大关系。我们一直在寻找那些秘诀---如何更巧妙地的工作、完成更多的任务、变得更有效率，如何在适当的时机说'不'。

Here’s the problem: We’re searching for a perfect answer in an imperfect world. I’m convinced there is absolutely no one-size-fits-all solution for gaining greater control of our time, output, stress and success。

问题在于：我们一直试图在一个不完美的世界中寻找到一个完美的答案。我深信绝对不存在这样一个全能的方法，能同时适用于管理好我们的时间、产出、压力和成功。

Our time management strategies need to take into account our formal and informal responsibilities, workplace cultures, bosses, technology, training and our personal strengths, styles and quirks — not to mention the vast array of skills and needs of people who report to us。

我们的时间管理策略需要考虑到我们的法律和道德责任、工作地点的文化、老板、技术、培训以及我们自身能力、风格和癖好;而不要罗列一堆别人告诉我们的技巧和需要做的事。

That’s why I spend a lot of time coaching people in our seminars and workshops, so I can ask them targeted questions about their individual situations and help them discover solutions。

因此我花很多时间训练参加我们专题讨论会的人，这样就可以对他们的个人情况提出针对性的问题，然后帮助他们找到解决方法。

What I offer now is a bit more impersonal, but it’s a quick series of questions for you, just like the ones I’d ask face-to-face. You’re busy, so I’ve kept the list short。

我现在要向你提出的是更具客观性但很简短的一系列问题，就如同我当面提问一样。你很忙，所以我使问题很简短。

Consider this a two-minute drill. Read the questions, jot an answer — then decide what your next steps will be。

当做一次两分钟的操练。阅读下面的问题，快速写下你的答案。然后决定你下一步要做什么。

Six Questions to Help You Get Control of Your Time

六个问题帮助你管理你的时间

1. Which of my many tasks can or should be done by only me?

1.什么任务是可以或者应该由我一个人完成?

2. What do my bosses and my best people need most from me?

2我的上司和我最爱的人最需要我的什么?

3. What duties, if I delay doing them, will cause significant problems for others?

3.什么任务会因为我的耽误而对他人造成很大的麻烦?

4. What are my worst time-wasting temptations?

4.最诱惑我浪费时间的事是什么?

5. What skill have I put off learning that is holding me back?

5.我推迟学习哪些技能会阻碍我前进?

6. Is there something I should keep doing, even if it isn’t the most efficient, because it gives me pure joy?

6.有什么事虽然不是很有效率，但我应该继续做，只因为它能给我带来纯粹的快乐?

Since I’m not able to go over your responses with you, try this: Identify a colleague whose judgment you respect and trust. Invest another 15 minutes in a conversation with that person. Share your answers and your next steps. Invite that person to ask you a few more good questions and then to keep an eye on your progress。

我不能和你一起检查你的答案，所以你可以：找这样一个同事，他的评判能得到你的尊重和信任。和他进行一次15分钟的对话。分享你的答案和你的下一步目标。请他多问你几个有用的问题，希望他能监督你的进程。