• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Engineering Management Institute

  • About
    • Meet Anthony Fasano, P.E.
    • EMI’s Mission, Vision & Values
    • Meet Team EMI
  • Content
    • Blog
    • Podcasts
      • The Engineering Career Coach Podcast
      • The Civil Engineering Podcast
        • Women in Civil Engineering
        • Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs
        • The Civil Engineering CEO Podcast
      • The Structural Engineering Channel
      • The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast
      • The Engineering Quality Control Podcast
      • The Engineering Project Management Podcast
      • AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast
      • This Week in Civil Engineering
    • TV
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Recommended Reading
    • Sponsors
  • Services
    • Training
    • Hiring Solutions
    • Webinars
  • FE-PE Exams
  • Clients
  • Contact
  • Training

  • About
    • Meet Anthony Fasano, P.E.
    • EMI’s Mission, Vision & Values
    • Meet Team EMI
  • Content
    • Blog
    • Podcasts
      • The Engineering Career Coach Podcast
      • The Civil Engineering Podcast
        • Women in Civil Engineering
        • Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs
        • The Civil Engineering CEO Podcast
      • The Structural Engineering Channel
      • The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast
      • The Engineering Quality Control Podcast
      • The Engineering Project Management Podcast
      • AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast
      • This Week in Civil Engineering
    • TV
    • Videos
    • Books
    • Recommended Reading
    • Sponsors
  • Services
    • Training
    • Hiring Solutions
    • Webinars
  • FE-PE Exams
  • Clients
  • Contact
  • Training

time management

Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

March 28, 2022 By EMI

This is a guest post by Tiffani Teachey

Entrepreneurial MindsetToo often, engineers get caught up in the details of their work and lose sight of the bigger picture. While it’s important to focus on the task at hand, it’s also crucial to have an entrepreneurial mindset and be proactive in your thinking. By doing so, you can come up with new ideas and solutions that can benefit both yourself and your company. Here are just a few of the benefits of engineers thinking like an entrepreneur.

  1. Increased creativity
  2. Improved problem-solving skills
  3. More efficient time management
  4. Enhanced communication abilities
  5. Greater business knowledge and acumen

[Read more…] about Developing an Entrepreneurial Mindset

Filed Under: Blog, Business/Entrepreneurship Tagged With: business knowledge, communicate better, communication abilities, create solutions, Efficient time management, Entrepreneurial Mindset, increase creativity, increased profits, mindset and skills, proactive thinking, problem-solving skills, think like entrepreneurs, thinking entrepreneurially, Tiffani Teachey, time management, understanding the business

3 Quick Tricks to Trigger the Precious Flow State

March 7, 2022 By EMI

This is a guest post by Jacob Valentien, PE 

We all have moments or days where no matter how many cups of coffee are consumed, we just can’t get into a productive state. Sometimes the to-do list just continues to get longer, and you just can’t decide what needs to be done next. You have that one task that has been lingering for too long and you are in search of the required motivation to start and dedication to finish. As I sit down to write this article, I am going through this exact situation.

It is important to understand that motivation comes and goes like the tide. Discipline is the trait that carries you through the moments of fleeting motivation. As you press through those tough moments, sometimes you trigger the flow state where getting that work done becomes much easier. There are many sources of great insights on what this flow state is and how to unlock it.

I have stumbled upon a few tricks that can help facilitate entering into that flow state — where the work becomes easier, the creativity becomes unlocked, and the tasks on the to-do list become easier and easier to check off. Here are three unique ways to possibly trigger that precious flow state:

Momentum Snowball

Take a look at that ever-expanding to-do list and review it to see which tasks you can knock out quickly and with very little effort. Complete those tasks and continue to gain momentum by tackling tasks in increasing complexity and effort required. As you pick up momentum, the work will become easier and easier. This can ultimately lead you to the task you have been dreading but by that time, you are engaged and ready to tackle it.

Reference: https://startthesnowball.com/what-is-the-snowball/

Binaural Beats

Binaural beats use selective sound wave therapy that can help with increasing cognitive flexibility, focus, and attention to detail. According to research articles, there are five different brainwave states that have different effects: Delta, Theta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma. While Delta and Theta are best for calming and meditation effects, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma can be utilized for focused attention, cognitive thinking, and peak awareness. Spotify has some playlists that make for great background noise as you start your work and try to build momentum and enter into that precious flow state. The playlists start utilizing Alpha frequencies and slowly increase frequencies through the Beta phase and into the higher frequency Gamma phase. In my experience, this background noise allows you to sink into a productivity mode and zero in on the task at hand.

Reference: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/your-brain-on-binaural-beats Design by Ruth Basagoitia

Pomodoro Technique

This technique is more of a time management system that encourages both moments of work and moments of rest. Set a timer on your phone for a short period of time — I like to use 25 minutes, where I only focus on one task and turn off all notifications from email, text, social media, etc. When that timer goes off, I take a break and take a quick walk around the office or check my email for five minutes. Once that five-minute break is up, get right back to work. Doing this just a couple of times usually unlocks longer periods of focus, reaching the point where I don’t want to take that next five-minute break but rather continue through until I finish the task at hand.

Reference: https://sketchplanations.com/the-pomodoro-technique

Summary

Next time you find yourself in a lull and need to trigger a productive state, give one of these methods a try or better yet, combine all three into a flow-triggering productive stack! Hopefully this helps you dwindle down that ever-growing to-do list.

About the Author Jacob W. Valentien, PE 

Flow StateJacob is a Senior Project Manager with Pacheco Koch Consulting Engineers, Inc. and has over 9 years of engineering experience in municipal infrastructure with a focus on water & wastewater treatment design and construction. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Texas and is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Texas. He has designed projects and managed teams on local and state public & private sector projects. Jacob is responsible for project management and delivery, business development in the public works sector in Central Texas, and client success. He previously completed the 2019-2020 Emerging Leaders program through ACEC Houston, has presented on topics such as pre-chlorinated pipe bursting to the Association of Water Board Directors, and has co-authored a technical article on Wastewater Treatment Plant Design. He also has developed curriculum, organized programming, and led project management and professional development training courses for his teams.  

I hope you enjoyed this week’s post by guest author Jacob W. Valentien, PE.  If you’re interested in your firm possibly joining the Civil Engineering Collective, please contact us here or call us at 800-920-4007.

I hope you’ll join us.

Anthony Fasano, P.E.
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

Filed Under: Civil Engineering Tagged With: background noise, Binaural Beats, discipline, Flow State, gain momentum, Jacob W. Valentien, Momentum Snowball, Motivation, pick up momentum, pomodoro technique, productive state, productivity mode, time management, to-do list

TGEP 31: A Podcast Milestone: Reflecting Back on Our Top Geotechnical Episodes

August 26, 2021 By EMI

https://media.blubrry.com/engineeringcareercoach/traffic.libsyn.com/secure/geotechnicalengineeringpodcast/TGEP031.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

In this episode of The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast, Jared M. Green, P.E., D. GE, F.ASCE, NOMA, and Anthony Fasano, P.E., LEED AP highlight and recap some of our top geotechnical episodes and the wisdom shared by some of our previous guests.

Engineering Quotes:

Top Geotechnical Episodes

Top Geotechnical Episodes

Here Are Some of the Key Points Discussed as We Reviewed Our Top Geotechnical Episodes:

[Read more…] about TGEP 31: A Podcast Milestone: Reflecting Back on Our Top Geotechnical Episodes

Filed Under: TGEP - The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast Tagged With: AECOM, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), build relationships, Caring, commitment, Competence, courage, Creating a time diary, four C’s of leadership, giving back to the community, importance of diversity, increase your communication skills, Our Top Geotechnical Episodes, Podcast Milestone, starting a successful engineering firm, step outside of your comfort zone, The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast, time management

The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals

April 19, 2019 By EMI

The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals is a guest blog by Jim Hughes

Scheduling SoftwareWith the influx of new technologies, the engineering field has become more dynamic than ever. The expanding role of modern engineers, the increasing volatility of their work, the growing needs for engineering staffing and the rising need for engineering talent – all of these make project management and employee management challenging for engineers. Thankfully, there are tools that can make things easier for engineers, and one of the most essential is scheduling software. [Read more…] about The Benefits of Scheduling Software for Engineering Professionals

Filed Under: Blog, Engineering Technology Tagged With: Attendance System, civil engineer, Efficiency and Productivity, engineering software, Jim Hughes, Productivity, Scheduling Software, time management, Time Management System, Workers Demands

What Engineers Should Look for When Choosing Career Mentors

June 27, 2018 By EMI

This is a guest post by Carol Evenson
Career Mentors

If you are one of almost 2 million engineers in the United States looking for a mentor, then you have made a smart career decision. Studies show receiving mentoring from the right career mentor can make a measurable difference. So, what should you look for in career mentors? Here’s some suggestions.

[Read more…] about What Engineers Should Look for When Choosing Career Mentors

Filed Under: Blog, Personal Development and Professionalism Tagged With: Accountability, career decision, Career Development, career mentor, Career Mentors, Career Success, Carol Evenson, communication skills, employee recognition program, Engineering, meet regularly, mentee, Motivation, passion, productive contributor, time management, youth development

6 Must-Have Skills to Make You Marketable in Any Workplace

September 6, 2017 By EMI

This is a guest blog post by Carol Evenson

Must-Have SkillsAs industries continue to evolve to accommodate the changing needs and demands of society, the skills being head-hunted by human resources and talent managers are also changing. And considering that job markets are becoming increasingly saturated, it can pay off to learn and master specific skills. Honing these six must-have skills will not only make you more marketable but also help broaden your career horizon.

Time Management

The ability to manage your time and energy equates to a higher degree of efficiency and productivity in the workplace, skills that any company will want to bring into their organization. Of course, it can be tricky to gauge how effective you are with managing your time and even more difficult to show it to your interviewers. Keeping a journal that tracks your daily tasks, showing up on time for your interviews, and choosing your questions during the interview are good ways to show that you are all about time management and that you can prioritize your energy and time on tasks that matter.

Must-Have Skills

Artistic Ability

[Read more…] about 6 Must-Have Skills to Make You Marketable in Any Workplace

Filed Under: Blog, Personal Development and Professionalism Tagged With: Bookkeeping, Hardware and Software Engineering, Marketable, Must-Have Skills, networking, New Language, time management, workplace

Applying the 80/20 Principle in your Engineering Career – Engineering Career TV Ep. 7

April 24, 2017 By EMI




The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch – A Book Review

Welcome to Episode #7 of Engineering Career TV. In this episode, I talk about a book titled The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less by Richard Koch.

I spend most of the Engineering Career TV episodes answering questions that have been submitted from engineers around the world on how to rapidly advance their careers and live the lives they want to live.

You can submit questions for the show by clicking here.

Let’s jump into today’s book, The 80/20 Principle: The Secret to Success by Achieving More with Less, which is the first in a series of book reviews where I discuss the following: [Read more…] about Applying the 80/20 Principle in your Engineering Career – Engineering Career TV Ep. 7

Filed Under: Engineering Career TV Tagged With: 80/20 principle, 80/20 Rule, 80/20 rule explained, achieving your goals, Engineering, Engineering Career, engineering career success, goal setting, Pareto principle, Richard Koch, Success, time management, tips. 80-20 rule

TECC 140: How to Use Your Time Wisely as an Engineering Professional

January 10, 2017 By EMI

http://media.blubrry.com/engineeringcareercoach/traffic.libsyn.com/engineeringcareercoach/TECC140.mp3

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed

In this episode, I am going to talk to one of our listeners, Carl Humphrey, about challenges that he is facing around career planning and will give you some advice on how you can use your time wisely as an engineering professional.  There were some very interesting strategies that we discussed in this episode that I believe apply to engineers at all experience levels considering how to chart the future of their career paths.

Engineering quotes:

Here are the key points from this episode of The Engineering Career Coach Podcast:

  • The key to time management is to make sure that you put the time that you do have towards what’s important to you and what’s important in respect to achieving your goals.
  • When you have a time management issue, you must look at your personal as well as your professional goals and make sure that your time is focused on moving you closer to that goals.
  • Consider doing extra work at any engineering company so you can put that on your resume. For example, maybe you volunteer to attend evening meetings so that you can advance your learning in a certain topic.  You may not get compensated immediately in the way of salary, but it might pay off in the long term because of the knowledge you are gaining.
  • Get super clear on your goals and make sure you are focused on things moving you towards your goals and that you are not getting off-track.
  • Have a process that helps to bring you back on course, whenever you get off-track.

More in this episode…

In the Take Action Today segment of the show, I will give you some actionable advice that you can apply to help you focus your time and energy.

About Carl Humphrey

Carl Humphrey was raised by good parents but he was a bit of a lost and wandering soul at times. Out of high school, he immediately jumped into the construction industry and learned so much but carried some demons about his past with him. Entering his thirties he knew life had more in store for him than what he had become. Starting with the spirit and branching into actions and behaviors, he exposed and examined everything that had gotten him thus far. Fast-forward to today, at this point, he has overcome many obstacles, and in doing so, he has realized that he wants to help those around him. You can follow his thoughts on his blog at www.waterebbandflow.com.

“Success is sweet and sweeter if long delayed and gotten through many struggles and defeats.”
–  Amos Bronson Alcott

Resources and links mentioned in this session include:

Carl’s Blog

This episode is brought to you by PPI, the leader of FE, PE, or SE exam preparations. Use promo code COACH for 20% discount at PPI2Pass.com/coach. 

How can you use your time wisely as an Engineering Professional?

We would love to hear any questions you might have or stories you might share on effective time management.

Please leave your comments, feedback or questions in the section below.

  • If you enjoyed this post, please consider downloading our free list of 33 Productivity Routines of Top Engineering Executives. Click the button below to download.

    Download the Productivity Routines

To your success,

Anthony Fasano, PE, LEED AP
Engineering Management Institute
Author of Engineer Your Own Success

Filed Under: Organization/Productivity/Time Management, TECC Podcast-The Engineering Career Coach Podcast Tagged With: career planning, Carl Humphrey, Engineering Professional, goals, time management, Use Your Time Wisely

What are Your Leverage Points in Your Engineering Career?

September 6, 2016 By EMI

leverage

There are several definitions in the dictionary for the word leverage, but the one I like the most is: use (something) to maximum advantage.

Because your most limited resource is time, I would recommend that in your engineering career and life, you leverage your time.  In other words, you use your time to gain maximum advantage.

I recently was coaching a senior engineer, and he was telling me about a huge challenge that he had with his team, around predicting future workload.  After talking to him for 15 minutes, I realized that his challenge wasn’t this problem, it was the fact that he didn’t have enough time to solve the problem.  He was spending his time on other things, that were in my opinion, not as critical.

In this article, I want to give you three items to consider when thinking about how to spend your time.  Think about a lever that you can pull.  The longer the lever, the stronger the force.  In this situation, the length of the lever is directly related to the importance of what you decide to work on, and the impact that task can have…

[Read more…] about What are Your Leverage Points in Your Engineering Career?

Filed Under: Blog, Career Goals and Challenges Tagged With: Anthony Fasano, Engineering Career, happiness, leverage, money, time management

Engineering Productivity: How and When to Break a Task Up into Smaller Steps

March 18, 2014 By EMI

3-18-14 Engineering Productivity Rounded

If you read my blog regularly, you know that I often write about efficiency and productivity in the workplace, as I believe lack of these things is the leading cause of engineers working too many hours.

I believe that one of the most important aspects of being productive is the ability to focus for a long period of time, which can be difficult in a world full of distractions. Two different systems allow me to sharpen my focus, work more productively and generate high-quality results.

First, I set aside a certain time of the day or week to do certain tasks. For example, I usually write blog posts early Friday morning, at 5:30 a.m. By doing this consistently, I know that that is my time to write and only write. I focus intently on that task and don’t let anything else get in the way. [Read more…] about Engineering Productivity: How and When to Break a Task Up into Smaller Steps

Filed Under: Organization/Productivity/Time Management Tagged With: efficiency, time management

Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

And Get Custom Content Delivered To You Weekly

PM Training

engineering management lessons

career readiness

Categories

  • AECT – AEC Engineering and Technology Podcast
  • Blog
    • Business Development
    • Business/Entrepreneurship
    • Career Goals and Challenges
    • Communication/Public Speaking
    • COVID19
    • Credentials
    • Enlightenment
    • Ethics & Integrity
    • Job Search/Salary/Relocation
    • Leadership/Management
    • Mentoring
    • Networking/Client Relations
    • News and Events
    • Organization/Productivity/Time Management
    • Personal Development and Professionalism
    • Program Management
    • Project Management
    • Travel
    • Work Life Balance
  • Civil Engineering
  • Engineering Career TV
  • Engineering Technology
  • TCEP-The Civil Engineering Podcast
    • Business Development
    • Business/Entrepreneurship
    • Career Goals and Challenges
    • Civil Engineering Entrepreneurs
    • Communication & Public Speaking
    • Credentials
    • Ethics/Integrity
    • Infrastructure
    • Job Search/Salary/Relocation
    • Leadership/Management
    • Mentoring
    • Project Management
    • Women in Engineering
  • TECC Podcast-The Engineering Career Coach Podcast
    • Business/Entrepreneurship
    • Career Game Changers
    • Career Goals and Challenges
    • Communication/Public Speaking
    • Credentials
    • Enlightenment
    • Job Search/Salary/Relocation
    • Leadership/Management
    • Mentoring
    • Networking/Client Relations
    • News and Events
    • Organization/Productivity/Time Management
    • Personal Development and Professionalism
    • Project Management
    • Work Life Balance
  • TEPM – The Engineering Project Management Podcast
  • TEQC – The Engineering Quality Control Podcast
  • TGEP – The Geotechnical Engineering Podcast
    • Tunneling Series
  • TSEC-The Structural Engineering Channel
  • TWiCE
  • Uncategorized
  • Women in Engineering

TECC Sidebar Featured Final

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE

We Can Help You:

  • Build solutions to attract talented professionals.
  • Develop your staff’s people skills.
  • Create career roadmaps for your staff.
  • Provide PM training for your professionals.
  • Build custom development programs.
  • Scale sustainably.

Location:

50 E. Ridgewood Avenue #129

Ridgewood NJ, 07450

800-920-4007

Copyright © 2023 • All Rights Reserved • Property of Engineering Management Institute • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy

SPECIAL DOWNLOAD

33 Productivity Routines of
Top Engineering Executives

x