This is an interesting essay from Paul Graham that describes two very different mindsets to how one’s time is used throughout the day.
He distinguishes between managers who move from one activity to another from creators/makers who need to have large amounts of time to innovate. Managers think in terms of hours, while creators think in terms of half days.
It’s an interesting concept, but I don’t believe it’s as cut and dry as he suggests. Instead, I’d say that ineffective managers don’t create anything, and run around from one fire to another. Those who are effective set time aside to creatively make things better, and they do it routinely. They prevent problems from happening by virtue of the advanced problem-solving that they do, and are known for doing the kind of long-range planning that’s the cornerstone of good management.
Nevertheless, the way in which managers and makers think is different (even if it shouldn’t be) and he does a good job of separating the two.
Maker’s Schedule, Manager’s Schedule – click here to read the article.