What Can I do to Manage my Time Better?
Thirty-Two Time Management Tips to Help You
I believe the key to effective time management is having a PLAN. Once you have done that, communicate your plans to others involved in your life (those nearest and dearest to you), or those people working with you in business.
1. Prioritise your goals. Set up the following:
* A weekly plan: Plan for a week at a time.
* A 'don't forget' list.
* A 'what now' list.
2. Focus on the important things - the things that really matter to you.
3. Throw out irrelevant bits of paper.
4. No matter what pressure you are under, try to control your stress level at all times.
5. Control interruptions (even a 'closed door' policy is not a bad thing).
6. Don't procrastinate.
7. Prepare a reminder list of essential details.
8. Plan to get the routine tasks out of the way as quickly as possible.
9. Develop routines. Ask yourself this question: can any (procedures) be eliminated or speeded up?
10. Focus on one task at a time.
N.B.:
11. Pat yourself on the back each day by reviewing your accomplishments.
12. Self monitor and self evaluate your progress on the way to your goals.
13. Set and keep deadlines for yourself and others (Don't "interrupt" yourself).
14. Learn to say "no" to others' demands.
15. Slow down for success.
16. Distinguish the really urgent from the seemingly urgent. Sort out low priority work. Put it aside for later or eliminate it totally.
17. Encourage others to get to the point on the telephone or at meetings. Without being too rude, of course! Waffle less (I love 'em), yourself!
18. Respond less formally, but with more speed, eg. a hand-written compliments slip rather than a typed letter.
19. Make time for yourself to relax; because this recharges the batteries.
20. Delegate for success. Ask yourself the question:
21. Is this only something I can do? If not, to whom can the work be appropriately assigned?
Is this person prepared now, or does he/she need further instruction to complete the task efficiently?
22. Provide clear and realistic expectations. Keep only the paper you need on your desk (if you are lucky enough to have a desk, that is!). Clear out irrevelant files. A tidy mind is an effective mind, but tidy desks are really rarely creative. Thank goodness I have an excuse then!
23. Communicate clearly to your sub-ordinates and co-workers. Hard if you are at the bottom of the barrel, like me! Get messages across clearly the first time.
24. Set aside time to mentally regroup, to think and to plan. Very important. Review progress regularly to see which plans are working and which ones aren't. Work with individual players and set aside time for individuals. Remember everyone is a unique individual with their own needs.
25. Have direction. Believe in yourself and what you are trying to accomplish. Review your skills periodically and pat yourself on the back with your progress to date.
26. Take time out occasionally to assess your progress towards your goals and review where you are headed. Re-assess the effectiveness of your personal time management strategies.
27. Rest often with mini-breaks (Winston Churchill used this technique often taking "cat-naps"). Take care of your body and your mind - it's the only one you've got.
28. Stop striving and pushing too hard. Go with the flow: "easy does it, when one is in the zone" (as the sportspeople say).
29. Distinguish between what is urgent and what is IMPORTANT. Then take ACTION to move you ahead - where you want to go.
30. Ask yourself this vitally important question:
"What is the most effective use of my time right NOW?"
Always remember,
31.Manage your time and you control your life.
Finally (and most importantly),
32. The greatest satisfaction and happiness comes not from the achievement, but from the journey. So
ENJOY the journey down "the river of life" and BE HAPPY.
Craig Lock
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About the Author:
Craig Lock has had six books published on various subjects with another 12 manuscripts published on the internet. Craig's various books (including HANDBOOK TO SURVIVE) are available at: http://www.craiglock.com/books.html
http://kompuwiz.com/kompustore (click on SoulfulBooks) and http://www.bridgeniche.com
Hard-copies and e-books, fiction and nonfiction: self help, novels, travel, humour, writing, inspiration and money management
Uplifting, encouraging and empowering people through the power of words and thought energy. Change YOUR world and you change THE world."
