We live in a world where more is expected of us every day.
First there were fax machines, now email and cell phones. Our number of communications daily from various sources is extreme.
How can we get to all of it in a timely fashion and still get 8 hours of sleep?
Here are three time reducing strategies that are easy to implement:
1. Schedule. Like it or not in today's world if you want to achieve greater levels of success you must learn to use a schedule. You can use a Palm Pilot, a journal or a Daytimer. I use the Franklin-Covey Planning software for windows. It pops up when I turn on my computer and it is compatible with my Palm Pilot so that I can sync at night when I leave my office.
Now, having a schedule isn't half as important as using a schedule. It doesn't work if you don't use it? everyday.
I keep track of appointments, make a To Do list and then as I work on projects I enter them in so that I can make a journal of my day. Later, this will help me remember how much time I spent on tasks for billing purposes. I schedule in exercise time and I schedule in personal development time for reading and writing.
Once you get started, you'll find it easier and easier to use. The amount of time saved by spending the time to keep your schedule can be enormous. It helps to eliminate the clutter we create on our desks and in our minds when trying to remember all the things we need to do.
It can also help to eliminate unnecessary tasks. Many times we say 'yes' when something is not really in alignment with our goals. The act of making time for it and getting on the schedule will cause you to evaluate its importance. This can be a tremendous time saver.
2. Systems. Systems are a key component in time management. I have a system for everything! Systems do not have to be complicated but they help to keep you on track and save time. For instance, I use a 'system' for my after-work time. When I leave the office my evening everyday is pre-planned. I drive home, I change, I make dinner, I watch one hour of TV, I work two hours, and I go to bed? A system.
I follow the same system every single day. It removes wasted time trying to decide what I'm going to do with my time. Setting up systems for checking email or taking calls can be a real time saver. If you have tasks that you do regularly, think about ways to systemize them. Sometimes setting up forms or check lists, creating schedules or flow charts, delegating, just about anything can be turned into a time saving system.
3. Lists. Keep lists. You can keep the lists in your schedule but you need to get into the habit of making a list for tasks and systems. Checklists save time because you don't have to think about what comes next. The amount of time I save by using a calculator instead of figuring in my head is enormous?. Using lists is very much the same.
By removing the "think" time you streamline processes and save brain energy for more important things. I have a grocery list prepared in Excel, I print it off before I head to the store and buy only what I need. No time wasted wandering the aisles.
I have a checklist for updating my weblog and writing my newsletter. I have templates for the newsletter and I have time scheduled to do both.
Many times a little time spent upfront can be a huge savings later. When I find myself doing a task that I've done before and feel like its taking too long, I sit down systemize and make a checklist and suddenly I've found 15 or 20 minutes.
? Yolanda A. Facio for Strategy-3.com All Rights Reserved
Tired of watching others succeed? Discover how to achieve a more prosperous life. Yolanda A. Facio is the author of an incredible new ebook that guarantees you a more successful and productive life. Click Here Now => http://www.newrulesforsuccess.com
More success tips can be found at http://www.newrulesforsuccess.com
whole house cleaning Deerfield .."Can you find four extra hours in your day?" a... Read More
Time and money are both very important in business. Yet,... Read More
One of the most common complaints that small business owners... Read More
Many of you have expressed the challenge of not having... Read More
Almost everyone in business knows the balancing act between the... Read More
Vilfredo Pareto's Principle, or The "Pareto Principle," is more commonly... Read More
Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More
Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More
Too much to do, too little time, constant stress. Most... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
From Potential to PerformanceOne of the great things about life... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More
A common remedy for improving your time management is to... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
Why Read?It's been said that there are three kinds of... Read More
How do you know what's the best use of your... Read More
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More
Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More
I've divided my tips into two sections - 5 ways... Read More
As the song goes, this is the time to relax,... Read More
My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More
Goal Planning-Achieving balance in a person's life requires assessment of... Read More
Any habit of mind or body that interferes with taking... Read More
home cleaning services Des Plaines ..TIME MANAGEMENTWith the creation of the universe, God gave humankind... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
How you spend the first sixty minutes of your day... Read More
All requests are not equal; all customers or clients are... Read More
Years ago when I started in this business, it seemed... Read More
How do you eat two elephants? The same way you... Read More
One of the tried and true organization and time-management tools... Read More
If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick... Read More
In this digital age, the importance of being able to... Read More
Are you obsessed with getting everything just right? Do you... Read More
"Can you find four extra hours in your day?" a... Read More
And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More
Your time and energy are the two most precious gifts... Read More
In this world there is something more precious than gold.... Read More
There are the golden rules that apply to time. If... Read More
How many times have you remarked to someone that there... Read More
There are times, when I am driving in my car... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
As a home-based, self-employed woman, mundane tasks can be as... Read More
Choose to be HappyHappiness is a choice. You can choose... Read More
Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More
Let's look at your time management skills. Most of us... Read More
Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More
When I was small, I have never considered the importance... Read More
All too often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount... Read More
Time Management |