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
Airbnb cleaning service Arlington Heights .."Time management" is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you... Read More
Do you wish you could work less and play more?... Read More
Looking out through my picture window during a recent winter... Read More
"Because there will always be something more to do, we... Read More
Work brings together people of different characters and behavior, and... Read More
41 practical and quick ways to get on top of... Read More
The most powerful resource that we have is time. Everything... Read More
Time is wealth;Time is health; Time is power; Time is... Read More
Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More
We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More
Recently I've experienced a barrage of time wasters. Everything you... Read More
As a professional organizer, consultant and trainer, I have come... Read More
Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More
Are you drowning in a sea of unread papers? Do... Read More
A common remedy for improving your time management is to... Read More
What would you say to me if I told you... Read More
Your productivity depends on good tools and effective environments, and... Read More
Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
Fitting an education into a busy lifestyleMany people have aspirations... Read More
Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More
A simple kitchen gadget is transforming my life. I don't... Read More
How can you get an extra hour out of each... Read More
Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple... Read More
Everyday life can present us with opportunities to make us... Read More
reliable maid service Winnetka ..Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More
It is not enough if you are busy. The question... Read More
"It's just been one of those days?I can't seem to... Read More
Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one... Read More
Last week I had the privilege of spending some quality... Read More
"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More
An expert in time management was speaking to a group... Read More
You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More
We don't realize many things we do until we draw... Read More
If you can motivate yourself at will to get any... Read More
Work more efficiently and be more productive using these time-management... Read More
Sounds too good to be true?It really isn't!In fact, studies... Read More
Looking out through my picture window during a recent winter... Read More
I used to think video game addictions were a joke... Read More
If you are like most moms I know you think... Read More
You can use the Power of 90 Seconds to transform... Read More
"Fashionably late" is no longer in fashion. In today's heavily... Read More
My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More
Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
Do you manage your time or does your time manage... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
Once you have completed your day you can boost your... Read More
To work smarter all you need is the consciousness of... Read More
Many of the world's most driven and successful people sleep... Read More
Time Management |