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
weekly home cleaning Highland Park ..One of the issues most often raised by my clients... Read More
If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick... Read More
There is no such thing as time management. You cannot... Read More
Sounds too good to be true?It really isn't!In fact, studies... Read More
Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More
Many folks tell me that they just don't have time... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
Does it seem like there is never enough time in... Read More
If you work from home, you know the kind of... Read More
A working manager needs more than time management.That old saying,... Read More
Are you obsessed with getting everything just right? Do you... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More
Many of you have expressed the challenge of not having... Read More
As I sit here in front of the computer... Read More
We are constantly inundated with routine (often boring!) tasks around... Read More
"Time management" is a myth. Time ticks by, whether you... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
The concept of Mercury Retrograde is very well known even... Read More
The biggest time management mistake you can ever make is... Read More
The Internet is increasingly becoming a major time killer for... Read More
Why waste your precious time working on tasks, which are... Read More
"At my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying... Read More
Years ago clients would tell me they could not identify... Read More
We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More
whole house cleaning Park Ridge ..What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More
One question a lot of people ask me recently is:... Read More
All too often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount... Read More
Letters, magazines, bills, flyers, what to do with them all.... Read More
Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More
We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More
In our time-crazed society, lots of time is what most... Read More
Sometime ago, my lovely wife woke me up in the... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
If you work from home, you know the kind of... Read More
The most powerful resource that we have is time. Everything... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
Do you manage your time or does your time manage... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
All requests are not equal; all customers or clients are... Read More
Most of us know how to manage our time. It... Read More
Vilfredo Pareto's Principle, or The "Pareto Principle," is more commonly... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More
Work more efficiently and be more productive using these time-management... Read More
As mothers we play so many different roles and most... Read More
If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick... Read More
Everyday life can present us with opportunities to make us... Read More
Time Management |