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
Ashley limo service .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareThe Internet is increasingly becoming a major time killer for... Read More
Are you working a "day job" while building your home-based... Read More
How many of us are guilty of "Putting the cart... Read More
Such an innocuous little phrase, yet when you are hard... Read More
Number Yourself: Count yourself as an important individual. You are... Read More
When I was small, I have never considered the importance... Read More
Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More
To work smarter all you need is the consciousness of... Read More
People always seem to be in such a hurry, everywhere... Read More
You can use the Power of 90 Seconds to transform... Read More
Hey - Did someone press the FFW button?Have you ever... Read More
Would you like to know how to get 10 times... Read More
Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
"If you control your time, you control your life" -... Read More
It's easy to waste time on things that seem urgent... Read More
What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
Once you have completed your day you can boost your... Read More
Many of you have expressed the challenge of not having... Read More
An expert in time management was speaking to a group... Read More
Recently I've experienced a barrage of time wasters. Everything you... Read More
As the song goes, this is the time to relax,... Read More
What would be your reaction if someone said to you... Read More
"The bad news is time flies. The good news is... Read More
As mothers we play so many different roles and most... Read More
car service from Midway Arena ..Yesterday, I'd just gotten comfortable at my favorite table in... Read More
A year and a half ago I was introduced to... Read More
Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More
Once you have completed your day you can boost your... Read More
One of the issues most often raised by my clients... Read More
"At my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying... Read More
Balancing a family's varying schedules can be near impossible. Soccer,... Read More
Vilfredo Pareto's Principle, or The "Pareto Principle," is more commonly... Read More
Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More
Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Years ago clients would tell me they could not identify... Read More
What are the most important things you should accomplish today?... Read More
Our daily lives are inundated with a crammed to-do list.... Read More
Determine Your Procrastination PersonalityBrook Noel is the author of The... Read More
When a good friend asked me to contribute a little... Read More
When I sit down with a client to work on... Read More
Get a grip. Is it possible to manage time? Can... Read More
If you're like most people, you want to get better... Read More
The techies could do a lot more to make our... Read More
Are you working a "day job" while building your home-based... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
Ever feel that you spend too much time shoring up... Read More
"Slaves to the clock" was the cover story in the... Read More
I would like to touch upon a subject that it... Read More
Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More
Time Management |