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
maid service near Lake Forest ..Ever feel that you spend too much time shoring up... Read More
Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More
Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More
As a business owner, wouldn't it be great if you... 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
We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
In this digital age, the importance of being able to... Read More
Get a grip. Is it possible to manage time? Can... Read More
There is no such thing as time management. You cannot... Read More
From Potential to PerformanceOne of the great things about life... Read More
If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More
Handle small emergencies fast: When a small emergency does pop... Read More
When a good friend asked me to contribute a little... Read More
We live in a world where more is expected of... Read More
Time - it is the one thing that we are... Read More
How many times have you remarked to someone that there... Read More
Not 1 in 10 people can tell you where money... Read More
41 practical and quick ways to get on top of... Read More
Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
If you work from home, you know the kind of... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
TIME MANAGEMENTWith the creation of the universe, God gave humankind... Read More
top rated cleaning service Des Plaines ..Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
Many of the clients I work with in success coaching... Read More
Nowhere is the line drawn more clearly between 'Industrial brains'... Read More
Last week I had the privilege of spending some quality... Read More
Isn't it amazing that some people can produce huge results... Read More
When I was small, I have never considered the importance... Read More
Any habit of mind or body that interferes with taking... Read More
It's amazing how many sayings there are in our culture... Read More
Are you obsessed with getting everything just right? Do you... Read More
As each day passes, and more and more things need... Read More
You can use the Power of 90 Seconds to transform... Read More
How often have you tried to manage your time in... Read More
"There is never enough time, unless you're serving it." -Malcolm... Read More
OK...let's assume that you're truly motivated to change. Great. But... Read More
One of the most challenging situations people face when planning... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
There are so many books on Time Management published every... Read More
Many organisations view time management training as something they'll spend... Read More
Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More
Once you have completed your day you can boost your... Read More
Do you believe that the best way to deal with... Read More
Are you a worrier? Do you frequently spend time and... Read More
Increased productivity, the ability to get more value for our... Read More
As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
Time Management |