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
apartment cleaning near Wilmette ..Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More
"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More
Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More
Benjamin Franklin wrote: "If you want to enjoy one of... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
Vilfredo Pareto's Principle, or The "Pareto Principle," is more commonly... Read More
In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More
Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More
How often have you tried to manage your time in... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
When is the best time to plan your day? Well,... Read More
I am an ordinary man - A middle class high... Read More
Time and money are both very important in business. Yet,... Read More
We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More
All too often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount... Read More
Sounds too good to be true?It really isn't!In fact, studies... Read More
In our time-crazed society, lots of time is what most... Read More
Do you manage your time or does your time manage... Read More
Your productivity depends on good tools and effective environments, and... Read More
Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one... Read More
Fitting an education into a busy lifestyleMany people have aspirations... Read More
What does it mean to practice self care? It's creating... Read More
What would be your reaction if someone said to you... Read More
As a professional organizer, consultant and trainer, I have come... Read More
We live in a world where more is expected of... Read More
reliable home cleaners Arlington Heights ..Such an innocuous little phrase, yet when you are hard... Read More
"You will never find time for anything. You must make... Read More
Procrastination, the habit of putting tasks off to the last... Read More
Where does your time go? We all know we are... Read More
Hey - Did someone press the FFW button?Have you ever... Read More
Does it ever feel like there is never enough time... Read More
Are you too busy to put yourself first? If a... Read More
In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More
Whenever I've worked on 'de-cluttering' my living or working space,... Read More
Get a grip. Is it possible to manage time? Can... Read More
Many people want to be coached to manage their time... Read More
"There is never enough time, unless you're serving it." -Malcolm... Read More
Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More
Many of us get so caught up in day-to-day pressures... Read More
Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More
Too much to do, too little time, constant stress. Most... Read More
Time, time, time. It seems there is never enough of... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More
Still awaiting the birth of my baby (I am overdue),... Read More
* If you were paying you to prioritise emails over... Read More
According to a Miller Heiman 2003 Sales Effectiveness Study, over... Read More
One of the issues most often raised by my clients... Read More
Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
Time Management |