Time Management: 11 Tips

Work more efficiently and be more productive using these time-management tips:

  • Use a timer.
    Pick one item on your to-do list, set your timer for 15 minutes and get to work. Don't worry about finishing, just get started. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and get nothing done at all. Tackling tasks in small chunks helps you stay focused.
  • Delegate.
    Don't be afraid to enlist the help of others to complete projects that are time consuming or monotonous. Whether you have to hire a professional or your 10-year old son, do it.
  • Set goals.
    It's much easier to get something done if you know exactly what it is you're working toward. Set long-term goals first and then determine the short-term goals that will serve as stepping stones toward the larger goal.
  • Sort mail immediately.
    Mail can quickly become beastly, taking over every nook and cranny. When you get your mail each day, open it directly over the garbage can. Most likely, the bulk of it can be dropped right in. For the rest, determine what action needs to be taken and deal with it appropriately.
  • Make an appointment with yourself.
    Schedule at least one hour each day for "catch up" tasks such as work overflow, returning phone calls, answering emails etc. If you pencil time into your calendar, you're less likely to let the mundane (but necessary) tasks pile up.
  • Become friends with your voice mail.
    Don't be a slave to the phone. It really is OK to let voice mail get it once in a while.
  • Have an assembly line mentality.
    Complete like tasks together such as returning phone calls, answering email, sending out invoices etc. You'll be much more productive.
  • Work when you're most alert.
    Figure out your most productive time of day and set your work schedule accordingly.
  • Use checklists.
    For tasks that must be completed on a regular basis, make and keep simple checklists to ensure you don't overlook important steps in the process.
  • Give everything a place.
    Don't waste your time trying to find things that seemed to have disappeared. Organize your workspace so that every item has a home. It'll make locating and storing items a snap.
  • Be prepared.
    Reserve 5 minutes at the end of each day to review your schedule for the next. That way, you'll have no surprises.
  • Amy Andrews is the owner of simplycomplete.com, where businesses & individuals hand off their "got-to-dos" so they can focus on their "want-to-dos."

    simplycomplete.com for FREE!

    efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..
    In The News:

    Threat intelligence firm Synthient uncovers one of the largest password exposures ever, prompting immediate security recommendations.
    Viral video shared by Elon Musk shows Tesla's Optimus humanoid robots performing tasks from cooking to construction, garnering over 58.5 million views on social media.
    Chinese hackers used Anthropic's Claude AI to launch autonomous cyberattacks on 30 organizations worldwide, marking a major shift in cybersecurity threats.
    Apple's new Sleep Score feature gives you a rating for your nightly rest quality. Learn how to set it up on your Apple Watch and iPhone today.
    Essential phone settings to enable before losing your device, including Find My network, location services and security features for iPhone and Android.
    The Fox News AI Newsletter gives readers the latest AI technology advancements, covering the challenges and opportunities AI presents.
    Cybersecurity research shows weak passwords remain a major threat, with simple patterns and number sequences putting millions of accounts at risk.
    New Android malware BankBot YNRK silences phones, steals banking data and drains crypto wallets automatically. Learn how this advanced threat works.
    FDA approves first human trial for Paradromics' brain-computer interface that could restore speech for paralyzed patients through neural technology.
    New phishing platform QRR targets Microsoft 365 users across 1,000 domains in 90 countries. Learn how to spot fake login pages and protect your accounts.
    OpenTable now uses AI to track your dining habits and share insights with restaurants. Learn what data they collect and how to protect your privacy.
    Google's discontinued Nest thermostats still secretly upload home data to company servers despite losing smart features, raising serious privacy concerns.
    New Android malware NGate steals NFC payment codes in real-time, allowing criminals to withdraw cash from ATMs without your card. Learn protection tips.
    DoorDash confirms data breach exposing customer names, emails, addresses after social engineering attack. Learn how to protect yourself from scams.
    Concerned about Google's AI scanning your Gmail? Learn how to disable Gemini features that access your emails, Drive files and Chat messages for privacy.
    Google warns Android users about dangerous fake VPN apps hiding malware that steals passwords, banking details and personal data from phones and tablets.
    Apple's digital passport feature lets iPhone users breeze through TSA checkpoints this holiday season using Digital ID technology at 250+ airports.
    A new phishing scam targets family photos with fake "Cloud Storage Full" alerts. Criminals steal credit card information through fake sites. Learn protection tips.
    South Korean scientists create ultra-thin fabric muscles that turn clothes into robotic assistants, lifting 33 pounds while weighing under half an ounce.
    Archer Aviation has acquired Hawthorne Airport for $126M to launch an LA air taxi network ahead of the 2028 Olympics, featuring AI-powered eVTOL operations and next-gen aviation tech.
    Stay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
    Fake AI apps disguised as "ChatGPT" and "DALLĀ·E" are flooding app stores with dangerous malware that steals data and monitors users without detection.
    Fake buyers demand specific vehicle reports from unknown sites to steal credit card information from car sellers, but warning signs can help identify these scams before paying.
    Android users can now manage apps across multiple devices more easily with Google Play Store's updated remote uninstall button in the latest update.
    NASA's Perseverance rover discovers shiny metallic rock on Mars that could be a meteorite from an ancient asteroid, containing high levels of iron and nickel.

    Time Management is Cause Control

    Recently I've experienced a barrage of time wasters. Everything you... Read More

    Time Management Is Key

    Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More

    How to Conquer the Five Major Time Wasters?

    * spreading yourself too thinTaking on too many things at... Read More

    House Cleaning - Three Ways To Finding The Time

    It's always a challenge finding time to clean my house.... Read More

    21 Questions To Assess Your Readiness For Time Management

    How many of us are guilty of "Putting the cart... Read More

    A Fatal Mistake that Can Cost You Your Business ? And More

    Whether you're a new business owner or if you have... Read More

    Reading -- 10 Ways to Find The Time

    Why Read?It's been said that there are three kinds of... Read More

    Taking Time Off For Your Business

    As a business owner, wouldn't it be great if you... Read More

    Time Management: How to Make Your Meetings More Productive

    In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More

    Time Management for Sales Pros

    According to a Miller Heiman 2003 Sales Effectiveness Study, over... Read More

    Freelance Productivity: Do One Thing Extra Each Day

    This may not sound like a big deal. But it's... Read More

    Isn?t It Time For You?

    Does it seem like there is never enough time in... Read More

    Four Steps To Make Your Day Dynamic!

    There are two ways to start your day. The first... Read More

    Time Invested Wisely = Your Dreams

    This past Friday I was asked to speak with a... Read More

    Nurturing Your Soul

    Number Yourself: Count yourself as an important individual. You are... Read More

    Time Management: Which Advice to Follow?

    There are so many books on Time Management published every... Read More

    Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life

    Balancing Your Work, Family and Social Life... Read More

    Time Management - How To Get More Done In A Day?

    Everyday, in life, we are bombarded with 101 tasks that... Read More

    Organization Tips That Add More Hours To Your Day

    One of the most common complaints that small business owners... Read More

    Six Foundational Reasons for Managing Your Time

    Most of us know how to manage our time. It... Read More

    It?s Not The Same Old Routine

    We are constantly inundated with routine (often boring!) tasks around... Read More

    7 Ways To Improve Your Life In 7 Days

    Choose to be HappyHappiness is a choice. You can choose... Read More

    Making More Efficient Use of Your Time

    You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More

    Tips to Manage Incoming E-mail

    Friends, colleagues, and clients are all telling me that one... Read More

    9 Proven Principles for Increasing Productivity, Profit and Peace of Mind

    Do you feel guilty about all the publications you purchase... Read More

    cleaning lady near Wilmette ..