February 23rd 2010
10 Critical Suggestions For Mastering Time Management
Learn as much as you can about time management and put it into practice. All of us could be so much better off if we were more efficient and effective from this point of view and could lead much more enjoyable and productive lives.
1. While this is on your mind, look at everything that you do during the course of the day and for the rest of the week. Get a large piece of paper and write each task down that you complete within a 15 minute period. This will include walking the dog, sitting down in front of the TV, even bathroom breaks; make sure that it is comprehensive. Now you’ll know where to start.
2. Don’t rely on your memory. We can all relate to forgetting about something as it has slipped our minds and know how much stress it puts on our daily grind. Make sure that you make a list and check it again!
3. Isn’t it true that almost everything that lands on your lap that is said to be vital is rarely so? Don’t think that you have to drop everything that you are doing to answer that call and be prepared to put your foot down, gently to start off, with whoever may be suggesting otherwise!
4. A well put together schedule is vitally important, so that you can schedule your priorities and ensure that they don’t schedule you! This means that you’re focusing on tasks according to a hierarchy of importance and while they say that you should never put off what you can do today, be wary of trying to rush to complete jobs before they necessarily have to be completed, as this can become a bad habit.
5. Delegate effectively. Find out who can do the job for you, trust them to do it and once you have given clear directions, let them do it. They will prioritise it according to their individual schedules.
6. Do not micro-manage. This is a major failing of some management individuals, but we can all be guilty of it at home, work or play. Once you have entrusted somebody to do a job for you, you must let them carry on.
7. Why do you procrastinate? There can be many different reasons – fear, the need for perfectionism, uncertainty or simply becoming overwhelmed. Identify the source of the issue and you will then be able to take steps to fix it.
8. Understand how important time management is. If you look at this from a financial point of view, you can work out how each minute of each hour is worth a certain amount of money and this will help you to focus, without wasting those valuable moments.
9. Be prepared to say no. This can be very difficult for some and the thought of actually turning down a money related project can appear to be crazy, especially in this stressful financial environment. Do not be tempted to take on more than you can chew, as while you might gain in the short term, you will almost certainly lose out in the longer run.
10. Find out everything you can about online time management, and keep in mind that time tracking software and time management software tools can be a fantastic investment in your future.