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Time Management Tips Community
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ARTICLES
10 Essential Time Management Tips to Get Results
Breaking Through Procrastination
5 Tips to Save Time, $$, & Energy
5 Tips to Eliminate Overwhelm & Accelerate Action
10 Essential Time Management Tips
To organize life and manage time we have to aim to manage self. How we spend time that produces results (or lack of) is about choices, habits, and actions. Here are ten tips to get the most of your day and the results you want.
Make Deliberate Choices
Intentionally choose how to use time. Time can be used pouring out your
strengths, passions, skills, and values, and not be wasted. Our choices can
make it such so choose wisely.
1- Know Your Priorities- For least resistance align priorities based on who
you are. What is really important to you? List 3-5 top priorities in order. Look at them daily. What goals are most important right now for long-term fulfillment?
2- Be Aware of Time Bandits- Monitor how you spend time for 24-72 hours.
Notice where time is wasted or how it can be put to better use. EX: Run errands once a week versus daily trips. Notice distracters, those things that steal your focus such as phone calls, e-mail, things breaking down, etc.
3- Set your Mind on the Ultimate Result- Thoughts guide behavior. Focus
negatively, and you may get discouraged and quit. The Wright Brothers focused on the end result, 'what it takes to fly', not being grounded. Choose your line of thought or your brain will take a shortcut and choose the thought pattern/ habit that is in place, whether or not it serves you. It is a choice! You can accept or reject a thought. Choose a positive, results-aimed mind set always!
Develop Great Habits and a Structure to Support Your Actions
Many people are busy, but without the structure and habits in place to get the
results they crave. Know that great habits with structure support you to
complete primary tasks. You then get results which lead to more freedom to do
what you want (without the fear or guilt).
4- Have an Efficient Scheduling System- Whether using a pda, home computer, or a planner, it is critical to have a structure that supports your planning style. I love the planner systems at www.day-timer.com and
www.franklincovey.com which provide monthly calendars, daily appointment
schedule, space for daily notes, and more in one efficient hand-held planner.
5- Schedule Priorities First, Block Time, and Take Action- Block time
for priorities first, then follow through. Focus on how great you will feel after
doing it. Block time for various roles and avoid multi-tasking to maintain
focus. Do not do housework during business hours. Set yourself up for
success by scheduling high energy tasks when you have energy and low
energy tasks later. Stay fully focused to complete priorities with excellence.
Give full attention to one activity at a time.
6- Set Time Limits- Set a time limit when you begin a task then stay focused.
This takes practice. Most tasks take longer than we anticipate, but it will save
time. Most of us could waste plenty of time on e-mail, but can save a lot when
we set a limit.
7- Plan a Day Ahead- For most, each day is different. It helps to plan your
schedule the day/evening before. Then you can jump out of bed in the morning
with a smile on because you know exactly what to do.
8- Create Daily Habits that Serve You- What daily action would make the
greatest positive difference? Examples: Spiritual studies, go to bed or wake up
earlier, watch less tv, read, make three new contacts, drink more water, do
something you love, limit time for e-mail, write, organize, plan, create, help others, etc. Make it specific. Ask which daily habits uplift you and which hold you back then make a shift.
Be in Action on What is Most Important
Reaching goals means taking the steps that get you there… no matter what.
You are either interested or committed. Life will get in the way. Fear will want to hold you back. It is a choice to continue in action on the important stuff, and
rewards come when you do.
9- Do It, Delegate It, or Dump It- It is easier to stay in action on priorities
when you leverage your strengths, passions, values, and skills. Learn in
action and gain experience. Delegate what is not your cup of tea. Dump what
is not that important right now. Block time to handle tolerations that drain
your energy such as clutter, repairs, etc.
10- Simplify and Systematize- Put systems in place to make things easier.
Consistently seek the more efficient way. EX: position employees to leverage
their strengths/ passions, run errands weekly when stores are low traffic, when
you buy something get rid of something to avoid clutter, organize the office at
the end of each day, give everything a home so nothing is ever lost. Strive for
efficiency.
To organize life and manage yourself for peak performance you have to feel your best. This means scheduling rejuvenation time regularly to enjoy what
you love and what life has to offer right now. Implement these tips and raise
your quality of life… StartingNow!
Copyright 2008, Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved.
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Breaking Through Procrastination
“I have learned that most regrets come from the things I DIDN’T do. I have learned that regret lasts forever.” Simply Brilliant Procrastination...putting off what you can do today until tomorrow...7 years, 5 months, and 2 days later you’re wondering why you never started that book. It would have been done by now and you would be reaping the rewards. Writing would be your full-time pleasure now. You can see yourself sitting on the garden patio of your dream home surrounded by towering palm trees and luxurious flowers. You look across the Pacific as the ocean air gently blows across your face. The phone rings. Your latest book made the Best Seller List. Funny how in regret the vision is always bright and sunny, and in procrastination its doom and gloom. You say to yourself, ”No one will ever want to read my book. No one will ever publish my book”. What if you could switch that picture so you are pulled towards the vision like it was a magnet. The vision will be there. Why not create it sooner rather than later. Procrastination results in stress, poor health, and regrets that last a lifetime. Taking action leads to fulfillment, life experience, and wisdom. So read on to discover how to break through procrastination, take action, and make things happen. Step 1- Where in your life are you procrastinating? Is it the appropriate decision to delay or irrational postponement? Choose one project that you want to stop procrastinating on. Step 2- Discover the source in order to create a solution. Consider when your car doesn’t start. You look for the source of the problem. When you find the source it is easy to take action to make the repair. Look behind procrastination to find what is stopping you. It may be an unpleasant task, lack of interest, someone else’s goal, a large overwhelming project, fear, poor time management, or indecision. When you discover the source you are one step closer to making a change. Congratulations! Step 3- Based on the source decide if this is a goal you want to keep. If so, choose a strategy that makes you more comfortable. The following examples will get your creative juices flowing. Choose what is right for you. You will have to develop new habits. Best to create habits you want vs. what someone else wants for you. Discover the source and set the strategy up in a way that you know you will take action. Here are some possible sources and solutions: An Unpleasant Task/ Lack of Interest- Schedule it at the beginning of the day so it is not hanging over your head all day long. Think of how great you will feel to have it done. Reward yourself when you follow through. Someone Else’s Goal- Set a boundary...say no or accept only the part of the job that you feel good about. If you can not say no (ex. employment situation) then you may choose to follow the above solution. A Large Overwhelming Project- Break it down into small manageable tasks. What part can you do? What part can you delegate? What is the first small step you know you can do right now? Lack of Focus Due to Multiple Projects- Prioritize the projects then break them down into small manageable tasks as in the step above. Focus on completion of one project at a time. Fear- What is the fear telling you? Is it legitimate or the product of an irrational assumption. Usually what we think may happen never does. If you need to stand up to your fear then visualize a positive end result. Use affirmations and visualization to break through the fear. Focus on how great you will feel simply for having the courage to try. You gain strength, wisdom, and confidence from each experience. Poor Time Management- Schedule a block of time daily or weekly to work specificly on this project. Keep these appointments. Begin with small blocks of time (an amount of time you can commit) until you are consistantly keeping your appointments. Then you can add more time. Indecision- When you don’t know what to do set a deadline to make up your mind. Then get whatever support and information you need to be able to make an educated decision. Step 4- Come from a positive place. Think of that positive picture that shows up in regret, and allow that picture to pull you towards it now. Know that you are an amazing person who is completely capable when you prepare, get the help you need, and use the resources available to you. Focus on how great you will feel for having followed through step by step no matter what the result. Afterall...it is through the expedition that many great and memorable moments occur! What action will you take? Starting Now! Copyright 2003, Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved. COMMENT to the top
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"I'm working to improve my methods, and every
hour I save is an hour added to my life." Ayn Rand
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5 Tips to Save Time, $$$ & Energy- Problem Solving 101
"You can’t swing and think at the same time.” Yogi Berra
The more you get up to bat the more you develop skills. Each time at the plate is another opportunity coming your way. The more you take action the more you will advance. Whether the game is your sport, career, business, home, or taking a risk one thing is clear. The more you take action, the greater your skills become, and the more you achieve. Below are 5 tips to eliminate overwhelm and accelerate action.
1- Maintain a Clear Path~ Imagine mowing your lawn by just wandering around mowing wherever you see grass at any given moment. Can you imagine how long it would take? Studies are now acknowledging multi-tasking to be multi-debilitating. The more you create a clear track of what needs to be done while fully focusing on one thing at a time, the faster you can move forward on it. See the resource below for help with this.
2- Microstep to Success~ Overwhelm is paralyzing. Start by microstepping. Take tiny steps to progress. Do what you know you can do (even if it seems ridiculous). I know I can clean out 1 drawer. I know I can put on my workout clothes and walk to the street. I know I can sit down with pen and paper for 15 minutes to ponder my book idea or begin a business plan. Microstepping will move you forward, build momentum and confidence.
3- Set Time Deadlines~ Setting deadlines when you begin a task helps maintain pace. It prevents the regret of, “where did the day go?”. Time is a valuable asset to be cared for. When beginning decide how much time you will allow, and focus to complete within that time. Set times during the day to manage tasks that would normally interrupt you such as e-mails, phone calls, and co-workers. When interruptions are inevitable, set a boundary by deciding the time you will allow for the interruption.
4- Schedule the Significant Stuff First~ We are so responsible that we cast aside the things that will make the biggest impact in our lives. Or maybe it is fear that holds us back. In any event, add the important things to your schedule as a priority and move towards what you want.
5- Systematize~ Consistently look to create systems to save time. Remember how time is saved by having a system to mow the lawn. When something new goes in a cabinet something old comes out. Return calls and check e-mails at scheduled times daily. Throw junk mail in the trash immediately. Give your items a home so nothing is ever lost. Schedule blocks of time to handle tasks in the various roles you hold. Automate. Keep a running list of items you need and errands, then handle at once. Systematizing with regard to a person’s strengths and passions is even more advantageous.
Resource~ You are welcome to use the complimentary Get Things Done Task List. Send a blank e-mail to GetThingsDone@aweber.com , confirm your request in the follow-up e-mail, and you should receive it in minutes.
This is the time to step up to the plate. Put the breaks on overwhelm and accelerate action by taking the first step… Starting Now!
Copyright 2005 © Beth A. Tabak, All rights reserved.
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5 Tips to Eliminate Overwhelm & Accelerate Action
Zip zip...zap..zonk zonk..zoop! That’s how we spend our days, and before you know it we’re zunk! If you want to eliminate problems and upgrade relationships, health, business, finances, and quality of life read on. Here are 5 tips to zap the zonks and add zip-a-dee-doo-dah back into your day.
First Things First- Simply put in the book “First Things First” by Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill, “Where there’s no gardener, there’s no garden.” Getting clear on the legacy you want for your life and business will help you nurture that vision by making decisions and taking actions that place the important things first. In the end, what will really matter? Planning first things first sets you up for a great life.
Communicate Effectively- We all live from our own perceptions and life experience. Investing the time to fully express what you have in mind, listening before interjecting, and comparing notes to make sure you are on the same track is worth it in business and personal relationships. You are more likely to avoid conflict. You save time not having to do things over, and save money not having to send that box of chocolates.
Win/Win Environment- When you choose win/win environments you choose cooperation over conflict. In cooperation, people accomplish more together and all receive fulfillment in the process. There is a win on a personal and team level. Energy is high. In conflict, someone wins and others are left drained, resentful, and unfulfilled. Win/Win environments are not as hard as they sound. Get creative and forge forward together!
Simplify and Systematizing- Where are you losing time to unimportant tasks and activities? We’re all busy. The question is do you spend your time in activities that really make a difference? What is draining time away? What choices and solutions are available? At home and work look outside the box for systems you can set up to free up time. If you feel stuck, have someone you trust take a look. Another set of eyes can often find another set of solutions. Simplifying and systematizing can be extremely rewarding.
Learn From Someone Whose Been There- Whatever your journey it pays to learn everything you can from those who have gone ahead of you, those who have experience, those who have wisdom. Successful people are usually more than willing to share. Mainly because they remember it made a difference for them. Don’t hesitate to ASK, and chances are you will receive more than you imagined.
If you want to get started saving time, $$, and energy, ask yourself these questions:
In the end, what will really matter? What will I place first?
What step will I take to communicate more effectively?
What can we create so that we both (all) win?
As I look around what systems are working, what systems need help, where is a system needed, and what needs to be eliminated? Where am I losing valuable time, and what can I do about it?
Who can I learn from that would add great value to my current situation?
Starting Now!
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah...Zip-a-dee-ay...
Reference:
“First Things First”, authors Stephen R. Covey, A. Roger Merrill, and Rebecca R. Merrill, Simon & Schuster 1994
Copyright 2004, Beth A. Tabak. All Rights Reserved.
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Copyright 2003 © Beth Tabak
All Rights Reserved
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