| Time management is simple - you have to decide | | | | into smaller pieces if the job seems to large, and |
| what to do and then do it. The following tips will | | | | start at the beginning. |
| help you decide what to do, then use the | | | | 2. What's Next? - Keep your momentum going by |
| techniques to actually get things done. Using tips | | | | taking it just one more step. |
| and techniques together throughout the day is the | | | | 3. Ask Others - Get assistance whenever you |
| best way to manage your time. | | | | can, and ask others for their help or opinions. You |
| Deciding What to Do... | | | | can save a lot of time by taking advantage of |
| 1. What Matters Most - You need to consider | | | | what others already know. |
| what your priorities are, for both short and long | | | | 4. Delegate - If someone else can be doing a |
| term goals. Invest the most time in the things | | | | particular task, let them. |
| that matter to you. | | | | 5. One Thing at a Time - Multi-tasking isn't always |
| 2. Your Role - Focus on tasks that are your | | | | the best way to go, especially in the workplace. |
| responsibility. That includes in the workplace as | | | | Your tasks will get done faster and better if you |
| well as your home life. | | | | give them 100% of your attention. It's usually a |
| 3. Your Goals - Have concrete goals so that you | | | | less stressful approach too. |
| always have something specific and clear to aim | | | | 6. Hard Jobs First - Free up your your mind by |
| for. | | | | getting the tough stuff out of the way first. You'll |
| 4. Track Your Time - Knowing how you actually | | | | be able to concentrate on other tasks later, and it |
| spend your time can help you find where you | | | | will save you the stress of dreading it later. |
| need to improve your management skills. | | | | 7. Capture Everything - Don't rely on your |
| 5. Plan Your Time - Planning ahead will help you | | | | memory. Take notes about what you want to do |
| save time, especially if you also plan in those | | | | so you can recall the details later. Many people |
| unexpected interruptions. Use a planner, diary or | | | | use a PDA because of the advantages it offers |
| PDA. | | | | as a time management tool. |
| 6. Fill in the Gaps - Make use of all those short | | | | 8. Do Less - Are you responsible for too much? |
| periods when you are waiting for something else. | | | | Do you dare pare down your commitments? |
| Even 5 minutes can be used for something. | | | | Doing so allows you to focus on a more |
| 7. The 80-20 Rule - Take note of what your | | | | reasonable number of tasks. Know when to say |
| return will be on your investment of time. Overall, | | | | "no". |
| around 80% of your results will come from only | | | | 9. Good Enough - Don't spend more time than |
| 20% of your efforts. Spend time on the things | | | | necessary beyond what a task really needs. |
| that will pay you back the most. | | | | 10. When is it over? - Make your tasks |
| ...Then Do It | | | | measurable so that you know when it's finished. |
| Once you've used the above techniques to decide | | | | Investing money is important, but investing in time |
| what you need to be doing, the next step is to | | | | is even more valuable. There is only so much time |
| actually do it. | | | | in a day, so you need to make the most of it. |
| 1. Start - The most important step to getting | | | | Tips like these are the right start to improving |
| things done is to just get started. Break it down | | | | your time management skills. |