We are all very aware of the benefits of good time management:
- you actually gain more time by taking some time to manage your time efficiently
- you will become motivated and energized
- you will reduce procrastination or "the dread"
- you reduce anxiety when you know you have plenty of time to complete everything on your list
But, HOW on Earth does one actually do this? First, there are a few key things you must do before you can organize any aspect of your time:
Find something enjoyable in whatever you are doing.
Try to be an optimist and seek out the good in your life. I know, I know....this is the most difficult.
Find ways to build on your successes. This seems to have a domino effect.
Stop regretting your failures and start learning from your mistakes.
Remind yourself, "There is always enough time for the important things." If it is important, you should be able to make time to do it.
Continually look at ways of freeing up your time. Are you wasting time doing unnecessary things on your computer???
Examine your old habits and search for ways to change or eliminate them.
Try to use waiting time-review notes or read goal related material.
Keep paper or a calendar with you to jot down the things you have to do or notes to yourself.
Examine and revise your lifetime goals on a monthly basis and be sure to include progress towards those goals on a daily basis.
Put up reminders in your home or office about your goals.
Plan your day each morning or the night before and set priorities for yourself.
Maintain and develop a list of specific things to be done each day, set your priorities and the get the most important ones done as soon in the day as you can. Evaluate your progress at the end of the day briefly.
Look ahead in your month and try and anticipate what is going to happen so you can better schedule your time.
Try rewarding yourself when you get things done as you had planned, especially the important ones.
Do first things first.
Have confidence in yourself and in your judgement of priorities and stick to them no matter what.
When you catch yourself procrastinating-ask yourself, "What am I avoiding?"
Start with the most difficult parts of projects, then either the worst is done or you may find you don't have to do all the other small tasks.
Catch yourself when you are involved in unproductive projects and stop as soon as you can.
Concentrate on one thing at a time.
Put your efforts in areas that provide long term benefits.
Be sure and set deadlines for yourself whenever possible.
Delegate responsibilities whenever possible.
Ask for advice when needed.
ok, so more than a "few" things.....but trust me; try them for a week.
You will be amazed at how much more productive you will become.
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