At the end of each day, most people have not accomplished everything they needed and wanted to do. They often feel overwhelmed and underproductive. They also feel that each days circumstances are out of their control, and there is nothing they can do to complete more tasks and have more time. However, there are a few simple time management tools that can gain up to two additional hours each day. The time management tools that everyone can adopt are simple and easy to implement. At first you will feel that you do not have time to take the steps required, but be persistent and you will have more time and more control. The following steps should help you set a better time management system in place. First, use positive self-talk and tell yourself, I am well-organized and focused. Also, visualize yourself being organized and completing each required task. You are doing a mental rehearsal of completing the tasks. This is sometimes called Fake it until you make it. Second, imagine that you are teaching someone how to do each task, and you will find that you are more organized. If it helps, you can write out the directions to complete each task as if you were teaching someone to complete the task step-by-step. You will complete each task in a much more orderly way, and it will probably take less time. Third, think of yourself as a factory that is totally focused on output. Think of each task as output that is must be produced efficiently and effectively. As a factory, you must have self-discipline, and you must be accountable. If you are a factory, you have schedules and deadlines to meet, and you have to explain any failure to meet schedules and deadlines. Fourth, start improving your work pattern in only one area for 2-3 weeks. Give yourself time to improve one area of your work before you move to the next area that needs improvement. The recommended first area of improvement is getting organized. There are several, fool-proof ways to become more organized: Write down your goals for the next day at the end of the previous day. Always work from a list. List all the steps that must be accomplished in order to reach each goal. Stop doing things that do not lead to your goals. Forget about the small, less important tasks and do the most important tasks first. Prioritize your goals in categories such as: must complete, try to complete, want to complete. Make your workspace neat at the end of each day by clearing your desk. At the end of each day arrange everything you need for your work the next day. Handle each piece of paper only once: throw away, file, or take action. Put things away when you finish with them. Arrange your workspace to eliminate interruptions and distractions. Organize your filing system to make things easy to find. Organize your personal time by bunching errands and shopping from a list. Be punctual and move fast. Concentrate on completing one thing at a time and set and keep deadlines. Fifth, in a crisis, be analytical and ask: what, when, where, how, why, who? This will help you focus. Do not be afraid to make mistakes, because mistakes are part of the learning process. Do not let yourself procrastinate and develop sense of urgency for each task you must complete. Finally, start each day with the most unpleasant task and complete it first. You will feel a real sense of accomplishment after you have completed the most unpleasant task, and every other task will feel easier. All of your time management steps must be constantly practiced and repeated, because it takes 21 days to create new habit. Jo Ann Joy, Esq., MBA, CEO The future of your business starts here! You may contact Jo Ann by phone at (602) 663-7007, by fax at (602) 324-7582, by email at joannjoy@Indigo Business Solutions.net, and by mail at 2313 East Ocotillo Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85016. Copies of any articles will be provided free of charge. For information about other important legal, tax, and business topics, copies of articles, or EBooks, please visit our website at www.IndigoBusinessSolutions.net. Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. Indigo Business Solutions is a registered trade name. |
