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