Today we must do more with less and that means less time to do those things that need to be done. Great time management requires planning and practice, this is not a skill you learn overnight. It is a skill that is honed over time using time tested tools and practices. Good planning and time management skills lead to higher productivity and less stress, and we all need less stress in our lives.
Plan time in your weekly schedule to plan, that’s right plan to plan. Time should be set aside every week to plan, is it your number one task and should be treated that way because without a plan you have chaos and chaos creates stress. This planning session should be no longer than one hour; in that hour you prepare a list of what you need, not want, to accomplish for the week. Write every task down, then take time to prioritize and order the tasks. Once your list is set, set the stage to complete the work and execute your plan.
There are six simple steps to achieve better time management:
1. Capture – create the list of what you need to accomplish
2. Clarify – define in finite detail what is required to accomplish the task
3. Breakdown – if the task is complex, break into smaller parts and attack each individually
4. Prioritize – rank the list and don’t put the hard stuff at the end of the list
5. Stage – review your list every day, every week and before your week starts
6. Execute – follow through
A few helpful tips:
· Does the task 5 minutes or less to accomplish, do it now!
· Is this task the best use of your time, should it be delegated or outsourced?
· Big rocks (tasks) create stress, break them into smaller rocks to build to completion
· Every task needs a priority and a due date, without it they will never be done
· Be realistic, most tasks take longer than you think they do
· Set reminders for future important tasks
· Be agile, sometime the plan has to change
· Respect deadlines, your and others
· Organize your workspace weekly/daily
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