8 Simple Steps to Improve Your Time Management

In the early 1920's Wallace D Wattles wrote that 'we don't get rich by doing certain things .....we get rich by doing things in a CERTAIN way'

Whilst that statement may benefit your income goals - the premise, if properly applied, will also help your time management goals.

Tick.Tock.Tick.

There are 86,400 seconds in a day and you and I have to know how best to maximise their use in an effort to balance all we need to get through .....every day. Agreed ?

This article will take you about 300 seconds to read...so what are you going to do with all the remaining 'free' time ?

At some stage in both our personal and business careers we all fall foul to poor time management.The reasons may be unavoidable but are often a valuable prompt that we are letting things slide and need to readdress the issue.

If you are experiencing a problem with balance in time managment either at home or at work, there is a good chance that your problems may be caused by a difficulty in properly and prudently allocating your time. The good news, however, is that there are a number of steps that you can take to improve your time management.

In fact, 8 simple steps that you can take are highlighted below.

1 – Admit (at least to yourself) That You Have a Problem

Knowing that you have a time management problem is the first step in changing your behavior. Although it is typical to be late for work, or meetings and a social event on occasion, it is something that should not be happening on a daily or a weekly basis. If it is, it is time for you to realize that you may have address the issue.

2 – Decide To Change

Knowing that you have a time management problem is important, but wanting to change is even more important. You need to set goals for yourself, as these goals can help to provide you with a source of motivation. Sample goals include showing up to work on time for a whole month, being on time for all meetings or dinner dates, and so forth.

3 – Stick To Your Goals

Creating a number of time management goals for you to meet is advised, but it is important that you don’t give up right away or when you are faced with complications. Setting goals simply just isn’t enough, you need to stick with them and modify them to suit.

4 – Create Daily Task Lists

Creating a to do list for yourself is an easy way to properly manage your time. In fact, it is one of the easiest approaches that you can take. Outline what you need to do throughout the day. Be sure to list your tasks in order of importance and finish one task completely before moving onto the next.

5 – Rely On Time Management Tools

Properly managing your time is important, but it can be hard for many individuals to get used to, especially right away. If you are one of those individuals, you will want to consider using time management tools to your advantage.

Setting up a simple time schedule may go something like this......... (delegate where possible)

# Check your e mails at set intervals throughout the day and don't be tempted to have a quick look, as this will distract you from other important 'To Do' elements.
# Apply the same logic to making telephone calls to avoid any uneccesary distractions. Make all outgoing calls within a specific timeframe - where possible.
# If you regularily hold or attend meetings try to shedule them for afternoons, as you will be more relaxed, after you have all the 'important' tasks completed.
# Handle all pieces of mail or documents only once where possible, or if it is something which doesn't need to be done right away - place it in your 1 - 31 day file.

6 – Learn How To Say No

In all honesty, there are times where you may not be able to refuse a project at work or a task at home, but try to not take on more than you can accomplish. If you must, look into using outside help. In your business or the workplace, this outside help can come from another company, someone you met at a networking event or look at doing a skills exchange like..........you may be able to provide a service in return for whatever.

Rather than trying to do it all yourself - sometimes all you have to do is ......ASK!

7 – Get Organized

Organization is key to being able to properly manage your time. If you are disorganized, you are likely to waste a large amount of time. For example, in your office space you can waste time by searching for lost or misplaced documents. The same can be said for the home; if you are unorganized, you can spend hours searching for phone numbers or contact details etc.

8 – Consider Hiring Professional Help

As previously stated, if you are overwhelmed at home, you may want to call on a professional housecleaner or gardener or use the Supestore home delivery services it doesn't matter what tricks you use to free up more time.

There is no one size fits all solution, just find and use systems that are right for you and it can make such a difference in how you get through the day.

Quote: "An optimist sees opportunity in difficulties whereas a pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity presented"

John