A time management technique that many books have been written about is planning. Planning comes in many different forms, however, spending five, fifteen, thirty minutes planning will save you hours in execution. It's time well spent. If you're not taking time to plan your like a tumbleweed blowing in the wind.
"Planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now" - Alan Lakein
The first step of this time management technique is GET ORGANIZED. If you need everything filed and marked specifically then do it. If your best work is accomplished by leaving things in piles, then do that. Forget how others tell you to do it and organize your way.
The second part of this time management technique is SET GOALS. Goals give our lives meaning and point the direction we're traveling. To quote Denis Watley "The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don't define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them."
The third part of this time management technique is PRIORITIZE. One reason why prioritizing works is the 80/20 Rule. The 80/20 Rule states that 80 percent of our typical activities contribute less than 20 percent to the value of our work. So by determining the most valuable 20 percent you can then concentrating on those activities with the most value, you will increase your income and have more time to enjoy life.
The fourth part of this time management technique is USE A TO DO LIST. In my experience and that of many other successful people a "to do list" is a must. Before you go to bed or even better before you quit work for the day, write down a list of the important things to do the next day. Then prioritize them in order of importance. A to do list is a great way to plan your day.
The last part of this time management technique is ALLOW TIME FOR INTERRUPTIONS AND DISTRACTIONS. Plan for interruptions and unexpected emergencies, you know they will happen during your day. Don't plan your day so tight that you don't allow for distractions. You'll have less stress.
Jim Klein helps salespeople fine tune the sales process so they can confidently close more sales and create long term relationships. Get free sales training by subscribing to our free newsletter "The Sales Advisor".