Archive for December, 2007

by wendy hearn
Effective time management is a step by step process that takes determination and a long-term commitment. However, it is essential that you do not try to take on too much, too soon. In this article I advise you on how you can manage your time effectively.

We all have days when we are left frustrated and dissatisfied because we did not achieve everything we wanted to get done at the start of the day. This feeling of dissatisfaction can have a disruptive effect that can lower productivity and general happiness.

Because of this, it is essential not to pack too much into your day. It is true that we can achieve a lot if we focus and work very hard, but this is difficult to sustain and can be counter-productive in the long run.

When you are planning your day you should think about how you can use your time effectively. Think about what the most important things are for you to achieve and give these priority. Make a list outlining what you have to achieve and what you would like to achieve.

Allocate time slots for the things that you have to achieve and use any left over time for the things that you would like to achieve that are most important to you. Anything else will just have to wait until another day.

If you are just starting out with managing your time more effectively you may find it difficult to gauge exactly how long a task will take. As time goes on you will get better at this but for now allow a little bit more time than you think a particular task will take. This will make sure that you do not over stretch yourself at the beginning.

You can now go about your day happy that you have given yourself realistic and achievable goals. This will allow you to work in a relaxed and stress-free manner and most of us work better when we are relaxed.

However, it is at the end of the day that you will feel the most benefit from the exercise. The feelings of frustration and dissatisfaction will be replaced by a sense of achievement, and contentment that you have had a full and productive day where you attained all of your goals. This will leave you ready for the next day and, in the long run, increase your productivity and quality of life.

As mentioned, as time goes on you will be able get better at estimating how long various tasks will take. Two tools that can help you with this are the time log and the time plan.

A time log is basically a list of how you spend your time every day. Try writing down how you spend your time each day for a week. You will probably surprised at the results. This will allow you to see exactly where your time goes and will show you how long different things take. You can use this information to make a time plan for how you are going to spend each day.

Discover how you can easily accomplish more in the same or even less time. If you’re struggling with time management, then visithttp://www.AboveAndBeyondTimeManagement.comWendy Hearn works with business owners to be more effective and successful, achieving a more profitable business in less time.

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by Lee, Michael
“If it weren’t for the last minute, nothing would get done,” said a wisecracking piece of stationery I once came across in a store. But if you were to learn proper time management tips, you wouldn’t need that procrastinator’s motivator of a last minute in the first place. Here are some useful time management tips to help keep you and your time in tip-top shape:

1. Delegate. Recent studies show that multitasking, rather than being an asset, is actually quite detrimental to productivity, as opposed to focusing on one job at a time. You cannot do everything by yourself. You are not superhuman after all. Know your limits and don’t be afraid to say “no” to more work or get others to share the load.

2. Don’t procrastinate. All this does is pile up your work, making it even more daunting. And the more daunting it is, the less you’ll be inclined to work on it, and the more you’ll put it off. It’s a vicious cycle, indeed. So another time management tip is to break the task apart into several tiny, more manageable pieces. Work on these pieces one at a time and before you know it, you have conquered the project in its entirety.

3. Personalize. Work on your workspace so that it is conducive to productivity. Get rid of distractions, but do what works best for you. Some people prefer a desk that is the epitome of organization. But if your clutter is your very life source, the fuel from which you derive all of your creative energy, then keep the mess—as long as it’s organized mess, meaning you know exactly where everything is so that you don’t waste precious time scrounging around for this paper or anything else you might need.

4. Reward yourself for a job well done. Hard-earned rewards can be added motivation, goals toward which you can strive. They make work that much more satisfying and fulfilling.

Time is such an invaluable resource. So simply follow these time management tips and actually get things done — right on time and without ever having to rely on the last minute.

Success expert Michael Lee is generously giving away over $2,355.00 worth of the best self-help ebooks FREE at http://www.20daypersuasion.com/goldaccess.htm for a limited time. Download as many as you want before you miss out!

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