(T)ime Management Tips To Live By

If your like me, you’ve got more than one think going on at any given moment.  Between family, friends, work, blogging, Twittering, authoring or just plain doing nothing, it takes alot of energy to accomplish the simple task and try to be “all you can be” in the process.  I’ve developed a list of Time Management Tips To Live By as a way to center myself and get things done.  Consistently applied they will help you get your mind in the right direction to work more effectively.  We all have days that these tips won’t work.  No worry.  Try your best and don’t beat yourself up.  Tomorrows another day!

  •  Limit your moments of exasperation over a task.
    • When we take on a new project be it at work or just cleaning the closet it may seem ‘SO BIGGGGG” that we quit before we start.  Realize that it took you awhile to get to this point so it will take the same amount of time to make it better.  Huffing, puffing and complaining won’t make the time any shorter.  Take a deep breath and dig in one small piece at a time.
  • Approach a task like you’re going on vacation.
    • Did you ever notice that when you’re going on vacation that you seem to get alot done, with more clarity, quicker?  This happens to me and I feel terrific when I walk out the door.  Try this tip and see how much more you can get done in less time while saying “no” to things that truly don’t matter.
  • 15 minutes then “I’m out of here” rule.
    • Set a timer (not kidding) for 15 minutes.  What can you get done within that time period?  What you should find is that #1 things don’t really take as long as I make them up in my mind  #2 I’ve achieved SUCCESS because I got done things that have been on my plate for sometime.  The timer rule can apply to 30 minutes or even an hour.   It centers our priority and sets a limit so we won’t get distracted.
  • Have one calendar or at least two side by side.
    • I can’t tell you how many times I overbooked myself only then to have to choose and disappoint someone.  Plus, I’ve lost alot of credibility by canceling.  Too many calendars leave too much room for error and results in alot of apologizes.  Not cool!  One calendar is best.  Two at the most.
  • Spend 15 minutes the night before ANYTHING to get it ready.
    • I wake up with good intentions and then the cat throws up (multiple times), my dogs won’t come back in the house or I hate what I’m wearing so I change clothes three or four times.  If I would have set myself up for success the night before by spending 15 minutes instead of watching TV, I would be less frustrated, not in a hurry and calmer walking out the door.  Murphy’s Law is always working.  It may be your door that Murphy visits next.  Be prepared.
  • Watch the distractions.
    • Believe it or not, we have control over distractions.  We can choose a different time of day to perform an activity or block out time on our personal or professional calendars.  If TV is a distraction, don’t be near the room where others are watching.  If the phone is a distraction, only answer necessary calls.  The more we control distractions, the more empowered we feel to take back our time and focus on our priorities.

Be healthy and fabulous!

Sandra Larkin, CWPM
Certified Wellness Program Manager

www.sandralarkin.com
www.healthyprofitsbook.com

All rights reserved.  Content © 2009 Sandra Larkin Wellness Strategies, LLC

September 14th, 2009 - Posted in ABC's, habits, intellectual, productivity, time management | | 0 Comments