Have You Mastered Time Management?

[Rob]

I have just posted some thoughts to my blog about teaching time management to kids ( http://www.smallbusinesssuccess.biz/forum/blog.php?b=7 ) and it got me thinking. Whilst we want to teach our kids how to manage time are we practicing what we preach?

I'll be honest that whilst I concur with the 'do a list in the morning and start with the first item' concept I just can't get into it.

My TM moments come when the basket is overflowing and I know I need to take stock. At that point I down tools and then do a long list of jobs that are outstanding - it could take a valuable 30 minutes or so but time well invested. You may think that its depressing to have a long list but to me it's quite a relief that I have got the jobs identified. From there I then pick the top 5 and off I go. Within a day or so it's back to normal!

Perhaps not conventional but this crisis approach seems to work for me.

What about you? Are you a structured day planner or someone who whings it as the day progresses?

[PaulSimister]

I'm sure you know the principles Rob so my advice is to be very clear on what the priorities are.

Yes interruptions will happen although there are ways to restrict them.

Yes some jobs will take longer than expected but if it is top priority and you want it down well, accept it provided you don't sway towards perfectionism

Yes you won't feel like doing some jobs. If they are a priority then just do them. Get them out of the way or if the task is large, break it down into manageable pieces and then do piece one.

Yes, if you are like me, you will find yourself distracted and tempted to zoom off and have a look at an offer in an email. Be clear on what you want and if it's relevant, then accept the distraction. If it's not relevant don't waste time.

I like to plan about six activities in a day and get my most important tasks done first (but then I am a morning person) but I only plan about six or seven hours worth of activities. That way I stand a good chance of getting my main tasks done and I have the freedom to follow my whims of fancy.

It may not be what the time management gurus preach but it works most of the time for me.

[Rob]

I think your point about what works for you is so right - how you manage your day is what feels right at the time. For me if the pressure's on the to-do list kicks in, if not then the day is less structured.

Your point about e-mail is also valid - I now log out of Outlook once I have downloaded the batch of the days mail otherwise that irriatated 'ding' when a new mail arrived made me curious as to what it was, so down tools, open e-mail and bang, another 5 minutes gone!

E-mail discipline is perhaps one of the key skills in today's world.

[PaulSimister]

I know that some people recommend that you shouldn't look at your email until lunchtime.

It seems that we have got into the habit of logging on, downloading our email and then we dance to someone else's agenda rather than our own.

I can't do it but I do understand the recommendation.

I have done my daily time plan while the PC is booting up etc only to find myself getting distracted by "opportunities" that come to my Inbox.

Back to the self discipline issue I suppose.

[Raja C Hireker]

For the last month or so, I've been following the Ultimate Time Management System, and, it's brought SPECTACULAR results.

What is the UTMS?

Well, quite simply, it's doing ONE thing, and ONLY one thing at a time.

How many times are we on the phone and we're emailing away to someone else?

How many times are we in the middle of a project, and the phone rings and we answer it?

By being PRESENT, in THIS email, THIS conversation, THIS phone call, we achieve so much more.

The opportunities are in the MOMENT we are doing WORK.

There's this big hullaballoo about multi-tasking and getting a 101 one things done at once.

It's all a con to sell a bunch of stuff.

The brain can't process more than ONE thing at a time.

Multi-tasking is like having 10 files open on the desktop of the computer, and most of the time is spent trying to figure out WHAT to work on!

It's like having 10 conversations at the SAME TIME and expect to be fully present and attentive in all of them... at the same time!

Madness.

Can't happen.

Shut them all down.

Focus on one.

Be fully present when engaging in the WORK and watch how effortlessly the work gets done - there' no battle for the mind going on.

Anyway, it works for me, my coach and... my coach's coach who charges 150k per year, per client... AND HE HAS A STRING OF PEOPLE LINING UP TO BE COACHED BY HIM!

Something's gotta be working good with the UTMS for THAT to happen!

Hope something helps,


Raja
Business & Personal Success Coach / Copywriter
http://Raja-Hireker.Blogspot.com

[Rob]

Raja,

Good observations and I agree - that tends to be how I (try) and work! For big tasks, its door shut, e-mail off and mobile on silent. I like your idea of 'being in the moment'; all your focus on one project or task can be powerful.

Again, as Paul said, all down to self discipline and ignoring the distractions.

[helma]

My desk at work is my haven. My trays work for me. Now I can't tell you what the best desk system is for you, all I know is that if yours doesn't make your day easier - change it, constantly change it until you get something that works. For me, I don't allow anyone to put anything on my desk. My assistant is allowed to put things in one tray and one tray only, everything else is put in my communal pigeon hole. I have a single out tray - this simple tray stops me from getting up 20 or 30 times a day as much of what comes in to me needs to go elsewhere in the office. I have a tray full of non urgent things to read, when I get time, I start going through it. I have a tray full of things I'm waiting on others for and I have an email folder full of these sorts of emails - my diary prompts me with a recurring reminder to check through these two areas. Whatever works for you, works for you, just take some time to find it!
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[lalu123]

I make To do lists every day and I believe it is one of the most important tool in Time management. It helps a lot.


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[PaulSimister]

I should have mentioned it before but I recommend the time management training and software from Simpleology to my clients and contacts.

Simpleology is the simple science of getting what you want and that is a sentiment that resonates with me.

Why make things more difficult that they need to be.

The Simpleology course is free and is made up of daily multi-media lessons to teach you the basics.

The website doesn't look much - I don't know why they don't push it harder - but do give it a go.

Simpleology 101 (http://www.simpleology.com/p/s101/ypc/)

[johnpete]

Yes, if you are like me, you will find yourself distracted and tempted to zoom off and have a look at an offer in an email. Be clear on what you want and if it's relevant, then accept the distraction. If it's not relevant don't waste time..
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[great]

Time management is a set of principles, practices, skills, tools, and systems working together to help you get more value out of your time with the aim of improving the quality of your life.

The important point is that time management is not necessarily about getting lots of stuff done, because much more important than that is making sure that you are working on the right things, the things that truly need to be done.

[hosting]

Time management refers to a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals. This set encompass a wide scope of activities, and these include planning, allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing. Initially time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities also. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools and techniques.

Some authors (such as Stephen R. Covey) offered a categorization scheme for the hundreds of time management approaches that they reviewed

* First generation: reminders based on clocks and watches, but with computer implementation possible; can be used to alert a person when a task is to be done.
* Second generation: planning and preparation based on calendar and appointment books; includes setting goals.
* Third generation: planning, prioritizing, controlling (using a personal organizer, other paper-based objects, or computer or PDA-based systems) activities on a daily basis. This approach implies spending some time in clarifying values and priorities.
* Fourth generation: being efficient and proactive using any of the above tools; places goals and roles as the controlling element of the system and favors importance over urgency.

[Kendall]

Nice post and thanks for sharing such a important stuff....

[Maddox99]

Sorry I don't have any idea about....

[andremoo]

Time management is most important issue and most important thing we should keep in mind and should be master in, if you control time you can do anything and you achieve your goal but if you fail you can;t achieve anything ever, thanks all for valuable input

[ricky028]

Time management is really vital.
Everybody has 24 hours in a day and how you use it to get the maximum will decide your future.

[nitin705]

Time management is hard to do but most important if you make a schedule and you know when to do what you can reach your goal, have some slots free so that you can manage unexpected queries

[johnkall]

Yes i have mastered in time management.I know how to manage time.

[Denley]

Hi..,

I didn't understand your post.Can you please explain me in brief..?

[seonewca]

I make To do lists every day and I believe it is one of the most important tool in Time management. It helps a lot.


I agree with this method. You already have manage of time and with that list you wont forget what you were about to do :)

[massesm]

Time management is a continuous process,its is involved in every aspect of our lives.