Thursday, February 19, 2009

Ten Ways To Boost Your Time Management Skills

By Ann Rusnak

Want to gain more control over your time? Try these time management tips.

1. Gain Time by Planning Ahead

Resist the temptation to rush right into doing something. 15 minutes of daily planning can immensely improve your productivity while reducing crisis management and stress.

2. What Do You Want?

Don't begin a project without finding the end zone first. Setting goals will give you direction for where to focus your time.

3. Flexibility Rules

Even the best laid plans can totally awry if you over plan. Allow breathing room for unexpected interruptions and opportunities

4. Take 5 Minute Power Breaks

Unplug, disconnect and get out of the office for 5 minutes. Read motivational quotes, daydream, or flip through a catalog. You'll be amazed at how energized and invigorated you will feel by taking 5-minute power breaks throughout the day.

5. Kill Your Inner Perfectionist

Hey, I like my ducks in a row, too, but I finally realized that the row doesn't need to be perfectly straight.

6. Learn to Say NO

When you plan your day and focus on your goals, you'll have a realistic look at your available time. This makes it easier for you to say NO when an unimportant task comes up.

7. Identify Your Biological Prime Time

Do you know the time of day where you perform at your best? Perhaps it's the morning. Maybe you like the nights better. Do your higher priority task during your peak

8. Set Your Priorities

Remember the 80/20 rule? Only 20% of your actions bring you the highest reward. The items within that 20% should get first billing in your plan.

9. Overcome Procrastination

Often procrastination occurs because of overwhelm from not knowing where to start. Take your larger project and break it down into smaller 15 minute tasks. (this takes planning) Keep doing those 15 minute tasks and eventually you'll make a big dent in that larger project.

10. Reward Yourself

Even the smallest wins deserve a celebration. Before you begin a task, promise yourself a reward when you finish. Then keep that promise. You earned it.

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