KATHY’S CORNER
News Letter & Blog
The secret of getting ahead is getting
started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming
tasks into manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.
-Mark Twain
Time Management
Have
you ever wished for a few more hours in the day? Why is it that some people
seem to get everything done effortlessly and others feel that time constantly
eludes them? The secret to managing your time well isn’t working more hours. It
is about prioritizing the important things and learning to use the time you
have more efficiently and effectively. The secret is working smarter, not
harder.
Some
of us, by nature, organize and get tasks out of the way before we relax, while
others of us play first and work later. It is important to first recognize
which type you are and whether your style is allowing you to have the life you
really want. Maybe you are super-organized at work, but burned out because you
don’t know how to make time for yourself. Maybe you are naturally a less
organized person who knows how to relax, but you are dissatisfied because you
aren’t fulfilling your goals and dreams.
Rather
than labeling yourself or beating yourself up, realize that time management is
an area of your life that you can strengthen. Like a new muscle, it takes
practice and repetition to make it stronger. To help you get started, here are
some steps to streamline your days at work and at home. Try the first one or
two that jump out at you:
- Allocate time for planning and organizing.
- Create to-do lists that are realistic, not
intimidating. Use only one to-do list.
- Under-schedule your time: Leave time for the unexpected
and for interruptions. When you estimate how long something will take, add
on a third of that time.
- Schedule your time in a way that reduces interruptions
that lower your productivity.
- Practice the art of intelligent neglect: Eliminate
trivial tasks.
- Prioritize what is most important and do that first.
- Consider your biological prime time: At what time of
day do you work best? Plan to do your most important work at that time.
- If you say yes to everything that comes your way, learn
to say no.
- Ask for help and delegate.
- In the evening make your to-do list for the next day,
so it will be out of your brain and on a piece of paper. Leave work with a
clear head and a clean desk.
- Acknowledge yourself daily for all that you have
accomplished.
Also
take a look at the two biggest hindrances to using time effectively:
procrastinating and lacking purpose. We usually procrastinate when a task seems
too daunting, too large or too complex, or when we feel we won’t be able to
handle it. When you get that “deer in the headlights” feeling, try “chunking”:
break the large task into smaller, manageable action steps and start with the
first one. We also often drag our heels or use our time inefficiently because
we are bored, unengaged and uninspired. The most effective people will tell you
that they love what they do and are aligned with a greater purpose. When it
comes to managing your time, you may need to ask the larger questions, “Am I
doing what I love to do? Am I doing something meaningful to me?”
As you strengthen your new time
management muscle, keep your focus on getting organized so that you can live
the life you came here for. Instead of being a chore, good time management can
be your ticket to more fun, greater satisfaction and a vibrant, exciting life.
