You have 24 hours in every day, and seven days a week. That's a total of 168 hours to accomplish everything that needs to be done in your life. Are you utilizing your time wisely? You may want to consider the following issues when evaluating your time management.
- Poor planning
People don't plan to fail, but a lot of people fail to plan. Without a plan of action set up before your day begins you are likely to get caught up in "stuff," responding the loudest voice that gets your time and attention. Planning ahead can ensure optimum productivity. - Crisis management
When a deadline sneaks up on you it robs you of all choice and you are controlled by the clock. Crisis management, for the most part, is the result of poor time management. You're rushed and stressed, letting things slip through the cracks and often having to go back and redo what was not done well in the first place. Most of what puts you into crisis management is within your control and could have been prevented with better planning. - Procrastination
All the planning in the world does not substitute for the doing. Many find that they just can't get going on the things that will make a big difference in their success. They have "permanent potential." First thing in your day, get going on the most difficult tasks and get them out of the way. - Interruptions
Unanticipated events coming your way, in person or electronically, can steal your time away. Many interruptions are necessary and part of what you get paid for. However, most are unnecessary thieves of your time. Be less willing to automatically give away your time just because they demand it. - Not delegating
"If you want a job done well you better do it yourself." Look at everything you have to do and ask, "Is this the best use of my time?" If it is, do it. If not, delegate it. - Unnecessary meetings
If two or more people get together and nothing productive comes of the time spent together, that meeting was unnecessary. Before meeting ask, "Is it really necessary?" If it is, then meet but take action as a result of the meeting. - The "shuffling blues"
Many people manage their time through piles. Piles appear on their desk. Piles of "to be read" emails on their computer and lots of "to be heard" voice mails are stored away. When encountering something new, schedule it to your day planner under the day you plan to tackle it and then put it away so you are out of the shuffling blues. - Poor physical setup
Have the most frequently needed items nearby, within arm's reach, to save time. Store away things you don't use very often. - Poor networking
Quality relationships with others can be a huge time saver as they open doors for you with all kinds of opportunities. Failing to develop a good network base will cause you to waste time creating what you might have had through your network. Be a good networker. Help them whenever possible. You want a friend? You have to be a friend. - Bad attitude
Nothing sinks a day more effectively than having a poor attitude. It causes you to dwell on the problems and not the solutions. When you are burdening others with your problems and complaints you are stealing your time and theirs. - Negative people
Some people are the life of the party and some people are the death of the party. The problem with having negative people around you is you wind up spending a lot of your time listening to their complaints rather than focusing on your success.
Arrest each of these "time thieves." Sentence them to solitary confinement and re-claim your productive time. You deserve it.
