Time Management, What are You Using Your 24Hrs. For?

While attending a class last year, the instructor asked us what prevents us from doing new things or expanding more services to our customers or employees. Besides money, most people answered they don't have enough time to do all the things they want to do without leaving out some of the things they need to do.

He was one of those guys who has an answer for all, he told everyone to write down how many hours they sleep at night, then how many hours they do what they want (i.e. watch tv, gym, sports), how many hours are for work, how many hours for family/spouse/friends time. In the end no one was busy for 24hrs., even if you add in grooming and travel time it just wasn't there. People who are making money hand over fist are using every hour of the day, I think even in there sleep, to dedicate to maximizing what ever it is they do and putting themselves in front of whoever they need to help them do it. Time Management is just as important as Money Management and Health Management. As a matter of fact if you are managing your time, your money and health are covered. If you work from home or still report to an office Time Management is an important beast to conquer and most people who make tons of money will tell you, time is money and they will not waste a second not being productive if they can help it. 

Time Management is not about dictating every second of everyday of your life. It's about a balanced day where you are scheduling your time efficiently  not losing focus on the task at hand, and knowing when to call it quits on a project so that it doesn't run into your other time frames. Examine your old habits and search for ways to change or eliminate things that are serving a negative impact. Set your priorities no later than the night before and be prepared to follow through or re-schedule what you know will not be possible to achieve.  Always schedule the time you need for yourself, it's not about being selfish it's about rejuvenating yourself  to keep you efficient in what you do. Get yourself a copy of #EatThatFrog or ask me to send you an e-file. This book will get you to do the things you don't want to do, first. The author states for you to eat the biggest ugliest frog first thing and then everything else in your day will seem easy compared to it. The biggest downfall in most peoples time management plans is procrastination.

So You've Decided to Take Time Management Serious, You Get a Gold Star for Effort!

The first rule of thumb is in order to improve yourself, you first need to admit you have a problem. In this case your problem is not writing your schedule or basic needs down and/or following through with them. Why do people write a grocery list? Most for two reasons, so that they don't over spend on items they don't need, and to ensure that they don't waste time trying to remember why they are there and forget the necessities they came for. Writing down a daily schedule can be hard, at first. The more you do it the better at it you will become. The hardest part is staying on track and focused on your list long enough to see it through. Remember that practice makes perfect. Start with only including your most important task to complete for the week. As you get use to setting goals and completing them, add daily task. Once you become a pro, try micromanaging your day. If you have a smart phone set alarms and calendar reminders. I find that with Google+ I am able to micromanage as much as I want and set a task list with appointments that have started auto generating.

Eat That Frog, Not Just Any Frog, the Biggest and Ugliest One You've Got!

There are just some task no matter how many times we schedule it we are doomed never to complete it. Sometimes this task, if not completed can throw off your whole day. Guess what, that's your frog. It starts to become the one thing you do not, will not, can not do. Why? Well because you tell yourself that it's impossible or you make it seem bigger than what it is. Or maybe it's just something you do not like to do. This theory has been tested and found to be successful, if you do the one thing you don't want to do; could be your largest task or just one that isn't your most enjoyable; and do it first, all your other to-do-list items will pale in comparison and be completed in a timely fashion. Ask people who exercise first thing in the morning vs people who wait until the evening. Sales reps who have to do cold calls will tell you, going through their list is not always the most pleasant thing but when they tackle it head first with full steam everything else they do is simple as pie. When you create a to-do-list and start crossing things off, you get a feeling of satisfaction, the more you cross off the better. Nothing beats crossing of the one thing that you hate doing or find the most challenging. Try to "Eat That Frog", everyday for 5 days straight and see if the rest of your day will feel like one big win after win once you do.

Why Do Today, When I Can Do Tomorrow. Stop Feeding the Procrastination Beast!

There is one thing that we can not do, and that's lie to ourselves. We can say I will do this tomorrow, but the truth is the little voice in your head will say, mmm maybe not then either but we'll see. What is the point in rescheduling a task if you really have no plans in completing it on time. Start making yourself accountable for your decisions and actions. Start putting yourself on punishment if something isn't finished by the end of a certain time frame. People will have to reschedule task, or push back meetings, and even skip an item or to on their to-do-list because of some reason or another. But if you set a larger goal and it is not completed let's say by the end of the week, then take away your personal time. No TV until it's done, you wanted to see the new movie that came out, well that's to bad you didn't finish your weekly goals. When we have something to loss our procrastination beast can no longer hold dominion over us.

Included is a link to assist you in getting your planning up to date and learning tips on (click the term) Time Management.
For the best solutions follow the links:  How Well Do You Plan Creating a Master Schedule Time Management Tips Making A Personal Schedule Weekly Planner 10-week Planner all submited and written by #dartmouth.edu 

One line that was said in an earlier blog, when you work from home you have to mark your territory, let your friends and family know what your work hours are and that you are not to be disturbed during that time, from

Being a Parent & Working from Home, Is there a balance? 
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