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© Craig Lock 2002
I believe the key to effective time management is having a PLAN. Once
you have done that, communicate your plans to others involved in your
life (those nearest and dearest to you), or those people working with
you in business.
1. Prioritize your goals. Set up the following:
A weekly plan: Plan for a week at a time.
A 'don't forget' list.
A 'what now' list.
2. Focus on the important things - the things that really matter
to you.
3. Throw out irrelevant bits of paper.
4. No matter what pressure you are under, try to control your stress
level at all times.
5. Control interruptions (even a 'closed door' policy is not a bad
thing).
6. Don't procrastinate.
7. Prepare a reminder list of essential details.
8. Plan to get the routine tasks out of the way as quickly as
possible.
9. Develop routines. Ask yourself this question: can any
(procedures) be eliminated or speeded up?
10. Focus on one task at a time.
10. Pat yourself on the back each day by reviewing your
accomplishments.
11. Self monitor and self evaluate your progress on the way to your
goals.
12. Set and keep deadlines for yourself and others (Don't
"interrupt" yourself).
13. Learn to say "no" to others' demands.
14. Slow down for success.
15. Distinguish the really urgent from the seemingly urgent. Sort
out low priority work. Put it aside for later or eliminate it
totally.
16. Encourage others to get to the point on the telephone or at
meetings. Without being too rude, of course!
Waffle less (I love 'em), yourself!
17. Respond less formally, but with more speed, eg. a
hand-written compliments slip rather than a typed letter.
18. Make time for yourself to relax; because this recharges the
batteries.
19. Delegate EFFECTIVELY for success. Ask yourself the question:
Is this only something I can do? If not, to whom can the work
be appropriately assigned? Is this person prepared now, or does
he/she need further instruction to complete the task
efficiently?
20. Provide clear and realistic expectations to your staff. Keep
only the paper you need on your desk (if you are lucky enough to
have a desk, that is!). Clear out irrelevant files. A tidy mind is
an effective mind, but tidy desks are really rarely creative. Thank
goodness I have an excuse then!
21. Communicate clearly to your sub-ordinates and co-workers. Hard
if you are at the bottom of the barrel, like me! Get messages across
clearly the first time.
22. Set aside time to mentally regroup, to think and to plan. Very
important. Review progress regularly to see which plans are working
and which ones aren't. Work with individual players and set aside
time for individuals. Remember everyone is a unique individual with
their own needs.
22. Have direction. Believe in yourself and what you are trying to
accomplish. Review your skills periodically and pat yourself on the
back with your progress to date.
23. Take time out occasionally to assess your progress towards your
goals and review where you are headed. Meditate frequently.
Re-assess the effectiveness of your personal time management
strategies. Are they producing the RESULTS you want?
24. Rest often with mini-breaks (Winston Churchill used this
technique often taking "cat-naps"). Take care of your body and your
mind - it's the only one you've got.
Finally (and most importantly)
25. Pray for guidance in the area of time of time management and
trust God, Spirit that He (or She or It - whatever you understand
the word God to mean to you personally) will help you.
Finally, enjoy the journey down "the river of life" and BE HAPPY.
About the author: Craig Lock has had six books published on various
subjects with another 12 manuscripts published on the internet. 'Steps
to Success' and Craig's other books may be ordered at:
http://www.bridgeniche.com/CLOCK/zaniestbooks.htm
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