Time Management - 10 Tips To Time Management

1. Purchase a Franklin, Day timer, or a 3 ring-notebook. Keep everything inside one binder! List ALL of your "Things To Do" on one master list.

2. Touch each piece of paper only once! When sorting through the mail stand over the wastebasket and immediately throw away junk mail. Next, sit down at your desk and open each piece of mail and take care of it. If it is a bill – pay it. If it needs to be filed – file it.

3. Take your monthly calendar and write down ALL committed dates: Birthday's, Family reunions, vacation, standing monthly appointments, etc. Next, choose your "planning time". This is a 1-2 hour time you set aside each week to map out the week's activities. Mark the day and time on your monthly calendar and keep your "planning" appointment as you would any other commitment.

4. Stick to your weekly plan. Unless it is an emergency, keep your daily schedule in front of you focusing on your "Things To Do List". Unnecessary interruptions take up a lot of ones time. Tell yourself, when others infringe on your time, "A lack of planning on your part does not create an emergency on mine".

5. Schedule reoccurring appointments once a year or twice a year. If you get your haircut every four weeks the next time you go to the hairdresser take your calendar and schedule the next 11 monthly appointments. Do the same with your dental and doctor check-ups. If you have already written down your work and family related activities on your calendar then you already know the dates you have available.

6. Food/Meals. Make a weekly menu and shop once a week. Mark "shopping day" on your calendar, as well. Let the family know in advance when "shopping day" is. Never cook just one meal. ALWAYS double your recipe and, when possible, put the additional meal in the freezer. Most main dishes and desserts keep well in the freezer. Just think, you cook two meals and only had once mess to clean up!

7. ALWAYS lay out tomorrow's clothes and work material the night before. Especially if you have small children.

8. Read while you wait. Carry a small tote bag that holds any material you want to read. I read several great books last year only because I carried them with me. It's amazing how much reading you can do in those small segments of time.

9. Limit unnecessary television, Internet time, and phone calls. Forwarding emails and idle chit-chat can literally eat away the day. If you must spend time watching television be productive by watching your favorite shows while you prepare the week's meals.

10. Learn to graciously say no to activities that are not going to get you closer to your goals. Many times we commit to projects that take up a huge amount of our time because we over commit. Learn to say no.

Remember… life is short! And time is our most valuable resource so use it wisely by making the most of it.