Let me share some time management ideas with you. Here are some things to think about in order to make the most of your time:
1. If you don’t run the day, it will run you.
Staying in control is a big part of time management. Here’s how it normally goes: We start something and feel in command, but as the day progresses, we begin to lose control. It’s similar to running a business. If you don’t keep on top of things, the company will eventually run you out of business. Every now and then, you have to pause and say, “Wait!” “Who’s in charge here?”
Some will be masters, and others will be servants of time
“Some will master, and some will serve,” is a good term to note. That is life’s essence, and you must ensure that you become the master. You’ve got to get through the day. You must maintain control.
What is the secret to remaining in command? You must have a detailed list of your objectives with you at all times. Make a list of your objectives and determine which are most relevant. Review your goals on a regular basis, and include them in a well-written game plan.
Separate the majors from the minors, the very important stuff from the things you just have to do, with your game plan in hand. Often, set priorities. A little forethought will help you save a lot of time.
Is today a major or minor holiday? Make the necessary adjustments to your schedule. Is this a significant or insignificant discussion? Many people struggle in this region for the following reasons: They are experts in trivial matters. They waste so much time on stuff that don’t matter and not enough time on things that do.
2. Don’t confuse progress with accomplishment.
You also know a few people who are just too busy to do anything else. You must be active in order to be profitable.
Consider the following: A guy returns home late at night and collapses on the sofa. “I’ve been running, going, going,” he says. But the real question is, “What are you doing?” Some people are sprinting, sprinting, sprinting, but they’re doing figure eights instead. They haven’t made any improvement.
Don’t confuse progress with accomplishment. Examine the hours of your days to see if there is any time that you could better handle.
3. Keep your focus on the task at hand.
All you have to do now is focus on the task at hand. Don’t begin your business day until you’ve arrived at your destination. I used to begin my workday in the shower. In the tub, I’m trying to write a letter. I’m still not awake, and I’m trying to write a letter. That is not the case, as I discovered. Wait until you arrive at the office to begin your work. Starting your business day at the breakfast table is not a good idea. It’s bad for the family, and it’s also inefficient.
So, here’s what you’re going to have to do. Concentrate on your driving on the way to work. Concentrate on the shower in the shower. Concentrate on the family at the breakfast table. Be present wherever you are. Do not go somewhere else. Give your focus to whatever you’re doing. Offer people the gift of your undivided attention. Concentrate on your current location.
4. Acquire the ability to say no.
In a culture like ours, it’s all too tempting to say yes to too many things, to over-commit yourself. Then there’s the time it takes to back out of it. Don’t make a hasty decision. It’s preferable to say, “I’m not sure if I’ll be able to make it, but I’ll give you a call.” It’s preferable to say that now rather than later.
It’s risky to be too quick to please. You must value yourself, your time, and your limitations.
“Don’t let your mouth overload your back,” as one of my coworkers puts it. It’s risky to be too quick to please. You must value yourself, your time, and your limitations. Recognize when your loyalty to someone else is causing you to neglect yourself and your family. Take advantage of your one-on-one time. And cherish the time you spend with those you care about and who care about you.
When it comes to charitable work, this is particularly relevant. A group of entrepreneurs I know has had a lot of success with their own business. They get a lot of attention. They’ve also been inundated with requests for pro bono work. They must get a couple of offers every month to serve on one or more charity boards. Here’s how they deal with it: They consider all requests, weighing time commitments and assessing opportunities. Then they vote as a group on which two they’ll accept for the coming year.
You can’t just say yes to prestigious deals right away. Even if social events sound like a lot of fun, you can’t say yes right away. You must say maybe and take time to consider what is really important to you and what would simply divert your attention away from your goals and family.
Make an effort to satisfy yourself and your loved ones. Don’t go out of your way to please anyone. Recognize your own limitations. Take time to appreciate what you’ve done rather than using up every second of the day. Allow yourself to savor the fruits of your labor.
5. Pay attention to the little details.
It should be a joy for you to succeed. It’s important to value what you’ve achieved, what you’ve accomplished, and who you’ve become. It’s a critical component in ensuring your success in the future. Knowing that you completed what you set out to do that day is motivating! These little victories on a regular basis are what keep you going.
Let’s say you’re working out your game plan for tomorrow tonight, and the forecast for tomorrow looks pretty light. So “cleanup day” is what you have written down for tomorrow. Remove all of the small notes from your desk. Write all of the thank-you notes you haven’t had time to write this week. Take care of a few phone calls that have been shuffled from day to day. It’s nothing big. Nonetheless, it’s the little stuff that drags you down before you finish it.
As a result, you spend the day cleaning. You keep track of the notes, write thank-you notes, and make phone calls. It isn’t a significant day. However, by the end of the day, you feel like you’ve achieved a great deal. What is the reason for this? Since you’ve attended to so many minor items. The tiniest of information can make a big difference. You feel like you’ve accomplished something significant during a day that began so insignificantly.
Little victories are just as critical as big victories. Success is a never-ending method of working toward your objectives, one step at a time. Little victories lead to major results. In the 24 hours we have each day, anything is possible.
