Do you manage your time well?  Or are you like most people and find yourself overwhelmed, often rushing to put out fires and meet deadlines?  Or are you finding yourself going from one crisis to another?

We know that we should manage our time more effectively, but find it difficult to stay on task. In many instances, it is hard to pinpoint the mistakes we’re making and how we can improve.  However, when we do manage our time effectively, we are more productive, our level of stress is reduced and we find the time to focus on projects that give us more rewards and opens doors to new opportunities.

Check our top 10 list (David Letterman style – reverse order) of what to do to improve your time management and you’ll find the time to do the things you really love.

10. Scheduling Tasks  – What is your biological clock?  Do you work best in the morning or early evening? Make the best use of your time by working on key projects during your peak and less important work when your energy is low.

9. Take Breaks – You might think you can work 8-10 hours straight, especially when there are deadlines.  But without taking a break it is difficult to focus and produce high quality work.  Breaks provide a valuable down time and will allow you to work more effectively.

8. Multitasking – When you multitask it takes you 20-40 percent more time to finish jobs that are on your to do list.  Focus on one task at a time. Your work will get done more efficiently and enable you to manage simultaneous projects.

7. Thriving on “Busy” – “A” personalities tend to get an adrenaline rush from being constantly busy. This can lead to stress causing ineffectiveness.  Slow down and smell the roses and watch your productivity improve.

6. Learn To Say “No” – Do you have trouble saying “No”?  Not being able to say “no” leads to stress.  Assert yourself and learn how to say “no” and you will accomplish much more.

5. Procrastination – Procrastination creates guilt and can cause you to dread doing the job.  Schedule time to begin a job and commit to that time.  You do not have to finish the task all at once, the strategy is to begin and set a deadline to finish, rather than put it off.

4. Distractions – Whether your distractions come from email, phone calls, texting, or colleagues in a crisis it is imperative you manage them.  Take control and schedule times to check emails, texts, phone calls and your to do list will be accomplished.

3.  Prioritize – It is important you learn to prioritize – Make a list of what needs to be done and by when.  Review priorities and start with what is most pressing.

2. Set Personal Goals – Where do you want to be in 6 months, 1 year?  Setting goals is essential to managing time.  Goals lead you to what you want to accomplish and by when.  Once you know what you want to achieve you can better manage your time and plan how you will get there.

1. To Do List – This is probably the most important tip to help overcome your time management challenges.  It helps you prioritize your workload, helps you overcome procrastination, helps you remember what must be done, helps you to minimize distractions, helps you focus and most of all keeps you on track.

We can help you overcome your time management challenges by making you accountable.  Contact us to today and for a complimentary consultation and  learn how you can accomplish more and enjoy a better quality of life.