Time Management

ar2st · **Posted:** Feb 02, 2008 **Topic Views :** 552 **Post subject:** Time Management

Let us think on personal time management skill; These are essential skills for people to be effective.

People who use these techniques routinely are the highest achievers in all walks of life,
from business to sport to public service.

If you use these skills well, then you will be able to function effectively, even under intense pressure.

The 80:20 Rule

This rule argues that typically 80% of unfocussed effort generates only 20% of results.
The remaining 80% of results are achieved with only 20% of the effort.
By applying these tips and skills in this section you can optimize your effort to ensure
that you concentrate as much of your time and energy as possible on the high payoff tasks.

This ensures that you achieve the greatest benefit possible with the limited amount of time available to you.

Manage your time. Get it all done.

If you've found yourself putting off important tasks over and over again, you're not alone.
In fact, many people procrastinate to some extent - but some are so chronically affected
by procrastination that it stops them achieving things they're capable of and disrupts their careers.

The key to controlling and ultimately combating this destructive habit is to recognize,
when you start procrastinating,
understand why it happens,
and take active steps to better manage your time and outcomes.

~ How to Overcome Procrastination
Whatever the reason behind procrastination, it must be recognized,
Dealt with and controlled before you miss opportunities or your career is derailed.

Step 1: Recognize that you're Procrastinating

If you're honest with yourself, you probably know when you're procrastinating.
Putting off an unimportant task isn't procrastination, it's probably good prioritization.

Some useful indicators which will help you pull yourself up as soon as
You start procrastinating include:

* Filling your day with low priority tasks from your To Do List
* Reading an e-mail or request that you've noted in your notebook or on your TO DO list
more than once, without starting work on it or deciding when you're going to start work on it;
* Sitting down to start a high-priority task, and almost immediately going off to make a cup of coffee
or check your e-mails;
* Leaving an item on your To Do list for a long time, even though you know it's important;
* Regularly saying "Yes" to unimportant tasks that others ask you to do, and filling your time with
these despite knowing the important tasks already on your list.

Step 2: Work out WHY You're Procrastinating

Why you procrastinate, can depend on both you and the task.
But it's important to understand what the reasons for procrastination are for each situation,
so that you can select the best approach for overcoming your reluctance to get going.

The common reasons of procrastination are the following:

* You find the task unpleasant; or
* You find the task overwhelming

Get over it!

If you are putting something off because you just don't want to do it, and you really can't delegate
the work to someone else, you need to find ways of motivating yourself to get moving.

The following approaches can be helpful here:

* Make up your own rewards. For example, promise yourself a piece of tasty flapjack at
lunchtime if you've completed a certain task.
* Ask someone else to check up on you. Peer pressure works! it's widely recognized as a
highly effective approach.
* Identify the unpleasant consequences of NOT doing the task. Work out the cost of your time to
your employer. As your employers are paying you to do the things that they think are important
* You're not delivering value for money if you're not doing those things.

Key points:

To have a good chance of conquering procrastination, you need to spot
Straight away that you're doing it. Then, you need to identify why you're procrastinating
and taken appropriate steps to overcome the block.

The solution is to develop good time management, organizational and Personal effectiveness habits.
This helps you establish the right priorities, and manage your time in such a way that you make the
most of the opportunities open to you.