Time: It's about TIME..
As a business coach, so many times I hear the 'excuse' for not achieving goals or tasks as "I didn't have the time". What I hear is actually "I didn't value the outcome highly enough and therefore I didn't prioritize it and consequently I didn't schedule it".isn't that more to the point!
Any time management guide will tell you that you have to have a task list and schedule the tasks into a daily or weekly diary. That's sounds easy.and it is, but first you need to consider WHAT goes on the list and then HOW to schedule it.
Clearly Defined Goals
The first step is to have clearly defined goals . Without those, scheduling will become difficult for you for two reasons. First, you won't have any guidelines to use for prioritizing your activities; and second, you will have trouble motivating yourself to complete the tasks in your schedule that are not immediately gratifying.
So before you go creating that daily tasks list (which of course IS necessary), review your long-term and intermediate goals and keep the list where you will see it often . Recording things.the process of putting schedules, priorities, and plans on paper, is highly valuable in itself.
Value System
What do you naturally put the most value on? Is it wealth creation, social activities, family time, business? Evaluate your priorities and schedule your time in order of your values.and importantly avoid having two highly valued aspects competing for the same space.it'll end in tears!
Natural Cycles
Evaluate and understand your own natural cycles , that is, know what types of activities to do when, to achieve the maximum return. Some people are better thinkers in the early mornings, some like physical activity in the middle of the day and so forth. Determine your own time strengths and weaknesses and schedule your more difficult activities when you are at your sharpest for that specific activity.
Learn To Say NO
Learn to say "No" to people, including spouses, friends, children, and parents. If it's not something that takes you where you want to go, say NO. And that leads to a more general strategy of continually eliminating unnecessary tasks that are not related to your goals or to maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Make others aware of your time schedule and your efforts to manage time and solicit cooperation from your spouse, family members & colleagues. A problem shared is a problem 'halved'.
Be Realistic
Don't set yourself up to fail. Be realistic in what you CAN achieve. Rule of thumb is we overestimate what we can achieve in the short-term but underestimate what we can achieve in the long-term.
Reward Yourself
And finally, reward yourself for effective time management - you've achieved a goal and you should celebrate it!
This Article is Sourced from ICON Business Solutions and Provided By John Longuet-Higgins |
