Need A Time Management System? Use These Tools For Effective Time Management
Posted on | July 6, 2009 | 3 Comments
I have no doubt that you understand the importance of time management. But, do you understand that successful time management requires an effective time management system?
What are the characteristics of an effective time management system? Let’s take a look at a few key elements to an effective time management system.
Create An Effective To Do List
The human brain is incapable of remembering more than three or four things at one time.
As a result, you have to create a “to do” list in order to prevent last minute surprises. More importantly, a “to do” list is an effective tool for time management in that it allows you to effectively plan and prioritize your day.
My time management system requires that I organize my “to do” list into three categories.
First, I list the things that must be accomplished this day. Second, I list the items that I need to accomplish by the end of the week. Finally, I list the items that need to be completed within thirty days or more.
Furthermore, I always estimate the approximate time needed to complete the task. I then multiply that time by 1.2 in order to account for unexpected events and errors in time estimation. I write the estimated time next to the item on the “to do” list.
Learn to Say No
Do you love the feeling of being the hero at work? Can’t tell the brother in law “no” when he asks you to help build his deck? Do your projects keep piling up while everyone else seems to have plenty of time to spend with their families?
Friend, you need to learn to say “No!”
If you are currently feeling overwhelmed, you have probably ignored the impact that the constant demands of others have had on your schedule. You have to learn when your plate is full; and, more importantly, how to communicate that fact to others.
When you learn to say “No”, you will quickly be able to sort your friends from your leaches.
Your friends will understand and often offer to help.
The leaches in your life will whine, get angry, or make you feel guilty to get you to acquiesce to their demands for more of your time.
Quit doing anything for these people!!! They are using you up.
Look, if you waste your time and energy on the leaches in your life, how will you have resources to assist those that really need and deserve your help?
Separate the wheat from the chaff.
Learn to say “NO!”
It is a time management system in, and of, itself.
Reward Yourself When You Accomplish A Task
An effective time management system requires a system of rewards and punishments.
You are motivated by a system of pain and pleasure.
You will be motivated to do a task when the pain of procrastination exceeds the pleasure to putting it off. Here is a great article that explains this concept in greater detail.
The bottom line is that if you are not motivated to work to complete your tasks for the day, you are going to have a tough time developing an effective time management system.
Use rewards to motivate yourself to complete a task. Treat yourself to a cup of coffee, a soft drink or a candy bar.
This is an effective time management tool in two ways. First, the reward itself might be an important motivating factor for you. Second, rewarding yourself is an acknowledgment that the task that you completed was important and that you are a valuable person for completing it in a timely manner.
This is important as healthy self esteem is an important part of any time management system as well.
Work When You Are At Your Best
Every person has an internal clock. In order to practice effective time management, you need to know whether you are a morning person, afternoon person, or night person. Once you learn when you perform best, you can incorporate that into your time management system.
It only makes sense to schedule your most difficult tasks during the time you are likely to be getting things done.
Happiness Is An Effective Time Management System
Indeed an effective time management system requires a balanced approach.
If you create an effective to do list while learning to say “No”, you will decrease the number of items you need to accomplish at any given time. Learn to schedule the core of your work during the times you are performing at your peak.
Finally, reward yourself for a job well done.
If you incorporate these items into your box of time management tools, you will have created an effective time management system.
Related posts:
- Time Management Tools: Creating An Effective To Do List
- Getting Things Done: An Effective Time Management Strategy
- Creating A Powerful Time Management System
Tags: goal setting > learn to say no > motivation > procrastination > time management > time management system > to do list
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3 Responses to “Need A Time Management System? Use These Tools For Effective Time Management”
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July 19th, 2009 @ 4:33 pm
[...] system. Use these time management tools to increase your own productivity. Douglas Manning presents Need A Time Management System? Use These Tools For Effective Time Management posted at [...]
May 19th, 2010 @ 5:28 am
my family is really interested in Coffee Franchise like Starbucks. we are still saving money for the franchise cost.~*`
July 12th, 2010 @ 11:39 am
my mom has a coffe franchise near seattle and she earns a lot from it:,`